Academy for Courting Curses - Tara West Page 0,16
all to ash.
Tell them to do it, Thelix snapped.
No, Serah scolded. I will not turn my mates into murderers over an insult.
Rhia arched back, fanning the smoke. “If she was the true queen, the scepter would’ve flown to her.”
Teju shook his head. “Not unless she called it to her.”
A familiar, deafening roar was heard above, and the Fae scattered like frightened mice, disappearing in the mist or hiding behind Rhia’s throne. A huge shadow blotted out the sun and then Tormung landed beside Teju.
He bowed low to Rhia. “My Queen, tell me I did not just see the amethyst scepter fall from the sky.”
“You did, King Tormung.” Eyes welling with tears, she leaped off her throne and pointed an accusatory finger at Serah. “That siren bitch knocked it from my hands.”
Serah tried not to cower when Tormung turned his attention on her. Teju and Draque moved closer to her, growling at the dragon king.
“I told you to drop it.” Serah nodded toward the hole in the clouds where the scepter had fallen. “I didn’t tell you to throw it into the ocean.”
“I will alert my generals,” the king said. “We will dive until we find it.”
The queen wiped her eyes. “Please hurry.”
“Come, half-dragons.” Tormung turned to her mates. “You will help us look.” His attention shifted to Serah. “And you, siren. You probably have the best chance of finding it.”
Draque stepped in front of Ladon. “No thanks, King Tormung.”
The dragon king arched a scaled brow. “You dare disobey me?”
“You are not our king,” Draque answered coolly. “We obey our fathers.”
Tormung’s top lip pulled back, venom dripping off his fangs. “Your fathers will hear of your insolence and the trouble you’ve caused.”
Ignoring him, Draque turned to Serah. “Call the scepter to you.”
She shrank back. “I-I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“She’s not the Fae queen,” Rhia hollered.
Draque looked at her like a cat ready to pounce on a mouse. “Neither are you, apparently.”
Apprehension overwhelmed her. “Draque, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Serah hugged herself as the frigid air chilled her spine.
“Do it, siren,” Tormung boomed, black smoke pouring from his mouth. “What if my generals and I can’t find it, or worse, what if your grandfather finds it?”
She didn’t like the way he emphasized “her grandfather,” as if she was somehow to blame for the mage’s actions.
She looked to Teju. “Do I just whistle to it like it’s a dog?”
“Close your eyes, hold out your hand, and call it.”
Do it, her siren squealed, then shove it up Rhia’s tight ass.
Serah swallowed back a lump of nervous tension. Surely her mates had gone mad if they thought the scepter belonged to her. Closing her eyes, she held out her hand. “Scepter,” she whispered, “come to me.” Breath caught, her heartrate slowed as she waited, feeling as if the stagnant air was crushing her chest.
After several tense moments, Rhia let out a grating laugh. “I told you she wasn’t the queen.”
Serah heard a faint whistling sound. After a moment it grew louder.
It’s coming! It’s coming! Thelix cheered.
Panic and dread flowed through her. Dear Goddess, no.
A flash of light rent the clouds, and in the next moment, the scepter was attached to her hand. She gaped at it as if she held a ticking bomb.
Rhia let out a shrill wail, and the Fae warriors returned from the shadows and bowed to Serah. Only her two worthless uncles were left standing. They went to the queen, and helped her back onto the throne. And then, much to Serah’s horror and chagrin, King Tormung joined the ranks of the bowing Fae, kneeling before her.
“What’s happening?” she whispered.
Teju looked at her with a mixture of pride and concern. “You’re the Fae queen, Serah.”
She expelled a noisy breath. “No fucking way.”
“Do you hear the way she talks while holding my wand?” Rhia cried, burying her face in her hands. “She is a disgrace to our race.”
“But now you acknowledge she’s part of your race.” Draque chuckled. “That’s a start.”
“I don’t want to be the Fae queen,” Serah said weakly. “I have to pass my finals.”
“Fuck finals,” Draque hissed. “You’re the ruler of the most powerful realm in the world.”
She wished she could drop the scepter back in the ocean, yet there was a feeling of attachment to it. “I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of responsibility.”
“It’s blasphemy to reject the scepter!” Rhia waved a fist at Serah.
As she looked into Rhia’s eyes, seeing the hatred there, something snapped. Rhia had no right to hate