Dance of the Forest King: A Fated Mates Fantasy Romance

DANCE OF THE FOREST KING THE LOST FAE KINGS (BOOK ONE) THE FAE UNIVERSE ALESSA THORN Copyright © 2023 by Alessa Thorn All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Editing and Cover Design by Damoro Design AUTHORS NOTE The Fae Universe has become massive over the course of the different series, so to help out newer readers I have created a handy, spoiler free guide at the back of the book. PROLOGUE Long, long ago, before human kings tore apart Albion, fighting like dogs over meat, and curses split the worlds with magic, the human world and Otherworld of Faerie were as close as breath and heartbeat. There were paths in the woods, standing stones, and ocean caves that were doors to other lands. There were celebrations on Solstice nights and magic that flowed freely, giving the land and its people its power, health, and vitality. Magic wasn't hoarded by a privileged few; it was cultivated. There were shepherds of this magic who ensured that the lands that were so entwined stayed in harmony. They were kings. They were gods. They were family. They were of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Oberon, the eldest, was in charge of the forests and the animals that resided in them. The herds were never thinned, and woodlands never grew scarce. Mananan commanded the seas and the rivers, ensuring that the waters remained abundant and clear and that all the sleeping horrors of the depths stayed that way. Taranis ruled the skies, harnessing lightning, thunder, and rain. He was a creature of air and fire and power. He tended one of the most ephemeral things of all—magic. The ether in which it belonged, the blood in which it pounded, the voice of the song that the worlds sang at their hearts. Magic was the pulse of the worlds, and it flowed between them in perfect harmony. Like all things, this harmony didn't last. The dark goddess Morrigan reached for power, and even though she was contained at great cost, her poison had still done its work. The connection between the lands of Faerie and Albion began to weaken. The balance of power crumbled when a curse separated them for centuries. There was a way to break every curse. When Morrigan was finally thrown down and her generals were defeated by three fae princes and their extended family of Ironwoods and Greatdrakes, only part of the magic returned. The lands were still out of balance, the magic flowing between them in the barest of trickles. Both were dying without the other. The kings of the Tuatha Dé were not about to let that happen. It was a matter of family pride, so they would call on family to help them. Long lost family perhaps, but nothing stayed lost forever. 1 Chrissy had always believed in magic. It had been years since the fae returned to prove her right, but it still sent a thrill through her every time she saw magic around her. Nothing was more magical than Stonehenge on Winter Solstice, except for perhaps Kian's castle that was always decked and the party loud. Not only were they celebrating Solstice, but also the anniversary of the fae returning to England. They had a somber remembrance in the day to honor the battles in London, exacted by a very cursed Kian. Peace treaties were renewed, and protestors marched. None of it was violent or magical because the events were run by humans. The night was another matter. It was at the Henge. A party was hosted for the fae who didn't think it was a bad thing that Kian had gotten revenge for them. It had taken Chrissy a while to be able to look at Kian and see her best friend's mate and not the golden armored Scourge of London. He had been cursed and bound to a magical oath, and no one could deny the destructive power of that. Chrissy practically lived at the castle once she took up the job of helping Elise sort out the restoration and cataloging of the library. She couldn't think of anywhere she would rather be on Winter Solstice. She had grown up watching the Christmas Beauty and the Beast movie and had loved the festive opulence of the Hogwarts castle in Harry Potter. They had nothing on Kian's castle. The fae loved a party and were beyond extra when it came to decorating. This year was no different. The entire grand hall was hung with roses and fir and pine bowers. Red and gold candles were everywhere. A huge Yule log burned in the middle of the fire pit. The tables were covered in platters of roasted food and fruits. Wine and ale vats were overflowing. The huge extended family of Ironwoods and Greatdrakes had arrived with Arne and Tor and a whole contingent of elves. It was chaos. It was glorious. It was so far from the awkward Christmas she would be having with her sister, Lou, and her kids in a few days' time. When their parents had been alive, it had always been a fun time with their own vast extended family from the West Indies and anyone from their mother's church. She had married a white guy, but unlike Lou, she had stayed connected with her community. Their house at Christmas had been a never-ending party of people. That all changed when their parents had died in a car accident and Lou had married the most boring white guy she could find. Darren was in some kind of property developing. He loved Lou and the kids, and that was enough for Chrissy. He was just…boring. Christmas was spent now with Darren’s elderly parents and family. Chrissy, who was always too loud, too colorful, and too pagan,