Castle of Illusions (Wicked Kingdoms Book 4) Read online

  Kiara’s fair skin turns a ruddy red and my eyes widen.

  She holds her finger up to her lips in a “shh” gesture and I nod, mouthing the word “later” to her. Because no way in hell am I not going to get the juicy details from Kiara on whoever she’s got the hots for.

  “Here we are.” Dare’s voice carries to where we are, a few feet down the hall, and I quicken my pace to catch up with them.

  I knock on the door. “Siana, it’s Ever and Dare. We have Queen Nicnivin of the Unseelie Court with us as well as her daughter, Kiara.”

  A lock tumbles, and then the door opens, but Siana isn’t standing there. Instead she’s at the threshold of the door into the nursery, eyeing our group cautiously. Her hands are firmly planted on her hips and she’s not stepping forward to greet anyone.

  “Everything okay?” I ask, not sure why she’s in a defensive stance.

  After a moment, she smiles and walks forward. “Yes, of course. I was just checking for any ill intentions or incantations.” She drops to one knee, kneeling for Nicnivin. “It’s an honor to meet you, Queen Nicnivin, I’m Siana of Clan Sutherland.”

  Nicnivin takes her hand and pulls her to standing. “I’m very fond of your mother. You needn’t bow to me, child.”

  I ignore whatever reunion is happening there and head to check on my babies. Dare comes up behind me, his warmth surrounding me as he places his hands next to mine on the railing of the crib Queen Mab had gifted us. Thank the gods, the blankets they’re each swaddled with are from Queen Nicnivin. I’m sure it would be some slight if they weren’t donned in something she had given them upon their meeting.

  Raley and Ronan sleep soundly, their little mouths slightly parted, their eyes moving behind their pale lids as they dream. Nicnivin rounds the crib and coos down at them.

  “They are precious, Ever.” She traces a finger along the side of Ronan’s light blue blanket. “Very well done, Darrow.” She nods at him like he’s the mightiest of all the males and uses his full name. I lean back and watch her as she looks them over, smiling softly at them.

  Raley blinks one eye open and cocks her head, staring up at the raven-feathered queen, letting out a happy giggle as she wiggles her arm free and reaches for one of the inky feathers on Nicnivin’s belt through the slats of the crib.

  “You are going to be trouble, little one,” Nicnivin laughs, the sound light and happy, before she plucks the feather Raley was after and holds it over her, letting her reach for it. Her giggling wakes her brother who lets out a grunt, demanding some attention as well.

  “They both slept the entire time, Ever. So they might be hungry shortly,” Siana says the words softly in my ear, and I smile up at her.

  “Thank you for keeping them safe.”

  She dips her head in acknowledgment and backs away to speak with Kiara.

  “Would you mind if I held one of them?” Nicnivin asks, and Dare and I both shake our heads at the same time.

  “Please, be our guest.” I wait for her to pick up Ronan and snatch Raley up in my arms, tickling under her chin and making her gurgle happy sounds.

  “Both of your children are incredibly gifted.” Nicnivin says, looking down at Ronan as he shoves her finger in his mouth.

  “You can tell that?” I ask, curious as to what she’ll say.

  She gives me an “of course I can” look and wiggles her fingers for Ronan’s amusement. “Ronan and I share a similar gift.” She nuzzles his neck and coos at him. “He gifted me with a vision of the future.” She looks off for a moment, like she’s lost in what he showed her, and I rock Raley back and forth as I wait for the Queen of Darkness to come back to us.

  “I would happily send my previous tutors to assist with his training so he can develop and control his talent, if it would suit?” she asks, although it’s more of a statement.

  Dare answers for me, as I stumble on what exactly to say when a queen offers her personal tutors to your children.

  “We would be honored if you can spare them, Queen Nicnivin.” Dare places his fist over his chest and gives her a short bow.

  She waves him off, focusing instead on playing with Ronan in her arms. We enjoy the time with the babies, making small talk. Kiara and her mother barely exchange more than a few glances, until it’s time for the little ones to be fed.

  “Well, I will leave you to it.” Nicnivin smiles at Raley who she’d taken earlier so she could spend time with her as well. “Thank you for allowing me time with the babes.” She smiles with a twist of her lips and leans in close to me. “You don’t know it yet, but your babes are going to change all of Fae. I can’t wait to watch them flourish and see our home thrive under their care.”

  I blink up at her wide eyed, distracted with a flailing Ronan in my arms. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for them to grow up and to change. But good gods! Change all of Fae? I can barely change a diaper.

  Chapter 5

  After an eventful few days—hell an eventful few months—I’d slept for twelve hours straight, only waking up when Ronan and Raley needed me. If I hadn’t had Siana and Dare helping me so I could rest up, I’d probably be close to looking like something out of every nightmare I’ve ever had, but shorter and less ghostly.

  Bouncing into the nursery, I smile as Siana walks around in circles, a baby on each hip, each of them giggling uncontrollably.

  “Well, good morning my little loves!” I dive in, wiggling my fingers at each of their stomachs and showering their faces with kisses. “I take it you slept just as well as Mommy did! Are you ready to meet some more people?”

  Raley gurgles at me and Ronan scowls, looking just like his father and I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips.

  “I feel you buddy, I’m not one for all the people, but you’re the most popular dude in the realms at the moment, so just get it over with, then you can go back to batting at your mobile, okay?” Ronan narrows his eyes at me like he fully understands what I’m saying and is considering it, before he wiggles his arms.

  I grab him off of Siana’s hip and head for the door, looking back to make sure Siana is all set with Raley. “You good with her? I can take them both if you want a break.” Poor woman is going to be saddled with these children for the next eighteen years with us. Least we can do is make sure she doesn’t want to tear her hair out.

  She waves me off. “Don’t be silly. I can handle them both in my sleep. And this is my family, so of course I’m coming with you.” She nuzzles Raley’s nose. “And I know they are just dying to meet you.” She winks at me. “All of you.”

  I wince. “Gods, I hope I live up to any stories you’ve heard.” I’ve never really given it much thought, but apparently word gets around when you roust out a bunch of lies and bullshit.

  “Oh, trust me, you definitely do.”

  “Don’t tell my mother that. She’d have a fit that I don’t have the reputation of a high-born light elf.” I try to keep the disdain for her ideals out of my voice, but I’m sure I failed as I always do.

  “Do you not get along with your mother?” Siana asks.

  “Ha! That’s putting it mildly.” I glance at her. “You want the full story?”

  “It would probably be good to know so I can keep my wits about me, if you don’t mind.”

  “She dropped me off at MECA when I was a baby, after having a leath cine child with Tore, yes, the Goblin King’s advisor and son of the previous Goblin King.” We round the corner and I ready for the kicker. “After years of her not being able to attend any of my events for school, ignoring letters, etc., I find out that she’s known who my father was all along, just wouldn’t tell me.”

  Siana’s mouth is open and she stares at me.

  “Yeah, I know. Mother of the year that one. And then we can add that my Uncle Caddox, King of the Light Elves, knew all along, but didn’t tell me. So essentially, any parental figure I had lied to me my whole life. I guess he was trying to keep my mother and me alive, you know, that pesky Light Elven Declaration,
trying to get rid of all of the leath cine children.” I curse under my breath. “Which is what started this whole Order mess in the fucking first place.”

  “Your family is . . . uh . . . interesting.” Siana grimaces.

  I laugh, the sound bouncing off the stone walls of the hallways. “You’re telling me. Don’t even get me started on my cousin who wanted to marry me to keep our bloodlines pure.”

  Siana’s eyes go so wide they look like tea saucers.

  “I told you, you’ll never be bored here.” I push through the doors leading out of the main hall, heading down to the courtyard where her family waits for us. “Now, introduce me to everyone because after this, King Oberon and Queen Tatiana’s sons are coming to swear a blood oath to protect these two rascals.”

  Siana takes it all in stride, moving into the middle of the group of centaurs who all part as we walk forward, each of them bowing slightly. I’m not sure what that’s about, but I make a mental note to ask her later.

  “Mama.” Siana taps the shoulder of a woman just a few inches shorter in stature than she is. “I’d like to introduce you to Ever . . .” She looks back at me. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what your surname is?”

  “McElva technically, or Leath, take your pick.” I smile broadly, trying not to feel claustrophobic with all these giant horse beings around me. I wish Dare had come with me, but he was arranging for any hiccups when the King and Queen of the Seelie Court arrive with two of their sons.

  “Right, just Ever then. Mama, this is Ever and her twins, Raley,” she passes my daughter to her mother and gestures back to my son in my arms, “And Ronan, my charges. Ever, this is my mother, Leona.”

  “It is an honor to meet you, Ever.” Leona gives a half bow, before turning her attention to Raley. “Well, aren’t you a gifted little girl?” She smiles down at her, cooing, and others push in behind her. Again, despite the fact that I know in my bones I can trust them all with my children, the group of people, with me by myself and my twins in the middle of it, makes my palms itch for a blade.

  Could that be what those books meant by baby brain? Do you lose all sense of common manners and just start brandishing a sword around yelling, “Get back! I’ll skewer you like a pig!”? Gods, I hope not, or I’m doomed for the next twenty or so years.

  Almost as though I’d called him, I feel Dare’s presence and the tightness in my chest eases. He strides forward, parting the crowd, and I’m struck by the sheer size of him. He’s always in my space, so I’ve never really thought much about it. Perhaps it’s short-elf syndrome? I’m used to knowing I can cut any brute down at the knees, with one hand tied behind my back, so I don’t think much about someone’s size unless I’m staring down a giant.

  His shoulders are broad, even for a goblin, and his hair is pulled back off of his face, highlighting the scar that passes through his right cheek and to his brow. His candy-apple red and orange leaf-colored eyes spark in the sunlight like they’re on fire, and with one look he could burn you to ash.

  He reaches me, his rough hand sliding across my lower back, sending both shivers of desire and reassurance through me. “Mo grá, you forgot to get me before you came out here.” He drops a kiss to my mouth and I lick his taste off my lips.

  I blink a few times, trying to remember when exactly we’d spoken about it. We hadn’t. Then the light bulb goes off and I realize he’s giving me an out so I don’t feel as though I look weak in front of these hardened warriors all cooing like goobers at my children.

  “Sorry, it must have slipped my mind.” I keep one eye on Raley as Leona hands her to another girl who bears a striking resemblance to Siana.

  Dare squeezes me to his side like it’s no big deal and turns his attention to Leona. “It’s so good to see you again.”

  She steps forward with her arms wide open. “Get over here and give me a hug, you rascal.” She pulls him into her arms and lifts him off his feet.

  A deep belly laugh escapes him, and I watch as my tough-as-troll iron goblin giggles like a small child who stole a cookie from the cookie jar. “I have missed you all.” Dare pulls back and claps arms and backs with a few of the men, accepting congratulations on our children.

  The girl holding Raley walks towards me and smiles shyly. “Hi, I’m Siana’s little sister, Emeria.”

  “Nice to meet you.” I tip my chin up at her as Ronan begins to fuss.

  “May I hold him?” she asks, and I try to decide which is the best way to do a baby shuffle.

  “Sure, we’ll switch.” I hand her Ronan, who settles as soon as he’s cuddled in her arms and stares up at her. “He likes you.” I smile at my son, watching as he stares fascinated at Emeria.

  “He wanted to tell me something.” She laughs.

  Siana walks over and chuckles at her sister’s words. “Yes, Ronan likes to tell stories.” She runs her hand over his head and looks to Raley, who’s now sleeping soundly. “His sister likes to surprise everyone.” She winks at me and I want to puff out my chest like a peacock at the fact that my children are gifted.

  Hell, I’ll be proud if they can be semi-decent beings who know right from wrong. I feel like asking anything else or getting anything else from your children is a gift with all the bullshit surrounding Fae politics.

  Siana claps her hands together and Raley stirs in my arms but doesn’t wake up, just wiggles her little button nose, which for some reason makes me want to rub my own nose against hers. I’ll have to ask Siana about all these things I keep wanting to do. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of motherhood, but I thought I’d be somewhat prepared after Arela and everything, but there is nothing that can prepare you for every little thought, question, what if, or possibility when it comes to raising a child.

  “Everyone, let’s head inside, yeah? I think we could all use something to eat and drink, and the babes are getting a sunburn.”

  I frown, looking down at my children and see that their cheeks are indeed a little pink. Whoops. I look to Dare, guilt washing through me.

  “Don’t worry, love. They’re fine.”

  “Don’t tell me not to worry about our children, goblin.” I snap at him, uncaring who hears. I should have remembered they would burn in the sun. It’s a little thing, but the fact that I forgot about it makes me feel horrid inside.

  “Uh oh, mothers first mistake?” Leona asks, and I grimace but nod. “Don’t fret, dear. This happens. It happened a few times when Dare and Dagan were in my care, too. Sometimes, all that matters is that your children are happy and healthy, and you can always put a wee bit of aloe on their skin.”

  I bob my head up and down, taking it in like she’s all knowing. Hell, she’s got at least two kids and she raised my children’s father, so she’s my new messiah at this point.

  “Please don’t leave. You know things,” I tell her.

  She throws her head back and laughs. “You’re in the best of hands with Siana, I promise you. But we will stay for a while anyway.” She tucks me under her arm as we walk toward the main hall of the castle and whispers in my ear. “From one mother to another, you will never lose that feeling of stark terror that you messed up or that you could have done better for your child. It’s ingrained in our instincts. The key is to learn the lesson and move on. You’ll be so busy chasing after them, you won’t have time to worry about much else.”

  I glance up at her from the corner of my eye. “Thank you. I needed to hear that. I never thought I’d have children. So I’m not quite prepared as I thought I was.”

  “I promise, we’ll teach you all you need to know.” She squeezes my arm. “And some of it will just come naturally. Trust your instincts. They won’t lead you astray when it comes to your children.”

  Dare catches up to us, holding Ronan in front of him and rubbing his face against our son. Dare makes unintelligible sounds that delight Ronan, and we all laugh along with his baby giggles, filing into the hall and heading for the tables filled with food.

  “Hey now, don’t go scratching
my nephew’s face up with your beard, you big brute.”

  Shock whooshes through my veins as I hear that voice, and I look up, staring straight into the tree-bark brown, ringed with mossy green eyes of my best friend.

  Doyle.

  If I hadn’t had both arms around her, I’d have dropped Raley the moment I saw Doyle, standing awake in the entryway of the hall.

  “You’re awake.” I whisper the words, unable to think of anything else to say.

  “Are you going to stand there and stare at me with your mouth wide open, Ev, or are you going to introduce me to my niece and nephew?”

  I stumble forward, Dare catching my elbow to keep me from face planting with our daughter in my arms. “O-Of course.” I look around, trying to see if Eryn, Axel, or Kirin are in the room, but I can’t see over the towering centaurs in the room. “D, I’d like you to meet Raley.” I sniffle a little bit, overwhelmed that D is standing in front of me. Finally, after months of wondering if he’d ever give me shit again, he’s talking and demanding to meet my children.

  “And this is Ronan,” Dare finishes for me as I wipe a tear off my cheek.

  “They’re beautiful. Congratulations, both of you.” He stares down at them, a look of awe across his face. “Would you mind if I sit, so I can hold them?” Doyle asks, and I look behind me, searching for a chair.

  “Yes, let me get you one. Sorry, you must be out of it.”

  “A little bit, yeah.” He plops down into the chair Dare dragged over to him after I’d been unable to budge the thing. Fucking goblin furniture is sturdy as hell. Has to be with all the squabbles around here. “How long have I been out?”

  “Months, D. Clearly.” I gesture to my now flat stomach. “I gave birth.”

  He snorts. “Yeah, I can see that.” He looks behind me with a raised eyebrow. “Is there a reason there are a shit ton of centaurs in the hall?”

  I sigh. “It’s a long story.” I hand Raley to him, letting him cradle her in his arms. “Everyone will be so relieved to see you.”

  “Where are they?”