A Princess's Duty (Of Fire and Frost Book 1) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  A Princess's Duty (Of Frost and Fire, #1)

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  A Princess’s Duty

  Of Fire & Frost #1

  Copyright © 2018 by Sloane Murphy

  www.authorsloanemurphy.com

  Cover Design by Hart & Bailey Design Co | Edited by Katie John | Formatted by Sloane Murphy

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

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  Except as permitted under S.I No 337/2011 European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and Users Rights) Regulations 2011, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via other means without the permission of a publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorised electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referred to in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorised, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  A Princess’s Duty/Sloane Murphy – 1st ed.

  ISBN-13 - 9781728727028

  Dedication

  To those who have learned to forgive the ones that have wronged you.

  To those who have been betrayed and learnt to love again.

  This is for you.

  Prologue

  Then

  “Hey Rowan, keep up otherwise we’re going to be late!” Cade, the crowned Prince of the Winter Court, calls out behind us, as his little brother carries all of our things up the stupid hill to the Winter Palace. I feel a little sorry for him, but he’d never let me help him, even if I offered. The hike out to the lake that sits on a divide of the courts was long, and in this heat, almost too much, even for someone like me. It’s not the first time my brothers and I have met up with the Winter Court princes, we’ve been friends for longer than I remember, one benefit of the ceasefire between our courts right now.

  “Why are we rushing anyway? I hate these things, they’re so barbaric,” I complain, again. King Adriel of the Winter Court, Cade and Rowan’s father, is hosting the monthly party that all of the royal families take turn in hosting. It’s nothing but a brutal, archaic show of power, and it’s disgusting. The parties, disgusting as they are, seem to keep the peace during the ceasefire while our two Courts try to agree on terms of how to work with each other instead of killing each other unnecessarily because everyone wants what isn’t theirs.

  Erion, my eldest brother smiles at me and says, “Barbaric is our way, sis. It’s just our nature. If you joined in, you might like it.” I know he’s trying to goad me; he’s as bad as most of the Fae at these parties but he’s my big brother and he’d always defend me if it came to it.

  “Father agrees with me,” I argue back. “You notice how he only barely takes part? He’s only here because he has to be. It might be the one night a month when we let our darker sides out to play, but not all of us have the darkness in us,” I say.

  “I’m going to have to disagree, Em.” I turn to Edimere, my twin who has interrupted our conversation. It’s a weird reflection when I look at him; the similarities of our looks are uncanny. However, the surface is where our similarities end. I’ve never understood the darkness inside him. He’s always been the cruellest of us all. “There’s nothing better than the rush that comes from fighting for your life. It’s like you’re someone else. Or the feeling of power of holding someone else’s life in your hands. It’s heady knowing that you get to decide if they live or die, watching them grasp at anything to stay alive. Watching that light in their eye die and knowing you did it. It’s indescribable.”

  I shiver at his words and see the disturbed look on Cade and Erion’s faces. Edimere is the other half of me, and I know he’d never intentionally hurt me, hell he’d die for me, but his darkness and cruelty disturb us all.

  He’s of the Summer Court, like me and we’re meant to be cruel and brutal, but not so sadistic. The fact Cade looks disturbed, and he is of the Winter Court, known for being sadistic, unfeeling, and cold, shows just how bad it’s gotten with Edimere. I worry about him, especially at events like this, but there is nothing I can say or do to change it.

  Rowan catches us at the top of the stairs, panting and sweating as he drops the bags and cases to the ground.

  “I am so glad I get to skip this thing tonight. It is the only bonus of being the youngest.”

  “Where are you going?” I ask, noting his excitement.

  “I’m heading down to the square to party with the pretty young things who think partying with a Prince is good fun.” He winks, and I can’t help but laugh at him.

  Rowan is more Summer than Winter. He’s cheeky and carefree, mischievous and devilish, and the rumours that the King isn’t his father are just something we all ignore. The creak of the door interrupts us and Queen Lanora, Cade and Rowan’s mother, sees us congregated on the front step.

  “You are late. The guests are arriving any minute. Get in here!”

  We scurry in and grabbing my case containing the dress my mother has picked for me, I leave the boys to sort themselves out. Cade takes the case from my hand and smiles down at me.

  “You don’t have to do that you know.” I try to take the case back but it’s no use.

  “I know, but I want to help, so I’m helping.” He opens the door for me and waves me into the room. “After you, m’lady.”

  “What the fuck,” I say through laughter. He chuckles back at me.

  “It felt appropriate.” His face darkens a little and he takes a step closer to me, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Stick close to me tonight; Edimere seems like he’s getting worse, and I know how much you hate these things. Erion’s distracted at the minute too, so he won’t be able to shield you from it like he’s done in the past.” My breath hitches at his touch. Cade Vasara has been the starring role in most of my dreams since I was a teenager, but he’s Erion’s best friend and the crowned Prince of the Winter Court, so off limits. I lose myself in the depths of his dark eyes, which are covered slightly by his shaggy brown hair.

  “You don’t need to do that, protect me I mean,” the rasp of my voice gives me away, and I pull back, but his arm snakes around my waist and holds me in place. His breath on my skin gets warmer as he leans closer to me. He’s going to kiss me...

  Erion’s voice rings out down the hall, “Yo, Cade! Come on, man, we’ve got places to be.” Cade steps back from me like I’ve burnt him. He runs his hand through his hair in frustration.

  “Shit,” he hisses, turning on his heel. “Yeah, yeah. I’m coming. Chill your shit.” With his voice more stable than a second ago, he turns to me and I can’t quite figure out the look he gives me—I’m not sure if its longing or regret.

  “I’ll see you in a few minutes, Em. Don’t keep us waiting.” And in the same breath he disappears from my sight.

  What was that?

  I try not to think too much on it, but it’s impossible. Cade was going to kiss me! Shit! I throw open the case on the floor and dress. I don’t even pay attention as I sweep my long dark tresses into an updo and refresh my makeup. The black dress teamed with my heavy dark makeup and my dark hair makes my pale skin almost glow in the dying light, which streams through the windows. I pull on my shoes just as a knock on the door sounds.

  “Emilia, are you decent?” I look up to see Erion at the door.

  I look at the black on black tux he’s wearing, and like me, it makes him glow with his dark hair.

  “Hey big brother, you clean up nice.”

  “You don’t exactly look like we dragged you hiking through the forest today,” he says. “I don’t think I like it,” he says with furrowed brows.

  I pat his chest as I walk past him out of the room. “Shall we get going? The sooner we do, the sooner it’s over.”

  “Maybe you should let loose Em? What’s really the worst that could happen?”

  I put my arm through his and let him escort me down to the ballroom, ignoring his ridiculous question. Just look at Edimere, he wasn’t always this way and just because I don’t have that darkness in me now, it doesn’t mean it couldn’t be there if I followed the same path.

&nbsp
; The party has started without us, and I really don’t mind. Even the air in here feels different full of desperation and tinged with the giddiness of those in power.

  “I’m just going to go get a drink and hide in a corner,” I say as he releases my hand. but I can feel his eyes on me as I weave across the floor, making sure I get tucked away safely, untouched by the depravation of the room. It’s as if I’m unseen so he need not worry, but this exact thing, which I’m happy about is exactly why I hate being made to come here. I don’t take part and I’m nothing more than just another prop, a decoration for the King, another show of his power that even those who dislike this part of our ways are here at his request. The only upside is getting to spend more time with Rowan and Cade. The five of us try to get away from all the politics. It’s stupid; the wars, the fighting, the distrust between the two courts. If we can be friends, why can’t everyone else just put the centuries old feud stupidness behind them?

  At least with the current ceasefire, it’s easier.

  I slide onto a stool at the end of the bar and hide in the shadows of the corner. A drink is placed in front of me. Champagne; I swear it’s the only thing available at these things. I’ve grown to handle the taste, but I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy it the way most people do. I sit and sip the stream of bubbles and pretend I’m anywhere but here. The hours pass, and no-one bothers me. It’s bliss. I just pretend I’m anywhere but here, while I try not to obsess about the fact Cade nearly kissed me earlier.

  “I thought I’d find you over here.” Speak of the devil.

  “You know me well; the shadows are always a good place to hide.”

  “Someone who shines as bright as you do shouldn’t be hiding in the shadows, Em.” I don’t know what to say to that, so I gulp down the rest of my glass.

  “Can we get out of here yet?” I ask, but before he can answer, there is a terrible roar, followed by a pained scream.

  “Rowan!” Cade runs towards the scream and I follow closely behind, heading towards the destruction. The sight is enough to make me weep. Edimere is covered in blood and the girl at his feet, lies limp, all life gone from her. Rowan is on his knees and I have no idea why he is here. He’s not meant to be here.

  “Why? Why her?” He cries to his father, who is holding his shoulder, and looking down with disapproval.

  “You shouldn’t get so attached to them Rowan,” he said sternly. “This was the best way I could show you the difference between us and those worthless humans. They’re nothing more than pets for our pleasure and you need to remember that. Not fall in love with them. Now the problem is solved. Plus, it looks like Edimere enjoyed your human plaything just as much as you have, just look at the artistry of the cuts on her skin, well done boy!” He glances at Edimere with a haunting smile playing on his lips, and it’s enough to make me shudder.

  “We always tried to teach you to share,” the King tells Rowan, as if he didn’t sentence a girl he cared for to death, and at the hands of my brother no less. While the brutality of the King does not surprise me, the fact that he would shame his son so publicly does, and it makes my heart hurt for Rowan, but for Cade too. What it must be like to live with such a monster, I’m only glad my father is nothing like him.

  “She never hurt anyone!” Rowan shrugs his father off and struggles to his feet. Cade tries to shield me, but I can feel how much he wants to go to his brother.

  “You did this! You must have known, and you’re going to regret it” It feels like I’m watching in slow motion as he stands and takes the sword from his belt and runs towards Edimere who meets him face on. It’s as if bloodlust has taken Rowan, and it’s too much to watch, and yet I can’t look away.

  “You don’t want to do this, Rowan,” Edimere shouts, meeting the sword blow for blow with the dagger in his hand, his weapon putting him at a disadvantage, but its Rowan I fear for. I know my brother. I can see the shadows and cruelty inside him taking over as the challenge intensifies.

  Cade darts towards them as Rowan falls back to the floor and Edimere closes in on him. I watch in horror as Edimere raises the blade. Erion shouts his name. I’m rooted to the spot. I literally can’t make myself move for fear. Cade sweeps in behind Edimere and at first, I think he’s taken hold of him, but then Edi stops fighting and falls back onto Cade, who jumps back, looking down at the scene in front of him. There’s blood on Cade’s hands, and the red spreading across the chest of my twin’s white tuxedo.

  Chaos erupts, and I run to Edimere, dropping to my knees, and placing my hands on his chest.

  “You’re okay, Edi. I’m here. You’re going to be okay,” I say, but the blood coming from his mouth, and his deep glassy indigo tell me otherwise.

  “Emilia, get out of the way!” My father rips me from Edi as the healers’ rush in. There’s blood on my shaking hands. Cade is stood with his brother and father on the edges of the scene.

  “This is all your fault, you monster!” I scream at them. I don’t know which one deserves it most, but it fits each of them. “I will never forgive you for this!”

  My heart breaks into a thousand pieces, and I know that life as I know it is about to change completely.

  Chapter One

  Now

  I walk through the streets of Avaenora with my head in the clouds. To walk here, you would never know that we’re at war. We have been for longer than I can remember. The birds sing, people in the streets sell their wares, trying to make a living, and the whole city is alive. The sun beams down upon us and I can feel the rays rejuvenate me.

  Being part of the Summer Court, I have an affinity with the sun and fire. I watch as children run and play around me, trying to keep their footing as they run on the cobbled ground.

  Excitement and anticipation floods me as I lose myself in the crowds gathering this morning, celebrating the new day, and at the same time, I lose the guard my father swears he’s not having track me–but it’s impossible not to notice.

  The hope of seeing Oberon fills my heart. He’s the sole reason I snuck out this morning. I know he’s back from his latest hunt and it feels like forever since I’ve been wrapped up in him.

  I wander the market stalls with my face hidden by the hood on my cape. I do not want to draw undue attention. Incognito adventures are one of the favourite things I do. I can pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist. I don’t feel the gaping hole in my chest from the loss of Edimere. I forget my elder brother has been gone ever since the day after Edimere died and is fighting the war with the Winter Court. I can ignore the pressure from my father to marry into another royal family of The Summer Court, and the fact my mother will never speak up against him, no matter how unhappy I am.

  Being a Princess isn’t as glamourous as everyone thinks. Even with five families of Royal blood in each court, and ours not being the ‘crowned’ royals, doesn’t change the expectations bestowed upon us. We’re royal, without any of the power, meaning we’re basically like nobles than actual royalty, but this is the way it has been since the days of old, when our ancestors didn’t want to give up their titles and the prestige that went with it. It seems silly to me, because with that prestige comes so much pressure., maybe more than it’s worth.

  I weave through the crowds, tasting the foods from the traders and purchasing beautiful jewels and trinkets, hoping I’ll get a glance of him. This right here is the life I’ve always wanted. To be just another person. Normal. There’s nothing lonelier than being a royal fae.

  I’ve never really fitted in at court, I’m not brutal enough. I swear, the crueller you are, the better you do. People think I’m too soft, they expected me to raze the lands when my twin was killed, but rather than anger taking over, I was swallowed up by sadness. Don’t get me wrong, the anger is there, and it stays stoked within my heart, but I don’t let it rule me. I’ll never forgive Cade for killing him, but I wouldn’t flay the skin from his bones either.

  I spot Oberon stood on the outskirts of the market square and sigh at his dark beauty. I watch as he interacts with a little girl, who’s too young to care what he is, and I laugh to myself as he lets down his walls to be silly with her. She hits him, and he falls to the floor, howling in pain. I hear the girl’s giggles from across the square. The sheer joy in a child’s laughter is unmatched by anything else. He gets up and growls, pretending to be ferocious and she squeals, pulling a face at him. I know from this, that if it were possible, he’d make a great father one day. He’s not like most of his kind. Maybe that’s why I love him the way I do.