King (The Chess Chronicles Book 3) Read online

Mother lets out an exasperated sigh. “Very well then, my son. Go do what you must, but return very soon. Your people need you. I am still in mourning and should not have to run this Kingdom alone.”

  I return to the Light Fey Kingdom on the third day after the attack. The castle looks peaceful, except for the increased amount of guards patrolling the grounds. As the King of the Dark Fey, I have no problem entering the castle and heading straight up the staircase leading to Franchesca’s room.

  I lightly knock on the door, but there is no answer. I slowly push open the door to find Rook sitting in a chair next to the Princess’s bed. He is sound asleep and holding her hand. Who does he think he is? I tap him on the shoulder causing him to jump up, tip over the chair, and fall to the ground.

  He looks at me with haggard eyes while he stands up. “Winston, what are you doing here?”

  “I have come to check on the Princess. I can take over for a while.”

  Rook returns my glare and says, “Shouldn’t you be in the Dark Fey Kingdom? Don’t your people need you there? What if your Kingdom is attacked again?”

  “We both know the attack on my Kingdom was a distraction and Franchesca is the only one in any real danger. Why don’t you get some rest, and let me guard her for a while? She is my betrothed after all.”

  “Very well, Winston, but I’ll be back in a few hours. The healer should be back by then to check on her.” Rook walks out, shutting the door behind him.

  I sit in the chair Rook was previously in, and hold one of her hands in between both of mine.

  “You know Princess, I never did want to be betrothed to you. It was not you specifically, it was the idea of having my entire life planned out.” I stand up and begin to pace. After a few moments, a take a calming breath and return to the chair.

  “Do you know how many beatings I endured from my Father? Every day he would summon me into the throne room and make me recite laws. I had to know every advisor and their families for both Kingdoms. Once he was done quizzing me, he would proceed to punish me. He said he was beating the Royal into me. I continued to suffer his abuse for years, until I became bigger than him and could use my strength to my advantage. Every day when he beat me, he would tell me over and over what my duties were: become a strong, respectable Prince; make peace with the Light Fey Kingdom; marry you. Our marriage became something I hated because it represented the abuse he put me through. It was never about you.”

  I run my hands roughly through my hair. Even telling her this, knowing she cannot hear me, is the most difficult thing I have ever had to do.

  “From the moment I first laid my eyes on you, I knew I was in trouble. There was no way I would have been able to deny you anything, so I acted like the playboy you so nicely called me, and I tried everything I could to get you to reject me. You refused. You were so determined to carry on with this silly betrothal our parents forced on us, that you continued to allow me to treat you any way I wanted, and you continued to come back for more. Then you left. You went to the Earth Realm and you grew up. You came back even more beautiful, older, wiser, and with a confidence I had not witnessed from you before. It was a breath of fresh air and I decided that I would do what I needed to in order to win you over. I still refused to allow myself to acknowledge any feelings I had, but I did have them. You had my heart and you did not even know it. I decided then to work hard and prove I am worthy of you. I will be a better man, and King, than my father ever was.”

  The door to her bedroom opens and Jessup enters, giving me a curious look. “King Winston, I did not know you were up here. I just need to check on the Princess’s healing.”

  Rook and Edrik barge into her room, followed closely by the humans. Each one of us have taken over a spot close enough to the Princess to watch what the healer is doing. I hear him gasp when he removes the bandage covering her wound.

  “What? What is wrong?” Edrik demands and answer as he looks over the healers shoulder.

  “I cannot believe what I am seeing. How is this possible?”

  Rook pushes his way closer to Jessup, peering down at the Princess. His face pales and he looks over at the Knight. “Do you think this is because of me? Could our mating have given her my healing abilities? We already know she’s gotten faster and stronger. Do you think it’s possible that she is gaining more from us, the stronger the bond gets?”

  “I am not sure. We can always go talk to Ruby. If anyone would know, it would be her.”

  “Stop! What bond are you two speaking of? Who is mated to whom and what does any of this have to do with the Princess and the way her wound is healing?” I clench my fists tight, expecting to hear an answer I know I am not going to like.

  Rook looks at everyone in the room and asks them all to please leave and give us some privacy. On the way out, her human friend Shelby stops in front of me and gives me a wink before leaving. What was that about?

  “Someone needs to answer my questions right now.”

  Edrik steps up, raising his hands in the surrender gesture. “Look, Winston, we believe that Chess is the Golden Queen from the prophecy, and we are her fated mates.”

  “That old wives tale? That is just a story our mothers told us, a fairytale before bedtime.”

  Rook shakes his head, “It’s more than just an old wives tale. The prophecy says that she, along with her fated mates, will unite all the Kingdoms. Not one mate, Winston, but multiple.”

  I am about to demand more answers when there is a knock at the door. The healer pokes his head in, “Gentlemen, if you do not mind, I need to try to wake up the Princess.”

  Right now, all I want are answers, but the Princess’s well being is more important.

  Edrik, Rook, and I step back, giving Jessup plenty of room to work. He pulls a vial out of his robe, lifts her head, and pours it down her throat. He gently lowers her head and steps back. We all just stand there holding our breath. After several long minutes Franchesca’s eyelids start to flutter and she begins to cough.

  Rook runs to her side, propping her up on the headboard while Edrik grabs a glass of water from her bathroom. Edrik lifts the glass to her lips just as she opens her eyes. The smile that the Princess gives Rook and Edrik breaks my heart. Will she ever smile at me like that?

  My Beloved looks around the room and when her lavender eyes find mine, they seemed shocked to see me here.

  Wait.

  Lavender eyes?

  5

  The Secret Is Out

  “Mom? Where is my Mom?”

  I’m looking around frantically. The last thing I remember is seeing her being hit over and over by the water Armand was controlling. I watched her collapse and everything after that is blank.

  Winston walks over to my bed, his jaw is tense. “She is okay. You wrapped Armand in vines and pulled him away from her. You do not remember anything else?”

  “No. I remember seeing her collapse and then nothing. What happened, Winston?”

  “I watched her collapse and you gain control over him, keeping him away from her.” He begins to pace, his fist clenched so tight they are both turning white. “I was too late. You pulled him away from the castle and Queen Amelia was able to gather enough strength to cause a tree to collapse on him.”

  “So, he is dead? No more Armand?” I feel like I can finally breathe again.

  “No, Princess, he is not dead. The branches landed on him and he was able to escape.”

  “Damn. Do we have people out looking for him? He couldn’t have gotten very far with all of you, plus our soldiers out there.”

  Winston turns around abruptly and storms back to my side. “We let him go. He somehow escaped from beneath the tree and before I could get to you, he attacked and stabbed you. I almost lost you!”

  Winston is a handsome man, but angry Winston is down right sexy. I am taken aback by the emotions I see in his deep blue eyes. I almost lost you? Where did that come from? Before I can ask him, Winston throws his hands in the air and stalks out of my room, slamming th
e door behind him. I look to Rook and Edrik for any explanation and am met with equal looks of confusion.

  My door opens and my Mother walks in, coming right to my bedside. She sits on my bed and envelopes me in a hug. I swear I hear her sniffle. I look up and see Winston returning, a small grin on his face, probably from seeing this uncharacteristic emotion coming from my Mother.

  She pulls back and suddenly stills. “Gentlemen, could I please have a word in private with my daughter?”

  Edrik, Rook, and Winston leave us, closing the door softly behind them.

  “Franchesca, would you like to explain why your eyes are no longer blue?”

  I reach up for my amulet, realizing it is no longer hanging around my neck. Oops.

  I grab my Mother by the wrist, just now understanding why Winston was so angry with me. “Mother, I must have lost my amulet during the fight. Winston has seen my eyes. Oh no. What are we going to do?”

  “Take a breath and tell me what you are talking about, Franchesca. If your eyes have changed, then his should have as well.”

  “No! You do not understand. Winston is not my fated mate.”

  Mother jerks to her feet. “What do you mean Winston is not your fated mate?”

  “Edrik.”

  “The Knight? We can deal with that. No one has to know. It is not unheard of for a Queen to have a consort. You can still marry Winston and keep Edrik on as your ‘guard’. I am sure with King Winston’s reputation, you will not be the only one warming his bed anyways.”

  I take a deep breath to rein in my temper before I tell her the rest. “Mother, it is not just Edrik. Rook is also my fated mate, and how dare you even suggest that I keep Edrik on as a side piece.”

  “Rook? The Renegade man?” Mother falls onto my couch, acting like she is about to faint. “Really, Franchesca? You were supposed to unite the two Kingdoms, not spread your legs.”

  “The prophecy says....”

  “Forget about that old thing! The prophecy is just something your great, great grandmother began. There has not been a fated mate pair in over a century and you are telling me, you have not one, but two fated? We will just go back to Ruby, who I assume made your amulet the first time, and have her make you a new one. That will solve one problem.”

  “No. I do not want another one. Armand stabbed me and I almost died. Anything can happen, especially with Armand still out there somewhere. I refuse to deny who I am any longer. I am the Golden Queen the prophecy speaks about. My fated will help me unite the Kingdoms and bring peace. I will not wear another amulet. I cannot fulfill the destiny laid out for me if I am too busy hiding.”

  “Franchesca, you will ruin everything. All the years I have spent preparing you to be Queen will be gone. If you do not stop this right now, I will refuse to pass you the crown.” She stands up from the couch, her shoulders back, nose up, and proceeds to leave my room in her true Queenly fashion.

  As soon as she is gone, Edrik, Rook, and Winston enter my bedroom again, each one taking up a spot around my bed.

  I look up at Winston standing at the foot of the bed and I see him about to speak, but before he can, my pixie sized best friend comes flying in.

  “Princess, we need to discuss your eyes.”

  Shelby pushes Winston out of the way and jumps on the bed, landing right beside me. “Not now, Winnie. You three have been hogging my bestie and now it’s my turn.”

  Winston rolls his eyes at Shelby, but doesn’t say anything else.

  “Guys, if we know what is best for us, we will do as Shelby says and let her have her time.” My Knight always knows what I need and right now, I need some best friend time.

  “Fine. We will be discussing this later, Princess.” Winston turns on his heel and huffs before leaving.

  Edrik and Rook both place a quick kiss on my forehead before turning to go. “Come on Rook, let’s go find our girl something to eat.”

  As soon as they both leave, Shelby turns to me, “Girl, you know I love you, but you smell like you’ve been rolling around in a pig pen.”

  “Thanks Shelby. I feel the love. Help me get to the shower? Please??”

  My best friend just laughs at me, getting to her feet and holding out her hand. I grab it and she pulls me up. I sway a bit at first, but finally find my balance and we walk hand-in-hand to my bathroom. After she starts the water, she sits on the toilet while I take off my clothes.

  I am about to step in the shower when Shelby exclaims, “Damn girl! How are you healing so fast? There’s only a small, red puffy scar where your stab wound should be.”

  I look down to see that Shelby is right. How is this possible? Gretchen said I might share my fated mates abilities, but this is amazing. Could I have Rook’s healing abilities now?

  I glance over at Shelby, “Maybe when I am able to actually get out again, we can take a trip to Ruby’s Shoppe. She could have some answers for me. Besides, I haven't had the chance to show you around the Merchants Square yet.”

  “Girls day out! We should do it while Mary is still here. I miss doing things with her.”

  “I am surprised Gerald and Mary haven’t returned to the Earth realm.” I say to Shelby.

  “Mary said that Gerald had to stay in order to get his sister’s affairs together after the funeral, then all the craziness with Armand happened, and they wanted to make sure you were all right. They both think of you as family.” Shelby says no longer smiling.

  I could never repay Mary and Gerald for their kindness, and taking care of me while I attended the University in the Earth realm. Gretchen was like a mother to me, and her brother Gerald will always be like an uncle to me.

  I smile at my fond memories of them both and step into the shower. The hot water feels so good against my sore muscles. I scrub my hair twice before tackling the grime covering my body. I am still weak, but being clean sure does make me feel better.

  “Shelby, can you go get me some clean clothes?”

  I step out of the shower and dry off before grabbing the clothes she left me on the counter. Laughing at her choices, I put on the very skimpy boy shorts and typical Shelby tee. This one says, Come At Me Bro. Only Shelby.

  I walk out of my bathroom and am greeted by a room full of people. Edrik and Rook have returned with a tray full of food and have taken up both sides of my bed. Colton is sprawled out on my couch eating ice cream, and Winston is standing by the door, one foot propped up on the wall. Shelby is stretched out at the foot of my bed on her stomach, looking mischievous.

  When Colton sees me, he sets the ice cream down and rushes over to me. I give him a hug and hear a growl, then someone clearing their throat. I just roll my eyes. They will have to get over my friendship with Colton. He will always be my best friend and welcome here.

  Colton chuckles and whispers in my ear, “I better let go before the Knight and Sabertooth try to attack me.”

  I pat him on the chest. “Help me get to the bed first. They can get over it.”

  I give Edrik and Rook a warning look before grabbing Colton’s arm and letting him lead me to the bed. Edrik stands, taking me from Colton and helps me get back in bed and under the covers. Once settled, Rook places the food laden tray on my lap.

  “Eat, Cara. You look like you’ve lost weight and you need to gain back your strength.”

  The soup is good, but not as good as Gretchen’s. I wonder who is cooking now. I will have to ask Edrik when Rook isn’t here. The topic of a new chef coming into his Mother's kitchen is still a delicate subject.

  I finish my dinner and let out a giant yawn. “Frannie, you must be exhausted. Come on Colton. Let's go raid the kitchen. That ice cream you had looked yummy.”

  Shelby hops up and comes over to give me a hug. She winks at me yelling over her back, “Later tater,” and walks out, Colton right behind her.

  “Get some sleep and we’ll see you in the morning, Franchesca.”

  “Night Colton. Night, Shelby.”

  I look around the room at the remaining me
n. I am too tired to deal with anything tonight and I tell them that. “Can we please discuss everything in the morning? I don’t have it in me right now.”

  “Of course, Chess. We understand. Don’t we?” Edrik is looking at Winston as he speaks to me.

  Rook nods his head, Winston glares at me.

  “Tomorrow, Princess. You owe me answers and I want all of them. I am staying here for a few days to help your Father with the plans to find Armand. We can talk after my meeting with him in the morning.”

  Winston takes a step toward me then stops. He looks like he wants to say more, but he shakes his head and exits the room.

  While Edrik is removing the tray from my lap and placing it on my desk, Rook stands and begins to take off his shoes, followed by his cargo pants and tee. He slides under the covers with me, putting his arm under my head. Edrik walks over, his clothes already gone and crawls under the covers from the other side.

  “What are you two doing?”

  Edrik removes his amulet from around his neck before responding. “Neither of us have slept for three days. We just need to be near you and hold you tonight.”

  I look over at Rook and see his amulet is already gone. His beautiful lavender eyes looking back at me. “We almost lost you, Cara. I don’t see us leaving you alone anytime soon.”

  I roll over and face Edrik, laying my head on his chest. Rook curls around my body, his arm on my hip. I fall asleep, surrounded by my fated, listening to their heavy breathing.

  6

  Duty Calls

  I wake up feeling sore, exhausted, and hot. Once again, I am wrapped up in a Rook cocoon. I reach my arm out, searching for Edrik, and feel nothing but a cold bed.

  “He left a little bit ago. He wanted to grab you some breakfast before our meeting this morning with your Father.”

  Rook shifts away and rolls me over so I can look him in his lavender eyes. I run my hand down the side of his face, now covered in stubble.