“Crown? Necklace? Tattoo? It sort of depends.” Lily ran her fingers over the hollow of her throat. “My grandparents sent it. I guess there will be some sort of ‘great reveal’ about the end of the war, and I’ll need a crown for it.”
“So they’re outing you?” Alkamy all but breathed the question. “As not just fae, but the fae heir?”
“Looks like it,” Lily said in a voice not nearly as casual as she would’ve liked.
Creed wrapped both arms around her. “You won’t be alone. If you’re out, so am I.”
“Ditto,” Violet said.
“If they tell us to do so, we will.” Zephyr had his I’m-in-charge voice. “I’m sure the queen has a plan, and until then—”
A loud knock on the door interrupted him.
“Lily?” The knock resumed. “I’m looking for Lilywhite Abernathy.”
It felt like both parts of her world were colliding as Lily stood and walked to the door. None of the others spoke, although Creed stood. She glanced back at him and said, “I’m sorry, but I need to . . . just wait . . . let me talk to him.”
Then she opened the door and said, “Erik?”
“Lily.”
She stepped aside, and Erik walked into the sitting room of her suite.
The only person there whom Erik had met before was Creed, but that didn’t matter. Erik was as confident here as he was anywhere. He might not have his guards nearby. He might even not be carrying a weapon. The lines of his suit were clean enough that if he did have a gun, it was under his arm in a concealed holster.
He surveyed them briefly, and she recognized the wary way he responded when he realized that even armed, he might be out-powered here. “Is there somewhere we can speak, querida?”
“Here.” She gestured at the rest of the group. “They are my friends, Erik. We can speak freely.”
He surveyed them, gaze lingering a touch longer on both Creed and Zephyr. He shook his head. “It would be best—”
“We’re not leaving,” Violet said. She came to her feet, which made her eye level with his chest.
Still, Erik recognized her as a person worth treating with caution. He nodded at her before turning to Lily and pulling her into his arms. “Fine. I’ve come to take you home.”
Lily stared at him.
Before she could reply, Creed stood and walked out of the room.
After a significant look at Alkamy, Zephyr followed him.
“We have this,” Alkamy promised. “We’ll be right back.” She shot a glare at Erik before she followed the boys.
Only Violet remained. She was making no move to give Lily any privacy with Erik. Instead she folded her arms over her chest, crossed her legs, and said, “You’re not getting out of my sight, especially with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Pushy, so don’t even think about it.”
Lily smiled. Despite everything, Violet was unflappable. She didn’t seem to grasp that she could be wrong or unwelcome. Ever. Right now, though, she was exceptionally welcome.
“You’re that actress,” Erik said suddenly.
“And you’re that criminal,” Violet said drolly. “Now, on to the part where you explain yourself to Miss LilyDark.”
“Lilywhite,” he corrected.
Violet laughed. “Oh, sweetie, you couldn’t be further from warm on that one. You just don’t know it yet.”
“Vi,” Lily started.
“Shutting up now.”
Erik looked at Lily. “Can you please lead me to your room so we can pack?” He gestured toward the three closed doors. “Which one?”
“I’m not going anywhere, Erik.”
“I saw the pictures, Lily. You were bruised, and he had you restrained by the arm. He’s just lucky I didn’t address his mistake today.”
“No! You don’t understand—” She stopped herself before she tried to explain. She couldn’t say that she’d been injured trying to keep secrets from the former heir of the Unseelie Court, who was her uncle. There was nothing she could say truthfully. Telling Erik her secrets was one thing; revealing everyone’s was something else entirely. She settled on, “There’s been a misunderstanding. Creed wasn’t restraining me, and he certainly hadn’t hurt me. I swear it, Erik. He would never hurt me—any more than you would.”
Erik scowled. “Someone did though. I’m here to bring you home.”
“But Daidí said the house wasn’t safe enough. I do need to talk to him tho—”
“No. To my home. I can protect you from the law and from the monsters.” Erik pulled her stiff body into his arms so he could whisper in her ear. “I know what you are, Lily. I’ve known for years. I’ll keep you safe and hidden. Just come with me. You don’t even need to pack.”
She pulled away. “Oh, Erik . . . I can’t run. Not now. I just . . . I can’t. I’ll explain. I promise, but I need to go get Creed first.” She turned to Violet and asked, “Keep him here?”
Violet nodded.
“And Vi? Don’t hurt him,” Lily added.
The petite girl smiled broadly. “Oh, ye of little faith . . .”
Lily rolled her eyes. Maybe the fae were the monsters, and maybe in the end she’d still be unable to be with Creed. After the bargain she’d made with her grandparents, she had less control over her future than she’d ever thought possible, but unless Endellion and Leith ordered her to stop seeing Creed and move to the Hidden Lands, she was going to spend as much time as she had with him.
Without another word to Erik or Violet, Lily yanked the door open and ran out into the hallway to catch Creed before he was too far out of reach.
When she found him headed toward the exit of the building, she yelled, “Creed Morrison! Stop. Right. There.” It was the first time she’d used her affinity for air so forcefully. Her words grabbed his body and held like an anchor. He could shake it off if he wanted, but he didn’t.
Zephyr and Alkamy, who were trying to talk to him, both looked at her with curious looks, but Lily’s attention was on Creed. He folded his uninjured arm over his chest and stared at her. He didn’t move to shove away the air that gripped his arms.
“Why?”
Ignoring the stares they were all getting now, Lily walked across the stone floor almost fast enough to be called a run. The stones sang out to her, heir, little queen, danger, but she didn’t have time to hear any of it. Her sole priority was the beautiful boy who was obviously trying to hide the hope and worry in his eyes.
“You’re an idiot,” she breathed.
“You made a vow to me,” he said.
“And I kept it.” She poked him in the chest. “Which you would’ve known if you hadn’t stormed out. I’m not going anywhere. My heart is already taken.”
Creed caught her hand and kissed it. “Truly?”
Lily shrugged. “I have a thing for moody, impulsive singers.”
“So you’re not leaving?”
She put both hands on his chest. “Is that enough for right now? Are you willing to settle? To put up with Daidí and my grandparents?”
He said nothing, just pulled her closer and kissed her until Lily thought that the only reason they hadn’t run out of breath was that they were both air affinities. If not for the sudden applause that she could hear, Lily wasn’t sure she’d have ever been able to stop kissing Creed.
When he pulled back and smiled at her, he slung an arm around her shoulders and said, “So, I know a place we can sunbathe in private.”
Alkamy giggled, and Zephyr muttered, “Just walk, you two. This is far more of an audience than Lily needs.”
Creed rolled his eyes. “Garden?”
“Umm, I need to check on Erik first. I left him with Vi.” Lily shot a guilty look over her shoulder. “Erik was my friend before he tried to be anything else. I owe him more of an explanation, and I obviously need to talk to Daidí, and I still need to figure out where I factor in the queen’s decision to call a cease-fire in the war and—”
“We need to do that, Lily,” Zephyr said. “We’re still a team.”
&nb
sp; “One thing at a time.” Alkamy reached out and squeezed Lily’s hand. “Smile pretty, princess. Everyone’s staring at you since that kiss. It’ll be in the papers despite the no-photos-at-Columba’s rule.”
“Black Diamonds Commandment #1,” Creed whispered. “We’re in this together.”
With the practiced calm that all four of them had mastered by now, the group headed back toward the dorms. They’d figure it out.
Together.
Acknowledgments
Some of the usual suspects need thanks:
Jeaniene Frost, Kelley Armstrong, and Jeanette Battista read and kept me sane(ish) while writing. I’d hide a body for all/any of you.
Neil provided shelter and space where the words are many and the peace is endless. Sending much love to you, as always.
Merrilee gave me the mad enthusiasm and faith that makes me think she might be a wee bit crazier than me. I’m grateful for having you in my corner.
Susan Katz, Kate Jackson, Jean McGinley, Alison Donalty, and Colleen O’Connell have been with me at Harper for eight (?!) novels before this one. Having a team like you has made all the difference over the years. Thank you.
Additional thanks must go to:
Laura Kalnajs read, reread, reread this book again—and scrawled margin notes every time . . . all while reminding me of the things I need to do, sign, or attend. You are a gift.
Diana Santillán double-checked my Spanish. (Who knew that a friendship from seventh grade would lead to such an odd request, umm, a few years later?) Thank you, Di.
Youval Kuipers walked me through various sword-fighting scenarios (and convinced me that I needed to have a sword in my hand in order to do so). You’ve been completely unexpected.
Kristen Pettit (my new YA editor) thought a three-word pitch (“faery sleeper cells”) was actually the start of a new book and patiently listened when I went on folklore digressions in conversations. Thank you for being hard-core in slashing my prose.
Extra gratitude needs to be sent to:
Cynthia Omololu, who listened and laughed when I was writing this. I love you (enough to constantly try foods you hold out, even eel because your son gave me puppy eyes, too!).
My son Dylan, who doesn’t hold my frequent travel or bad cooking skills against me.
My spouse, who has marginally better cooking skills and excellent toddler-wrangling skills.
My toddler, who thinks that my job is either “go avion” (plane) or “drink cat pee” (coffee) and is sure I need kisses to do so. (He’s right.)
My readers and reviewers, who have been buying my books and/or borrowing them from the library for ten years now. Thank you for a decade of support. XO.
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About the Author
MELISSA MARR is the New York Times bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series as well as the adult fantasy novels Graveminder and The Arrivals. When not writing, editing, or traveling, Melissa is buried under a plethora of books, dogs, and children in Virginia or online at www.melissamarrbooks.com.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
Books by Melissa Marr
Wicked Lovely
Wicked Lovely with Bonus Material
Ink Exchange
Fragile Eternity
Radiant Shadows
Darkest Mercy
Stopping Time
Old Habits
Stopping Time and Old Habits
Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales
(Art by Xian Nu Studio)
Volume 1: Sanctuary
Volume 2: Challenge
Volume 3: Resolve
Faery Tales & Nightmares
Made for You
Graveminder
The Arrivals
Bunny Roo (illustrated by Teagan White)
Writing as M. A. Marr, Coauthored with K. L. Armstrong
Loki’s Wolves
Odin’s Ravens
Thor’s Serpents
Untamed City: Carnival of Secrets
Untamed City: Carnival of Lies
Love Struck
Credits
Cover art © 2016 by Sean Freeman
Copyright
SEVEN BLACK DIAMONDS. Copyright © 2016 by Melissa Marr. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
www.epicreads.com
* * *
Library of Congress Control Number: 2015940707
ISBN 978-0-06-201117-6
EPub Edition © February 2016 ISBN 9780062239211
* * *
15 16 17 18 19 PC/RRDH 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
FIRST EDITION
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Melissa Marr, Seven Black Diamonds
(Series: # )
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