Revealing the Fae King: Reverse Harem Romance (Bramble's Edge Academy Book 3) Page 5

  The mantle that simmered in his chest was the one thing that had the power to unite the realm and bring back balance. Dark magic was part of that balance. He wished to the Gods it wasn’t.

  Getting his ass in gear, he was beside Maurelle and twining their hands together. This female was rapidly becoming his everything. Heart full and determination set, he trekked into the forest.

  “Good of you to join us. Thought you were going to head back to the dorm to rest instead,” she teased him. It was her way of challenging him and forcing him to recall the reasons he wasn’t allowed the same indulgences as others.

  As king he couldn’t second guess his actions. Nor could he entertain any fancy of looking out for himself. That was his Guard’s job. He had to put the best interests of the Fae people first. Which is why he was traveling into the forest at night and putting Maurelle in danger.

  “My other options for the evening didn’t sound as exciting as possibly being eviscerated,” Ryker countered.

  Maurelle chuckled as she let go of his hand and danced in front of him. “I don’t know. Watching Dani try to steal one of my guys is becoming my favorite sport.”

  “Then I should head back and seek her out,” Brokk suggested as they headed deeper into the trees. A loud screeching roar interrupted their banter.

  Daine took off toward the sound with the rest of them following behind. “Don’t engage until we understand what we are facing,” Ryker ordered.

  They slowed as the sounds intensified. An animal was injured. There was no mistaking the plaintive cry. Ryker tucked Maurelle behind him as they paused next to a pair of massive trees.

  A glance between the two giants told him a phantom fought against three unicorns and two kobolds. The kobolds were humanoid-lizard-like creatures with pointed ears and thick tails. Their scales provided protection while the unicorns seemed to have none.

  The kobolds’ reddish brown to black skin was the perfect barrier to keep the phantom energy at bay. Their legs were sinewy, and they walked on their toes, making their height go from two feet to two and a half feet tall. They were a much smaller target than the horse-like beings that stood over seven feet tall.

  The phantom turned insubstantial and flew at the biggest unicorn. The golden horn on its forehead glowed brightly while the white fur was dulled, almost grey. The beast was fighting for its life.

  Ryker jumped through the trunks and swung the dagger in his hand at the phantom. When it stopped and turned toward Ryker, he realized he’d missed two other smaller phantoms that were feasting on a unicorn that lay on the ground.

  There were few reasons the horse like creatures ever laid down like that and none of them were good. Nothing on the animal seemed to hold any traces of life. No doubt the phantoms were sucking the creature dry.

  The biggest phantom lifted its hands and dark lights and fog spread out around them. Ryker rushed to the side and placed his palm on the barrier. A scream left his mouth as his skin blistered and burned.

  A thousand knives cut into his flesh. Bone had to be exposed. When he glanced down, he was surprised to see blood trickling slowly from charred flesh. It felt as if his hand had been degloved when he touched the magic.

  “Stay away from the barrier,” he called out. Vampires crossed before the last word was out.

  A curse slipped from Brokk’s mouth. “How the fuck did they get past that magic?”

  Sol kicked a vampire rushing him before replying, “They’re made from dark magic. Their souls are blacker than that fog.”

  “How right you are,” one of the vampires crooned. He had oily blond hair and black eyes. His skin was the color of paper and his fangs dripped red blood. The sight made bile rise in Ryker’s stomach.

  Ryker kicked the vampire thrusting a fist in his direction. The idiot had no idea who he was messing with. It was difficult to keep an eye on his enemy while tracking how many charged through the barrier.

  He was forced to stop splitting his attention when something clawed his side. Acid flooded his system, burning him from the inside out. It was how their kind worked, and it was fucking agony.

  Maurelle cried out, making Ryker turn away. The phantom was behind her as she was barely able to stand up. Her head lolled forward and sweat covered her face. Movement in the corner of his eye had him turning before he was injured again.

  Ryker flapped his wings and lifted into the air. The vampire’s claws sliced through thin air. He took in the small space the phantom had trapped them inside. It was no bigger than six feet wide.

  Daine battled vampires while Brokk helped. Sol was trying to distract the phantom from Maurelle. The smaller phantoms now abandoned their prey and turned their sites on Maurelle.

  They saw her as the weakest link. Their mistake. They were outnumbered with the five vamps that joined the fight. Ryker grabbed his dagger and swooped down to the vampire trying to reach him.

  The second he landed on his feet, his arm was in motion and his blade sinking into the vamp’s carotid artery. Thick blood spurted from the wound. Ryker headed toward Maurelle.

  He watched in horror as those shadows seeped from her skin. One of the smaller phantoms flew directly at her. She screamed the second she realized what it was doing. Her shadows writhed around her like flies around dumpsters full of rotting food.

  What the fuck was that? A question for later as he shouted, “Over here, mother fucker.”

  Unfortunately, the phantom continued and blew through Maurelle’s shadows and her body. She crumpled to the ground along with the phantom. He had no idea what she’d done, but it terrified the other phantoms.

  With an earsplitting screech, the remaining two left, taking the barrier with them. That left the vampires to fight. Ryker rushed to Maurelle’s side and checked her pulse. Daine, Sol and Brokk closed ranks around them while continuing their fights.

  Her pulse was weak, but there. He had no idea what just happened, but he had to eliminate the threat against her and get her back to campus. Standing, Ryker called on his elements.

  A boulder flew from across the forest, taking down trees along with it. Using his air, he slammed it into one of the vampires. With one down, they were facing three. Correction. Four. The one that was bleeding got up on steadier legs than Ryker liked to see.

  Calling a fireball to his palm, he hurled it at the one he’d stabbed. Flames engulfed the male vampire. That would take care of that fucker. Seeing it fall to his knees as his screams were cut short was a beautiful thing. His satisfaction was cut short when needles cut into the flesh of his neck.

  Flaring his wings, he sent the vampire flying away from him. The male hit a tree but managed to land on his feet. Brokk and Daine were fighting vampires of their own and Sol was trying to remove the claws embedded in Brokk’s side.

  Trusting them to handle the other two, Ryker flew at the vampire. Holding the dagger at his side, Ryker wrapped an arm around the vamp’s neck and swung him around as he swerved to avoid hitting the tree himself.

  Claws cut his legs, making him kick out in protest. Landing made him lose his hold on the guy. Ryker immediately jumped into action and swung his weapon at the vampire’s face.

  He missed when the creature used its preternatural speed to dodge his blow. Ryker needed to access his elemental abilities. They were too close for him to use flames, so he called any water he felt toward him.

  A loud call overhead made them both look up. It was Ryujin, the Dragon King. Ryker kicked the vampire and danced out of the way. A massive dark purple and teal reptile crashed through the canopy. Its roar shook the treetops, sending limbs falling to the forest floor. Ryker had to duck several before they beaned him in the skull.

  With Ryujin’s huge jaws open, Ryker watched as his sword sized teeth closed over the vampire’s head. Fifty plus swords cut through sinew and bones. The body fell to the floor while the dragon king spit the head to the left. As the orb soared though the air, he spit a fireball at it.

  Thirty-foot wings extended out to each side of the king’s body and he floated gracefully to the forest floor. Brokk, Sol and Daine crossed to Maurelle’s side where Ryker was checking her over. Ryujin shifted when he landed and joined them.

  “I heard your female’s cry and came as fast as I could,” Ryujin told him. “What’s wrong with her?”

  There were no obvious injuries, so Ryker understood the dragon’s question. He shook his head and gathered her into his arms. “A phantom went right through her and she collapsed.”

  “But she had shadows swirling around her before that,” Sol added. “They originated from her body. I’ve never seen anything like it, but I think she’s one of the fabled shadow Fae.”

  Ryker lifted his head and met his friend’s gaze. “What the fuck is that? Is she going to be okay?”

  The dragon stood there naked as the day he was born, and unaffected by that fact. If Ryker hadn’t been so worried about Maurelle he would be uncomfortable with that fact.

  “Shadow Fae were believed to be extinct over a century ago,” Ryujin told him. “I don’t know much aside from the fact that they are the most powerful of your kind and always female.”

  “He’s right,” Sol indicated. “A Shadow Queen is born of the Gods. They are said to be imbued with powers few possess. Even you. I recall reading a passage about them needing multiple mates to truly come into their powers. It takes many to ground them enough to embrace their true power.”

  “I bet she came into these powers when we pledged ourselves to her,” Brokk added, the awe clear in his voice.

  Ryker couldn’t wrap his mind around this new information. One thing after another had been thrown their way, and now this. “We need to keep this information secret until we understand more about her powers,” he informed them all.


  “Thank you for coming to our aid,” Ryker told Ryujin. “We owe you a debt.”

  “Consider my debt repaid. I will be here if you need me. In the meantime, I suggest you get your Queen back to safety. I don’t think anyone can pick up on her energy, but I am not certain.”

  Nodding, Ryker lifted Maurelle into his arms and started back for the campus. As his Guard fell in at his side, he looked over at Sol. “Gather every piece of information you can about the shadow Fae. I want to know how we can best protect our mate.”

  “I’ll start in the morning,” Sol assured him. What the hell else was going to be thrown their way before this was over? He had a sinking feeling in his gut that he and Maurelle were never truly going to be safe.

  No matter, he’d dedicate his life to protecting her along with the Fae people. He didn’t care if he lived a life in dank tunnels. As long as she was happy and healthy.

  Chapter 6

  Ryker listened to professor Mira drone on and on about the great war when the humans took over. Anger seethed in Ryker when he realized they were being fed a pile of shit. Savelle hid the true facts of how and why they lost their realm. He couldn’t wait to find and rip the male’s guts out through his mouth.

  The professor paced in front of the room, his silver hair hanging to his shoulders while his brown and tan wings hung at his back. Normally, wings moved in minute increments every waking moment. The fact that Mira’s wings were still at his back told of his age rather than the color of his hair.

  Fae lived thousands of years. Wings were the true indicator of the age of a Fae. As he listened to the teacher talk about what happened, Ryker thought he detected a hint of disgust.

  No doubt, he’d seen far more than Ryker could ever fathom. He had to know there was more to the story behind the human taking over than they were told. A perfect storm of events had to occur to make the Fae vulnerable to human domination.

  The mantle bubbled and boiled in his gut, making him want to stand up and correct the lies spewing from Mira’s mouth. Not that he blamed the professor. He was forced to teach what the council told him to.

  Apparently, it didn’t matter that the council had been killed and no one had taken their place.

  Ryker shifted his gaze to his mate. Maurelle sat there with a blank expression that made his gut churn. It was no different than the other students in the class. The glazed eyes, distant expression, and uninterested demeanor. Given what happened the other night in the forest it made Ryker’s blood chill in his veins.

  No one could tell him what the shadows meant. Or the full impact of the vampire’s words. Sol hadn’t been able to find much information about the shadow Fae thus far and it made Ryker want to smash something.

  He needed to protect Maurelle from whatever this meant for her, and he had no idea how. And, he wasn’t alone in these feelings. The others were just as worried as he was. Brokk had told them all to love her like they have been, and not let this impact their affections for her.

  Knowing she was a royal didn’t make Ryker care for her or want her any less. If anything, it made him want to eliminate any and all enemies that may want her dead should word get out about her existence.

  Ryker ran a hand over his jaw and decided to use the resources at his immediate disposal. “Sir,” he called out. “What can you tell us about the courts?”

  Professor Mira stopped talking and pacing and looked at Ryker with a pinched expression. Yeah, interruptions weren’t welcomed in this class, but he needed answers and this male just might have them.

  “What do you mean by courts?” The professor asked.

  “I mean the elemental courts. I read something somewhere about the High King uniting all of the various sectors, but I never knew it was broken up.”

  Mira nodded his head and clasped his hands behind his back. “Things used to be very different in the Fae realm when I was young. There was little to no inter-element breeding like there is now. Most my age were born pure.”

  “What do you mean by pure?” Ryker growled. Brokk sent him a look that told him he was barely holding back his anger. It was a challenge to keep from flashing his teeth at the male. Not many in their society agreed with interbreeding between elements.

  Ryker would bet back when the academy was established there were few that belonged to more than one league. Except for the king and his heirs, of course.

  “Relax, Mr. Isladore. I am not saying there is anything wrong with you because you have three elements in your background. Let me clarify. When I was born Mag Mell looked nothing like it does today. And, that’s not because of the humans.”

  Mira went to the white board and picked up a marker then drew the land masses of their realm. “We had four courts, like Mr. Isladore asked about. There was the Autumn court, the Winter court, the Summer court and the Spring court.”

  Inside the areas the professor added lines separating it into four sections of equal size. One part resembled a chicken leg while another appeared to be a pear. A third looked like a piece of pie and the last was closer to a boot than anything else. Ryker wondered where the Edge fit in all of this. If he knew that he might be able to determine where the divisions were located.

  “The hub of our society centered around the palace which is now located in Durness. That is where the High King and Queen resided until their assassination two decades ago. To the left is where the Autumn court was located. Summer was to the south. Spring to the north and winter to the East where we are now.”

  “Is that why it’s so cold here all the time?” Brokk blurted.

  Mira chuckled and shook his head. “No. The area surrounding the academy used to be frozen like all of the Winter lands. The force field around our school used to provide consistent temperatures so students not from the Winter court survived.”

  “What can you tell us about the court system?” Ryker asked, needing to know if there was a hint as to how he could possibly bring them back.

  “I can tell you that the fire league was tied to the Autumn court while the Spring court was ruled by earth elementals. Water elementals made up the Winter court and Air was assigned to Summer court.”

  “I read that each court practiced varied forms of magic consistent with their elements. Is this true?” Maurelle asked.

  Nodding Mira smiled at the class. “The Fae of the Summer court hated anything that hinted at darker energies. My mother used to tell me we were created to support and preserve. I grew up believing that because of us many things in our realm flourished. Our lands were balmy with trees in full bloom and fruit nearly ripened. I loved running through fields of green grass when I was little. It was where I first learned to use air. I lifted an apple my sister was about to eat.”

  It was wild to hear someone talk about these courts in this manner. It wasn’t removed from them and all static information like Maurelle had read about. This male lived during that time and had fond memories of how life used to be back then. “What about the other courts? What were they like?” Ryker asked again.

  “Well. I wasn’t a member of them, but I recall what it was like. The Spring court was closest to us in Summer. I remember sneaking across the border and how different things were. Everything was new there. The flowers all buds and the animals were all babies. It all seemed so fragile. My air whipped through the section my friends and I were hiding in giving us away. We were caught and the King of that court returned us to our parents after fixing the damage we’d done to a field of tulips.”

  Ryker was rapt in the information the professor was sharing with them. He could almost see the differences in the areas when Mira described what he’d seen.

  “Our medical field sprung from that court. When my sister fell ill my parents sought a cure from the Spring court. Of course, they had some help from the Autumn court. The royalty of the Fall court were highly volatile, or so my dad used to say. I didn’t see evidence of that until I attended the academy. You never wanted to piss off a female from that court or she would make your life hell.

  “Not that they were evil, or anything. There was so much that fascinated me about that court. I loved the orange and brown leaves on their trees. The weather wasn’t as hot as where I grew up, either. The one thing they didn’t have was soft ground cover. There was no green grass to cushion your steps. Anyway, the Autumn court created the first shifters and vampires. I have always wondered if they had a way to control these beings. It would come in handy when dealing with the more volatile species and the trials,” the professor shared with a nod of his head.