Royal Enchantment (Skeleton Key) (5 page)

“Don’t be.” Ava wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, then released it in a rush. “We should get going. I’m sure Finn is waiting.”

And Ava wanted to meet Willow.

With a nod, Fern led her down to the foyer where Finn waited patiently. He wore a black, high-low jacket over a tan tunic. When he faced her completely, she sucked in a breath at how handsome he was with his hair hanging loose around his shoulders. Then he smiled, and Ava swore her knees would give out.

“You are beautiful,” he said and offered his hand to her.

She placed her hand in his. “I’m not sure about the ears and the shimmer.”

When he gave a gentle tug of her hand, she stumbled into him. “It will take some time to get used to, I suppose. Just promise me you’ll let me know when you are unhappy.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’m good at expressing my unhappiness.” She laughed, and suddenly, her nerves sent a zap of worry through her. She was the love child of the couple who’d started a war. Finn’s warning of being in danger finally sank in. The rebels wanted her dead. Who knew how many others resented her parents.

Finn smoothed her brow with his fingers. “You have nothing to fear. After I announce the wedding, it will be against the law to harm you, punishable by death.”

Dread and shock stilled her heart for a brief moment. “Wait. I didn’t agree to marry you.”

A crooked smile formed on his sensual mouth, and a spark of knowing twinkled in his emerald gaze. “Oh, but you will.”

Will I?
“You are so sure of yourself.”

“Yes. I always get what I want.”

She had no doubt of that. Every minute she spent with him, she found it harder and harder to remember why she had to return home. And really, what was holding her to one place or another? However, if it meant learning more about her parents and the life they’d hidden from her, she was intrigued enough to stick around. Plus, Finn sparked a desire she’d never felt toward anyone before. “We’ll see,” she teased.

A bright flash rippled across the irises of his green eyes as a grin played on his face. “Challenge accepted.” He offered his elbow to her. “We shouldn’t keep Willow waiting.”

Looping her arm with his, she sighed. “I’m ready.”

He led her out the door to the horse-drawn carriage waiting for them in the circular gravel driveway. Her heart thumped in her head as she allowed Finn to help her into the carriage. Wanting to focus on one thing at a time, she said, “I guess there are no cars here.”

“Cars?”

His drawn brows and curious glance at her told her the answer was no. “I didn’t think so. Cars are motorized vehicles that run on gas and oil.”

He smiled. “Yes, I’ve heard of them. We don’t need such things here. We are creatures of nature, after all.”

Now that she thought about it, she did feel more clear-headed and at ease. No noise, no pollution. Just her and the natural setting of the forest. It was enchanting in more ways than she’d dreamed. “Would it be possible for a tour of your kingdom?”

His hands fisted in his lap. After a few moments, he uncurled his hands and covered one of hers. “I would love to show you my kingdom, but—”

She placed a finger over his lips, halting him in mid-sentence. “I didn’t mean right now. I can wait until the threat on my life is over.”

“You are staying?”

A laugh escaped her. “Not so fast. I’m not sure I belong here, but I will help you in any way I can. Plus, my parents are from here, apparently, and I want to know everything about their life here.”

“Fair enough.” He linked their fingers and added, “Would you join me for a late-night stroll after we return?”

Giddiness rose within her. “I’d love that.”

She glanced out the small window with a smile. Peace had settled over her as if she had finally found where she belonged. As far as marrying the Morna King? Well, he would have to do some serious wooing.

The carriage rolled to a stop in front of a beautiful, white and gold mansion. Rose vines with multi-colored blooms crawled up the sides. A large staircase spilled from the center of the front of the house, meeting the gravel of the driveway. “It’s beautiful.”

“It’s okay.”

Ava glanced at him and noted the semi-smile on his lips. “It’s beyond beautiful to me. In fact, this whole place is.”

He leaned over so his lips brushed against her ear and whispered, “I’ll have you begging to stay before the week is up.”

Heat pooled in her abdomen. She sucked in her bottom lip before saying, “You really are sure of yourself.”

The green in his eyes darkened and he leaned into her. Their gazes locked, intensifying the wildfire inside her. Then she lowered her eyes to his lips. What she wouldn’t do for a proper kiss in that moment.

Just then, a hint of awareness brushed against her subconscious, and Finn broke the eye contact to glare out the window. “Your aunt grows impatient.”

Ava glanced behind her. At the top of the large staircase, stood a woman she’d know anywhere, yet had never met. With long, blonde hair the color of spun gold, the Calim Queen was beautiful. The lavender gown she wore fell to the ground and pooled into a train, spreading out behind her. She also looked too much like Ava’s father to be anyone but his sister.

Tears filled Ava’s eyes, and instantly she opened the carriage and ran up the stairs. When she reached the top, she threw her arms around Willow. Footsteps closed in from all directions, but Ava didn’t care. Suddenly, they stopped, making Ava glance up. Willow had her hand up as if to call off the guards, but she didn’t need to. They stared at Ava in awe.

“What’s going on?”

Willow framed her face and smiled. “I didn’t tell them you were coming. I wanted it to be a surprise.” The Queen turned to the guard closest to her. “We’ll take our tea in the gardens, privately.”

The large elfin male nodded then rattled off orders to the others. After they’d disappeared, Willow looped an arm with Ava’s and greeted Finn and Kellam. “Does he have to hover?”

Finn glanced at Kellam, who then let out a growl before returning to the carriage. Turning his attention back to Willow, Finn bowed and held out his hand. “Hovering is his specialty.”

Willow laughed. “Thank you for bringing her to me.”

Finn flicked a glance to Ava. “There is much we need to discuss.”

“Yes. Come.” Willow descended the stairs, still holding on to Ava’s arm. “We won’t be disturbed. Plus, the gardens are enchanted to keep unwanted guests out.”

Ava glanced at Finn, worried that Willow had gotten uninvited guests like they had earlier. Finn kept his features emotionless. She’d have to ask him how he did that.

When they approached the gardens, all her worries seemed to mute to a low hum in the back of her mind. The fragrance of gardenias and lilies filled the air. The sense of calm circled around her. Yet, Ava couldn’t stop her fidgeting as she sat between Willow and Finn at a white circular table in a small courtyard. Questions whirled in her mind. So much had been opened up to her in the short time she’d been in their world, and she didn’t know where to start.

Finally, Willow spoke as if knowing what she needed. “I see both of your parents in you.”

“Tell me about them?”

Willow smiled. “They were so in love. From the moment they met. Jandar planned their escape before asking your mother.”

“How did they meet?” Ava relaxed a little and sat back in her seat.

“I’m not sure of the details. Jan said he met her in the neutral area between the kingdoms. Faylan was hunting, unaware she was being watched. At least, that was Jandar’s tale.” Willow’s smile faded. “His eyes lit up at the mention of her. I was the only one he could tell. We were twins, after all.”

Sadness washed over Ava and mixed with her own grief, that of losing the only two people she’d ever cared about. “Why was it forbidden for a Morna and Calim to fall in love?”

“My father was a harsh ruler and believed the two kingdoms should never have any kind of relations. Growing up, Jan and I were taught to accept it as the law. When we got older, we realized it as our father’s own prejudice against our Dark cousins.” Willow let out a sigh before sipping her tea. “When Jandar left our realm with Faylan, Father was beyond furious and blamed the Morna for turning his only son against his kingdom.”

Ava’s heart broke for Willow and everyone in Edra. “Then war broke out.”

Willow nodded. “And both sides hoarded power to use on the other. After years of battles, the magick faded. Then, my father helped Quinn create a plague.” She paused briefly. “I’d had enough of the war and the sickness spreading over the land. I drove a sword through my father’s heart and claimed his throne.”

With a gasp, Ava reached out to her aunt. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

Willow took her hand and held it. She opened her mouth, then moved her gaze to Finn, narrowing her eyes at him. Ava wondered what the Calim Queen saw or sensed. Returning her gaze back to Ava, Willow frowned. “You’ve begun the bonding.”

The bonding
? “What?” Confusion stirred up her fear of the unknown.

Finn spoke in a flat tone. “Your grandmother was a seer. Willow has the gift.”

That still didn’t answer Ava’s question. Before she could ask again, Willow said, “When you saved Finn’s life, you started the bonding. It’s the first step to mating or getting married.”

Ava tugged her hand away from her aunt and sat back in her chair again. Uncertainty swirled inside her gut. “What does that mean?”

Finn dropped his shoulders and faced her, his face full of compassion and worry. “Nothing is set until we go through with the ceremony and complete the ritual. I would never force it on you.”

“Yet, you didn’t tell me it had started. That I started it?”

She stood, and Finn followed. “I said you being able to heal me meant we were true mates. Nothing has started. Unless you want it to.”

Ava glared at him. “So it’s my fault?”

Willow cleared her throat as if to remind them she was still there. “It is no one’s fault but the Fates. However, there are bigger issues we must discuss.” When Ava sat back down, Willow continued. “Ava will be a target for the rebels. Your uncle won’t stop until he has your throne.”

Finn let out a growl-like sound from his throat. “Quinn will be disappointed. He will not win.”

Willow picked up her teacup and tilted it toward Ava. “Not with her by your side. However, he has found Sana—the other hybrid female—and plans to mate with her.”

Confused, Ava glanced from Willow to Finn. The two of them clearly knew what was going on, but neither was offering any explanations. “Who is Sana, and why do we care if she mates Quinn?”

After a long silence that threatened Ava’s sanity, Willow spoke. “Sana is your half-sister. She was born days before your parents escaped to the human world.”

“Half-sister? Then she is not from my father? I can’t believe my mother was unfaithful.” The sadness in Willow’s blue gaze soured Ava’s stomach. “What happened?”

“I don’t know all the details. I didn’t know Sana existed until a few weeks ago. My gift of Sight only shows me the future, not the past.” The Queen paused as if the mention of Sana upset her more than she wanted to show. “She is like you; half Calim and half Morna. Rumors drifted on the wind that your mother had been raped by my father’s guards. A punishment for ruining the Calim Prince.”

Tears welled up in Willow’s eyes, breaking Ava’s heart. Taking a breath and wanting to change the subject, she searched her mind for a question not involving her parents. She’d find out more about her mother later. Someone in the Morna kingdom would know her mother. Or she could hunt down Sana for a little Q&A. “How am I supposed to
set things right
?”

A smile lit up Willow’s face. “You will come forward to all the people, win their trust and love, and then restore the Light and Dark magicks of the land. In turn, you will unite both kingdoms.”

That didn’t answer her question. “How am I to restore the magick?”

“Only you will know when the time is right. I will say it comes from your heart, and it is something you must learn on your own.” Willow stood and scanned the area. “You must stay for dinner.”

Ava and Finn nodded at the same time. Something told Ava that it was going to be a long and painful journey. The question of the decade was, would she survive it?

Chapter Five

Ava stepped out onto the green lawn that seemed to stretch out for acres behind Finn’s large estate. They’d returned an hour ago from the Calim kingdom. Ava had told Finn she was tired, but when she got to her room, she couldn’t rest. Too much going through her mind.

Her main concern was how she had not thought about home or anyone there. Was she being too insensitive about Jeff’s death and Alice? Of course, the widow had stolen from her.

“A pebble for your thoughts.”

Finn’s rich, slightly accented voice smoothed over her from behind. It was so hard to deny him, or stay away from him. “I’m a little restless, and thought some night air would help.”

He came to stand next to her then linked their hands together. “You are troubled.”