Fae Change: Fae Alliance Duology, #2

By Sage Marrow

Disaster holds the delicate Treaty between Fae and humans on the verge of collapse, leaving the Fae facing threats from amongst themselves and their human neighbors. Worse than that, the banished Fae have opened a Gate meant to entrap a horrific evil, a Destroyer that would bring everything to ruin. In an effort to bolster the fragile truce, to give the world a chance at working together to survive, Kamley is tasked with improving human friendship between another magical race: Warlocks. Who live at the bottom of the sea. She really didn't see that one coming.

 

Cadence is barely getting her footing living amongst the Fae, but there's no time to get her bearings as the new Conduit. She is needed to assist the Fae in facing their greatest threats, both ancient and modern. In the growing insurmountable opposition, besieged by ignorance and destruction, she must stand face to face with the possibility of losing those she loves, and the one she loves the most, forever.

 

With their lives on the line and the wellbeing of the very world at stake, can the Fae and their allies persuade their opponents to change? Or will blindsided greed and insatiable hate claim the victory?

 

Nothing will ever be the same because there is no going back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sage Marrow
• Release date: Jul 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223862802

Book preview

Chapter One

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There were so many bodies and so much blood staining the snow that Cade’s head rang with the scent of iron. The foreheads of the fallen Fae were clotted where Bogs have ripped their Faestones away and their glass eyes seemed to track her every movement as she weaved among the dead students. Students like her, who had gone to the Elite Academy for Fae. Of course, she was a human exchange student, part of the program created by the Treaty between Fae and humans to try and settle centuries of war without further bloodshed. She recognized a few of the fallen and she felt like she was going to hurl.

Her knees hit the snow, knocked out from beneath her by despair. When she touched Terrane’s motionless body, rigid and cold, his head lolled to the side. The half-Fae’s brow was a ragged mess of dried blood where his Faestone had been ripped out.

When she found Conner amidst the dead, she had screamed and screamed. Her throat still felt shredded, even though five days had passed since Tuda’s attack on the Academy.

Cade? Cade.

Everything swam around her. She pulled free of the memory she was submerged in and blinked, finding she was actually within the council room. There were no dead bodies here, just eyes staring her way while she zoned out. Cade blushed. Sentis hand curled around her own and she looked to him, but he was already carrying on with his report, delivering the bad news that the human leaders of the world absorbed, faces impassive in their screens. Unconsciously, she rubbed at the strip of fabric tied around her forehead, covering the Faestone there. Technically, the stone had belonged to the younger prince at one point, but he had given it to her when she had needed it most—when magic was overrunning her soul.

It was thanks him and to Ivis Latimer, the Fae royal family’s previous matriarch, that Cadence had even survived. The magical endurance that Ivis had passed on to Cade had allowed her to withstand the force of the Stream channeling through her. Paired with her new Faestone, it had made Cade the new link to the magical reservoir that supplied the world with magic.

She had done the impossible. In tandem with that, the expectancy had been voiced by the Fae that they considered her the one who was supposed to be betrothed to their Crown Heir. In no uncertain terms, Sentis had told Cade that she was to ignore whatever anyone else wanted her to do and decide for herself what her future would look like. It was a concept she still wrestled with.

It was all made more complicated by the fact that if she was truthful with herself, she had to admit that yes, at some point, she had fallen completely in love—with his brilliance, his sense of humor, his strength amidst struggle. It was still tender and new and delicate, but it was there, and she wasn’t sure if it was reciprocated. With an ongoing turbulence threatening the world, there was hardly time for a proper courtship. While Sentis may have Claimed her, and he’d been doing his best to instruct her in her responsibility as the new Conduit for the Stream, she wasn’t convinced that it was because of love, rather than duty. As someone who had always held to responsibilities and had carried his fair share of them throughout his life, he very well could have Claimed her to strengthen the Treaty between their people.

At some point, she knew she would need to confront him about it. But right now, there were more pressing matters to attend to.

The bodies of Conner Warner and Alexandra Watts have been extricated to their hometowns, Sentis said, the words cutting through Cade’s heart like a hot knife. Lines of fatigue furrowed the corners of his eyes. The death of all the students murdered at the Fae Academy would never become easier to endure. Naxri himself has been defeated. His hold on her hand tightened slightly at that, helping her repress the unwanted recollection of battling his uncle on Midsummer’s Day. They may have been stuck fast in the grip of July’s heat now, but there were times Cade felt a part of her would never truly thaw from Naxri’s attack a couple weeks ago. I understand that there will be continuing concerns about our part of the Treaty and I am ready to address any penalties that may be imposed, but my council and I strongly wish to continue to do what we must to uphold the understanding between our nations.

Frankly, how can you assure the safety of any other human students we may agree to send your way? Cade’s own President Diago asked, directing a fierce scowl her way, as if this were all somehow her fault. She stared back at him, trying to hide her bafflement. It wouldn’t be polite to demand what his problem was, so she bit her tongue instead. You say that Naxri has his own organization of followers and—what did you call them? Echoes? Former Fae? Have you rooted them out? Have you ensured that they are all destroyed as well?

It’s in the works, President Diago, said Lady Anaemis. As one of the older members of the Fae council, Cade coveted the confidence that she exerted so effortlessly. Sentis had relied on her heavily in the last arduous months. Even you must realize that it takes times to accomplish broad scale tasks, and searching the entire globe... well, we need time.

What happens in the meantime? More attacks? Prime Minister Hanson wanted to know, making no effort whatsoever to hide her disdain. She was in charge of the Provinces of Blinaic, and Cade found her typically more agreeable than the Anarida President.

Likely, Sentis said truthfully. That’s part of what I want to discuss in this meeting: how to properly defend your own lands against Fae creatures.

Emperor Ha’tim sat back in his golden chair, scoffing. As the wealthiest leader present, representing the people of the Tol’ah Empire, he struck a picture of splendor on the screen. The phoenix mask he wore covered his entire face and as he spoke in his native tongue, the translation to the common tongue rolled across the screen. I can’t believe I’m hearing this. We made the Treaty so that we wouldn’t have to fight the Fae anymore. Now you’re saying that’s not the case?

Not every Fae agreed with the Treaty, Sentis said somberly. As I’m sure not every human did. He pressed on even when the emperor bristled indignantly. It is important to understand that the Wall that grows between the Fae and the Stream has only strengthened; this strains our use of magic while Naxri’s followers have stolen Faestones, lending to their strength.

The Fae are not the only ones who are suffering, Nikolai said, pressing the tips of his fingers together. The Warlock met the screens unblinkingly, which Cade found a bit unnerving. That’s why I am here. I am representing my people, the Warlocks of Gubain.

President Diago broke into hysterical laughter. The what? What are you supposed to be? A conglo-mar-pation—

Conglomeration? the Prime Minister supplied dryly.

A bunch of D&D players? the President said, crossing his arms.

Emperor Ha’tim said, Your intelligence committees fail you if you don’t know about Gubain, President. They are a long-standing civilization that holds their base within the Forlorn Sea. They claim a connection to the magical reservoir they call the Stream just as the Fae do.

That link is dying, Nikolai said flatly. The Wall impedes our bond to magic. I am here to ensure that my people are included on the Treaty. Land is not the only thing that humankind have destroyed. The sea suffers as well, and with it, magic.

And what does humankind gain in return? President Diago lifted his coffee mug and took two sloppy gulps.

Nikolai snorted. What you gain in return is that we will continue to defend the Gate of Vile.

Cade’s nose scrunched. What is he talking about?

President Diago turned beet red. Now I know you’re mocking me. There is no such thing as—

Shut up, you uneducated blight on mankind, Emperor Ha’tim implored. He’s talking about the Gate of Vile, which is a folktale that’s been imbedded into my people’s culture for centuries. The Makers of everything imprisoned the Vile in order to keep it from destroying everything.

Sentis held up a hand, stopping further outbursts. His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the emperor, and Cade recognized it for the warning it was that Sen was irritated. How long have you been in contact with the Warlocks?

Emperor Ha’tim held out his hands; the glinting gold of his wide sleeves filled his screen. His smile made Cade flinch.

Sentis breathed out and the temperature in the room dropped as swiftly as a diving falcon. He looked to Nikolai. Out with all of it. Now.

Nikolai scratched at his chin. Yes, my people have been in contact with those human communities who would listen to us. Mainly, that has been Emperor Ha’tim and his three countries. Occasionally, we supply productivity spells in exchange for coastal preservation along the Ruby Ocean.

And I’m assuming that your transactions were never shared with the Fae, Cade said.

No, why would we do such a thing when the Fae and humankind were at war? We had to make a stand to protect ourselves, and we did. It’s only been recently, thanks to this Treaty, that you even sit here today, Cadence. It’s this same Treaty that my people want to be a part of officially. We will sit on the sidelines begging for scraps no longer.

I’ll admit that I was dealt more than I bargained for, Cade said as Sentis opened his mouth, cutting him off. I wanted to come here to Extos to learn about the Fae, and I got a front row seat to it all. I received a Faestone out of necessity. I’m linked to the Stream.

More than that, Sentis said firmly. "Cadence is the Stream. She is the Conduit through which it flows through, rooting it to the world. You are not unaware, Nikolai, how all magic users around this earth have relied on the Fae to maintain the Stream. Thanks to Naxri, the tie that bound magic to Extos was uprooted to Cade. The silvery sparks of frost within his irises glowed as his magic thrummed beneath the surface, an ice storm approaching. Mishandling magic threatens Cade, and I will not allow it."

Nikolai lifted one bright green eyebrow. Are you saying that she will cut us off from the Stream if she so chooses?

I’m sure I could figure out how to do that, if I was so inclined, Cade said with a shrug.

The young Warlock ran a hand through his spikey hair. Listen, this isn’t going at all how I wanted it to. If we’re going to talk about what we have done for other races, then I’ll remind this entire room that my people have been guarding the Gate of Vile for several millennia. That takes no small amount of magic to sustain.

What is this gate? Cade asked. She gestured toward the emperor, adding, How can part of the human world know about this—this—

Destroyer, Nikolai supplied.

—destroyer that’s locked away at the bottom of an ocean, but other countries have no clue it exists?

Nikolai shook his head. As I mentioned before, not every human leader was willing to listen to us.

President Diago flushed nearly purple, his cheeks puffing out. If I had any indication that there was a serious threat to the planet, I assure you that I would have paid attention to the matter.

"It wasn’t a threat, Nikolai said. For a long time, it was contained. By my people. Now, however, thanks to the efforts of some rogue Fae that were banished when they should have been killed, that gate is at threat. More specifically, what the gate holds behind it is a threat. The Warlocks need to be a part of the Treaty from this day onward. We have a vested interest in the wellbeing of the Stream, as should everyone in this meeting and those that they represent. As for your question, he continued, turning to Cade, the being within the gate is the Destroyer that the Makers locked away using the Stream. Magic held the Vile there for ages."

Who is the Vile?

Sentis answered her. Vile is the name given to the entity that opposed this world being populated with sentient beings. It was an entity that had full dominion over the world until the Makers broke the barrier between existence and creation.

Creating the Stream, Cade said, remembering what she had read in The Lore. That felt like a lifetime ago, a life that belonged to the previous Cade.

Sentis nodded. The Makers used magic to make people, all kinds of races, to roam the world and settle and grow. The Vile opposed violently, killing mercilessly, leading to it becoming known as the Destroyer. The Makers imprisoned the Vile. So far, the Gate has withstood any attempts to open it. Until Naxri took a stab at it. Frost slithered from beneath his fingertips, spreading over the tabletop, at his mention of his traitorous uncle. Dead by his own hands.

Intel has filled me in on that matter earlier this morning, Minister Hanson said. Despite the Warlocks best attempts at protection, Naxri was able to undo the seal on the Gate by overpowering it through stolen... I believe you call them Faestones?

And royal blood will undo the last of the seal, Nikolai affirmed. Which is why Naxri had the Fae King and Queen abducted.

The temperature in the room plummeted further. Cade spouted whisps of breath from her nostrils and curled her cold-nipped fingertips toward her palms. Beside her, Sentis held his magic in check, but the drop in pressure made her ears pop. Within her chest, she could feel the Stream stirring through her, flowing over and past her heart. It seemed to hum.

Sentis’ words were chilly as he spoke to Nikolai, Considering the aid that the Warlocks rendered in combating Naxri’s attack on Extos, I’m willing to believe that the wellbeing of my parents is something that your people also wish for. Keeping my father uninformed about what Naxri had planned with the gate was a grave mistake. You will rectify it.

Nikolai blinked at the prince. I will—

Sentis swept a hand through the air, gesturing for him to stop talking. You will do your part to fix the mess Naxri has put us in. It is in everyone’s best interest. And from this point forward, we should all agree that we must be on the same page, and be fully informed, in order to better protect what’s most important. He looked to Cade. Do you agree?

Yes, with one more thing to add, she said. Every eye in the room settled on her as she scanned from person to person, but she didn’t shrink. We all need a reminder of what Naxri cost us. I lost a close friend to Tuda’s attack on the school. Sentis’ parents are in danger. For each of you, there has been a long history of battle and bloodshed between Fae and your kind. If you want in on the Treaty, Nikolai, I think that it’s only just that you participate in the Exchange Program as well. You could use a taste of humanity amongst your people to remind you of what’s at stake if you continue to think only for yourselves.

Nikolai blanched, the contrast to his pale skin making his hair seem even brighter. If I must.

You must, Sentis said. He rose to his feet, holding out a hand to draw Cade up as well. You will all have to forgive me, but I have the pressing matters of locating my parents and dealing with a traitor to attend to. I will leave you to discuss the terms of the Warlocks’ entrance into the Treaty amongst yourselves with my council present. I will be fully briefed at a later time.

Cade left with him, her stomach sinking toward her toes at the mention of Lumara.

After the battle against Naxri, when Lumara had been let out of the cellar she had been locked inside of, it had taken Sentis intervention to keep his younger sister from strangling their former best friend. Tsunis tried to join Genos, beyond infuriated at what Lumara had done. Sentis’ siblings had only stopped when he summoned his magic, subduing them into submission. He;d swept by them as the entirety of the retinue around him kowtowed, stones pressed to the earth. Cade rocked on her heels where she stood, immune to Sentis’ control over magic. The icy demeanor building through Sentis’ aura had told her he was enraged, and he’d descended on Lumara like a winter storm embodied.

Lumara wouldn’t lift her eyes, only lowering herself to one knee before the Crown Heir. Do what you will, she’d said, voice cracking. Cade’s chest had tightened, recognizing the pieces of a broken heart pouring from the Fae’s mouth.

Sentis’ magic had split open, almost exploding across Lumara in a torrent that drove her flat to the ground. She’d cried out as ice encapsulated her fingers, crawling its way up her arms. It was evident that Sentis would render judgment and punishment then and there.

Forcing herself to move, Cade had delved into the shimmering aura clinging to the prince. Her hand had found his wrist, fingers wrapping across his skin. Sen. Sen, stop.

He’d given no indication that he was aware of her presence, a monument to frigid weather, the entirety of his focus on the betrayal splayed out at his feet. If Cade was hurt by Lumara’s pretense at friendship, she could only imagine how painful it was for Sentis to face what his longtime friend had done. If he had been willing to punish Luce for an abhorrent prank for the sake of the Treaty, she knew he would have no qualms about ending Lumara’s life for helping deliver Cade into Naxri’s hands.

Cade had brought forward a tendril from the Stream, breaking through the feral power that overflowed from Sentis. Spearing through it, she’d directed the Stream toward his Faestone. Sen. Stop.

Sentis had staggered as his magic was cut off from him. Breathing heavily, quivering, the glow in his eyes dimmed as he blinked in disorientation. When he looked to Cade, it was almost as if he were a child, seeking reassurance. The howling wind settled to a slight breeze and the heavy clouds churning overhead withheld their snow. The Fae behind them carefully rose to their feet.

Let her stand trial, Cade had said firmly, kneeling down to rub away the cold from Lumara’s hands as the ice melted. Her own opinion on the matter was an entangled mess and she didn’t trust herself to voice it then. As Lumara gaped at her, clearly stunned, Cade kept her features in an impassive mask.

Sentis had bowed his head to Cade, intoning softly, So then must I.

Chapter Two

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Cade left the council chambers with Sentis. Given that the meeting was still in session, they aimed for the outer courtyard where Lumara’s trial would be held, only attended by a few Fae given select permission. For her own safety, Lumara had been locked away in solitude within the Extos Prison, and Cade’s nerves wrung taut at the thought of seeing her again.

She rubbed at her arm, looking askance at Sentis. Are you alright?

Her question made Sentis’ frown. What do you mean?

This was going well.

Feeling like a floundering imbecile, she tried to explain, With everything going on, I’m wondering how you’re holding up. I mean, your uncle besieged Extos, your parents are captured, your grandmother recently passed, and Lumara is about to be sentenced for betraying your people. I just...thought it might be difficult because everyone looks to you for answers and you don’t seem to have a moment to yourself. Never mind, she added in a mumble.

When Sentis suddenly ground to a halt, she stopped too. She waited, watching a few emotions war for dominance on his features. There would never be a time, she was sure of it, when she would grow tired of his ethereal beauty.

You are the first person to ask me that, he said quietly, staring toward nothing. Does it make me weak if I say ‘no’? That I feel like I am walking on a cliff edge and one misstep will send me tumbling? That I question every decision I make and wish I held fifty years more of experience to draw on?

Cade shook her head fervently. That doesn’t make you weak. To look your fears in the face and carry on anyway makes your brave.

I know I feel brave when I am with you.

His announcement caught her entirely off guard and Cade sucked in a sharp breath. The evening shadows spread a velvety orange glow across the floor, bathing the prince in its light. Her stomach swooped as she found him studying her carefully, stepping in closer, almost like he couldn’t help himself. Perhaps it wasn’t just her feeling the pull like a tide between them. The words were on the tip of her tongue, to delve deeper and ask him to divulge what he meant.

If Sentis had made a Claim, was she ready to give her answer?

If she had fallen in love, was it possible he had as well?

There was always clarity to be found in being near to him, something she greatly appreciated given the ever-changing situation around her. She knew well enough the warmth that emanated from his frame, and she felt it now, tilting her head back to look directly into his face, gratified by the unveiled acceptance he showed her. Wasn’t acceptance the first step toward love?

The brink of Lumara’s trial was not the moment to open that topic of discussion. Cade forced herself to retreat, renewing some space between them. We should probably go.

Reading her unspoken meaning, Sen submitted to it. The sternness returned to Sentis’ features, causing her to recall his people’s name for him. The Stonehearted Prince. As she followed him through the archway and out to the courtyard, she thought, If only they really knew him.

Dusk wrapped the horizon in a sleepy purple haze. The mountains carved through the sky, ancient guardians conversing with the first stars of the evening. Reluctantly, Cade brought her attention to the Fae woman standing in the center of the courtyard. Lumara stood bound, a covering hiding her Faestone as well as her eyes from everyone else. With her silvery skin and shiny steel-colored hair, Lumara almost looked carved from polished stone and just as unyielding despite the magistrates encircling her.

Tsunis stood close by, nodding to Cade as she neared. Cade’s friend and Tsunis Claimed, Unae, gestured for her, linking her free arm through Cade’s the moment she was close enough.

Where’s Genos? Cade whispered.

Unae answered, After melting half of her jewelry, Gen decided it best not to come. Can’t say I blame her. Cade winced. Gen’s magic manifested through her fury and it was probably for the best—and the wellbeing of all present—that the princess had chosen not to attend. Tugging on Tsunis’ sleeve, Unae added, "Can you send a few sparks Lumara’s way? Pretty please?

As much as I would love to... the young prince trialed off, tilting his head. The fact he didn’t end the statement with an insult toward his older brother was a testament to the change he had undergone while in Cade’s hometown of Rottoah. Instead, Tsunis complied with the need for judgment.

Sentis