The Dark King Read online

  He then began mimicking stabbing himself with a knife and throwing himself to the ground. I looked down at my teacher flailing about and was barely able to keep a straight face. I couldn’t take much more of this.

  “You need to think of someone. A love, a crush, someone who could evoke passion and emotion in you. That is the only way you are going to get this right. Put all of your feelings into the words,” he said from his horizontal position on the floor.

  Humiliation paled against what I was going through.

  What was I going to do? I stood there, fidgeting with my fingers, looking down at my teacher, and secretly wished I could strangle him.

  “Become Juliet.”

  I shook my head in despair. There was only one person who could ever evoke that kind of emotion in me, and unfortunately, it was someone who a) could care less about me and b) was likely never coming back to Manteo, for all I knew. So what was the point of all of this?

  My situation couldn’t have been more different from Juliet’s.

  I took in a deep breath, cleared my throat, and reluctantly tried again.

  “And when I shall die, take him and cut him up in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will fall in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun.” I knew I sounded pathetic mumbling the last part. I looked up and could see his continued displeasure.

  “There is a lot of room for improvement, but I know somewhere in there, waiting to come out, is your own inner Meryl Streep, and we’ll have all semester to make sure she makes an appearance.”

  A lump rose in my throat.

  All semester.

  He was right. I would have to endure this experience over and over again for another six months.

  Teddy’s shoulders shook with silent mirth, and I elbowed him quickly in the side to try and get him to stop laughing.

  “You’re supposed to be my friend!” I whispered furiously as another classmate made her way down to the stage.

  “I am! I’m here, aren’t I?” He leaned back in his chair to try and catch his breath. “But that was so classic! And to think, I’ve captured it all on my phone!”

  I took a deep breath and dreaded the countless times I would no doubt be forced to relive my Oscar-worthy moment because Teddy wouldn’t be able to stop replaying it. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his phone when he wasn’t paying attention and delete the offensive video.

  This year was definitely not turning out to be as fun as last. But worse than any video was the reality that with each passing day there was still no sign of Devilyn, proving that the rumors I had heard over the summer were true, which, despite my newfound motto of strength and indifference, was a difficult pill to swallow.

  It was pretty devastating to think about. My stomach started growling just as class ended.

  “Hungry?” I asked, turning to Teddy.

  “Always.”

  We made our way to the cafeteria, and I was thankful that at least I had food to look forward to. I grabbed a banana, a simple turkey wrap, and a bottle of water.

  “Did you get to switch out of Corwin’s class?”

  “I got the usual runaround. Corwin for AP Calculus is going to be a real nightmare,” Teddy said as he grabbed a Coke.

  “I know. I have him too, remember?”

  I glanced around at the bustling cafeteria as we made our way to our usual table. True to form, Teddy finished his food in two point five seconds and immediately started playing Angry Birds on his phone as I immersed myself in my thoughts.

  My gaze wandered over the usual suspects before I caught the gaze of eyes so green they resembled shiny emeralds, staring out at me from a drop-dead gorgeous and unfamiliar face.

  He was beyond cute.

  He smiled at me in a familiar way, so I smiled back hesitantly.

  He definitely stood out from the boys at our school. Much like Devilyn had the year before. But where Devilyn had jet-black hair and eyes, this guy was blond with golden skin. His coloring kind of matched Teddy’s Nordic looks. I realized he was slowly making his way toward us.

  I wasn’t sure what to do, so I quickly wiped my mouth, fearful that the remnants of my lunch may have been stuck to my face.

  His outward warmth was unexpected and caught me by surprise. Any time I would be caught staring at Devilyn, which was sadly quite often, he always looked like I caused him misery. But this guy actually smiled back.

  “What’s got you all flustered?” Teddy asked curiously as he turned around and made eye contact with the Viking God.

  “I’m not flustered,” I returned quickly.

  “Who’s he?”

  “I have no idea. He must be new.”

  “Looks like he’s probably a jock like Devilyn. He’s got the same type of build.”

  “He’s not as tall as Devilyn,” I said quickly.

  Teddy shrugged his shoulders.

  “What’s a couple of inches?”

  “A lot in football.”

  “And you would know this because…?” Teddy looked at me like I was crazy. “Are you a sudden football fanatic?”

  “No.” I covered defensively. “Remember I had to write all those articles? I was the one stuck reading up on the game.”

  “How could I forget,” Teddy said as he rolled his eyes. “You wouldn’t shut up about it.”

  Before I could respond, the Viking reached our table.

  “Mind if I join you guys?” he asked as he stared right at me. I must have looked like a deer in headlights because Teddy looked at me and then quickly answered.

  “Of course.” If he was shocked that the stranger was joining us, he didn’t let on. “I’m Teddy and this is Caroline.”

  “Nice to meet you both,” he said, flashing us a perfect smile. I wondered if there was an area in North Carolina that was suddenly breeding these super-gorgeous people.

  “I’m Rowan. Rowan Strand.”

  “You’re new to Manteo?” Teddy asked.

  “Yes, I am, actually. We just moved over here from Virginia.”

  “Must have sucked to have to leave in your what, junior or senior year?”

  “Junior,” Rowan replied as he picked up his hamburger. I wanted to warn him about the cafeteria burgers, but Teddy beat me to the punch.

  “I wouldn’t do that if were you.”

  Rowan held the burger midair.

  “Why not?”

  “Let’s just say you won’t be able to digest it properly. Trust me. We’ve both been there.” I couldn’t help but blush when Teddy pointed at me. “We’ve tried everything. Pizza is decent—cheese only, never pepperoni—and the fried chicken is d—”

  “Delicious?” Rowan asked with a mischievous smile.

  “Disastrous.” Teddy finished dramatically. I started laughing. Rowan joined in, waited a moment, then took a bite out of the burger as both Teddy and I watched in horror.

  “I warned you, man,” Teddy said.

  “I definitely appreciate it, but I’m starving, and I happen to have a strong stomach.”

  “So, Caroline, is it?”

  “Yes. Caroline Ellis,” I answered, unnerved by his stare. “Well, welcome to Manteo, Rowan. I’m sure you’ll love it here. Everyone is really nice.”

  “Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it. Everything feels so familiar to me.”

  “Are you from a small town in Virginia?”

  “No. I’m actually from Richmond. But I like it in Manteo. New people. New start.” He stared right at me. “Whole new experiences.”

  I’m sure my eyes were wide. I nervously picked up my water and took a sip. I’m not sure why he made me feel so self-conscious, but he did.

  “So, do you play any sports?” Teddy asked.

  “A few.”

  “You any good?”

  “Decent, I guess.”

  “It must be hard to move mid-high school, though?” I interjected, trying to change the topic of conversation from one he clearly wasn’t intere
sted in continuing.

  “Not when this school has some of the best-looking girls in the state,” he said with a grin as he looked at me.

  I wasn’t sure if it was his intensity, his bluntness, or his incredible looks. Whatever it was, it was definitely a pleasant surprise from all of the mixed messages I had received from Devilyn the year before.

  Although I wasn’t an outwardly flirtatious person, I was still a girl, and a little attention, especially from someone who was so absurdly attractive and full of confidence, was welcome.

  Yes, that was another thing to add to my new mantra.

  I was going to take chances this year.

  I was going to forget about anything that hurt my heart or self-confidence, and I was going to live a little.

  So, I smiled.

  And stared right back at him.

  D

  The pungent smell of cigar smoke was everywhere, and I recognized it immediately. The luxurious and scarce Gurkha Black Dragon reminded me so much of its owner. It was one of the oldest and rarest cigars ever made, with tobaccos collected from all around the world. I had grown up with it. The smoke-filled haze of its presence had loomed above and below me for many years. It was no doubt a sign of where I was and whom I was about to face.

  But I knew I was still dreaming.

  I walked down the long corridor that led to his great study and reached the massive oak doors that instantly opened, beckoning me inside. I entered without hesitation. The fireplace roared to life, and my gaze settled on the two leather chairs that were placed in front of the flames. I moved toward the heat and felt a familiar sense of comfort as I settled into one of the seats and closed my eyes in pleasure.

  This was the only place where I could be free. I could release the weight of the world and allow myself to dream.

  “It has been a long while, my King.” A voice I knew well interrupted my solace.

  I opened my eyes and gazed at the ancient seer Brighid. She was revered among the Fae for her sight and unfaltering loyalty to the Light. She sat in the chair next to me, leaning forward, her gray hair untamed around her small, delicate face. Her hands were extended toward the fire as she drew warmth from the light.

  “It has, indeed.” I responded slowly, knowing that she had come to warn me, or try to guide me, as had been her way in the past. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “I gathered that much.”

  “Where is Odin?” I asked.

  “He is everywhere.” She smiled.

  I nodded as I stared at the vibrant flames.

  “The dark does not suit you. It’s far from becoming.”

  “I’m starting to appreciate the color.” I was not in the mood to argue and hoped she wouldn’t try and sway my course as Odin had.

  “It was a regretful choice.”

  “That is a matter of opinion.”

  She smiled at the flames. “And yet, there are many other paths in front of you now. Ones that will afford you the opportunity to right this wrong.”

  “You have said many times that we are guided by the Fates. So this must be the path they have willed.”

  Brighid laughed huskily. “Such passion, my King! I say only the things that I see. The way it is. The way it was. I see it all.”

  “As always, you speak in riddles.”

  “No, young Devilyn. I speak only in truths.” Brighid waved her hand in front of the fire, and I watched as the flames gave off great sparks.

  “There is much you have to learn,” she said. “A true King must consider all roads, anticipate what he may face at every turn, and then and only then should he step forward.”

  I felt a moment of dread. “What are you saying?”

  “A true King must also learn how to decipher the greatest riddles. You must sharpen your mind and see past what you believe is a reality.”

  She threw magik into the fire, and in an instant I saw Caroline’s stunning profile. I stood up and reached out toward the image.

  “Do you torture me?”

  “I show you choice,” she said.

  “A choice that is not mine.”

  Her laughter made my skin crawl.

  “And so you say, it shall be.” She waved her hand forcefully in front of the flames, and the image of Caroline was gone.

  She stood and faced me. Though she was ancient, she was perhaps more formidable than any other Fae I had encountered. With her wisdom came a greater strength than I had ever seen.

  “Your easy shift to the dark has blinded you. It has made you careless. You leave revered treasures unguarded. You are the King of a great people, Devilyn. You are King of the Tuatha de Danann, the one true God race that has ever walked this earth. We gave power to the mortals. We showed them that they could be more than what they were. We gave them knowledge, a wisdom that was handed down to our people thousands of years ago. We gave it all to them without asking for anything in return. Our four great treasures are sacred. They can shine Light upon us, or worse, cover us with Darkness. And these precious treasures are the only in the universe that can lead to your destruction.”

  Her words made me think of Alderon. But my pride forced me to defend myself.

  “Even if there are Fae that would hope to threaten me, they do not have the power to do so.”

  “A very naïve thought,” she responded, smiling slyly. “Knowledge is power.”

  I looked at her as my mind began to race.

  “It is sheer arrogance to even consider that no one would oppose you. That no one could figure out the simple riddle that keeps your father safely hidden from the Dark.”

  I thought of all the Fae in my court.

  “Pride has been known to bring about the destruction of all, my young King. And it will most assuredly bring your downfall if you cannot learn to steady the heat of your heart.”

  She stepped close to me, her clawlike hands reaching out, cupping my face in her palms, forcing me to look down at her iridescent eyes.

  “You will wake up now, Devilyn,” she said slowly. “And it will be an entirely new reality. One where your choices will produce such colossal ramifications that even your heart will cry out in pain. And there won’t be anyone who will hear your song of sorrow if you push all those who love you away. Think on my words.”

  I closed my eyes, contemplating what she had said, and when I opened them seconds later, she was gone, leaving behind the scent that drew me in.

  An instant later the flames went out in the fireplace. I was awake. I sat up in bed, drenched in sweat, and glanced at the large window that overlooked the Dark Forest. The moon was giant tonight against the sky, the trees strangely still. I heard a flapping noise and watched as a large black raven sitting on a beautiful tree branch stretched its great wings.

  Once.

  Twice.

  And then it sat perfectly still, turning only to meet my gaze. Almost as if it could read every thought in my mind. For moments we sat there, staring at each other in the still of the night. When the bird seemed to have had enough, it looked up toward the moon and flew off into the night.

  Leaving me alone in my bed.

  And alone in the deep forest of my mind.

  Chapter Three

  “All we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”

  —Edgar Allan Poe

  The Dark

  He had laid out the pieces of the massive puzzle before him. Each angular fragment symbolized an element of importance to his dear King. Devilyn was definitely wise beyond his years and crafty despite his youthful appearance, so it had taken Puck longer than expected to solve the mystery. Once it came together, everything suddenly made so much sense. He silently cursed himself for not being able to figure it out sooner. Devilyn had made one tiny error—he had been careless—a rookie mistake, as the humans would call it.

  The young King may have been able to control his actions while awake, but nothing was in his control while he slept. And in his dreams, his guard was down, his secrets there for the taking. S
ecrets were revealed that were only meant for young Devilyn’s soul.

  This tiny morsel was so delightful, and it would ultimately result in the final nail in the young King’s coffin. His master would soon be free. And all would be well in the world again.

  Puck gently stroked the head of the beautiful black raven as it crowed beneath his fingertips. Singing every word that it had heard in the still of the night.

  Never did Puck imagine that it would be so easy.

  Never did he think that the young King’s reign would be so short-lived.

  The Yew tree was symbolic. How could he have missed it? Alderon had used the same tree to imprison Arthur, and now his son had done the same to him. The sword that would free his master had been there the whole time.

  The poetic justice of the location was not lost on Puck, and a part of him did enjoy the irony of it because there was nothing in the world he liked more than a good tragedy.

  Once Puck was primed, his plan effortlessly fell into place. The Great Spear of Victory practically danced its way into his hands. No one would ever imagine going up against the strength and power of the new Dark King, so it was foolishly left unguarded. The Spear was the only way Puck could release his master.

  When the Tuatha de Danann arrived thousands of years before, they brought four great treasures from their kingdoms. One was the Lia Fail, or Stone of Destiny, that actually could be seen by all mortals if they only visited the magical Hill of Tara.

  Dana, the Great Mother God of the Light, had insisted upon this known sin. She had wanted to give the humans some Fae magik to have access to if they had the foresight to see it. Tales throughout human history often mentioned that remnants of the Fae were everywhere, offering a little glimpse to the curious. The Fae were, after all, among the mortals, but it was always up to them to look closely. To imagine mortal hands on such a sacred piece made Puck loathe the Light even more. The Light Fae exhibited such weakness when it came to mortals. Weakness that would cost them everything. That thought was at least something to look forward to.