The Swan's Chosen: A Swan Lake Reverse Harem Retelling: The Swan's Harem, #3

By Ellia Ember

I'm at war with the masters of death and my love for three men—but this is the path I've chosen.

 

My head is full, but my heart has room for another. Why can't I make it open up to Stefan the way it has to a man I grew up hating and my former kidnapper?

 

But when those feelings do come, what am I to do? I have missions to face and lives to save.

 

We could all die tomorrow. If we do, I need them all to know how I feel.

 

But Matteo might not be able to love, James is in over his head, and the Veilth have taken Stefan as leverage.

 

I can't give them up. I have to follow the path I've chosen, but they make it so difficult.

 

All I want is a happy ending, but in this war and with these men, I'm not sure it'll come.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ellia Ember
• Release date: Mar 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798224669943

Book preview

Chapter 1

Odette

Have you ever found yourself in a world you were sure wasn’t your own?

And while awake. I’m not referring to those rare times when you realize, unexplainably, that you’re dreaming. No, the waking world can also stop feeling like the one you’re used to, too.

Three days ago when we docked in a small port after a 12-hour journey from the south of this landmass to the north, it was relatively familiar. We arrived in a small town, spent a night, then took a two day journey even further north to the mountains.

There weren’t too many mountains where I lived, but there were a few scattered on the borders of the forests where we rarely ventured. But the forestry was familiar, as was the gargantuan castle with numerous turrets and towers, gold-lit windows, tall surrounding walls, and wrought iron gates.

It had a Great Hall that reminded me of the ballroom at home if I mentally removed the miles of tables. It had magic that reminded me of the Citadel. And kind people that reminded me of most places we went.

Having settled in for three days, I thought I knew the world I was in. People dashed back and forth, and there was a lot of security when I wanted to explore, because there was a war going on, yet no battles. But that was the only oddity I faced.

Until I saw the city a 20-minute carriage ride away.

This was familiar enough, too. The Citadel was, after all, situated in a city, with tall buildings of stone that average structures back home weren’t typically made of. They had electricity, which again, wasn’t all that new. Some of the kingdoms on the landmass back home had it in place of oil or gas lamps.

But instead of simple wood and stone decorated interiors, these buildings were white and shiny, some with marble or metal walls. There were doors that opened at the push of a button, lights so bright they mimicked the sun at high noon in summer, and an antiseptic smell reminiscent of hospital wards, only cleaner.

It looked alien. Like something out of those books full of stories about aliens I read during the few times I dabbled in fiction. This was a normal building, in the middle of a city only 20 minutes from peaceful countryside and castles, resembled the inside of a UFO.

While board meeting rooms back home had soft furnishings alongside dark wood tables and wall panels, this one had a glass tabletop covered in marble slabs where information was projected with magic wand work. There were no windows, and the ceiling was so high I wondered how they’d installed the lights.

White. Alien. Shiny. And these faces were serious, not friendly.

I glanced left, seeking comfort in Matteo’s familiarity. Although, even he was different here. Maybe that was my doing, and partially Stefan’s. He ditched his heavy cloak, but he still wore the same black suit, plus a jacket too large for him that was always buttoned. His hair was slightly messier, but maybe that was due to the lack of sleep he got in the castle which had yet to begin feeling like home.

I pushed my knee against his. He didn’t look at me, instead staring at the sharply dressed woman at the head of the table who was speaking, but the corners of his lips turned into a smile.

Now, said Bree Jones, leader of our operations here. She got to her feet, arms behind her back. I couldn’t take my eyes off her attire, very masculine, but flattering for her figure. Blazers and pants and button-down shirts paired with sharp short hair softened by her feminine features. Does anybody have any questions about what we expect from this team?

Missions. That was what they expected. Our magic was innate enough to be done quickly and in silence, while the majority of sorcerers here needed wand work and spells and decades of training to be able to do the most powerful spells nonverbally.

Furthermore, most of the most talented force was spread out not just across the north, but now across the entire landmass, shutting down attacks on innocent people. Attacks intended to start a real war of battles rather than strategy.

I have one.

My head snapped to my other side. Stefan. He didn’t even need to be here. He had no magic, and James hadn’t attended, so the fact that Stefan did was both touching and unnerving.

Rise? said Bree Jones.

Stefan put his hand on the table. His pinky brushed mine, and my heart leaped into action as if it hadn’t already been beating. Every touch from him, even accidental ones, made me nervous, and possibly slightly excited, though I could never get that excitement to turn into anything more than just amazement that his feelings for me went unnoticed for so long.

Miss Jones, said Stefan, folding his hands behind his back once he was on his feet, I am one of the non-sorcerers that has come to volunteer my time and support my friends who have magic. Is there anything people like me can do? My good friend James, who couldn’t be here today, would also like to know.

Couldn’t be here? The second he saw the inside of one of these buildings, he balked. He said they reminded him of the insides of UFOs, too, but stories about aliens were pure horror stories when he was young.

Now, that some initiative, said Miss Jones, giving what appeared to be one of her rare smiles. There was something familiar about her face, though I couldn’t place her. You’re staying up at Everett’s, aren’t you?

Yes, ma’am, replied Stefan.

Yes, very good. Well, there are two things you could do for us. One is ... You are the prince, aren’t you? Of Denais?

Yes, ma’am.

"Good. I know there’s another prince here, and it’s hard to keep track of you all. Right—one thing you could do is visit students in their common rooms and extracurricular clubs and whatnot to help boost morale.

Tell stories about what it’s like being royal. Give them fanciful ideas of the lifestyle to help distract them from the war efforts. It’s not helping with the war, but it’s helping give the innocents a sense of normality.

I’d be happy to, ma’am. Stefan remained standing. I could picture him in one of the little common rooms, surrounded by eager young minds desperate for stories from an exotic stranger. And is there anything I can do alongside that?

Potions or research, Miss Jones replied crisply. "Potions made by sorcerers of our kind do not normally need wand work to function, as the ingredients are charmed before they’re packaged and prepared to be used in the brew.

We’re currently experimenting with different types of potions we can throw at our opponents when they appear, and others that can enhance people’s abilities. We need all of our experts on the difficult potions to brew, but I’m sure even a novice could work on some simple ones. I can give you the address of the potion making headquarters in the village you passed on the way here.

"As for research, Everett’s has a vast library. The restricted section contains plenty of books about inter-dimensional beings and even intergalactic ones, ancient creatures that used to visit this world centuries ago, before it became a civilization that could stand on its own feet.

The stuff of legend, of course, but there are scrolls and books written about it that likewise might be helpful. Anything you can find similar to the Veilth would help.

Stefan had such skills, able to balance a smile teetering just on the edge of warm while remaining entirely polite.

"That, Miss Jones, is definitely something I’m interested in doing. As much as I’d like to help distract children from a world of terror, that sounds like something I can to to distract myself once I’ve soothed

them."

Miss Jones’s smile had her lips from a thin line instead of quirking up at the edges. Her eyes, however, held warmth.

Is that all?

Yes, ma’am. May I sit?

She nodded. As he sat and readjusted his chair, which moved as it had wheels, our shoulders brushed. I tightened mine as if to try and curl them in away from him, afraid of what would happen with prolonged touch.

He loves me. He loves me. He loves me.

And I adored him, in so many different ways, but why couldn’t I muster up that emotion I already knew so well? Why couldn’t I turn platonic affection into urges to kiss him, or at least the desire to go on dates and explore a more romantic path?

Oh, gosh, dates. No. That wasn’t something to think about now.

If there are no more questions, said Miss Jones, and the rumbling confirmed there wasn’t, "I’ll let you all go. Please keep your marble slabs and check them thrice daily as your summons and missions will be sent directly to them.

Missions take a lot of prior research and planning from some of our undercover teams, so they may be scarce. Regardless of how often you’re sent out, though, your presence here is appreciated.

Finally, she stepped around her chair and pushed it in against the glass table. She gave a smile again. This one was all mouth and no eyes.

"Remember, the Veilth should not know about the presence of stronger sorcerers, particularly those who have lost loved ones. They’ll try to use your losses against you.

"Don’t do any magic in public, try not to do any kind of spells intended to summon creatures, even if you’re just trying to attract a couple of birds to you to pet them. And for those of you studying, do so in the basements of Everett’s.

"Talk to Professor Bundle if you can, as I believe there’s a room in that castle were magic cannot be detected by anybody outside of the room or outside of this dimension. My sister talks highly of it—Professor Maggie Jones. She’ll be happy to help you with anything you need, too, when she’s not too busy dealing with her students.

"You can perform magic in forests and facilities as both are protected areas where the Veilth won’t detect it. Facilities have protective charms on them, and forests have a magic of their own.

Thank you for doing this.

There was no formal dismissal. A nod was what got all the regulars rising to their feet. Stefan, Matteo and I rose as a unit, with Bertram and Euberta bowing their heads and whispering a moment before they joined us.

Seeing all of us here in a group made me bow my head, because James being missing didn’t please me. I didn’t blame him for not wanting to come—he was still so new to accepting magic—but it did make me worry. Not for me, but for him, alone in a castle full of young sorcerers learning.

Arrows appeared on the walls to direct us out. Matteo threw an arm around Stefan—something he was doing more and more frequently—and began speaking quickly not in English.

As he was growing more and more into himself, Matteo had been speaking in his native language more often. Usually just pretty words that didn’t exist in English, but occasionally, expressions of joy at seeing new and exciting things.

He was becoming more comfortable. More of a person in front of everyone and not just me. Before we veered towards the staircase, I took his shoulders and kissed his cheek with a little squeal.

What was that for? he asked.

I’m just excited that we finally know what we’re supposed to do, I said.

There was a strong feeling from Stefan, and the more and more I tried to delve into his thoughts lest he let any slip, the more I started recognizing the subtleties of his emotions. Right now, he felt acceptance and the lack of anticipation.

How I could feel a lack of something from him was difficult to explain—like, he was thinking about expecting nothing from me, but as a feeling.

He was silent as he went down the stairs. I lagged behind the brothers, trying to focus more on the couple behind me giggling like newlyweds decades younger than they were. It was better than letting my thoughts wander to my lover and his brother who loved me.

We reached the fresh air of the city, which grew decreasingly normal-looking every time I set foot in it. I couldn’t take it anymore and moved to Stefan’s side to take his wrist, the only part of him my brain deemed safe enough to touch.

That was a very good question to ask in there, I said, my voice as soft and appreciative as possible to show him how much I still cared, going out of my way to show nothing had changed between us. You know, you really don’t have to help. You’re supposed to be free now you’re not a frog or a chef for someone wondering if his brother is going to snap and turn out not to be the good man he seems. You don’t have magic. This isn’t your war.

I don’t like being useless, said Stefan.

He put his hand on top of mine. So much for feeling safe to grab his wrist when all I wanted to do was grab that hand and squeeze it, like I was trying to squeeze romantic love out of him and into me so I could reciprocate his feelings.

And I’ll need something to do while you’re all off on missions, he said. The nearest village is 10 minutes away by carriage, and by the looks of it, it’s not that exciting to visit every day. This city is ... well, it’s intimidating, and I don’t really want to explore it much. There’s nothing  in the castle for me unless I’m being useful. So useful I shall be.

I wanted to tell him he was already useful just by being here and supporting us. I felt better with him at our sides then picturing him off somewhere, even if he was safe far away from here.

You can say it, Princess. I won’t take it the wrong way. See? I even called you Princess, just to keep things respectful.

He made me blush. Perhaps that was a good sign.

Don’t call me Princess, I said.

Prince? he suggested, with a stupid, cheesy grin.

Shut up, I said, fighting back a laugh, as I looked around for the carriage waiting to take as to what would be our home for an unforeseen amount of time.

Stefan’s affection for me only grew. He wasn’t hiding it now. Matteo’s did, too, and that made me blush harder.

Only these men could get in my head enough to get me giggly after a strategy meeting about a war. I appreciated it more than they knew.

Chapter 2

Odette

H ow was it?

It took me a minute to register that James was reading. He did it so rarely, and usually only when he was going out of his way to impress me or appeal to what I liked to do.

It was ... tiring, I said.

He put down his book. It struck me more as one Stefan would read. It seemed to be about cooking, but it wasn’t recipes.

So? What’s the strategy, then? Are they sending you out on the battlefield to use magic instead of weaponry?

No. It’s not that kind of war, with the all-out fighting. It’s the kind where each side has a base and soldiers they send to sabotage the opposition and attack innocent people to get the opposition riled up. Only our side has people going undercover on missions—that’s my job.

Oh. So it’s like Mass War II, and not Mass War I.

I folded my arms as I drew towards the little sofa in front of our fireplace. It was nice having this living area in each of our bedrooms, so we didn’t have to have private conversations with bowed heads and low voices in the common room.

We had an entire tower to ourselves, containing each room and the common area. They didn’t look like they should all fit inside.

I don’t follow.

You know. Those wars from centuries ago that occurred between most of the landmasses in the world.

I took a seat next to him. The fire wasn’t lit. James struggled to light fires by himself, and we could’ve done with one. We were entering autumn, and this high up in walls of stone, it was chilly. Usually, the only guests this castle housed had magic of their own.

I wouldn’t offer to light it for him. Not yet, anyway,

I know the wars. I just didn’t know how they operated, I said.

James adjusted, twisting to face me on the couch. My eyes lingered on his clothing. This wasn’t what he wore when he dressed this morning. It was more ... Gosh, I really didn’t know how to describe it.

The shirt was made of thicker material, and the buttons were more uniform with crisp edges around them. The collar was hard, and the whole garment was tucked into pants made of material or constructed in such a way that I didn’t really recognize.

The people over here dressed differently to back home, and seemingly, James had adopted their style.

"Well, in the first war, there was some behind the scenes stuff going on, but there were also these huge battles. People hid in bunkers and trees and trenches and shot arrows at each other. Others dashed out onto the battlefield with cannons and swords in direct combat.

In the second war, it was strategic. People broke into kingdoms and government facilities.They planned things. They attacked cities and landmarks instead of individuals. There was much less physical fighting.

He laughed, most likely at my expression which I couldn’t quite wipe away.

I didn’t know you were interested in war, I said.

"Oh, no, I’m not. I hate it. I trained to help out in battles were they ever to occur, but that doesn’t mean I wanted them to. But while I was training, I picked up on a few things.

My trainers liked discussing the old historical wars and various famous battles. And I have these vague memories of my father reading books. History books about all these big wars. He was into that. Those were my bedtime stories.

His father. He never talked about his father, but the day we arrived here, James told me the truth of his death. Perhaps now that I knew, he was more comfortable opening up to me about him. Sensing my appreciation of this, he reached over and took my hand.

I’m glad it’s not the first kind of war, he said. Not that I’m happy that you’re involved in either. But at least you’re not going in there alone. Did Stefan feel useful?

I nodded. I would’ve given him details of it didn’t confuse me so much to think about Stefan. James gave my hand a squeeze, and I knew what he was going to say before he said it.

Remember, whatever you decide about him, I support it. Even though it’ll be even harder on me to have to share you with two others. Are you sure you can’t stay with me tonight? I was going to take you down to this communal wardrobe they have for staff and students who’ve lost their clothes or need spares. The styles are incredible. Or we could go into the village, maybe go shopping.

He relented at my knowing smile.

You know the agreement. Every other night with you. Tonight, I get to have my first proper date with Matteo. Tomorrow night, I’m yours.

I left James to his reading. Perhaps he was just doing it to kill time. If I saw him reading the same book again, I’d have to ask.

But once I chose my outfit to wear with Matteo later that night, I knew I had to ask next time James and I got a moment alone, because when I stepped out of the bedroom, he and Stefan were pouring over the book together, each as interested as the other.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him read, said Matteo, arms folded as he approached me.

I almost jumped. I’d been careful not to let my thoughts stray lest Matteo see the outfit I lay out.

James is just full of surprises, I said.

The time Matteo and I set for the date was still hours away. If I spent too much time talking to him now, I’d have nothing to bring up on the date. Although, perhaps it was wise to get the boring stuff out of the way beforehand. We wouldn’t want to make the date stressful, now would we?

Or maybe we’d waste the date anyway, talking about these missions looming over us. Was he as nervous as I was?

To answer your question, said Matteo, I’m not nervous about these missions, but I’m not looking forward to them, either.

I smiled, attempting to turn from him, but he said, Don’t be bashful. I can tell there’s something you’re trying to hide from me, so your other thoughts are more open.

"And you don’t be bashful when I find out you’re associating this mission thing with feeling like an undercover spy in the children’s books you used to read," I said.

There was a red tinge to his cheeks that he considered using magic to hide. I rolled my eyes affectionately and pushed away from the wall where we leaned.

Let’s save something for tonight, then, I said. I’m going to find Euberta and see if she wants to have tea. And you should find a way to go into the local village and visit the apothecary. Potion making has been a curiosity in your thoughts for a while, and since you’re free until this evening, you should make the most of that time.

Oh, that smile. Once so rare, now so easy.

You’re the boss, he said, pushing away from the wall, though he didn’t move to leave until I’d vacated the room.

I took a detour before seeking out Euberta. I asked Professor Bundle about the room we could do magic in, and he said he’d cast a protective spell on the castle so we could do magic anywhere. Good.

With that out of the way and my shoulders lighter, I continued on my way.

Euberta could be found in the Great Hall. Students didn’t venture in there during the day. It was odd, knowing I was in a school, and a school much larger than any of the little ones in the town near my kingdom. Occasionally I passed a student in the corridor, and when the bell went, I darted into a bathroom and hid in a stall until I was sure the corridors would be clear