Betrayal Read online

  Betrayal

  Fey Court Trilogy

  

  Book Three

  

  Cyndi Goodgame

  Also by CyndiGoodgame

  (Fey Court Trilogy)

  Deception Book One

  Tainted Book Two

  Betrayal Book Three

  Guardian (Companion to Deception)

  (Marked Like Me Series)

  Orion Book One

  Son of Ra Book Two

  Scorpion Book Three

  Daughter of Anat Book Four

  Shadow Queen Book Five

  Protector (Companion Novella to Son of Ra)

  (Goblin’s Kiss Series)

  Denial Book One

  Yield Book Two

  ~~~~~

  Mary Never Had a Lamb, She Was the Lamb

  (Twisted Nursery Rhymes for the Paranormal)

  © August 2013 by Cyndi Goodgame Second Edition

  Betrayal

  Cyndi Goodgame

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the publisher. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Acknowledgements go to the various authors of classic fiction who wrote so eloquently that their words have become easy to quote in today’s written word.

  ISBN:9781301962570 ASIN: B00C4Z6P62

  [1. Supernatural-Fiction. 2. Fey, Faeries-Fiction. 3. Wilderness. 4. Arkansas-Fiction 5. Prophecies]

  Email Cyndi at [email protected]

  You can reach Cyndi on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scgoodgame

  You can reach Cyndi at her website/blog at http://goodgamebooks.wordpress.com

  Follow Cyndi on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cyndigoodgameauthor

  To the Readers

  Remember the quote, “How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as a perfectly normal human being.” -Oscar Wilde.

  Well, as with all who wish for the fairy tale, being human is not unlimited. Our dreams are hidden in the words of a book if only we would make them come true with every page.

  -Top 100 List of YA Paranormal Romance Series

  - Reviews of Deception:

  “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe! I choose this one. What’s not to love about a girl with three guys who aren’t hard to look at? Who will it be?” -Reading Junky

  “...I love the blend of romance and paranormal in the story. The book starts out very normal and then gets stranger and stranger until the real story begins.” –Andrea H.

  Reviews of Tainted:

  “Gah! I’m in love with this series. :) The guys are yummy and the storyline is complex. The book is intense and full of plot twists. I hope she writes fast, because I am dying to get my hands on book three.” – Andrea H.

  “...really good book. I only wish they would release the third book!” – Hilary S.

  “As far as Fey books go, these are near the top of my list.” – Scarlett J.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  deception-n. 1. the action of deceiving someone. 2. a thing that deceives.

  Chapter One

  charade- n. an absurd pretense intended to create a pleasant respectable appearance

  Chapter Two

  strike- v. hit forcibly and deliberately with one’s hand or a weapon or other implement.

  Chapter Three

  tainted-v. 1. contaminate or pollute (something) 2. to affect with a bad or undesirable quality

  Chapter Four

  innocent- adj. not guilty of a crime or offense

  Chapter Five

  arranged- v. organized or make plans for in a required order

  Chapter Six

  reconnaissance- n. usually military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertain strategic features; preliminary surveying or research

  Chapter Seven

  answers- n. a thing said, written, or done to deal with or as a reaction to a question, statement, or situation.

  Chapter Eight

  badger-v. ask someone repeatedly and annoyingly for something

  Chapter Nine

  gutsy- adj. showing courage, determination, and spirit

  Chapter Ten

  gem- n. a precious or semiprecious stone, especially when cut and polished or engraved.

  Chapter Eleven

  purpose-n. the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. v. have one’s intention or objective

  Chapter Twelve

  penance- n. self-punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for having done wrong

  Chapter Thirteen

  camouflage- v. hide or disguise the presence( a person, animal, or object)

  Chapter Fourteen

  leaning- n. a tendency or partiality of a particular kind v. to incline or bend from a vertical position

  Chapter Fifteen

  vanished-v. 1. disappear suddenly and completely 2. gradually cease to exist

  Chapter Sixteen

  unearthed- v. discover by investigation or searching

  Chapter Seventeen

  tool- n. a device or implement; used to carry out a particular function

  Chapter Eighteen

  betrayal-v. to commit treason; to give aid or information to an enemy of

  Chapter Nineteen

  Court Gestures (Jesters)

  gestures- n. a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or at the head, to express an idea or meaning

  jesters-n.1. a professional joker or “fool” at a medieval court, typically wearing a cap with bells on it and carrying a mock scepter. 2. a person who habitually plays a fool.

  Chapter Twenty

  unadulterated- adj. not mixed or diluted with any different or extra elements; complete and absolute

  Chapter Twenty One

  concealed- v. 1. keep from sight. 2. keep secret’ prevent from being known or noticed.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  genuine- adj. truly what something is said to be; authentic 2. sincere

  Chapter Twenty Three

  nemesis- n. the inescapable or implacable agent of someone’s or something’s downfall.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  absence-n. the state of being away from a place or person.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  conversations- n. the informal exchange of ideas by spoken words.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  monologues-n. a long speech by one actor in a play or movie 2. the form or style of such speeches.

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  alliances-n. a relationship based on an affinity in interests, nature, or qualities

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  reunion- an instance where two or more people coming together again after separation

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  odd man out- n. a person differing from all other members of a group in some way.

  Chapter Thirty

  loyalty- n. a strong feeling of support or allegiance

  Chapter Thirty One

  marked- adj. having a visible (or non visible) mark

  Chapter Thirty Two

  preparation-n. something done to get ready for an event or undertaking

  Chapter Thirty Three

  reverse-v. to move backward

  Chapter Thirty Four

  anxieties- n. a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

  Chapter Thirty Five

&nb
sp; bargain-n. an agreement between two or more parties as to what each party will do for the other.

  Chapter Thirty Six

  fate- v. 1. the force or principle believed to predetermine events 2. a consequence or final result

  Chapter Thirty Seven

  optimistic- adj. hopeful and confident about the future

  Chapter Thirty Eight

  concentration- n. the action or power of focusing one’s attention or mental effort. 2. dealing with one particular thing above all others.

  Chapter Thirty Nine

  intertwined-v. twist or twine together

  Chapter Forty

  history- n. the study of past events, particularly in human affairs (the Fey history remains hidden thus far)

  Chapter Forty One

  spared- v. 1. to refrain from treating harshly; treat mercifully or leniently. 2. to refrain from harming or destroying

  Chapter Forty Two

  one- adj. being or amounting to a single unit or individual or entire thing, item, or object rather than two or more

  Chapter Forty Three

  power-n. the ability to do something or act in a particular way

  Chapter Forty Four

  echo-n. a sound or series of sounds caused by the reflection of sound waves from a surface back to a listener.

  Chapter Forty Five

  revealed- v. 1. make known to others 2. cause or allow to be seen

  Chapter Forty Six

  grace- 1. n. simple elegance or refinement of movement 2. v. do honor or credit to someone or something by one’s presence.

  Chapter Forty Seven

  denial- v. the refusal of something requested or desired.

  acceptance-n. the act of consenting to receive or undertake something.

  Epilogue

  Prophecies

  A SNEAK PEEK

  Prologue

  deception-n. 1. the action of deceiving someone. 2. a thing that deceives.

  Absconded by Kin. Affinity to Pike. Unconditionally loved by Ian.

  My world is a complicated utopian fairy tale of confusion and birthright. But put that all aside and take a look at the bigger picture. I, Grace Starmen, was a determined half human, half Fey attempting to survive in the human world not too long ago and am now attempting to defuse tension in the once thought make believe world I live in now. A boy, now a man who had ensouled me long ago, is my everything. Ian truly loves me unconditionally for us to get this far. He had too considering all the crap he went through for me.

  Gandhi said once, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Well, the weak can be made strong.

  Being young and impressionable can sometimes bring bumps in the road. Good bumps. Bad bumps. Only you can decide how it will affect future bumps. One of my favored reading teachers once told me that. I am still young and no doubt too impressionable sometimes, but I believe my life took a turn unlike most of my classmates from the human world and beyond. I had to grow up fast and endure more than my share of bumpy, quick decisions than most. Did I make good decisions? Who can say. But I know in my heart they were right for me.

  My teenage years are over. My hopes and dreams didn’t turn out like I planned in the grand scheme of the typical high school graduate who sees college and career as a next step. The career part just kind of...well it was prophesied. See, not your typical road bump.

  But it was for me. Ian. Good bump. My life is not complete without him.

  Pike. Kin. I can’t continue down the road without them, but by the gods, I don’t know why.

  My mom. I miss her.

  My life is based on a prophecy, but I chose its future either way. And I choose what happens next no matter what they say!

  Chapter One

  charade- n. an absurd pretense intended to create a pleasant respectable appearance

  Danella walked in reluctantly folding the last of my stack of clothes. She was acting majorly grumpy today. “Grace, I need you to open the gift lying on your bed. Ian requested this and that it remain a secret between the two of you.”

  I didn’t hesitate. In the box was a new pair of my favorite brand of jeans and a wide spectrum of green made into a tie-dye green t-shirt. The official trade defined icon associated with me, Grace Starmen, Summer Court Queen of the Fey. The title sounds fancy, but really it’s a little more complicated than your average fairy tale.

  I made a promise to not wear jeans in the court again as a sacrifice to the summer Fey that I was completely and solely devoted to them. Why would Ian want me to go against that promise?

  “But I—“

  “No Miss Grace. I do not know what is in that box and will not know.” Her hand went up in defense and then shot to her mouth to stifle a giggle. Mad or not, Danella loved a good intrigue. “It’s not to be worn at court since your burn session stopped that obsession. Unofficial court business is just that, your business.” She smiled wide—so wide—and didn't seem the least surprised at her own mess up.

  I shot up in the bed suspicious and full of adrenaline knowing well I had gained some kind of super-nonhuman speed since coming to the court. I loved it. “What? Why Danella? What are we doing?” I haven’t worn my jeans for weeks. I knew Ian was the sweetest man for making me keep a secret set for something special he wasn’t telling me anything about. The court expected a queen who complied with their values yet exemplified integrity. So, for Ian to request this meant something good or at the least, adventurous.

  “Do tell Danella.” I was pathetic at waiting.

  “No hints,” she smiled hiding something obvious, “but it’s something the two of you will love.”

  Danella didn’t smile that often out of pure instant joy so this meant great promise in my eyes. I was up and moving fast, dressed, and messing with my hair when Danella requested it go up holding a ponytail out to me. My thoughts went straight to one thing. Oh boy! So I was out the door like Wonder Woman meeting her Superman.

  Danella sent me to the edge of the court entrance and told me to stay against the jasmine wall with my two guards just inside the court. This was a request never made of me. I’d ALWAYS had my guards. And I’d NEVER been told to stand alone outside the court. I was at full attention doing a very Grace-like gesture with each of my thumbs in my pockets. I had acquired my converse shoes recently, or rather brand new pink ones that I found wrapped in a pretty box and pink ribbons bought from my favorite store in my old mall. No card, but I knew my Prince Charming had his hands all over that one.

  Something sliced the air with the softest clicking sound breaking the silence the trees often held and I knew in the blink of an eye what, or who, it was. Looking up, I found the same beautiful sight I’d come to appreciate courtesy of the little sprites that adorned the maples around our court. They were always a welcome surprise with their ability to recognize beauty in the world and added a smile to my face.

  I pinched a jasmine flower off the vine thinking of how its symbolic appearance was so obvious to the known eye but could make anything else completely unnoticed. It really was a magical shield to the Fey hiding its deepest secrets. I thought of Ian instantly. He was like a jasmine flower. He could pinch off its scent and hide from the world I lived in for so long hiding all his secrets from me. Then, when one’s eyes are opened, or rather opened for them, the wall hiding the man behind reveals a lovely beautiful creature. Oh, I’d never tell him I think of him as beautiful, but he was in a manly rough kind of way. His edges were lined with a hard singularity that always surfaced around what he wanted. I’m just glad that was me.

  My eyes followed the movement of the leaves watching for anything as I dropped the now tainted flower. The time passed slowly only because I was so anxious. Suddenly a mouth watering drool worthy every girl’s dream man walked out of the trees in black Levis, a gray t-shirt fitted snugly in all the right places, and well-worn half-laced boots. His jeans tuffed out on both feet with just the right amount of the tousled, unkempt look he tried to market.
The gorgeous smile turned up sideways at my ogling eyes producing all kinds of planned mischief. His green eyes were hidden behind black mirror image aviator sunglasses, but I sensed them nonetheless. I followed his arms all the way from the pulled tight over his biceps shirtsleeves down to the fingers wrapped around keys in one hand and the helmet in the other. My roller coaster thrill ride heart was pounding at a near one-eighty beats a minute without a second of cardio. Ian was my cardio.

  “Want to go for a ride?” he situated something in his front pocket and pointed to his bike with the casual but sexy attitude of a predator. The deeper than usual cadence of his voice lulled me into his trap reminding me he never had to try at being just plain hot. His head dipped down looking somewhere across me, and let go just long enough to attempt gathering my fallen on the ground wits. Where he looked on me, I did not know. Maybe I should ask, “Where did he not look on me?” I giggled.

  I was most definitely pathetic, or I was going to at least admit to myself I was acting like a panting hormonal half human girl. Oh wait, that’s really the honest to goodness truth. I savored this for a second making this into a fantasy movie for some epic dreams to come. It was a moment, a memory, a dream I wanted to relive over and over no matter how many years go by.

  He waited patiently letting me look him up and down several times while also devouring me like a thirst for water he’s been denied. He did that often lately. Finally, I walked towards him and stopped a foot from where he stood. He never moved as I removed his glasses with both hands so I could see his eyes. “Depends!”

  His cocky grin lifted and he raised the famous one eyebrow above where the lens would have been, “On?”

  “Who’s taking me?” The world could have burst into a million pieces before my eyes and I’d never know due to the dark angel before me.

  “Tall, dark stranger who wants to have his way with you.” His subtle wink left my stomach in a twist taking his own shades out of my hand. I wasn’t positive it was completely an empty threat by the way he was being so forward. It was so unlike his usual keen eye he kept on my virtue as he insisted on keeping. I secretly liked it though.