Bound to the King: The Otherworld Realm, #2

By Olivia Faye

When the coronation involves a dangerous taboo blood magic, half fae Kessia will do anything to avoid becoming the dark fae Queen. Even trust demons.

 

A risky deal…

 

Saved from the ashes of the failed rebellion, Kessia enlists in the demon army. She's determined to avenge her mother's death and escape the soul binding. The dark fae offers a way out: Kill the demon king in exchange for her freedom. But the price is steep. Success will bring about the half-bloods genocide. Failure will forever bind her to the monster, if the ritual or demons don't kill her. 

 

 

A necessary betrayal…

 

Blamed for the portal, captured and tortured by the fae, Merek knows Kessia brings trouble. He must save her from death and watch for a dagger in his back. As the realm descends into the chaos of a brewing blood war because of an, the last thing he needs is the distraction of being caught in the spell of a beautiful assassin hunted by his enemy.

 

As their world descends into a war, loyalties are tested and forbidden desires awaken. Will Kessia and Merek survive or will their bond prove deadly?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olivia Faye
• Release date: Nov 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223568971

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Bound to the King

The Otherworld Realm Book Two

Olivia Faye

Olivia Faye

Cntent Warning

This book is a dark, gritty, steamy fantasy romance that is not suited for readers under 18+. It is a high-heat medium burn with explicit sexual content. Themes included are physical abuse, degradation, rape, abortion, miscarriage,mutilation ala magic, decapitation, disembowelment, graphic violence, enslavement, assassination, and attempted murder. If any of these are triggering or not to your taste please pass this book over.

Contents

1.Merek

2.Merek

3.Kessia

4.Kessia

5.Merek

6.Kessia

7.Kessia

8. Kessia

9.Merek

10.Kessia

11.Kessia

12.Kessia

13.Kessia

14.Kessia

15.Kessia

16.Kessia

17.Kessia

18.Kessia

19.Kessia

Red Riding Hood Retelling (Part of the Red's Familiar Anthology) title coming soon

The Otherworld Realm Book Three

Also By Olivia Faye

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Chapter one

Merek

Rase Nalore, the Dark Fae city within Orcus

Smoke billowed around me as I ran away from the ruins of the Fae city. Every muscle rippled and contorted as I shifted into the form of a horse, trying to ignore the knots in my stomach. I shouldn’t leave her. She’ll die. 

Kestrel was too stubborn to stay out of the chaos consuming Rase Nalore. Her grief would intensify her need for vengeance. 

Edsan! I called my old guard. Gods, I hated this, but he was one of the few demons I trusted. He was desperate to regain my family's favor and that meant protecting my future queen. 

What? He growled, the words garbled as he fought. 

Let me in. There was no room for discussion. He sighed and I entered his mind, choosing to ignore the strange sense of being violated that nagged at me, the raw vulnerability and exposure I’d experienced when Kestrel used the bond to learn my whereabouts. 

Magic surged through me, the skin on my head and neck prickling, sweat bathing my body in ice as the depths of the demons’ betrayal settled over me, threatening to choke and paralyze me. No, you must, act. Defend your king. His inner thoughts spurred me on. He lunged forward, tackling a demon. The demon's neck snapped as Edsan's claws tore his spine from his ribs, the bones crushed under his hold. Die, fuckers. Merek would've killed me for this. Edsan dropped the corpse and his thoughts melded with mine as he faced Torgoth. Greedy bastard. He's already been promised Seren because of the debt he holds over the king. Why betray the prince?  He shook his head. With luck they'll exile or kill him. If that's possible. 

I viewed the battlefield through his eyes. Flames and gray and black ash extended as far as the eye could see, brown, red and black blood saturated the ground, bodies twisted and mangled, many with organs or limbs missing. Others were decapitated. Zenna wrestled with Torgoth, clawing his face and eyes as Edsan's attention was drawn to another one of Torgoth's goons. They're lowborns…He likely promised them status.  The guard snarled, tearing their shoulder then snapping their neck with a dispassionate vengeful satisfaction. 

Surely you don't intend to merely observe? He growled, tackling Torgoth. The demon general hissed and clawed at his chest, tearing off the armor. Edsan grasped his jaws, and squeezed. I watched as Torgoth's yellow eyes bulged. Edsan paused for a moment, grim pleasure filling him. He eyed the surrounding area and his mental voice quieted.  Is Kestrel safe? 

No. My stomach lurched at his question. I halted. Smoke blew from my nostrils, muscles convulsed as I fought to hold my form. I don't know. I left her at the gates. I need you to check. I don't trust her to stay where it's safe. Leave Zenna to finish them off. If Torgoth lives, I'll deal with him later. 

You're not with her? He demanded. If the dark fae…

Don't. My mental panic silenced him. I ground my teeth, muttering a spell. Magic pressed in on me, the black and gray barren wasteland, the skeletal trees swirling and vanishing. 

You're going home? Is everything well at Court? His panic was clear, even if his words were garbled with the distance. 

My feet skidded on the hot black earth, the dirt cracking underfoot. My ears rang, bones popping and cracking as I retook my demon form. Bile seared my throat. I blinked, tears streaming from my eyes as flaming scarlet red filled my vision. 

Merek? Alarm filled Edsan's voice. Before he betrayed my father, he was his guard and my caretaker growing up. 

Nilsine’s dead. I coughed, inhaling the black ash as I materialized. Kessia wanted me to assure mother and Seren are safe.

What could endanger them at home? The Fae? Wait—Nilsine's dead? The cold settling in his stomach tensed my muscles, a new steely resolve taking hold. I'll find Kessia and ensure she's safe. Grief and desperation can make people do stupid things. There was an edge of remorse and embarrassment in his voice. 

Of course. He thought the king was sending him and the others on a suicide mission when he ordered them to take Galia. The money from the Fae was enough of a draw, he turned rogue. 

I shook my head. It doesn't matter. Protect your queen. 

Yes, my prince. His somber assurance steadied me. Can I ask… what threat is there to your mother and sister? Kestrel let part of it slip but…

I can't say because it will endanger everyone if her plan fails. It falls under the vein of desperate and stupid. 

He sighed. She has a tendency to do that, doesn't she?

As a royal who has spent her life surviving, I can't fault her for being reckless. Still, you'd think her mother and the mage would've taught her to be more calculating. 

Brother! What are you doing? I can HEAR Edsan! You could've died!Seren's enraged shout drew my attention. Yellow eyes blazed up at me, her face the gray of her demon form, contorted with rage. Mama was watching the battle and saw Kessia was injured. How dare you abandon her?! Nilsine is dead! 

Edsan made a sound between a scoff and a reprimanding chuckle. Fear tightened my stomach; I sent my emotions through the bond. Go. Find her, I ordered again, before severing the mental connection. 

Kessia ordered me to get you and Mother to the portal. She said it should close.

MEREK!! my parents' voices carried across the courtyard, my father's voice booming like an explosion. My father carried my mother in his arms. Tears stained her ashen face. She just saw her friend die and couldn't do anything. 

I turned, facing them. My stomach sank, the grief stark in her eyes. 

Why have you returned? My father demanded. You should be on the Dark Fae throne!

Where's Kessia? My mother demanded, grabbing my hands, eyes scanning the empty space around me. My friend is dead! I refuse to let her child die too!

I didn’t answer at first. Instead I nodded to Seren, fighting the panic. Every instinct screamed for me to return to the city. She's strong. She'll survive. Less than an hour and I'll be with her. 

I addressed my father first. The siege failed. She failed to kill the Dark Fae King Taeral and left him to the guards. The bastard likely survived and escaped.

What about Kessia? We saw Nilsine was dead.

Did you not watch the rest? 

He shook his head. No. We focused on Nilsine, trusting you to succeed in the siege and bring her daughter here safe. Your mother became distraught when she died, so I closed the mirror.

I nodded, seeing my mother's ashen face, her red swollen eyes.

Edsan held her in the dungeon. Torgoth betrayed us and tried killing me. She intervened."

She sent me here to assure you and Seren are safe.

What are you plotting? My father demanded, his face darkening. Is there a reason you want to take your mother and sister away? Do you intend to betray me?

She I swallowed. Her and Nilsine … they reopened the Veil. She wants them to hide in the human realm until Torgoth is killed, so the soulbinding doesn't kill Seren. Mother knows the human world. She can keep her safe. I was going to send Kessia with them so the Dark Fae King doesn't find her, but they injured her in battle, trying to save me. She'll die there without treatment. My voice cracked as I let the possibility fill my mind. I clenched my fist, meeting my father's eyes, the yellow irises round, wavering between fear, rage and awe. She's injured?

I nodded. She used the blood bond to locate me and saw Torgoth attack me.

How … how did they open the Veil? Only the High Fae King has that kind of power. And he used conduits

He used human blood, My mother corrected him, her voice hoarse. I've studied the portal for years. It's the only conclusion. He took the blood of an Elder or had a time witch imprisoned who he later killed. Kessia and Nilsine are descendants of one of the three Elder Witches, Divina, who could alter time and space. She cast the barrier protecting Valkis in the human realm centuries before we were born. She was a distant descendant of the immortal fae, born before the Fae decided it was dangerous to mate with humans because our magic was powerful, potentially stronger than their own. Humans feared the Fae so we called these magically gifted ones arcana, or witches. Enough time has passed since I came here, she and Seren will have to conceal their magic in the human world. It's logical she could break the Fae King's spell. My mother said, voice low. 

If the Fae King learns of this… we'll have another massacre. He already wants the halfbloods dead. Worry bled into my father's voice. He glared at the three of us. I'm assuming it was your mate who came up with this stupid scheme?

Yes, I sighed. 

Why didn't she just plan to kill Torgoth? Seren asked. 

You can ask her once she's healed, I groused. We need to go. I need to return to her. The longer I'm away from her…

Merek's right, my mother's voice was curt. She bowed to my father and cupped his face, kissing him. May I accompany our daughter and assure she's safe? I vow to return to you, my mate. The human realm has likely changed and won't be safe for us for long. Valkis is no longer my home.

Yes, my queen. His voice was reluctant. While you're there, honor Nilsine in your people's way.

We'll return in a month's time. That ought to be long enough to capture Torgoth so Merek can kill him. If something prevents us from returning, you have my blessing to burn my homeland to the ground searching for us.

He caressed her face. I'm not as reckless as I was then. You've changed me for the better, my mate. Hopefully, our son has a similar effect on his mate.  He kissed her forehead, snapping his fingers. Weapons appeared in a cloud of smoke. Her eyes widened. These are demon made; but they will offer you protection. He lifted a thin gold chain from the pile, a jagged black stone suspended from it. My mother's eyes widened. He proffered it to Seren, who looked at the pile of weapons in confusion. We can't use these. If the humans have magic, the glamor will fall.. Her fingers curled around the jagged stone. What is this?

It's a demon trick, my mother said in a whisper, her lips curled between a grimace and a grim smile. He used it to disguise all his demon traits before Nilsine attacked him. She spat the last words as tears gathered in her eyes. Gods, I want to know what magic that bastard Fae used to trick her.  

Kestrel may know, but first we need to make sure you all are safe. I nodded to the pile of weapons. Cast a glamor on those and prepare to leave. I have to get back to her before she does something stupid like die on me. 

They nodded and gathered their weapons of choice. Mother wore an old gown and Seren was dressed for training. Her ensemble was similar to what Kessia wore, except the fabrics were thicker to allot for the colder human climate with a heavy wool cloak. My mother selected daggers, a bow and a slender sword. Seren picked a quiver and bow and several long blades as well as daggers. I can use these for herbs. She bowed to our Father. I promise I will return, my king. Father. 

He nodded and kissed her eyes. Go. Be safe and free. I accept your word as a blood bond. When you return we will have a new king and queen, your brother and his mate. 

She nodded with a faint smile. 

My mother looked at me, expression fierce. I'll go on one condition. Ensure my friend didn't die in vain. Avenge her by giving her daughter the throne she desires.

I nod. I will. I vow it to you. I looked out towards the skyline, the sky lightening from deep garnet black to brighter scarlet. Let's depart. It's after dawn.

Chapter two

Merek

My mother and Seren cursed, the magic pressing in on us and the air whooshing around us muffled their screams. We staggered forward as our feet sank into damp marsh, the mist heavy in the verdant boggy forest of the earthen fae kingdom. It wasn't like this before? Was the fog caused when Kestrel reopened the Veil to the human realm?

I don't remember it being this foggy. I scanned the lush woods, thick silvery mist almost shimmering around me as I regained my equilibrium. 

It's still open, my mother whispered. 

But how? It's past dawn on the third day. The parameters Nilsine set…Nilsine is dead. The magic should've stopped with her. Seren demanded. 

Nilsine didn't cast the spell. 

I followed my mother's faint voice, the whisper quivering with fear. I walked to her to see blood covering her fingers, the blood black in the silvery shimmering mist and silvery green dawn brightening the emerald woods. I inhaled, the unmistakable scent of berries and flowers clinging to the liquid. What the fuck did she do? 

Mother frowned. This is blood. She used blood as a conduit. This blood... it's Kessia's.

So as long as she's alive… the portal remains open? Seren mused. 

I don't know, my mother shook her head. Only Elders ever used this magic. The mage must have stolen one of their books and Kessia studied it carefully.

Not carefully enough otherwise it wouldn't still be open, I snarled, my skin prickling as faint traces of honey and the scent of wood smoke bled through the woods. I eyed the trees and nodded towards the Veil. Go while you can. I'll do what I can to close it and ask her about the spell when I reunite with her. Branches snapped and thrumming filled the air. Mother paled. Seren snarled, her glamor falling to reveal her demon form. I glared. Go! I grabbed her arm and pushed her off the edge of the riverbank into the swirling silver and blue portal, touches of golds and pinks spitting from the swirling vortex hovering above the water. The beating wings intensified as the fae approached. 

There's no way the High Fae King will let us live when he learns the Veil is opened. If they catch us, we're dead.

 I glanced back. My mother stared at the portal, her face bloodless, horrified. Forgive me. You need to protect Seren.  Grabbing my mother's arm, I thrust her into the portal. A scream caught in her throat, the curse cutting off as she fell into the swirling mist, feet splashing in the churning water before she vanished.

The Fae wouldn’t get them. 

I turned as several Fae guards in silver and leather armor broke from the woods and early morning twilight.  Green and blue eyes widened, their silver skin pallid. Their mouths opened, jaws slack and eyes bulging as they saw the Veil.  

One muttered in the Fae tongue. Another turned, massive translucent gold wings reflecting the misty silvery green light, long emaciated limbs fluid as they flew back in the direction they came. I have to close this. My mind raced, heart crashing against my ribcage. I have to get back to Kessia. 

Kill them. Now. 

I shifted into my demon and lunged for the last Fae, tackling them. Their necks crunched between my jaws and I raked my claws over their chests, growling as the silver armor sizzled against my skin, blisters forming where my fingers would be. Magic hit my back, the force throwing me off the dead Fae. The guard who attacked me hissed, shouting an alarm. I rolled and shifted, drawing my sword. Sweat blurred my vision. 

What are you doing here? The creature hissed, the words garbled..this magic isn't yours.

No, it's not, I admitted in the Fae tongue, my voice rough. 

Kestrel used blood magic. If they catch the scent or obtain her blood, they can track her. They'll kill her. No. I can't let that happen. 

Magic surged through my veins, muscles contracting, rippling with power. I drew my blood covered sword, and watched the guard's eyes and face grow stern, set in determination. What are you doing here, demon, if this magic isn't yours? He eyed the portal. You can't be foolish enough to enter there? You'll die. The humans—they'll kill you. 

I'm not. I'm hunting the person who opened this.

His eyes lightened. Perhaps I can help you. Typically I wouldn't let a demon enter Therra's lands unscathed but clearly you aren't an invader. I sent my comrade to alert my sovereign and the High Fae King. 

How did I know you'd say that? I groused, drawing my sword, brandishing the scarlet tinted blade. I needed to distract them. And you're wrong about me not being an invader. I followed my mate here from Orcus. That wasn't a full lie but by mentioning my mate, he should know he wasn't getting out of here alive. 

I lunged forward again, grabbing him by the throat. You're only doing your duty so I hate to kill you, but I can't have you alerting the High Fae King and endangering my mate or our court. My claws shredded through the silvery skin, slicing sinew and veins. More inky sapphire blue blood poured over my fingers as I crushed his windpipe, bones breaking under my grip. I snarled, teeth clenched. You won't harm her. 

I dropped his limp corpse and faced the portal, a sense of awe and dismay rooting me. Golds, pinks and touches of sky blues, the closest color I’d seen to the light, almost transparent shade was the greenish blues tingeing the gray sky here or the deeper indigo of Galia's waters.  This is daylight. I walked to the crushed grass where my mother found Kestrel's blood. Her scent, berries and flowers mixed with ash and the cloying rotten scent of death sent my blood ablaze, my stomach pitching at the sight of the black liquid on the withered brown grass. I touched it, cold jolting up my arm from my fingertips. It still had her magic. I eyed the swirling vortex, the shimmering mist almost an opaque fog. I have to close the Veil. 

My mind raced. But how? Kessia, her mother and mine knew the spell. Nilsine and she portaled here and performed the spell without our knowledge, days before the rebellion. Why didn't they tell me? I knew the answer. Kestrel was too much like her mother. If I didn't know the spell then I couldn't be charged with this act and killed. Now my mother and sister were safe but Nilsine was dead and Kessia wasn't far behind her. I eyed her blood and the patch of the wilted grass and desecrated earth where she worked the magic. I knew a way I could stop it. 

Reluctantly, I drew the vial of black ash from my boot. By some miracle, it didn't break in battle.