Freya and the Beast: Fae Twisted Fairytales, #2

By Maggie Shaw

A naïve girl, an enchanted forest and the fight for what is right.

When Freya's father didn't return home one night, she went in search of him. Drawn to the enchanted forest, she stumbled upon a castle, and within it, a 300 year old curse.

When the beast promised to let her father go, Freya became his prisoner. But soon after her anger had died down, Freya realized that this beast was not at all like he seemed. Seeing the truth beyond his scary looks and well-guarded person, Freya began to see what he truly needed.

When Freya began to miss her father too much to endure, the beast agreed to let her go home. But upon her return, news of Novus's murderous plan came to light. She quickly returned to the enchanted forest to find the castle under threat.

With Freya's magical abilities, does she have the strength to save the beast and the servants of the castle before it's too late?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harley Romance Publishing
• Release date: Mar 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201918828

Book preview

Prologue

300 YEARS AGO

The music died down, the orchestra lowering their instruments. The conductor turned and faced the ballroom. The dancing couples came to a halt, moving to the outskirts of the dance floor.

I present to you, Prince Aeden, Fae Prince of the Boreal Court, sole heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Idasea, and the nations beyond, the royal footman announced.

An expectant hush fell over the crowd as they turned their eager faces to the door where Prince Aeden stood. He looked dashing, gallant, royal, dressed in threads of silk, woven by the hands of the maidens of the forest, a cloak of golden cashmere interlaced with the finest satin and velvet hanging from his shoulders that shimmered as he moved.

He descended the stairs carrying himself with the air of importance he had been born into, and his loyal, reverent subjects bowed their heads. Prince Aeden floated through the crowd, nodding at his dearest loved ones and friends, who had come from all over the kingdom to celebrate his twenty-first birthday.

The ballroom had been decorated for the occasion, with flower garlands set around the perimeter and wreaths hanging from the ceiling, sprinkled with magic that breathed life, love and light into the room. In the middle, a chandelier, hung with fairy lights, shining its twinkling lights on the ballroom floor, creating a feeling of dancing in the sky.

Mother, Father, Prince Aeden said, greeting his parents.

The Queen smiled and kissed her son on the forehead. The King nodded curtly.

You must speak to them, convey your gratitude for their presence, he directed.

Aeden spun around, his cloak swishing behind him with flair, and he cast a glance over his faithful subjects. He recognized them from the different towns that lay around the castle. Blackwallow, where the finest inventions were born and presented to the realm, where magic was used to create technologies other kingdoms couldn’t even fathom. Umberdrift, where the Seelie forged the future of the new world, breathing new life into old magic. Chrodale, where the carpenters had magic fingers and created objects of such worth as the world had never seen. Vanbourne, famous for its plantations that fed the mouths of thousands. Canward, where only the best and brightest were sent to develop their magic further and become pioneers of the time.

And of course, the counties and cities beyond, where Aedan was yet to travel.

It means the world to me that you’re here to join in my birthday celebration, he said, looking out over his people. Tonight, we forget our troubles and unite to celebrate the beginning of a new era. As of tomorrow, when I will be coronated acting Regent, I will take the kingdom to new heights, and you will know a time of wealth and happiness such as the kingdom has never seen before!

The crowd erupted in applause and Aeden took a seat next to his mother, the queen.

You have a lot of confidence for one so unacquainted with the darkness this world has to offer, the Queen said.

Hush, Mother, Aeden scoffed. "I know my destiny and I intend to fulfil it.

Take heed, son, the King said. Your mother is right. You can’t sit on the throne without having suffered for it. You can’t rule with a just hand and a pure soul unless you’ve made sacrifices and paid your dues. We’re not here simply because we inherited the throne.

I know, I know, Aeden said, sounding like a sullen teenager. He sank a little in his seat, glowering at the dancing couples in front of him who had resumed their steps when the music recommenced playing. You keep reminding me of the difficulties you faced before you could ascend the throne. But times have changed. We aren’t stuck in the Dark Ages anymore. Seelie magic is powerful enough that I can overcome whatever I must.

The King and Queen merely shook their hands.

Vainglory won’t do, the Queen said. One does not rule unless it is from a seat of humility.

Aeden rolled his eyes. He was sick and tired of listening to his parents blabbering on about the qualities he should have. He was his own person, wasn’t he? He would rule his way. His parents had done a wonderful job, bringing the kingdom to a place of wealth and prosperity. Aeden knew that he wouldn’t just continue what they had started. Oh, no, he would do better.

A loud banging sounded over the music and Aeden frowned. He lifted his hand to silence the orchestra and the music faded to nothing. Everyone turned and looked at the doors.

The sound should not have been able to travel above the music, and a ripple of something sinister slid over Aeden’s skin, giving him goosebumps.

Is it the Unseelie? the Queen asked, fear in her voice.

No, the King said. This magic is dark. I can feel it in my bones.

I’ll take care of it, Aeden said, standing up.

Careful, son, the King warned. This is not anything we’ve encountered before.

What harm can any creature in the realm do to me? Aeden asked. I’m the Prince of the Boreal court.

The Queen opened her mouth, likely to argue. Probably to tell Aeden he had to be humble again or something of the like. She was always going on about his character, as if she could make him into something he was not.

He marched to the door, waving the footmen and butlers away who moved to open the door on his behalf. He would take care of whatever Mage had come calling in no time so that the party could go on.

He opened the door. As he did, it was as if the darkness of the night itself spilled into the ballroom, spilling into all the corners. Silence fell over the crowd stunned by the dark magic.

The woman that stood before Aeden wore a dark woolen cloak, the hood covering her head so that the shadows cast would not reveal her identity. Aeden squinted but couldn’t make out her  features.

Please, may I have shelter from the night, your Grace? she croaked, her voice cracking with every word.

I’m afraid I have company tonight, he said. If you return on the morrow—

I won’t intrude, she said. She glanced up at Aeden, eyes shining brightly from the shadows of her face. I can go around the back, using the staff passages to remain unseen. She lowered her hood, and her face became visible. Aeden recoiled from her. Her face was pocked with warts, her lips were cracked and thin, a mere line across her face. When she smiled at him, her face twisted into a snarl, yellow shards of teeth scattered between gaps of darkness

I’m sorry, but the castle is at full capacity, Aeden said hesitantly. It is known across the Kingdom that today I turn twenty-one.

I’ll sleep by the hearth, she said. Her silver hair was thin, patches of her bare scalp almost glowing in the moonlight. Please, a kindness, your Grace.

Aeden wasn’t going to allow a creature so hideous onto the premises when the highborn Fae of all the land were there to witness it. The castle was pure, filled with those that were acceptable to Aeden. It was his birthday, and he could call the shots.

I’m sorry, but you’re not welcome here, he said.

He could feel the collective intake of breath from the people behind him. But they didn’t know, they didn’t understand.

My son! the Queen called, but Aeden was not to be swayed by the opinions of others.

Very well, the Mage said. Aeden felt the magic grow around him, becoming thick and black, running over his skin like tar.

What are you doing? he demanded.

I sense you are filled with vanity and ugliness, she said. As she spoke, her face transformed. Her skin smoothed, the wrinkles disappearing. Before Aeden’s very eyes, her silver hair became white as snow, falling in thick locks where scraggly whisps had been before. The power she exuded forced its way down his throat and he felt as though he was going to suffocate.

Hear me, the Mage said. She wasn’t bent over, crooked, and ugly anymore. Before Aeden stood a woman of incredible beauty, with porcelain skin and crystal eyes. In your vanity, you have forsaken kindness. Your selfishness and cruelty know no bounds. You are not fit to rule a kingdom such as this. The woman levitated, raising her arms as magic swirled around them.

Aeden’s body ached. His skin was on fire, and he felt his body started to change. His hands curled into claws, his body growing until his clothes ripped from him. He heard screams of terror from behind him. A growl emanated from his throat as his face elongated, his teeth becoming sharp.

Aden fell to the ground, his grotesque form cracking the marble tiles beneath him. His nails scraped on the floor as he tried to grab for support.

Until your worth comes from within, you will be cursed to remain in the form of a beast.

How will I rule? Aeden asked. His voice had changed, deep and hoarse.

You won’t. Not until you put the needs of others before your own. And until someone learns to love you for who you truly are, you will forever remain a beast.

No one will love me this way, Aeden wailed, his voice a roar that sent his faithful subjects running out of terror and fear.

Then you will remain a beast for all eternity. Death will not come for you. Time will not pass. Until you are relieved from this curse, you will remain here, stuck as the monster in your very core. Pray that someone, somewhere, can find it inside to forgive you. And to find the good that is inside of you. The kingdom of Idasea deserves a more worthy ruler than you.

The woman and the magic disappeared, leaving the guests, the King and Queen, the servants, and finally Aeden, shocked into silence.

Who are you to decide what I’m worth!? Aeden cried, but she was gone.

He lay shivering on the marble floor. When he turned his face toward the crowd, those that were left screamed and ran for their lives.

The King and Queen stared at him in horror.

Mother, he whispered, stretching his hand out to her. But she collected her skirts and ran.

Chapter 1

PRESENT DAY

Freya opened her eyes and sat up in bed. It was still early, the first rays of the sun barely curling its fingers over the horizon. Birds celebrated the dawn of a new day.

Quietly, Freya slipped out of bed and tiptoed across the small apartment she and her father owned. Hopefully, he was still sleeping. He had been awake until all hours of the night again, scribbling designs on scraps of paper, muttering to himself about inventions that would rock the very core of this Earth.

Freya had had a chance to take a look at his designs. Sometimes, she hoped that his delusions were just a phase. She hoped that one of his designs would come to something – that he would join the ranks of the great inventors of Blackwallow, where he had once been. But his designs were nothing more than the scrawlings of a child.

Carefully, Freya pushed open the door to her father’s bedroom. She hoped to see his sleeping form under the covers but his bed was empty, the covers pushed to the floor. She sighed, shaking her head, and walked on, continuing as normal.

How long have you been down here? she asked when she descended the steps to the basement. Her father was already tinkering and hammering away at a piece of metal, creating something in his mind that would never manifest itself.

Oh, a couple of hours, nothing more, he said, waving at her without looking up.

You can’t spend the whole night in here, Dad, Freya said. Come, we should make breakfast. You haven’t eaten since yesterday morning.

Not now, Freya! I’m on the verge of a breakthrough. Can’t you see how incredible this is? He pointed to the piece of metal he had been hammering at. Judging by the dents across the sheet, he’d been doing the same thing for hours on end. Freya forced a smile and nodded.

I see, Dad. All right, you keep working. I’ll bring something down.

You do that, you do that, her father said, picking up his hammer again.

Freya smiled at him but couldn’t stop her sadness from creeping through. Her father didn’t notice. He never noticed.

Freya walked back upstairs to the ground floor, where she gathered up breakfast. Freshly baked bread, fruits and nuts. She had no idea if her father would even eat, but she had to try.

Lately, he hadn’t been eating. If she was lucky, she could get one meal into him in a day. It was better than nothing at all, but his health continued to deteriorate. She saw him withering away in front of her, becoming smaller and thinner, a ghost of the man he used to be.

Freya stopped cutting the oranges and looked at her hands. She pushed a wave of magic into her fingers, feeling them warm. She couldn’t see anything, but her power was there. She could feel it. It had always been there.

She’d been raised Seelie, just like everyone else in town. Blackwallow was filled with Fae who worked at creating things. It was one of the best places to live, in her opinion. Creating, building, trying to make better the lives of others... What else could be better than this? How could anyone be fulfilled if they didn’t make a difference?

They all had magic. They could all create, invent, discover. But Freya was different than the rest of them. Aside from the power that had come from her Seelie bloodline, she had a gift that she kept hidden from the rest of them.

Since she was a child, Freya had been able to heal. It had started when she’d found a cat who’d been hit by a car. Its leg had been broken. She’d dragged it to the vet, who had told her there was nothing to be done. She’d screamed at him, then. With all the Fae technologies, how could he say that nothing could be done? But they reserved the technology and the magic they wielded for those that needed it. An animal didn’t have a soul that could be saved.

Freya had been furious. Heartbroken. Disillusioned by the goodness that the Fae should have possessed. Her anger had burned hot and red, so hot her hands had started burning. She’d held onto that cat for dear life, and in front of her eyes, the leg had healed itself,