The Queen's Winter (Winter's Blight Book 7)

By M.C. Aquila and K.C. Lannon

A broken curse. A forbidden magic. A final battle.

When the Winter Queen spirits away her champion to her court, Iain Callaghan is at the mercy of the bloodthirsty Unseelies and their ruthless king. As he tries to save the queen and sabotage the Court, can he trust an old enemy if it means his survival?

Meanwhile, Deirdre battles the Winter King’s forces as well as her own prejudices against her Unseelie heritage, while her adoptive sister Alvey tries to bridge the gap between the human army and Seelie Court by cooperating with Vera, a defector of the Winter Court. Working alongside them are Alan and James, who are also hatching a risky rescue mission to both help Iain and turn the tide of the war.

As old memories emerge, Raisa must choose whether to try and trust again, connecting with both her past and Sir Cai—or to make a stand with the Winter Court and its legions of monsters and faeries.

In this thrilling conclusion to the Winter’s Blight series, Deirdre and her allies must fight not only to save the country but also their futures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.C. Aquila
• Release date: Aug 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005682538

M.C. Aquila

M. C. Aquila graduated from Winthrop University with a degree in English. She grew up in Pittsburgh, PA but currently resides in South Carolina. When she is not co-writing the Winter's Blight series, she tutors both native and ESL students in English, giving her a renewed love for the strange wonderfulness of the language. She also enjoys drawing daily, baking recklessly, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, searching for the best red wine in existence, and reading any story with a villain she loves to hate.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

You wish to go farther? Cardea halted under the evergreen trees that arched high above like a cathedral. I am afraid I cannot proceed.

Cai, Iain, and Cardea were on a steep incline, with the faery holding a thread of silvery Water Magic that floated up and over the peak a few yards ahead. The early winter wind had died, and there was utter stillness unlike the usual hustle and bustle of the Summer Court.

At dawn, they had left Seelie territory, but instead of returning to the human world, they followed the magical thread deeper into the faery realm. Cardea had reported a few minutes earlier that they had been traveling for about half a day. To Cai, it felt like a whole day and then some. To Iain, it seemed just minutes.

But there was no denying that they were now in a part of the faery world that, to even a Noble Seelie like Cardea, was completely foreign. The wildlife and plants were either from far reaches of the island or even from the continent. The faeries that flitted through the trees, burrowed in areas of heavy snowfall, or watched them from the bushes were unknown and unfamiliar.

Iain frowned up at the top of the hill. Is there iron over there?

Some perhaps, but that is not the issue. The magic ahead is like a complete stranger to me and refuses to listen to or admit me. She held out the floating thread to Iain. Follow this. Since it came from Deirdre’s drachma, it will stay intact for you.

Right. Thank you for your help.

It was my brother’s request, so of course I was happy to oblige. She watched them head up the hill, calling, Do not touch anything you did not come for!

As they ascended the frosted peak, the air changed from the wild crisp smell of the winter forest to a rich and earthy scent that made Cai quickly swipe tears from his eyes. Below in the valley was a castle, powdered with snow. While it was covered with vines and clearly abandoned, there were few signs of decay.

Light snow began to fall. The sky was lightly clouded elsewhere in the woods, but over the castle, there were heavy grey clouds.

Iain let out a low, slow breath. This is it, then? Camelot?

Cai nodded and headed down the hillside. The gates were ajar, half open. The silver thread floated straight to the entrance, where it spread out like a spider’s web. When they reached the gates, the magic vanished.

Gazing up at the wooden portcullis above as they entered through, Cai said, When I couldn’t find a trace of it, I thought the castle was destroyed. But it was in the faery realm, all these years. Or, maybe it got sucked in when they made the barrier to keep the bomb out.

As they entered the castle courtyard and headed for the main building, Iain’s eyes were fixed on the front entrance; the large wooden doors there were also open. Oberon and Titania didn’t seem to know how or when it wound up here, did they?

They might have not particularly cared.

But Cardea said the magic here won’t listen to her. I guess there’s no way for them to ask it for answers.

You sound like a faery.

Iain’s brief chuckle died as they stepped inside into a stone entrance hall. Cai kept his gaze fixed forward on the ground, making a beeline for the inner courtyard, where they would find the chapel that was connected to the graves.

But Iain slowed and kept looking around, up at the ceiling and at the tapestries that looked only a few decades old, an awed smile on his face. When Cai told him to hurry along, he asked, Is the Round Table here somewhere?

Not sure. I thought the blasted thing was destroyed.

Blasted thing? Iain frowned. But you were there. You had a seat at the table!

That doesn’t mean I’m a fan. Hierarchy exists for a reason.

Yeah? I guess that makes sense from the most rule-abiding, hierarchy-respecting knight around.

Cai couldn’t quite think of a good comeback as they stepped out into the courtyard. To his surprise, the green area was now full of strange gold-barked trees and bushes with flowers that glowed like the moon. They all swayed slightly, even though there was no wind.

These are new. He pointed to the outer stone pathway that hugged the walls. Let’s steer clear of them; we didn’t see them anywhere else in the faery realm, so who knows how dangerous they might be.

They’re certainly something. James would love to see this.

Cai let out a small chuckle. Yeah, he’d be that child in the stories who disobeys the faeries and starts trying to take more than what he came for.

Maybe a month ago. But do you think he’d do that now?

No. I suppose not. The chapel entrance came into view; jasmine that bloomed despite the time of year draped above the entrance, surrounding a carving of St. George. Let’s get what we came for and get out of here.

The last time Cai was here, graves were still being prepared for the king and his knights. His grave had been underway but was quite a while from completion, a lower priority by his own request.

But now the stone monuments had been completed, with replicas of the knights craved on top of their tombs, including himself. But his eyes lingered on the other familiar faces, recognizing his brother’s with a sharp intake of breath. But unlike the others, his grave was slightly ajar, and when they strode past it, it was clearly empty, unused.

Giving himself a little shake and turning away toward his own grave, Cai scoffed. Not much point to all this, is there? No one to see it, not even faeries. He pointed to his own likeness. Do you see how ugly they made me? Let’s get this thing out of the way.

With Iain’s help, he shoved the heavy top off and onto the ground unceremoniously. The thudding should have echoed, but it did not. The silence that filled the room instead only seemed to grow denser.

The inside of the grave was empty except for a small wooden box. Cai took it out and, forcing his hands to stay steady, opened it. Inside was a ring of silver, like the silver of a birch tree, and a series of white stones. He held it up and turned it around to catch a pale beam of light that was coming in through a nearby, narrow window. The white stones seemed to move like a flower unfolding its petals, and a floral scent began to waft through the air.

Raisa and I found this. His mouth twitched at a weak smile. It was kept by a nymph who was harassing a village in Raisa’s territory. The nymph wasn’t malicious; I suppose she might have been a Neutral Faery. As a symbol of her promise to leave the villagers alone, she gave us this.

And Raisa will recognize it for sure? Iain asked, peering at it.

Yes. I had the outer stones added by a faery, but the band and inner stone are still the same; its magic is unchanged as well. He met the boy’s eye. The Seelies are keeping tabs on you, aren’t they?

Yes. There’s always at least one lesser Seelie following me.

Undoubtedly it’s strong enough to keep you from being taken or to stop you from leaving on your own. Now, you said you spoke with Raisa last night? What did she say?

It’s not looking good for her. He almost sat down on the empty tomb beside them but stopped himself, instead just folding his arms. She said that the Winter King is ‘investing more power in the other generals.’ I think the king is taking power away from her, leaving her vulnerable. She wants to have as many on her side as possible, so she guaranteed my safety while I served her.

She definitely promised it? We won’t do this unless you’re absolutely sure.

But Iain was already nodding. I know she’ll keep me safe.

Good. He passed Iain the ring, who held it gingerly in his fingers. How does it feel?

It’s cool like metal, but… it kind of reminds me of moss? Or a really soft leaf.

It was made from flowers. I used it a few times; its magic hid me from a variety of human and faery enemies, making me blend into the plants around me. Not even monsters could track my scent, not even when I was bleeding.

Really? Iain whistled. Why did you stop using it?

I started to notice leaves were popping out of my arms, among with some other symptoms. He chuckled at Iain’s bewildered gaping. It’s so dense with Flora Magic that it overpowers any human or lesser faery that wears it. The dwarf that helped with the additions to the ring said I would have turned into a tree if I kept using it. And I doubt its magic has gotten weaker, being in the faery realm for years. So only wear it as long as is absolutely necessary.

Right. Iain clasped it in his palm. I think Raisa would find a way to force me to go to the Winter Court, eventually. But this way, it’ll be on my own terms. And we can help her to leave the court before things get worse. He met the knight’s gaze. What flowers is it made of, by the way?

Her favorite. The snowdrop flower.

CHAPTER TWO

Where’ve you been today? James asked Iain later that evening after supper. Training with Cai?

Something like that.

You’re not gonna tell me?

Tell you what?

You usually come back from training all tired and sweaty. Today, you were all smiley and obnoxious. So, what happened? I bet you saw something cool, didn’t you?

We just... made a lot of progress. Iain demonstrated by holding up his injured, magically decayed hand and wiggling his fingers.

The brothers sat on the balcony of the healing house, overlooking the forest under the ivy-covered overhanging roof. Iain shifted in his seat and ducked his head to avoid his brother’s eyes. The nymph’s ring in the breast pocket of his tunic suddenly felt heavier with the weight of its secret.

If I tell anyone else Cai’s and my plan, there’s no way they’ll let me go through with it. His reasoning did nothing to settle the churning of his stomach. They’ll understand when it’s over... when Raisa is on our side.

Iain? James was reaching into his pack on the floor beside him. I want to try something to break the Winter Queen’s vow, like I talked about. With the Ouroboros.

He produced a silvery disk made of metal that bore the image of a snake eating its own tail. The path between the tail and the open mouth had been slashed through, like a jagged cut in the fabric of time. It seemed to breathe when James held it out for him to see, the snake’s image expanding and shrinking slightly.

I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Iain said uneasily.

Of course it is. Just, uh, hold still. James closed his eyes and focused, and Iain felt the magic reaching out to him like an insistent but gentle humming vibration. The vibration traveled up his uninjured arm. When it reached his chest, he gritted his teeth as the magic prodded at the tight coil of the vow around his heart.

Found it. James was breathless, smiling. Now if I can just—

When the magic tried to uncoil the vow, it met resistance like a brick wall.

It’s Raisa. His brother winced. She’s not letting go. Father Time said you have to be willing, and— He broke off and lowered the disk, his eyes snapping open to stare, accusatory. It’s almost like you won’t let go of the vow, either. But—no, that’s not right.

I want to be free of this more than anything. Iain frowned at the forest, rubbing his chest. But I also want to keep my vow. I want to be true to her by saving her, like I promised Cai.

Okay, but you can still save her with the vow broken, right? Maybe we’re just not trying hard enough to break it.

It wasn’t budging on Raisa’s end, James.

His brother flipped through a worn leather journal. "Maybe there’s a spell in here that could weaken it. There must be something."

Iain touched his brother’s arm. Cai said you weren’t using magic anymore.

Um, I actually said I’d stop after the war, and the war isn’t over yet. He rolled his eyes. Besides, all it’s done is give me a little headache.

According to what you told Cai, it could be a lot worse.

Twisting the leather tie that bound the journal around his finger and avoiding making eye-contact, his brother did not respond.

Listen. Iain lowered his head to get on his level. James, I don’t want you risking your safety for me. How could anything be worth you getting hurt?

Not being useless, maybe.

What? You’re not useless. How could you think that?

From the open window, the magpie familiar, Byron, cawed in apparent agreement. He was always watching and listening. His beady eyes were bright and sparking with a cleverness that did not belong to a bird—or a familiar, for that matter. It seemed human.

Iain pushed the idea and his unease from his mind. The bird was creepy, but it was still just a bird. It wasn’t the creature’s fault that it had served the Cait Sidhe.

Grabbing his brother’s shoulder and turning him from the window, Iain took a deep breath before speaking in a low voice. James, I, er, wanted to ask you something. About the Cait Sidhe.

A crashing sound made them look back. Byron had fluttered away in such haste that he ran into the window sill. Shaking his feathers, he righted himself. Then, with dignity unbefitting him, he strutted away on his two stick feet toward the kitchen with his beak raised high like he was trying to act inconspicuous.

What about him?

How did you reach him in the end? Why did he agree to try to help you?

James scratched his head and mumbled, Uh, well, I didn’t give up on him. I wasn’t going to play by his rules or let him manipulate me anymore, but I was still there for him, you know? I guess I just never gave up.

Yeah?

Yeah. He shrugged.

How do I apply that to Raisa?

James’s eyes widened. Well, what does she want from you?

For me to help her destroy humanity? he joked lamely.

Not funny.

I know. Iain carded his hand through his wavy hair roughly. Well, I know she’s in pain. The Winter King is abusing her. I know she must want freedom, even if she’s too scared to admit it.

Images of her bruised body flashed through his mind, making his stomach clench. Then he thought about the wound Cai’s sword had inflicted on her and felt more nauseated than before. Then there’s her magical wound from Cai’s sword. Nothing seems to be able to heal it, either.

So she wants to be healed? The boy frowned, thinking. Then she could be strong enough to fight back against the Winter King?

Iain nodded. James, do you think the Ouroboros could heal her wound like it healed Dad?

Huh. He grinned. You know, that may just work. It’s an ongoing magical enchantment, so even though it didn’t work on your arm, it could work on her wound.

That night, the Winter Queen came to him in a dream. His unease about breaking the vow had been warranted, for the Unseelie Noble was not pleased.

Did you not learn your lesson from the last time you tried to break your vow, champion? Raisa clucked her tongue as she stared down at Iain. He was on his side on the ground, wrapped in a coiling tangle of vine-like magic that squeezed ever tighter. "Your rebellion is a whetstone to my anger. It only makes me sharper."

The magical vines grew nasty thorns and pierced him. Iain bit his tongue to hold back a shout.

Raisa pursed her lips in mock pity. You think you’re in pain? She nudged his side with her foot. This is only a nightmare. This pain shall fade when you wake up. Until you do, I want you to feel the pain your queen is suffering for your reckless betrayal of your vow.

The Winter Queen held up her arm, turning it to examine the wound on her forearm. Her pale lilac skin was marred by a weeping gash where the knight’s enchanted sword had cut her during her struggle with Iain.

We can help you. Iain panted. I promise there’s a way—

A promise? She knelt beside him, grabbing a handful of his hair and pulling back to look into his swollen face. What use is your word to me now?

Raisa, I still want to help you. Cai still wants to—

Do not say that wretched name again, she hissed, shoving his head back.

There’s a way to heal your wound.

The magic vines fell away. He pushed himself to his knees and then unsteadily to his feet. The queen was glaring at him and waiting for him to speak.

There’s an element that absorbs and neutralizes magic using Time Magic, Iain explained, parroting what James had told him. It saved my father from the Unseelie magic destroying him. It can reverse the sword’s enchantment as well.

She slowly circled him. Is that what was attempting to break your vow earlier this evening? How sneaky of you to try to weaken it with magic. I thought it not your style. It was the kind of underhanded, cunning play I would expect from that wretched Cait Sidhe. Was it your little brother’s idea?

Iain flinched and dropped his gaze to the floor.

I thought as much. Two of a kind, don’t you think? Alike in every way. Well, almost every way. One of them is dead. She sneered and summoned a vine up to her hand. It coiled around her wrist like an endless snake. If your little brother keeps playing with magic, he’ll be dead too.

"I shouldn’t have let him try to break the vow, but that doesn’t change the fact that the magic will heal you if you let it, Raisa."

She grabbed his blackened arm and examined it. If it could not heal your withered arm, how could it be strong enough to heal me? He opened his mouth to protest, but she snapped, Enough of these foolish lies.

I’m not lying to you, Raisa. I’m trying to help you.

You want to prove your loyalty to your queen after your betrayal? Come to the Winter Court and show me.

So you can thrash me for real?

The queen dropped his arm to hold her middle, turning from him with a snarl. As much as I would enjoy that, I did promise to keep you alive and safe. The Winter King has been dwindling my royal guard down to nearly nothing. He’s been binding my own servants to him in preparation.

Preparation for what?

I do not know, but it cannot be in my best interest. She lowered her hands, clenching them into fists. Regardless, you will slip outside of the realm when everyone else is distracted with Deirdre’s ceremony.

Iain balked. But Deirdre—

That is an order. Now kneel before your queen.

He knelt and, holding back a bitter edge in his tone, promised, If that’s what it takes to prove I’m true to you, then I’ll do it.

You don’t have a choice.

Early the next morning, Iain, clothed in a plum-colored tunic, thick wool trousers, and the deerskin coat, crept away from the healing house and into the forest. He set out with the ring in his pocket, a new leather brace on his weakened arm, and his sword at his belt. He felt the presence of a golden eagle Dryad but only caught glimpses of its shadow flashing by as it flew overhead, following him to where Cai spent the night.

The knight was warming his hands by a small campfire in a rocky clearing. Tiny green frog faeries were peering at the flames from the trees. Cai stood with a grim smile as the boy approached. You ready, lad?

As I can be, I guess. Thanks to your training.

Scratching his head, Cai grunted. Right.

I’ll be seeing you soon, yeah? He forced a bright smile. You know, maybe the next you see me... she’ll be there too.

Cai started to reply but broke off and nodded instead.

Right. Iain turned and started off, a strange tightness in his throat.

Iain, wait a moment.

When he turned back around, Cai pulled him into a quick but crushing embrace. He clapped the boy’s back hard once and then let go. Make it back alive, or your mum will kill me.

But you can’t die, Iain pointed out, grinning.

She’d find a way.

After leaving Cai behind, he headed toward a familiar meadow. Iain took out the enchanted ring and slipped it on. It expanded to fit over his finger, and the effect was instantaneous.

His body felt lighter, and his steps were soundless as he walked through the underbrush. He blended into the leaves’ shadows and the dappled light between. Even his heart rate slowed, and his anxiety faded into the background. All he noticed was the lushness of the greenery around him as he slipped out of the Seelie realm and into the human world and the Lake District.

By the time he reached the forest clearing, he was beginning to think that becoming a tree wouldn’t be entirely awful. Oh, that’s definitely the ring talking. A jolt of grim panic rushed through him when he noticed that his good hand was becoming stiff, almost like a tree branch.

He pulled the ring off the moment he was certain the Seelie faery had lost him. A piercing, confused eagle cry sounded in the distance, and Iain knew he didn’t have much time before it found him again.

The ground was hard and frosted over except where the star-shard flowers grew. Their warm flame-like petals kept the harsh winter away. Iain crouched in the forest clearing and plucked two glowing blossoms from the ground.

When he rose, there was a wet snout pressed to the back of his neck. The mouth was open and panting, and the hot rancid breath swirled in the air around his head. Iain stiffened and placed his good hand on the pommel of his sword.

He turned and came face to face with a ragged black wolf with red eyes. It was as large as the Irish Cob faery horse he’d ridden in the Wild Hunt, and its head came up to Iain’s chest in height. The Unseelie wolf bared his sharp teeth in a growl.

Raisa sent you, Iain stated. I’m not going to put up a fight. You can tell her I came willingly. Just like I promised last night.

A little over two weeks had passed since the battle, when the Seelie faeries and the Iron Guard had worked together to stop the Winter King’s forces from releasing the nuclear bomb on the Summer Court. The bomb had been destroyed, and the Winter Queen had left defeated.

Raisa had chosen the day