Fae Betrayal: Lost Princess of Starlight, #3

By Clarissa Gosling

The forest stirs.
The wild hunt rides.
Zoe must make a stand for what she wants.

With her trusted steed by her side, Zoe leaves the human realm for a life with Florian in Faery. But the gate takes her to the world tree instead. The tree's guardian sets her on the right path, but warns her of a growing threat to the fae realm. 

When she arrives in the Sunlight Court, things do not go as planned. Distrusted by the Sunlight fae, Zoe doesn't fit their expectations of a princess. As for Florian, he's still determined to have her as his queen after his upcoming coronation, but she chafes at what that would mean for her. Now Zoe is questioning her own heart and wonders where she belongs.

The five Faery Courts seem to be at peace, but tensions bubble beneath the surface. Deep in the forest unease is brewing. The wild hunt rampages closer to the courts. Whispers of worse threaten a dire future for faery. After the previous Conclave of the Yews, the other queens distrust Zoe and ignore her pleas for help. She must gather her allies, old and new, to protect the realm despite them.

In this thrilling finale to the Lost Princess of Starlight series, continue Zoe's story as she follows her own path to build the life she desires, while doing whatever she can to help the realm she longs to call home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Prinsenhof Publications
• Release date: Apr 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798201353926

Clarissa Gosling

Clarissa has always lived more in the world of daydream and fiction than in reality. In her writing she explores purpose and belonging across worlds. Having never found an actual portal to faeryland, she creates her own fantastical worlds where dragons, fae and other magical creatures rule. She now lives in the Netherlands with her family, where she writes as much as they will let her. When not reading or writing, she drinks too much tea and has a burgeoning obsession with Bundt cakes. Clarissa is the author of the "Dragons of Kaitstud" and "Lost Princess of Starlight" YA fantasy series, and the "Expat Life" series of non-fiction guides for families moving, and living, abroad. She is an admin for the 365 Writing Challenge, an international group that supports people to build the habit of writing. And she is one of the co-hosts of the Reading Queens podcast, which discusses mainly young adult fantasy books and their major tropes. Find out more about her at clarissagosling.com

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Leaving the human realm

TODAY WAS HER last day as a resident of the human realm. Zoe was moving to Faery.

She looked over the bags she’d packed. Several hung from Rascal’s saddle, balanced either side of his withers. She hefted a large rucksack onto her back.

If she’d forgotten something, it would be easy enough to return, but by evening she planned to be settled in the Sunlight Court. Her nerves sang in anticipation. She’d dreamt of this moment since she first found herself in Faery. Florian had promised her a place to stay. They would see where things went between them.

All her treasures and belongings were packed, including her lyre and everything she could think of to ensure Rascal would be happy there, too. While she dwelled in the mound, he’d need a stable somewhere. Hopefully a solution would reveal itself, amenable to them all.

With a deep breath, she turned to face her family. Ross had warmed a bit to her since she’d returned. His time in Faery had taught him that not everything revolved around him. With any luck, he could turn that round and become a more decent person. As the son of the Sunlight Queen’s favoured human friend, he still had ties to the realm, but no wish to remain there. He headed to university in a year, and who knew what his life would be like then.

Safe travels. Ross grinned at her. Send my love to the queen, and tell Florian I’ll come there to kick his butt if he hurts you.

Now he acted the over-protective brother she’d never wanted him to be.

She stuck her tongue out. Don’t forget to put a bowl of milk outside over night. I’ll send a pixie with news when I have any.

But it wouldn’t be Archie. Her pixie friend had left her for her sister, Tyramona, once they’d completed beating the bounds of the Starlight Court. She missed their constant companionship. Hopefully, they were all thriving now the court was reformed.

Her foster parents, who it turned out were fae as well, hugged her. 

Stay true to yourself, her foster mother warned. You are a bright spark. Don’t let the Sunlight Court dim that.

Listen to your heart. The little voice inside you will guide you. A serious tone filled her foster father’s voice.

Her nervousness increased. Why did they both think this would be difficult? She’d stayed in Sunlight before with no problems. Well, once she’d put her first impression behind her, and discounting the ones Ross had caused. Zoe now understood the court’s need for show and the importance of appearance. She had a stock of dresses, and she was certain Florian and his mother would supply her with more. And she’d packed a selection of fabrics and buttons, so her friend Juniper could make more for her.

She forced a smile at them all. I’m sure it will be fine. I think I have everything, but I’ll be back before you know it.

Remember to include us when you send out wedding invitations. Ross winked.

Zoe blushed. You’re getting ahead of yourself. No need to talk about weddings yet. She didn’t want to rush into anything. I won’t be considered a fae adult for years.

Well, you keep that in mind when you’re talking to Prince Florian. Her foster mother pulled Zoe close. Now, get going before the sun sets. The fae forest isn’t a good place to be overnight.

She nodded. Look after yourselves. I’ll hear from you soon.

Zoe gripped Rascal’s reins and led him out the gate. He carried too much to add her weight to it. She waved goodbye as she took the path across the fields opposite their house.

Once they were out of view, she sighed. Rolling her shoulders, she tried to rid herself of the feeling of impending doom. She wanted this. Florian waited for her. But the discussion of weddings had thrown her off. She liked him, yes, and maybe they had a future together, but for now, all she wanted was to enjoy spending time with him. No worries about the future. Or annoying brothers to fish out of trouble. Or friends to release from imprisonment. This time it would be just her and Florian. Her insides thrilled at the idea.

Rascal plodded along the path. Neither of them were in a rush. The autumn sun shone, giving all the leaves a golden shine. This was her favourite time of year, when the trees changed colour. Still warm enough to spend time outside, yet with a crisp freshness to the air, which was absent in warmer months.

Mushrooms sprouted in odd, out of the way places. The blue sky glowed bright above, with a handful of clouds scudding across. Rain earlier in the week had softened the ground. No longer rock hard, like it had been the previous few months, it wasn’t wet enough to be permanently muddy, as Zoe knew it would become in another month or two. 

A perfect day.

The perfect day to leave the human realm behind and move to Faery. Zoe couldn’t wait to see her fae friends again. Find out how her sister and Linetta were doing, now that Starlight Court was open again. Learn the Fair’s secrets that called to her. Check how Evan faired maintaining the gates. See if he’d recovered from being imprisoned by the Dawnlight Queen.

And Florian… Everything came back to Florian.

They approached Sprite’s Wood, taking the path up to the crest of the hill. Trees shaded both sides, hemming them in. Zoe rubbed her hand along Rascal’s neck. This was it. The gate to the fae realm lay round the corner. Birds chirruped from the trees, leaves rustled in the breeze, and the ground squelched under Rascal’s feet.

Zoe closed her eyes, seeking the space between the realms. She’d travelled through it four times, but this time it eluded her. Things didn’t move places in the human realm, did they? In fae, few things stayed fixed. But here they were. At least they had been before, and no one had told her otherwise. In fact, Evan had referred to this gate as being in the woods, which implied this end of it stayed at same location.

Frowning, she pushed her senses out further. The gate had to be somewhere close by. Evan was working on whatever the problems were in the fae forest. He wouldn’t let this gate fall into disrepair. Not when he expected her to return.

She’d been back in the human realm for a couple of months, attempting to finish her exams, and sort things out so her leaving wouldn’t draw suspicion. There had been no problem with the gate when she left. Time should move more to equality between the two realms as they approached the equinox, but even so it hadn’t been that long, even in Faery. She huffed. Where was the gate?

Had it been closed on purpose? A sign for her to stay in the human realm? But why? She’d never fit in here, even if Ross was nicer to her now. Other students at school had ingrained the habit of taunting her. It wouldn’t change. She couldn’t go back to school, not if there was a life for her in Faery. Besides, she’d met with the Sixth Form Tutor and unregistered herself from the school. Leaving school with only the basic GCSE qualifications wasn’t the ideal choice for most people, but she had other options.

Ones she hadn’t been able to explain to the careers tutor. They wouldn’t believe the tattoo on her arm tied her to the fae fair, where she had earnt her place to trade stories. Or that she had family in the fae realm who needed her. Technically, she was a princess, although that title meant little. She and Rascal could spend their time in the forest, exploring while she worked out what she would do. Who she could be.

If things didn’t work out in Faery, then her exams were good enough she could return and study at the local college. Claim she’d been travelling in an extended gap year. But that wasn’t the way to start. She would to succeed in Faery. Just as soon as she found the gate.

With a deep breath, she released the frustration. The gate had to be here. Stretching out her senses, she searched for the quiver in the air that betrayed where she could pass through.

There it was. Something wasn’t quite right, but she couldn’t deny the gate’s presence. Slightly off to one side of the path, as if it had drifted. She led Rascal towards the vibrations she felt. She kept her eyes closed, relying on the horse to keep her from hitting anything. He pulled back as she led him deeper into the trees, but she pulled him onwards, drawn to the pulsations a few steps ahead.

She felt the shimmer round her as they crossed over. But when she opened her eyes, she wasn’t in Faery, where she’d expected to find herself. 

Instead of more trees, with the sense of tamped down danger, as she expected from the fae forest, they found themselves in a far more open area. A few trees stood scattered across the grassy area, but mountains edged the horizon. A large pool of water added a tang of dampness to the air.

Zoe clasped the reins tighter, her eyes searching for anything familiar. Rascal, I’m glad you’re with me. This isn’t where we were meant to go. Stretching her senses behind her, she felt nothing.

Spinning round, she confirmed the gate had disappeared. Wherever she was, there was no way back.

CHAPTER TWO

An unintended destination

WITH A GULP, Zoe assessed the area. A lake lapped against a stony beach, the ground slowly raising to a clump of trees. One far taller than the others, stretched through the clouds.

Splashes drew her attention back to the water. Ripples broke the surface. Someone approached through the water.

Hi! she called to the person swimming towards her. Hopefully, they’d be a friend, or at least not hinder her. Maybe they’d know how to return to the fae realm.

Welcome to the World Tree. I’m Miriem, its guardian. The lady stood out of the water, her grey hair waving in the breeze as her bottom half shimmered from silver scales into blue-green fronds hanging down to her bare feet. I’ve had a dearth of visitors for too long. Now I’m blessed to see another.

Zoe looked for any sign of another person. No one else appeared. In fact, the entire landscape gave off an uninhabited vibe. 

And welcome to your noble steed. The lady held out her hand to Rascal, who snuffed her palm. Horses are beloved by my people, though they are rare in my realm now.

Zoe gaped. Thank you?

Miriem shook her head. Now, what do you wish to ask of the tree?

Ask a tree? She glanced at them again. They didn’t appear sentient. Nothing. I mean, this is a mistake. I wanted to reach the Faery realm. Lovely as it is to visit and meet you, I didn’t mean to come here.

Miriem considered her words. The World Tree doesn’t call people here by mistake. There must be a reason. She gestured towards the tallest tree. Three stumps at its base rearranged themselves into seats and a table. Come. Let us sit. I will hear your story. Then we can work out what to do next.

Zoe hooked Rascal’s reins round a nearby branch, removing the bags and stacking them in the shade. Then she perched on the opposite tree stump, watching the older lady. She swallowed. What do you want to know about me? It felt like an interview, but Zoe wasn’t sure what the repercussions were of what she might say.

The lady smiled, taking a glass from a limber branch which curled down to her, and gesturing to Zoe to do the same. I sense a duality within you. And you arrived during a disruption between the realms.

Zoe took the glass of warm, orange liquid. While she considered how best to explain, she sipped. The tart sweetness coated her throat, easing her tension. She stared at the glass in her hand.

It’s a welcoming drink. One to separate those who mean us well from those who don’t. The tree obviously welcomes you. Her warm, loving gaze turned to the trunk of the massive tree.

Zoe struggled to align the woman’s affection with the old tree she bestowed it on.

Miriem drew a deep breath. Now, tell me all. Her hair floated round her, as if she was still underwater. Blue streaks slipped through the outer grey strands as it did so.

Zoe told her story as briefly as she could. The other lady drank in the explanations of what had happened between the courts in Faery and her place within them. 

Your story confirms the increasing instabilities I’ve felt from the forest realm over the last tens of cycles. At first I wasn’t concerned. These things happen from time to time in each realm. But it continued too long. I tried to reach someone there, but the tree refused to let me leave. She stroked her chin.

If the instabilities were because the courts weren’t in balance, then it should improve now Starlight is growing again, right?

The lady sighed. There was an improvement, perhaps around the time you reinstated your sister, but it hasn’t lasted. Obviously, I can’t tell you what is happening there, but it isn’t as rosy as you seem to assume.

Zoe’s stomach sunk. Did that mean Starlight wasn’t recovering? What were her sister and Linetta doing, then?

Things must be dire if the tree altered the gates to bring you here. That’s not something I’ve ever seen it do before. She sipped her drink. Though your fae ability to manipulate them would have helped.

Zoe copied her, unsure what to say. She’d been so sure everything would be better once she returned to Faery, but it looked like that wouldn’t be the case. Instead, it sounded like she had another threat to help deal with. One from outside the realm.

Miriem pursed her lips. Your friend, you say he is now the Guardian of the Gates?

Zoe nodded.

I’ve never heard of anyone having that title before. It’s a good initiative, but I fear it isn’t enough. She leant towards Zoe. Could you ask him to visit me? I feel I need to talk with him and plan together how to resolve this. She coughed. Though my time is drawing near. If they don’t hurry, they might end up replacing me, rather than helping me.

What did that mean? Zoe didn’t want to know the answer to that. Sure, I can ask him, though he can be stubborn. If he’s still checking on all the gates he knows about, then it might be some time before he feels able to leave and visit you.

Time is of the essence, I’m afraid. I must pass on my knowledge, and the care of the tree. Someone will need to take on that role. She studied Zoe. I don’t see that in your destiny, or that of my visitor from the dragon realm, but stranger things have happened.

Dragon realm? She really needed to talk to Evan about the different realms. He had to tell her all he knew.

I have to trust that the right person will find their way here. In the meantime, I do all I can to care for the tree. She finished her drink, setting the glass back into the tree branch, which whisked it away too fast for Zoe to follow where it went.

This time, Zoe paid more attention to the tree itself, turning to study it. The bark peeled in places, leaves falling off. It had been autumn in the human realm when she left, so she hadn’t realised it wasn’t the same here. The leaves surrounding the tree misled her. They were a sign of sickness, not the natural changing of the seasons. She gulped. She knew so little about trees. How did you heal one? There didn’t seem to be a lack of water, or soil, so there had to be a different reason for its problems. The lady had hinted at it being because of something in the other realms, but how did that make sense?

What would happen if the tree died?

Miriem gasped. The tree can’t die. It is what keeps the realms together. Without the World Tree, they will drift apart and disintegrate.

Zoe blinked. That was far more serious than she’d expected.

No, when I’m sure which realm is causing the problem, I’ll encourage the World Tree to withdraw from there. Then it can heal while the other realms stabilise again. She took a deep breath. Though that’s the last resort. If I can save all the connections, I will. Though that doesn’t look likely right now.

What can I do to help? Zoe couldn’t allow the World Tree to die if it might cause future problems in the fae realm. Or the human realm, for that matter.

"Pass my message to your guardian and send them here. Build up the Starlight court to equality with the others. Find the fulcrum and bring balance to the