Bound by Secret: The Queen's Consorts, #2

By Elena Lawson

I'll be the first to admit it... my rise to power hasn't gone entirely as planned.

I'm still trying to fit into my new role at the Night Court when a long-lost war hero reappears at court. He's beguiled the nobles, but I'm not so easily swayed or quick to trust.

At least amidst all the chaos has been one constant; my males. They've been there at every turn, and I'm falling deeper in love with them every day.

But the secrets are starting to pile up and weigh on all of us. Our forbidden romance and the matter of my multiple graces being the least of them...so why do I feel like the secrets others are hiding could be even more destructive than my own?

My males would give their lives to protect me, but I don't think they realize how much I'd sacrifice to ensure that never happens.


BOUND BY SECRET is the second installment in The Queen's Consorts series, a medium-burn reverse harem fantasy romance!

#WhyChoose

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thorn House Publishing
• Release date: Nov 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9798224166992

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The torch flickered, casting ominous shadows along the slick stone walls of the corridor. It turned out there was more to the secret passageways in the palace than I thought. In my haste to find where the painful pull in my chest had emanated from only a week past, I had missed it. There were openings in the corridor everywhere and each led to a different place. I bet one could arrive anywhere in the palace if only they knew which paths to take.

In the days following the Solstice Ball, I made it my personal agenda to map out the tunnels and stairways hidden behind the walls. I had found exits leading to the servant’s quarters, the kitchens, and the ballroom. Though it seemed no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find the way back to Morgana’s statue, and I hadn’t heard her voice in my mind since I was last there.

I rounded another bend, throwing my torchlight into the next corridor. Rats scurried away from the light of the flame and a shiver rolled up my spine. I had been following this path for an hour now, trying to head in what I thought was an easterly direction, down and down and down. But it only grew darker, and I saw no sign of an exit anywhere up ahead.

Alaric would be furious if he returned to my chambers to find me gone… again. I’d been given a taste of freedom since the threats against my life were eradicated. But I still hadn’t told him everything about the Mad King, and the Blessed Blade, and the stone I still wore on my middle finger. I would have to tell him eventually, but then it would be back to escorts everywhere I went and an audience while I slept. Ugh.

Just another day. One more day of freedom and I would tell him, and we’d figure it all out together—the five of us.

A snorting sound up ahead threw me off balance, my foot caught on a loose stone and I winced, my toe throbbing. A low whinny echoed through the dark and a smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. I raced ahead, careful to keep an eye on the uneven ground. The corridor dead-ended up ahead. Mustering my strength, I shoved at the stone wall, and was rewarded with a groan as it inched open.

The strong smell of the stables assaulted my nose, filling the space with the vapid odors of sun-dried hay and tangy manure. I peeked out, finding no one there tending to the beasts. But of course, there would be no one, not in the wee hours of the morning. The sun had yet to rise, and the night sky was still dark enough to see the speckling of a thousand stars.

Quickly and quietly, I doused my torch in a bucket of water and slipped out, using my shoulder to seal the hidden passageway behind me. The warm summer breeze pulled at the fabric of my blouse and lifted the sweat-dampened hairs from my collarbone.

The stalls stood to my right, and open-air and the fenced grazing area spread out before me to the left. Another whinny had me standing on tip-toe to peer into the first stall. A brilliant white stallion stood proud inside, lifting his head as though in greeting.

Hello, I said to the horse, recognizing him from the intricately embroidered leather saddle, and topaz headstall hung on the wall behind him. It was Tiernan’s horse.

I cocked my head at the massive beast, and after a moment’s consideration, I unlatched the door and opened the stall. The horse eyed me suspiciously, his ears pressed flat against his head. It’s alright, I crooned, stepping inside.

I had seen plenty of horses since my return to the palace, but never before then. There was no need for them on the Isle of Mist. It took only an hour to walk its circumference.

The horse stepped back, stomping its front hooves against the hay covered earth.

What are you doing?

My heart leapt into my throat and I tripped in my haste to turn around, falling on my rear in a pile of hay.

He laughed and casually strolled into the stall to help me stand. My eyes adjusted to the dim to find Tiernan. I took his outstretched hand and brushed off the bits of hay clinging to me, acutely aware of how I must look. Cheeks stained red, my hair an absolute mess, and wearing trousers of all things.

I swallowed, dropping his hand, "What are you doing here?"

Tiernan shrugged, and I noted how his tunic hung open at the collar. Smooth tan skin showed beneath, and his hair was pulled back with a strip of leather, bundled in a tangle of gold at the nape of his neck. I come here every morning to tend to him. He’s an energetic horse. If I don’t take him out for a ride, he’s a nightmare for the stable-boys.

Oh.

He raised his brows, moving to fetch the tack from the walls, Does Alaric know you’re down here alone?

I pursed my lips at him, earning myself an exaggerated sigh, Don’t worry, I won’t tell him… if you’ll let me escort you back to your chambers, he challenged, gesturing to his horse.

On that? Can’t we walk? I crossed my arms over my chest, my pulse racing at the idea of climbing onto something so big.

He tightened the straps on the horse’s sides, securing the saddle in place. We could, but where’s the fun in that? I’m assuming you’ve never ridden before.

So?

This can be your first lesson. He finished saddling the beast, and stroked its long mane, whispering something in its ear. Don’t look so frightened. Come, Liana, he won’t bite you. At least, not after I’ve politely asked him not to.

That’s reassuring, I said, snickering at him, but I crept across the stall to where he waited, hands laced together in a sling to help me step up into the saddle.

A horse would not best me. I was certain every noble in the palace knew how to ride horseback and were not intimidated by the animals. It would be simple enough. All I had to do was sit in the curved leather saddle and hold tight to the reins. If I trusted a mischievous Draconian warrior to carry me through the skies, I could trust a horse to carry me over ground. Right?

I stepped into Tiernan’s hands, and took hold of his shoulder, You’re coming too, right? I don’t know how⁠—

Yes, Liana. Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall.

I heaved my body onto the back of the horse, clenched my jaw, and clutched at its mane when it moved side to side, adjusting to my weight.

Tiernan pushed my feet into the stirrups and took up the reins to lead me outside, the horse following his gentle pull in slow strides. It wasn’t so scary. I took a deep, steadying breath. The warm air filled my lungs. The smell of horse dung was replaced with that of morning dew and cold earth. Tiernan lunged himself into the saddle behind me and tugged on the reins when the horse tried to run.

He tucked me in close between his legs, my back pressed against his broad, solid chest. His arms came around me and he placed my hands around a horn-like handle at the front of the saddle.

Do you trust me? he whispered against my hair, setting my nerve-endings ablaze.

Gripping the handle tighter, I swallowed, and let my body mold to his, I do.

He loosened the reins, and tightened his arms around me, Good, he stated, and then, Marron, he said to the horse, and the beast’s ears turned as though listening for a command, its head nodding, and hooves digging at the soil in anticipation. Fly.

My stomach dropped to my toes, and a squeal escaped my lips as Marron vaulted forward. My hands released the horn for only an instant before I latched back on, my body jolting and bouncing in the saddle. I tightened my thighs against the flexed sides of the animal as it soared over the wooden fence.

Tiernan laughed as we crashed back to solid ground and he braced his arms around me to lessen the impact. It was exhilarating. And terrifying. A scream died in my throat, transforming instead into a lengthened sigh. We turned toward the front gates of the palace, and the wind whipped my hair back, cooling the perspiration on my breast.

Not yet, I shouted over the roar of the wind in my ears, longing to go further, for the feeling to never end. There, I said, and lifted a pointed finger towards crest of a grassy hill to the east of the palace.

Tiernan shifted his weight and spurred the horse down to the road that would take us there. There wasn’t another soul in sight as we raced through the growing dawn. I pulled my hair into a knot on one side of my neck to keep it from lashing Tiernan. His chest rumbled against my back, and he dipped his head into the crook of my neck. His warm breath against my flesh had my own coming in fast shallow gasps. He laid a kiss on my shoulder and shifted the reins into one hand, splaying his other flat against my abdomen.

I turned my upper body so I could face him and found his sea-water green eyes glinting in the dawn light, hungry. An image of Kade and Finn came unbidden into the forefront of my mind. You belong to us, they had told me, and I promised them. But us was my Royal Guard, and they had agreed to make Tiernan a member. Could he now be a part of us?

His hand moved lower and his lips parted. Liana, he breathed. I clenched my teeth against the corporeal urge to kiss him. My body shook. My eyes closed, giving in to the desire flooding my veins—but his hand stilled, and he drew back.

I turned. A shadow crested the hill as we began our ascent. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was our own, but the horse was black as coal and held only one rider. The heat of a moment ago turned to a chill in my core. If the rider came over the hill, he must’ve been coming from the North road.

At this hour?

Tiernan slowed Marron until he came to a standstill, the horse’s massive body heaving and muscles spasming with the wish to push further.

Whoa, Marron. Be still, Tiernan whispered, stroking his flank.

I looked back toward the palace, judging if we could outrun the other rider to the front gates—to safety, but I saw how the horse hobbled, barely able to walk, and how its rider slumped in the saddle, as though asleep.

Who are you? Tiernan hollered at the rider, State your business here.

When the rider made no response, Tiernan’s lips tightened, and his eyes narrowed.

A pained sound came from the rider before he leaned to one side and slid from the horse, landing with a clatter of armor in the grass.

I moved to dismount, but Tiernan stopped me with a hand clasping my hip.

He needs help, I said, and tried again to get off the horse.

Tiernan shook his head, You stay here, he told me, Don’t let go of the reins. He whistled once, loud and sharp, handed me the reins and dropped from the horse, stopping only to whisper soothing words into its ears.

The rider lay limp in the grass, the slight rise and fall of his back the only indication he still lived. Tiernan approached with caution, and the unnamed riders horse bayed, backing a few paces from the Day Court Fae. He stooped to examine the rider, snapping his fingers in front of the man’s face, but there was no response.

A screech filled the valley, and I sharply turned towards the sound. Marron bucked at my jerked movement and I fell from his back, landing hard on the ground. Tiernan’s falcon, Arrow, whizzed past me, slowing to a smooth landing on his master’s shoulder.

Are you alright? Tiernan called down to me.

My joints groaned, and backside ached as I stood, Fine, I hollered back, Is he alright?

Marron nudged my face with his wet nose in apology, and I gave him a light pat, so he would know I wasn’t upset.

He’s near death, Tiernan told me and whistled to Arrow, pointing at the palace. Wake the guard, Arrow. The falcon took off, soaring back the way he’d come, disappearing into the light of the rising sun.

CHAPTER 2

His name was Valin. And he wasn’t just any injured rider seeking aid. Alaric recognized him instantly when Kade carried him into the palace. He was a warrior—an ancient one, thought to be dead when he went missing several years prior. Word of his return to court had spread through the