Shadowborn Academy: Year Three (Dark Fae Academy Series Book 3) Read online

  Copyright

  Shadowborn Academy Year Three © 2020

  G. Bailey & Scarlett Snow

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Formatting by Champagne Book Design www.champagnebookdesign.com

  Editing by Niki Trento-Spencer

  Title Page

  Copyright

  About This Book

  Map

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Epilogue

  Thank You

  Villainous Hearts Exclusive Excerpt

  About G. Bailey

  About Scarlett Snow

  Appendix i—LOCATIONS

  Appendix ii—CHARACTERS

  Appendix iii—WARDEN RANKS

  Appendix iv—THE BOOK OF ZORYA

  My fate is in the darkness,

  And the war there is real…

  In the Enchanted Forest, one girl desperately needs to find a way to stop the fae war before it’s too late. With her sister raising titans and gods, the light in her dreams turning out to be a lie and her men in grave danger…life at the academy has never been this dangerous.

  A mirror once spoke of a girl born in hate who could stop a war…

  But does that girl stand a chance against the power of the fae?

  Shadowborn Academy is a Dark Reverse Harem Paranormal Fae Romance for 18+. In this world, not even the shadows can be trusted…

  Once upon a time, I dreamt of pure light even in the darkness of my court. I soon learned that with the Throne of Luna comes a heart full of darkness that one can never escape. I tried to in the beginning until I realized where there is darkness, there is power, and so I chose to embrace it. I let it fill my heart with strength while I vowed to never bring a child into such a lightless world. As time went on, the darkness overthrew my sense of reason, and I craved an heir to one day ascend my throne. So I lured the Light Fae King into my chamber, and together, we created the very heir who now rests in my womb.

  Or at least…she did.

  Pain unlike anything I have ever experienced drags me from my slumber. I’m crying out in agony before I even know what part of me is injured. My hands fall to my stomach to protect my unborn child, but the pain turns into panic when I find nothing. There is no bump. No babe kicking away inside my womb. There is only a line drawn across my stomach and a pool of blood surrounding me.

  Hoping this is only but a nightmare, I hold onto my empty womb and carefully push off the bed. Whimpers escape me with each agonising step, and the room blurs as I stumble over to my daughter’s crib. I know she’s gone before I even reach it, yet a small part of me hopes, prays, begs Selena to not let this be true.

  He can’t have taken her from me.

  As I peer into the crib, I hold a hand to my mouth to suppress my screams. A human child with pitch-black hair sleeps soundly where my daughter should be. Next to him is a white note stained in droplets of blood, and I pick it up with trembling hands, my whispers escaping me:

  Narah,

  When I came to your chamber, it was not to create a baby but to love you.

  It soon became clear we both longed for different things, but I will do what is right for our babe. I have made the trade, and Corvina, the name you chose for her, will be safe with the humans. This is the babe I swapped her for. I only wish that he fills the void our daughter will leave within you.

  Long may Corvina rule when she takes the thrones.

  Ulric

  I scream as dark magic blasts out of me, hitting and devouring everything in the room in my grief. I scream for so long until nothing but ash surrounds me and I fall to my knees.

  My child is gone. He took her. He took my unborn child from me!

  A small cry catches my attention in the haze and I open my eyes to see the human babe floating in the air, covered in tendrils of dark magic. He embraces the power. Little wings appear from his back. Without even realising, I crawl over and pick him up, holding and shushing him in my arms. His gold eyes look up at me with all the love of a newborn child, and while I should feel love for him in return, I feel nothing.

  “I will protect you, Alastair Pitch, but first, there must be war.”

  The heavy weight of the crown rests in my bloody hands as I stare at the Enchanted Forest stretching endlessly before me. The wind whips around the trees, brushing the ground with new-fallen leaves and the heavy moss-scent of the forest tries its best to comfort me.

  But nothing can do that right now.

  Pitch’s hands rest on my shoulders, waiting for me to break the spell of silence I’ve made. He doesn’t need to ask me what happened. The crown is the only answer anyone needs. The blood coating my hands drives home the truth furthermore. The Light Fae King is dead.

  Blinking back my tears, I turn around and look up into the pity-filled eyes of the man I love.

  My shadow. My home.

  “The king is dead. Queen Narah killed him,” I say softly, the words feeling wrong and foreign on my tongue. The way she stabbed him nineteen times will forever be etched in my mind. “Eva has taken over the Light Fae Kingdom with the Titans and Narah. She also holds Izora prisoner, who’s really King Ulric’s daughter, which totally makes her my sister.”

  “Shit, Vina,” I hear Zander mutter nearby before he rests his hand on my arm. I briefly look at him before another hand falls on my back and I turn to see Gage.

  “What do you need us to do next?” he asks quietly. His question lingers in the air between us just before Jonah steps forward and locks his gaze with mine. The still blueness of his eyes makes me pause. They give me hope that there is a light in this dark fucked up world.

  Words seem lost to me for a long time, but they all stand still, waiting for my next move.

  “I don’t know what we do next. I’ve never known what I’m doing,” I whisper, tears falling from my cheeks to my lips. “I’m an epic fuck up for a princess. How do I even play their game? I’m no royal. I’m nothing compared to the fae and fucking gods!”

  Pitch tightens his grip on my shoulders. “Corvina Charles, shut the hell up!” His tone shocks me. Pitch never speaks to me like that. He steps closer, cupping my cheeks as the crown presses into his stomach between us. “The fae, the gods, the Titans, and the whole world have no clue what’s coming their way. You are Corvina Charles, a fae created of both worlds and surrounded by shadows, as well as light. You will win this war with us at your side.”

  “You think so?” I ask him and he nods. I look around at my guys, who all nod once with their
eyes full of strength and belief.

  With all my men around me, somehow I find the strength to lift my head and take a much needed deep breath.

  “We should go to the academy,” I say, my voice much stronger than I feel. “I know Eva expects me to be there but she will be busy for a while.”

  Zander sweeps us up into the shadows and shadowlocates us to the middle of the academy entrance, where we are not alone.

  The first woman I set my gaze on, sees me before her eyes slowly drop to the crown. Ivywood’s knees buckle underneath her, and an ear-splitting cry that echoes around the academy pulls out of her throat with anguish. No one dares move as we watch her weep for her king, my father.

  I look up to see Ambrose at the stairs, leaning on the banister, and there is a big space around him where the students all stare, most looking scared of his existence. The entrance hall slowly fills with students until we are surrounded by hundreds of shadowborns, each of them looking to me, and the weeping fae, for answers.

  Gulping down the pain in my throat, I walk to Ivywood and kneel down. She looks up from the floor, locking her eyes with mine. Her face is covered in tears, her eyes distraught with grief, and for the first time, I realise how much she loved my father. I want to feel grief at his loss, but the shock isn’t letting me feel anything right now.

  I don’t know what I will feel come tomorrow. Or next week. Or ever.

  “What do you need from me, Queen Corvina of the Light Fae Court?” Ivywood’s question bouncing around the room. I offer her a hand and she takes it, letting me pick her up off the floor as I rest the crown by my side, knowing full-well everyone is watching me.

  “The academy is going to be attacked by Titans and light fae. Possibly even dark fae,” I say, and before I can say anything else, everyone bursts into panicked chatter. Most of them sound terrified and I don’t really blame them. Ivywood lets my hand go and steps forward, clapping once and everyone immediately falls silent.

  “Every single student here has gone through what no fae could ever imagine. You are not weak, you are not useless, and you will not go down without one hell of a fight,” Ivywood shouts, filling even me with strength. “A war is coming, yes, but the academy was made by Selena herself and her love for all things shadowborn. The academy will defend us and keep its students alive. Now, I want everyone to go to your rooms and send letters of warning to your families before it is too late.”

  The students move like a wave, disappearing into corridors as Ivywood turns back to me. She still looks broken but more determined than ever.

  “What is your plan, Your Majesty?”

  “I don’t have one…” I pause, worrying my bottom lip. “Yet.”

  Ivywood nods and walks to the door. I find myself following her outside, knowing my guys are right behind me. We stop behind Ivywood on the steps of the academy and Ivywood holds her hands into the air.

  “Selena, I call on your protection.

  The academy needs a shield.

  The shadowborn will rise.

  The Academy will protect.

  In the name of Selena, I unlock the academy and call to the forest to protect us.”

  The moment the last word leaves her lips, the ground shakes. I hold onto the banister of the stairs as the floor trembles and vines shoot out of the ground. Hundreds, if not thousands of vines smother the academy, crawling around every inch of stone until they form an enormous egg shape. A wave of dark magic projects from the vines and wraps around the academy, forming a protective barrier from the outside world.

  Shadowborn Academy is in the dark, and if Eva wins the war, it always will be.

  Pushing the door to my room open, I expect to see Sage, for some insane reason, curled up on her bed, our stuff littered around the room. The sweet smell of her vanilla perfume barely lingers in the air after all this time.

  It’s just an empty room full of memories now.

  My guys flood inside and Echo jumps into my arms as Ambrose slowly enters. I sit on the edge of my bed, stroking Echo’s fur in a bit of a haze as I place the crown on the bedside table.

  “I lost both my parents young. Gods tend to kill other gods as much as royals love to murder their own,” Ambrose confides as he sits next to me.

  “Royals love it enough to give the act a word. Regicide,” I sourly reply, looking up at Ambrose. I recall what I read about him in Zander’s book. “I’m sorry about your parents and your wife and son. I’ve lost three now, but who’s counting?”

  “Vina,” Zander gently says my name as I make things super awkward.

  Echo jumps off my lap and curls up into the pillows of the bed. Standing again, needing to move, I walk to the window and start to pace up and down. What the hell do I do next? Eva has to pay for what she has done, I’m sure of that. How I’m going to get to her alone is another issue. And after what she did to Sage? Eva has a lot we need to discuss. Well, less discussion, more me kicking her skinny little black-hearted ass into Tartarus where it belongs.

  “Where is Sage?” I ask, turning around to see all of them looking at me, and I try not to register how worried they look. “Is she alright?”

  “Sage is with her teacher, and I’ve healed her,” Ambrose answers me. “She will be fine. I would give her at least twelve hours to wake up. Is there anything else you need, Vina?”

  “That’s our nickname for her, not yours,” Pitch all but growls, stepping right in front of Ambrose.

  “Funny. I’ve been in her head almost as long as you,” Ambrose replies dryly, his arms crossed and pressing against Pitch’s chest with how close they are. “I’m pretty sure I’ve earned nickname rights.”

  “You fucking haven’t,” Pitch grits out, and Jonah steps in the middle of them, shoving them both apart.

  “Look, I know you’re a god, mate, but we need to be alone with Vina. Why don’t you find a room and get some sleep,” Jonah suggests as Pitch stalks over to me. “That’s our plan, anyway.”

  The room seems tenser by the second as Ambrose stares Jonah down.

  With a big grin, Ambrose holds his hands in the air and steps back. “Your mortal message has been received.” Ambrose heads to the door and tugs it open, looking back at me with a wink. “See you in your dreams, Vina.”

  “Fucking asshole god,” Pitch growls as Ambrose slams the door, but I can hear his laughter from the corridor.

  I place my hand on Pitch’s shoulder, my lips twitching into a smile for what feels like the first time in forever. Pitch sighs as he looks down at me and wraps his arms around my waist. I rest my head on his shoulder, trying to relax for a moment. His burning leaves aroma always calms me. I let it wrap around my senses like a warm caress.

  “Gage, want to go and get some food?” Zander suggests, pushing off the wall.

  Gage nods, walking over to him and touching his shoulder. They both shadowlocate, leaving me alone with Jonah and Pitch. Through everything that has happened between us all, I like to think we have gotten closer, and I’m curious to test how far that goes.

  “I’m going to shower. Will you both stay close?” I ask, lifting my head off Pitch. “I just don’t want to be alone.”

  Jonah nods once, and I have a feeling Pitch would do anything I ask at this stage.

  Walking to the bathroom, I leave the door open as I turn on the shower, sensing them both following me in. They close the door softly behind them, and a grin pulls at my lips. I don’t look back as I strip off my clothes and let them fall to my feet. I can feel their eyes locked onto my back, and it sends an excited shiver down my spine. I think the three of us could do with a distraction right now, and I know just the show to put on for them.

  Stepping into the hot water, I sigh with relief, fully embracing how good it feels. I massage shampoo into my hair before getting the soap and running it over my body. Feeling brave, I slowly turn around as I run the soap between my breasts, locking eyes on Jonah first. His dazed eyes follow my every movement, each soft brush of the soap against my naked s
kin. The water rushes over me, and droplets flick off my lashes as I blink up at Pitch. His hands ball into fists by his side, his entire body tenses up, but his eyes are full of pure and utter want.

  “We’re back,” Zander shouts, his voice snapping us all out of the trance.

  I put the soap back and turn off the shower, getting out and grabbing a towel off the bar. I dry off and wrap myself in one before stepping back into my room.

  Poor Jonah and Pitch are trying to subtly hide their erections as they follow me out.

  Zander and Gage both exchange a knowing look as I strut over to my closet. I grab a random hoodie of Sage’s and some joggers of mine and head back to the bathroom, my stomach grumbling from the smell of burgers and fries the guys have brought.

  After drying my hair, I pull my clothes on and head into the bedroom. My guys are happily sitting in a line by the window, each opening paper bags of food and eating.

  Jonah holds a bag up for me as I walk over and sit next to him.

  “So, Izora is your half-sister?” Zander says around a fry. “I mean, no wonder you two became friends so quickly.”

  “It’s fucked up,” I admit, digging into my food, “but out of everything that has happened, knowing Izora is my sister is the only good thing. And getting Sage back.”

  “She’s a light fae now,” Jonah mutters. “I wonder how they did that to her? And that nasty scar on her face looked painful as fuck.”

  My appetite suddenly vanishes, and I set my food aside, telling my guys, “Eva will pay for that, and everything else. I’m not going to let her win.”

  Pitch smirks at me. “No, you’re not. We’re going to win, Vina, and the Titans will be sent back to rot in their prison for the rest of eternity.”

  I only hope he is right.

  “Hey stranger,” I softly say, walking into David’s room to see my best friend sitting on a couch, almost like nothing has happened between us. For a second, I look past her glittering wings and the glow of her skin. Barely noticing the scar running down her cheek. I can even see past the unnatural brightness to her eyes and how there is so much more darkness lurking within them than before. “Did you miss me?”