Spring of the Cursed Fae

  LAND OF THE FAE: BOOK TWO

  L.P. DOVER

  Contents

  Fae Family Trees

  Land of the Fae Courts

  Different Types of Fae

  1. Lia

  2. Lia

  3. Bayleon

  4. Lia

  5. Bastian

  6. Lia

  7. Lia

  8. Bayleon

  9. Lia

  10. Lia

  11. Bayleon

  12. Lia

  13. Lia

  14. Lia

  15. Bastian

  16. Lia

  17. Lia

  18. Lia

  19. Bayleon

  20. Lia

  21. Lerissa

  22. Lia

  23. Lia

  24. Lia

  25. Lia

  26. Lia

  27. Lia

  28. Bayleon

  29. Lia

  Land of the Fae Series

  Forever Fae Series

  About the Author

  Also by L.P. Dover

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written consent from the author.

  Copyright 2023 by L.P. Dover

  Editor: Yvette Rebello

  Cover Design by: Dark City Designs

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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  Created with Vellum

  Fae Family Trees

  Land of the Fae Courts

  Different Types of Fae

  Winter fae – native to the Land of the Fae

  Spring fae - native to the Land of the Fae

  Summer fae - native to the Land of the Fae

  Fall fae - native to the Land of the Fae

  Shadow fae – offspring of Alasdair and various fae women. They were created to bring war to the Land of the Fae.

  Dark fae – those who were cast out of the Land of the Fae/ones who turned their magic dark. Can be from either Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall.

  Half fae – part fae/part mortal

  Chapter 1

  Lia

  I could sense them . . . both of them.

  Bayleon and Bastian were close, but I couldn’t see them. The wind blew through the wisteria trees, making the blue and purple petals dance in the air as they fell from their vines. It almost looked like snow billowing all around me.

  Stopping in the middle of the grove, I held my breath and scanned my surroundings, squinting against the sun. It was bright overhead, and I could feel its rays beaming down on my skin, only it wasn’t hot in the Spring Court, not like it was in the Summer Court. Every now and again we’d get a rainstorm, and it didn’t matter where I was, I always made my way outside to enjoy every second of it. It was my own tradition, which I planned on upholding when I became queen of my court.

  I breathed in quietly and stepped toward two interlocking wisteria trees; they were wide enough to allow Bayleon and Bastian to hide behind them and not be seen. Ever so slowly, I closed the distance and placed a hand on my sword hilt, ready to unsheathe it within a moment’s notice. But when I stepped around the massive trunk, they weren’t there. I had a feeling they wouldn’t be; it was too easy.

  Everything was quiet except for the wind and the melodic chirping of a group of yellow warblers above me. They were native to the mortal realm, but someone in my court loved them so much they brought them to the Land of the Fae.

  Was it forbidden to bring over animals not native to our land? No, but there was always a risk they wouldn’t survive.

  I inherited an affinity for nature and animals from my mother, meaning I could understand creatures in ways no other fae could. The warblers were much happier here than in the mortal realm. Their chirps sounded like gleeful laughs as they bounced along the branches, making more wisteria petals fall on me. But soon, their song changed its tune.

  It turned into a warning . . . someone was near, but I already knew that.

  Bayleon and Bastian’s presence felt like a warm blanket wrapping around me. I didn’t have to worry about anything with them nearby. When they offered to be my protectors, I knew I didn’t need them. My mother and father had trained me to fight and take care of myself since the day I could walk. It was more as if I wanted Bayleon and Bastian to be close. They were part of the Tyvar—a group of handsome fae men cursed with the power of seduction, able to enthrall any woman with just a simple glance into their captivating midnight-blue eyes. Most of the Tyvar didn’t see it as a curse, but Bayleon and Bastian did.

  When my mother met them many years ago, she helped them see there was more to life. The others enjoyed luring in women and pleasuring them until they died. That was why Bayleon and Bastian left their home in the Mystical Forest to live in the Spring Court, vowing never to enthrall any women in my court. The penalty was death if they did. They wanted to change, and my mother believed they could. Of all their years in the Spring Court, they haven’t yet slipped up once.

  Being a royal, I was immune to their powers, so it wasn’t their magic that had gripped me; it was something else, something forbidden. I’ve kept the truth hidden deep within the confines of my soul for the past seven years, ever since they became my protectors. The only problem was it was becoming harder to live with that secret with each passing day. I was in love with both men—made more complicated by the fact they were twin brothers. I couldn’t have them both, and there was no way I could choose between them. And because of that, my heart would forever be doomed.

  The ache in my chest grew, but I forced it away. I couldn’t let anything distract me, not when this was my final test. I didn’t need to prove to anyone that I could be queen and protect my people, but I did want to prove it to myself. I’d been able to thwart Bayleon and Bastian’s attacks for the past year; it was the one goal I wanted to achieve before becoming queen of my court . . . the Blossom Court. It would still be a part of the Spring Court, but it would be my own. I had never been more ready for anything in my life.

  Today I was just a princess, but tomorrow I would be a queen.

  I sensed a shift behind me and smiled. The guys were good at hiding, at being the predators. I’ve trained my entire life to be a warrior, never to be the prey, and today was no different. I knew today’s test would be the hardest of all, and I was curious to see what Bayleon and Bastian had in store for me. I took cover behind one of the wisteria trees and peeked around the edge, knowing very well that the guys were gaining ground on me; I could hear the subtle swishes of the grass as they approached. But where were they? I could hear them, but I couldn’t see them. It was then that I noticed the wisteria petals dancing in the wind through the small meadow between the trees, but there were two invisible outlines which the petals couldn’t fall through.

  “You guys are smart,” I said, unsheathing my sword with my right hand and my dagger with my left, “but not smart enough.”

  I stepped away from the tree, and heard the guys pull out their swords. Still, I couldn’t see them, but the grass flattened with their steps as they rushed toward me. Even though I couldn’t see them, I concentrated on the sounds and attacked.

  Fighting blind was a skill I’d practiced but never fully perfected. Today was going to be the day I mastered it. Swinging my sword, it connected with a blade, and I quickly used my dagger to swipe low, drawing it across my attacker’s leg. I heard Bayleon’s growl and rolled across the ground away from him, knowing that Bastian wasn’t far from his right. Hurting them made my stomach clench, but I had no choice.

  Strong arms encircled my waist, and I felt a familiar warmth. The manly smell of sandalwood reached my nose, and I knew it was Bastian. I headbutted him in the face, earning a snarl in return as I shifted out of his hold and swiped my sword across his back. The metal slicing through his skin was a sound I never wanted to hear again, not when it was with someone I cared about.

  Blood dripped onto the green grass, and it shimmered in the sun on my blade. Hurting them was part of the test, and I didn’t realize how hard it would be. I’d been told there might come a time when someone I loved would betray me, and I’d have to make a tough decision.

  Would I be able to hurt them? The answer was simple . . . I’d do what I had to do. I drew blood from the two men I cared most about, and I never wanted to do it again.

  “All right,” I called out, “I’m done.”

  Bayleon and Bastian appeared within seconds right after they took off the magical necklaces that made them invisible. Both were dressed in their dark green warrior leathers of the Spring Court and their eyes hidden behind the silver masquerade masks they have to wear at all times. It was the only way they could be around the women in my court without condemning them to death by seduction. Sadly, it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to look into their eyes. In their hands were the silver chain necklaces with a honey amber crystal attached to each one. After sheathing my sword and dagger, I stared down at the magical stones
. The crystals belonged to my parents, a gift from my uncle Ryder who transferred some of his invisibility magic into the stones; my parents were very protective of them. It would be disastrous if they fell into the wrong hands.

  “Was it my parents’ idea or yours to use the stones?” I asked, glancing back and forth between the brothers.

  They were over two hundred years old but didn’t look a day over twenty-five with their golden blonde hair, midnight-blue eyes, and angelic features. The only physical difference between them was their hair. Bayleon kept his silky and long while Bastian had his cut short like most of the young warriors in the courts; it was a trend that carried over from the mortal realm. One of the things I enjoyed most about them was how they spoke and carried themselves; it was very proper and gentlemanlike. Their voices were regal, almost as if they were brought up as royalty, and smooth like honey. I don’t know much about their father—he wasn’t something the guys ever wanted to talk about—but I knew their mother loved them and did her best to raise them right.

  Bastian stepped forward and winced in pain as he held the necklace toward me. “It was both,” he confessed. “You did very well, princess.”

  Instead of taking the stone, I grabbed his arm and sent my healing magic straight into him, healing the sword wound on his back. In addition to the affinity of nature and animals I’d inherited from my mother, I also had the power of healing, and the ability to control water inherited from my father. I couldn’t see Bastian’s eyes clearly through his mask, but I could still see them. I watched as his lips parted, and a sigh of relief escaped.

  “Thank you,” he murmured.

  I squeezed his arm. “I’m sorry.” He tried to hand me the necklace, but I shook my head. “I trust you with the stone. You can return it to my parents.”

  Then, quickly, I hurried over to Bayleon to heal the gash on his thigh. I could feel his heated gaze on me the entire time. Once the cut closed over, I focused on both men, my chest constricting at the injuries I’d inflicted.

  “I didn’t think I cut you so deep,” I said to them.

  Bayleon sheathed his sword, and Bastian did the same. “We’re fine, princess,” Bayleon assured me, nodding toward the palace. “We should probably head back. Your family will start arriving in a few hours.”

  Tonight, the Spring Court palace would be filled with my aunts, uncles, and cousins from the other courts. They were here for the Equinox Ball which was due to take place in a couple of days, but they were also here to watch my brother, Kale, and I claim our land. The Land of the Fae was about to gain two new courts and a new king and queen.

  Bayleon and Bastian took their places beside me, and we started out of the grove of wisteria trees and up the cherry blossom trail to the back of the palace. Ever since the Winter Solstice Ball, things have been tense between all three of us. I’ve tried keeping my feelings to myself and not letting them show, but it proves more difficult each day. The last thing I wanted to do was come between their bond. They were brothers, and family came above all else. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like my emotions were the only thing causing the tension. I’ve sensed some apprehension from both men for weeks, almost as if they were intentionally keeping something from me.

  When we arrived at the entrance at the back of the palace, two of my father’s guards stepped out of the way so we could enter. It was strange to think that tomorrow I would have my own palace and my own guards. So much was about to change.

  Chapter 2

  Lia

  “You’re going to be a queen in a couple of hours.” Ember’s sparkling emerald eyes searched mine as she smiled and tilted her head to the side. “What I don’t get is how calm you are right now,” she said, taking a bite of her apricot tea cookie and spilling crumbs in the process. “I would be freaking out.”

  I ran my fingertip over the rim of my rose-covered cup and smiled. It felt smooth and cool on my fingers. “I’m ready for it,” I said, staring back at my dearest and closest friend.

  Her golden curls shimmered in the sun, only adding to the radiant glow of her skin. Pregnancy suited her. She was a couple of years younger than me which hasn’t helped my situation. The whispered conversations among the elders of the Spring Court have pointed out that I was over thirty, single, and nowhere close to providing an heir. Most of the fae in my land have modernized their thinking, but there were still some stuck in the traditional ways, those who would prefer to shut off all contact with the mortal realm altogether. I enjoyed the human world and so did Ember. It was why I wanted to bring her to our favorite café in France so she could get her beloved warm croissants with strawberry jam before her baby came. I was happy for her but couldn’t help but feel a little envious. She had the life I could only dream about: a perfect mate and a long life of happiness ahead of her.

  The warmth I always felt when Bayleon and Bastian were near cascaded over my skin and it made me tremble.

  Ember snickered under her breath and shook her head. “They’re here, aren’t they?”

  It took all I had not to search around for them.

  There were people everywhere walking the streets of Paris and taking pictures of the Eiffel Tower. Bayleon and Bastian could be anywhere.

  Bringing my cup to my lips, I finished off the last sip of my chai tea. “It would appear so. But, even when I tell them I’ll be okay, they never let me go anywhere alone.”

  Ember’s smile widened. “I understand how you feel. I’m pretty sure Ren is here watching us as well.”

  That didn’t surprise me in the least. It didn’t matter if I had a hundred guards escorting us to Paris, Ren would want to ensure his mate and unborn child were safe.

  “Oh, I have no doubt,” I teased.

  Ember shrugged. “I think it’s sweet Bayleon and Bastian wanted to be your protectors. They’ve been with you now for seven years, right?”

  “Yes,” I answered, remembering how excited I was to have them by my side.

  For the longest time, they watched over my mother. She was captured by the Tyvar many years ago, but Bayleon and Bastian had released her. I still don’t know what happened, but they had said they were in her debt. That was why they ended up leaving their army and living in the Spring Court. There were so many secrets—secrets I wanted to uncover.

  “Do they know how you feel about them?” Ember wondered. “Because it’s obvious they are both in love with you.”

  I knew they were; it was what made everything so complicated.

  “No,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s not like anything could come of it anyway. I would never be able to choose. And if I did, it’d cause a rift between them.”

  Ember’s smile slowly dissipated. “I’m sorry, Lia. I don’t know what it’s like to love two men. Ren has my whole heart.”

  And mine was divided.

  Waving a hand in the air, I huffed out a breath. “Okay, enough about this. Let’s talk about something else.”

  Ember smirked as she reached for the last croissant and spread the rest of the strawberry jam over the top. Flaky pieces fell onto her belly when she took a bite.

  “I can do that. Let me start by saying how ecstatic I am to be moving to your court tomorrow. I trust you’ll make sure I have plenty of tulip magnolias in my yard?”

  A laugh escaped my lips and it felt good. “You’ll have a gazillion of them. I plan to have a ton as well.”