Fallen Queen (Lost Fae Book 2) Read online

  Fallen Queen

  Lost Fae Book 2

  May Dawson

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  A Note from May

  Their Shifter Princess

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Also by May Dawson

  Prologue

  Alisa

  Six Years Earlier

  Faer loved to throw parties, and Herrick seemed to love to indulge us. But as dozens of Fae nobles streamed through the doors of the ballroom, I was keenly aware that Herrick watched from his throne on the dais.

  I desperately wanted to see two particular males tonight, but I couldn’t find them anywhere in the crowd. I sipped my wine and made small talk and laughed and danced with everyone who asked me.

  From my behavior, no one would ever have guessed that I longed for two dark-haired males so intensely that despite the press of bodies in the room, goosebumps rose on my arms—as if I were cold without them near me. As if they were warmth and peace and comfort itself, wrapped up in big, muscular bodies.

  I’d told them not to come. Herrick was determined that I would not offend Raile by obviously courting other men when my own engagement ceremony was just a few months away, but I was still secretly disappointed every time I caught a glimpse of black hair or a broad-shouldered body, only to realize the features belonged to the wrong Fae.

  “Alisa.” Raile appeared at my side, gripping a crystal glass in either long-fingered hand.

  “Raile.” My tone was equally curt.

  As I took the glass from him, I caught sight of Faer nearby; he was talking to someone else, and yet… I knew he could hear us. The brother I once adored had become our father’s spy. I took a long sip, but I would never dare get drunk in the summer court.

  Raile watched me with those bright eyes that were the same ever-shifting colors as the sea outside. “I never offered that to you. How did you know it was yours?”

  “Do you make a habit of waiting for things to be offered to you, Raile? Because you seem quite intent on taking me.” I took his glass and sipped from it too, then set them both on a nearby table. Raile rarely missed much; had he seen Faer watching us? “You should watch your tongue with me, by the way.”

  “Is that so?” Raile watched me with a look of detached amusement fixed on his face, one that always reminded me oddly of myself. Sometimes when I looked at Raile, I understood why some people seemed to dream of smacking the smirk right off my lips.

  I took Raile’s hand and drew him onto the dance floor. He stepped in close without hesitation, as if he’d known just what I’d do before I acted. His arm looped my waist easily, and my hand slid into his as I inhaled his crisp, fresh scent, like a breeze off the ocean. His body was tall and muscled, his shoulders broad but waist lean, and the fine material of his jacket was soft under my palm.

  “I wish we’d met differently, Raile,” I said.

  “Oh? Would you be nicer to me if I were one of those rough, clumsy knights you seem to favor?”

  “They’re not clumsy,” I promised. “They could take your head off your shoulders. As could I.”

  His lips quirked. “After all this time, I don’t think you know me or what I’m capable of as well as you think. But you and I will get to know each other better.”

  “You’d really want an unwilling bride?”

  “I really want you,” he corrected.

  “Why?” I demanded. “Why are you so obsessed with me?”

  “I’m not.”

  “You’re here,” I said flatly. “And while Herrick has so much to gain from a political marriage that controls the sea—”

  Raile scoffed. He glanced past me, and I knew those magnetic ocean-colored eyes were scanning to see who could overhear us. “Your father may be overestimating just how much power he’ll have when you’re my queen.”

  The two of us swept seamlessly around the ballroom. Raile was quick on his feet, good at leading on the dance floor. I glanced at the other couples around us, who were laughing and smiling as they whirled around the rooms, the males all dashing, the females’ gowns colorful as peacock feathers as they swirled over the marble. Royalty rarely married for love, and I wondered how many beautiful couples secretly hated each other.

  “What do you get out of this?” I demanded.

  “I won’t tell just any female that,” he said, “but I’ll tell my fiancé.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Keep your secrets.”

  “Tell me your secrets,” he said, pulling me even closer.

  Over his shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Faer; despite the horned Fae nibbling his ear, I was sure his proximity was no accident.

  Raile’s breath felt like a caress when he whispered, “Tell me what you really want.”

  My lips twisted, my gaze still on Faer. “I’m not going to tell you my secrets. I wouldn’t even tell you my to-do list.”

  “Very well,” he said. “Then I’ll guess.”

  His voice was low in my ear, and his breath against the shell of my ear sent a strange shiver through my body.

  “Guess away,” I murmured. “Even the blindest of squirrels runs across a nut on occasion; perhaps this is your lucky day.”

  “I think you would like to marry the fall princes,” he whispered, and tension seared through my body. “Both of them.”

  His hand caressed my hip, and he murmured, “Relax. I’m not angry.”

  “Oh?”

  “I can share.” He nipped my earlobe with his teeth, and I pulled away so fast I might have tripped into the person behind me, except Raile reeled me close again.

  “You’re a madman, Raile,” I whispered. My father, Herrick, would see us both dead instead of married if he knew Raile was willing to help me on my quest for the throne—and true love. I wasn’t sure which I needed more; to save my people from Herrick, or to save myself.

  “Perhaps.” A smile played at the corner of his lips. “I’m also your best chance of getting everything you want, summer queen.”

  I pulled away, staring at him. “Perhaps we should discuss plans simply and honestly, so I can decide if I’m interested or not.”
r />   “You and I are not on simple and honest terms,” he told me.

  That was certainly true. He would remember that when we had our engagement ceremony, which was planned for just a few months from now.

  I had no plans of being married anytime soon.

  The music faltered, then switched into the next tune. I used the break as an excuse to jerk away from Raile and bow to him.

  “You’re too stubborn for sense,” he told me. “I’ll come to you tonight. We can swim in the sea and talk.”

  I laughed at that. “I’m not going into your territory.”

  “I come into yours.” He gestured with his hand around the room.

  “This isn’t my territory. It’s Herrick’s.”

  “Then show me yours.” He stepped subtly closer to me, his face intense. “Let me into your world. Let me know you, as you truly are. That’s all I desire.”

  I shook my head. “I’m not going to pretend you and I can have some pleasant time together when you’re trying to force yourself on me. If you want my attention, Raile, you’ll have to change your approach.”

  He stared at me, his eyes glittering darkly, the same color as the sea outside. “You are so smart, Alisa, and yet somehow you are such a foolish little girl at the same time.”

  He was so ridiculous that he shocked a laugh from me, before I told him, “No, that’s definitely not the right approach.”

  I spun on my heel and made my way through the dancers. As we came face to face, Faer half-bowed to me. I didn’t acknowledge my brother, and he didn’t look as if he cared. It was eerie to see a face so much like mine and know he was my enemy.

  I could practically feel Herrick watching me; even though he was up on the dais, his gaze felt hot on the back of my neck. I wished I could tear him down from that throne. Let him sink beneath the waves, along with the insufferable prince he’d chosen for me.

  I stormed into the long, cool hallway; it was open at one end to the sea, and when I breathed in, it was the same as inhaling that intoxicating scent of Raile’s body. It just made me more furious. The servants closed the doors behind me, blocking out the happy noise of the band.

  The breeze blew up off the sea, rustling my gown and my hair around me. But I couldn’t go toward the sea, not now, so I strode toward the garden instead. I couldn’t stand to go back to my room or anywhere else I was confined; if these males in my life had any say, I’d be trapped forever.

  Instead, I walked past the fountain, with the enormous tree in the center hung with enormous red jewels of fruit; the statue of my great-great grandfather stood under the tree, half-submerged in the water, paused with his arm raised and an apple gripped in his hand.

  “Hello, Grandfather,” I said lightly, as I always did. There were dozens of statues surrounding us in the garden, many of them covered in flowers or green shrubbery. When I was little, and Herrick still loved me, he’d given them all names and stories; he’d spun tales for me about their lives while he pushed me on the swing.

  “Alisa.”

  The voice was low and commanding, and I whirled to find Duncan emerging from the shadows. His handsome face was cold and haughty as ever, one hand in his pocket, as if he didn’t care what he risked when he came to see me.

  My heart galloped. I’d longed for him so much, and here he was.

  “You shouldn’t be here.” I couldn’t muster a polite tone, rattled as I felt after speaking with Raile. “It’s a mistake.”

  He shrugged one big shoulder. “So it’s a mistake. For you, I’ll make mistakes.”

  The tightness of anxiety in my chest suddenly melted into warmth.

  “Come here,” I said, catching his hand in mine.

  I drew him with me through the castle and into my rooms. Faer and I used to share them, but he’d moved into my father’s apartment with him, leaving me alone. I’d been lonely at the beginning, but Faer and I just kept growing apart—and angrier—and now I was glad to have the peace.

  “Nikia, wine, please,” I told my servant. She nodded and disappeared through the door, closing it softly behind her.

  “Do you think you’ve had enough?” He frowned, pressing his hand to my cheek. “You’re flushed. I’ve never seen you like this.”

  “I’m angry, not drunk,” I said, then managed to smile. “You’ve definitely seen me angry. Remember Edelwick’s class? I’m pretty sure I was pissed off for the entire hour, six days a week.”

  “Perhaps,” he said, but his gaze was troubled. “Are you in trouble?”

  “Maybe,” I said. “It’s the kind of trouble only I can deal with, either way.”

  “You don’t have to be alone,” he told me.

  I did, but it was sweet that he wanted to help me anyway.

  Nikia returned soon with the wine and a tray full of snacks.

  “She knows me well,” I said lightly, popping a berry into my mouth before I poured my glass and his. The two of us toasted, and some of my tension ebbed away as I drank with Duncan. He was silent as he so often was, but there was comfort just in having him across from me.

  “Where’s Azrael tonight?” I asked. I’d heard he was back from the rift, but I hadn’t seen him yet. Just saying his name made my heart pound a little faster; I’d spent the past year, while Duncan was at the academy and Azrael was at the front, worrying over Az. And I’d missed them both more than I would ever admit.

  “I told him I’d come pay our respects to Herrick, since he…” he trailed off. We both knew how badly Herrick wanted to kill Azrael. That had been the worst part of having Az at the front; I’d thought Herrick might get his chance to make sure Az never returned.

  “Since Herrick wishes he’d pay his respects in blood?” I asked lightly.

  “And I wanted to see you,” he said flatly, and I couldn’t hide my surprised smile. It was rare for Duncan to admit to how much power there was in the bond between us.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” I admitted, my voice soft.

  He touched my face, his fingertips skimming my cheek. When he leaned toward me, my breath caught in my chest.

  “It was hell spending a year at the academy without you,” be admitted. “Your memory is everywhere for me. The place is…empty…without you.”

  He surprised me into smiling, but somehow, suddenly, my eyes filled with tears. I wished I’d had the chance to spend both years at the academy, even though it was a miserable place. I wished I’d had the chance to spend two years with him.

  “I’m here for now,” I said. “For tonight.”

  And I would make sure I never belonged to anyone else—exclusively—no matter how determined my father was to see me with Raile, and Raile alone. Herrick was determined to make sure I lost my claim on the throne as I became someone else’s queen; he didn’t care about my happiness.

  But I could look after my own happiness. I was quite sure who would make me happy.

  “For tonight,” he whispered, and his mouth met mine.

  Then the two of us were pushing each other across the room, stripping each other’s clothes off, until we fell into my bed. I laughed as I scrambled on top of him, and he pushed his dark hair out of his eyes so he could smile up at me.

  It felt as if I’d been asleep for weeks, and I was just waking up now that he was here with me.

  Those sweet words were the end of us being tender with each other, thankfully. Tender wasn’t really our style.

  His lips were hard and unyielding, like his grip, as if he was determined to claim me. I kissed him back just as fiercely, nipping at his lower lip, twining my arm around his neck so I could hold his mouth to mine.

  I ran the tip of my tongue along the seam between his lips until his mouth parted, and our tongues danced together as I caught his cock in my hand. I used him like a toy, teasing his tip in circles against my slick opening, until he let out a groan and shoved inside me. I grinned, rolling my hips up; if he was that eager for me now, it meant we might well have sex half a dozen times before sunrise.

>   I loved the way he needed me, no matter how much we pretended neither of us needed anyone.

  But it was a lie. I needed him too, and so I fought him for control, the two of us punishing each other with fierce kisses and rough touches, trying to claim each other as if we could convert love instead into simple, manageable lust. I pressed his head into my breasts, my fingers spanning the back of his head, rocking my hips up against his cock. He pounded into me in a merciless, staccato beat. By now he knew I liked it rough.

  When he rocked deep inside me, he rolled his hips at the end of each thrust, sending a jolt of pleasure through me so intense I almost couldn’t bear it. I bit him, my teeth sinking into that broad, powerful shoulder, his muscles rippling under my touch.

  He nipped me back, his teeth scraping against my skin just below my ear, finding the erogenous zone where that bit of pain was pure pleasure. I let out a laugh, my hand cupping his cheek, finding his faint beard stubble rough against my palm.

  “Couldn’t be bothered to shave for court, hm?” I demanded.

  “Snob,” he said, still pumping inside me, both of us breathing hard now. He ran his fingers through my hair, sending tingles that seemed to go straight to my spine, until he fisted my hair at the back of my neck. “I’ll have to see if I can cure you of that someday.”