A Bloody Crown

Chapter 16: Crowns

The competition was fierce. No smiling, no laughing, no talking. Just riding and slaughtering. 

The hellhound barked harshly, left and right, guiding the horses erratically. We were jostled and thrown, narrowly avoiding tree limbs and poisonous plants.

Wind howled in my ears, the only sound loud enough to top it were the horse hooves thundering below us. A storm followed us, leaving devastation in our wake.

Every animal in the forest was terrified, running desperately, whining and crying as they did. The Horsemen from Hell were after them, and they felt it. I felt it, felt the power we held together.

I didn't need our matching crowns to know he felt the same way.

And I couldn't help that, as we killed, shed blood together, I imagined the life we could have. The freedom of Prythian, humans and faes living together in prosperity.

Just the way he said it could be.

Free from the Night Court, free from Rhysand and his Nightmare Court.

But then again, I knew it wasn't real. Logic told me the King was lying, manipulating me to do what he needed me to do. I knew that. But for a moment, does it hurt to pretend?

Like the fantasies Marlia and I discussed when I was younger. A world of magic and fairytales. Maybe he could even heal my... issues, my senses.

As I fired my last arrow, piercing the hide of a massive wolf, I snapped back into life. Reality.

I gently slowed my horse down into a trot, circling around my final kill, looking back through the dense forest, the floor littered in carcasses.

The King slowed beside me, turning his horse to face mine. With a look at our destruction trail, he looked back to me. His voice was so flatlined, so monotone, I didn't realize he was attempting to make me laugh at first. "I believe we just fueled the war effort."

With a snort, I replied, "It would seem so."

Realizing the sun was high overhead, I turned to him and nodded. He snapped his fingers, and a pile of our carcasses appeared on the backs of the horses, six on my horse and five on his. We began trotting towards Nolan's estate, silence returning to us.

As we reached the main part of the estate, he turned to me, face neutral and asked, "Are you confident completing this plan? I do not wish to.." he paused, deliberating his next words. "Place you into an impossible situation."

I nodded once, looking straight ahead, into the windows of Nolan's castle. "I am confident in my abilities."

He nodded in return, but said nothing. 

Marlia ran out of a side door, flagging me down. The King and I pulled our horses to a stop, I curved towards her, but the King remained at a distance.

"My Queen," she whispered, handing me my crown. "They were not even allowed into the main portion of the estate. Nolan has them stopped in the guard shack. I did not inform him of your coming, but I am certain he is suspicious."

I placed it upon my head gently, allowing the gems to swing freely. Her eyes grew wide, and she looked between me and the King behind me. With a quick glance to my left, I noticed the King now had a black crown on. One that wasn't there just moments ago.

She leaned in, giggling. "Have you found a suitor?"

"Marlia," I hissed, shaking my head. "Hush. Enter the guard shack a few moments after me."

With another glance behind me, she nodded, then ran back into the castle. I pulled the horse over to the left, walking back to the King.

"They are in the guard shack," I mused. "Seems Nolan does have some sense."

He snorted, then patted his horse, telling him to move. I followed suit, raising my chest high, calming my senses. We walked past the window, and the King turned to me, eyes looking over my head, into the room.

I remained focused on him, now looking into the depths of his black eyes. In a simple motion, he took my left hand into his, leaned down to it, and kissed my knuckles, all without losing my gaze.

I remained impassive, a neutral face and posture. With a wink, he snapped his fingers, taking everything with him but my horse as he vanished.

Elegantly, I slid off my horse on the side away from the window, acutely aware of every scent exuding from that room. Every emotion, feeling, different type of blade, magical disguises, and individual in there.

I began walking toward the side entrance, mentally putting up a shield just in case. Rhysand liked to invade minds, I'd heard. Crush them, as well. My blood raged as I thought of the Winter Court children he brutally murdered.

My hand rested on the golden doorknob, pausing for just a moment before I turned it, entering the room.

Stepping into a room of enemies, I surveyed it quickly, taking a mental note of everyone in here. Keeping calm, holding my fear close. A mass of fae, Nolan and Graysen, and a dark-haired male I'd never seen before.

But then, I saw her.

Refined, poised, steadied.

Her eyes were locked onto me as mine were to her.

Nesta Archeron stared me in the face, her expression blank, but eyes swirling.

I returned the favor.