“No idea.”
It wasn't a surprise, really. The king had been going downhill for a while. But never had a king died from this kind of sickness. Raith wasn't close to him, at least not anymore. At one time, he had spent countless hours following the king around. He taught Raith horseback riding. But as Raith got older, Kassandra had gotten in the way. She'd convinced the king that the boys needed to focus on their education. They could worry about royal duties later, when they were older.
“You want to call it a day?” Jaser asked.
Raith lifted his daggers. “The king may not have much longer. All the more reason to train.”
Jaser brought a steel staff through the air and to his hands. “Very well.”
The two sparred for another hour. At first, Jaser got the best of Raith, tripping him to the ground. Then Raith took Jaser’s advice to be less predictable with his movements. Instead of thinking his moves through, he let his body take over, moving with a cat-like grace. Finally, Raith pinned Jaser to the ground with his daggers crossed above Jaser’s neck.
“Bravo, prince. Bravo,” Jaser said.
Raith helped Jaser up and again, they fought. Repetition was key, Jaser repeated over and over.
“To be a strong warrior, everything must become second nature.” Jaser lunged from Raith and somersaulted across the room. “Your weapon becomes an extension of your body, your mind free from confliction.”
Jaser charged at Raith, sword high above his head. Raith blocked a blow with his daggers. As he pushed Jaser’s sword away, Jaser kicked Raith in the stomach, taking the breath from his lungs.
“And always expect the unexpected.” Jaser laughed as Raith gave him a vulgar gesture.
After battle practice, Raith headed to the back of the castle to clear his mind. In truth, he wasn’t even sure he wanted to be king. Running a court sounded about as fun as being a living dartboard. But he didn’t like to lose, least of all to his little brother. Cade and his constant need to be perfect got on Raith’s last nerve. Raith believed his little brother had what it took to be a good king, but his momma’s boy tendencies could get in the way. Raith didn’t trust Kassandra. He never had and likely never would. Perhaps it was just jealousy. Kassandra came into his life so quickly after his own mother died. But he was just a boy who wanted motherly love. Had Kassandra taken him in as her own, maybe Raith would think of her as a mom.
When did he get so sentimental? Fuck. He would win the battle and become king, and then he could do with Kassandra what he pleased. End of story. If only he could figure out the summer magic.
Raith flung the back castle door open and stepped outside, letting the sunshine pour down on him. It was a nice change after spending three hours in a room of stone. As he walked through the garden, he saw someone through the rosebushes. He closed his eyes and could sense the faint human emotion. It must be Scarlett, drained from Cade’s morning feeding. Raith picked a blue snapdragon from a bush and rounded the corner.
Scarlett didn’t notice him at first. She was too busy staring at the rose bush in front of her.
“Hello, love.” Raith twirled the flower in his hands.
Scarlett peered up at him, her blue eyes bright. “Stalking me now?”
Raith smirked. “You are rather stalkable.”
Scarlett grinned. “That doesn’t sound creepy at all.”
Raith felt for her emotions. She seemed at ease with him. When she glanced back at the rose bush, he sensed a small burst of pain.
“For you.” Raith handed her the snapdragon he picked.
Scarlett took it. “Thank you.”
“What brings you out here?” Raith asked. “Planning your escape?”
“I made a bargain to stay.” Her expression shifted, sadness settling in her eyes. “Have you upheld your end?”
“Of course, love. Your friend is home safe and won’t remember a thing.”
“Good.” Grief trickled from Scarlett now.
“I must say, that kiss was something else.” Raith puckered his lips. “For a human, that is.”
A new feeling flowed from Scarlett now: lust. She must have liked it, too. “I aim to please.” Her cheeks blushed. “I mean, I’m glad it wasn’t bad.”
“Anything but.”
“I wouldn’t have wanted you to back out of our deal. It was nothing more than a business arrangement.” The lust buzzing from her told him otherwise.
“We could make a new bargain—one to get you out of here before the battle.”
For a moment, Scarlett’s eyes widened, then they returned to their normal size. “What kind of a bargain?”
“We could start the kiss where we left off, and let it take us where it will.” Raith was confident if they kissed again, neither would be able to stop. He was also certain she’d turn him down, but the game was fun nonetheless.
“I’ll take my chances here until the battle.”
“Very well.”
As much as he would have enjoyed taking her right there in that garden, Raith had other plans for Scarlett.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Scarlett kept a smile from appearing on her face. The thought of their kiss made her lips tingle. And his offer was tempting—too tempting. But she’d waited this long to have sex, so there was no way she would lose her virginity in a bargain, no matter how good the sex may be.
“I should be getting back inside now.” Scarlett didn’t want to have a chance to change her mind.
“If you reconsider.” Raith winked.
“I won’t.”
Scarlett followed the cobblestone path around the castle to its entrance. The guards opened the door for her with their magic without a word. When she got back to her room, a note was waiting for her on her bed. It was an invitation to tea with Kassandra. Great. Her presence was required at noon, in proper attire. Scarlett picked up the pocket watch from Raith from her bedside table and opened it. It was already eleven thirty. She’d better hurry.
The dress she wore to the gardens was one of the simpler dresses in her closet—and she doubted it qualified as nice enough for tea with the Summer Queen. Scarlett slipped into a navy velvet dress instead. She brushed on a little makeup, and with no time left to do anything different with her hair, made her way to the parlor.
Her stomach clenched. Why would Kassandra want to have tea with her? The queen’s distaste for humans was as clear as a cloudless sky. But Scarlett couldn’t exactly refuse the invitation.
Kassandra lounged on a cream-colored chaise, her burgundy dress draped carefully. Across from her was a matching chaise, both next to a marble fireplace.
Something else caught Scarlett’s attention: an exquisite grand piano, the fanciest one she’d ever seen, with roses carved into its feet and a glistening sheen emanating from its gloss. Oh how her fingers wanted to glide across its ivory keys. She’d lost herself in playing so many times, and even though pain had kept her away, she still craved the peace it brought.
Scarlett approached the queen and curtsied. “Thank you for the invitation.”
She wasn’t completely sure of fae etiquette yet, but she’d bet that being overly polite was the best option.
Kassandra nodded. “Sit.”
Scarlett obliged.
Kassandra clapped her hands. “Music.”
From behind the pearl grand piano in the corner of the room, a fae man began to play a song with an upbeat tempo. Scarlett resisted the urge to wiggle her fingers to the beat.
Kassandra hummed along. “Ah, isn’t it lovely?”
“Very.” Scarlett folded her hands in her lap.
A girl servant came into the room, a silver platter with a teapot and cups in her hand—the same girl who brought Kassandra fruit during the hunt. She carefully set the platter on the table between the chaises and poured the tea. Slowly, she handed Kassandra hers first and then Scarlett’s.
“Thank you,” Scarlett said.
“Off you go,” Kassandra said. “Bring us fruit.”
“Yes, my queen.” The servant hurried away.
Kassandra sipped her tea. “So, what did your human existence consist of?”