Faeries and Mortals (Cruel Prince/wicked king/ queen of nothing FanFic)

Cardan's POV

Chapter 30
"Phase four," Cardan whispers to me, still believing we're on the same side.
I think of Madoc, dozing away upstairs, his dreams full of murder. I think of Oriana and Oak being forced apart for years. I think of Cardan and how he will hate me. "For the next full minute, I command you not to move," I whisper back.
Cardan goes utterly still.
"Go ahead," Vivi says to Oak. "Just like we practiced."
And with that, Oak puts the crown on Cardan's head to rest on his brow.

"I crown you," the little boy Oak, says, his childish voice tentative, as if he has been told to say these words. "King. High King of Faerie."

For a moment, my heart stops. This was not part of the plan. I look at Jude, finding her looking right back at me, her expression wary, as if wanting to see my reaction. And in a flash, it all clicks in my brain.

She said she had a plan, but she lied. Crowning her brother and sending him away for seven years would have never guaranteed him his throne. So she decided to make me king for that time period, and when sweet little Oak is big and ready, she will expect me to abdicate in her brother's favour.

She lied to me. Lied to me, the prince of Faerie. And why wouldn't she, after all I've done to her? A kiss shouldn't change that. Wouldn't change that. No matter how significant it was, or how long I laid at night thinking about it, reimagining it.

But nonetheless, she promised. She said we just have to crown her little brother, and we'll be free of this court, of this life. I try to tell that cunning whisper that she's human, that it's a fault on my part for not expecting it. But no matter how hard I try, my train of thinking constantly returns to the now impossible chance of leaving this life behind, of this huge responsibility dumped on my shoulders, of the possibility of new beginnings, shattering to pieces, all because of her. This lying, deceiving mortal.

The thought alone leaves me in rage. But I can't display that. Not when one by one, every folk in the hall falls to one knee. "My king," they say in unison.

I push my anger, all my emotions to the back of my mind, just like how my dear brother Balekin graciously taught me, just like how I've always done. "Rise." I say, my voice echoing, and sounding surprisingly that of a king's.

For now, I have to play my part. And then I'll show her. I glance one last time at her. You'll pay back for this Jude, just you wait.

The rest of the evening is spent in a swirl of congratulations, toasts, and introductions to generals and other important members of the court, people who didn't waste their time talking to me during my time as the youngest prince. The whole affair bores me out of my mind, but I keep the smile on my face, accepting felicitations and pretending to be listening, when really, a plan is formulating in my head. A plan to make Jude sorry.

Nicasia stops in front of me, her copper dress bringing out her enchanting eyes, and making her as beautiful as ever. Instead of curtsying, she presses a kiss to my cheek, her lips lingering a second more than necessary. A few months ago, her actions would've sent me to the moon, but now I know better. The reason behind her flirting isn't just Locke, who dumped her for a human no less, but is more so my elevated status in the court. I know her well enough, and I know how she chases after power. It's the reason why she encouraged my advances when she first came to our court, and it's also the reason why she left me.

"Nicasia." I say, with a nod.

"The High King Cardan of Faerie. It has a nice ring to it."

"All thanks to Jude." I reply with a shrug, careful to not show how angry I get as soon as I remember what that name has brought on.

As soon as the words leave my mouth, the wry smile falls off her face, and she regards me with calculating eyes.

"I never thought the day would come where I see you arm in arm with a mortal. Something you want to tell your friend?" she inquires softly, taking a step closer.

Her proximity does nothing to my heartbeat the way it once did. I tell myself it's been that way since she showed her power-hungry self, since she proved she is no different from the rest of them. Yet I know the same person she's inquiring about is the real reason behind that. The same mortal, who managed to determine the fate of the entirety of the High Court with her scheming.

Before I could explain that my only purpose was to torment her, what else, General Madoc, Jude's father, enters the hall with a look of barely contained fury in his eyes.

Why hello there, my lovely creatures!

How did you find the sneak peak above in Cardan's mind? I really hope you like it! ;)
Let me know what you think, and if you have any requests of a certain POV or chapter, don't hesitate to tell me! I'll try to write as many chapters in the next few days, so keep your eyes open lol.

Xoxo