The Avarian Chronicles: A Tear In The Veil

by K. M. Randall

  “Not in so many words. I could’ve said no, but he wouldn’t have been happy.”

  “I suppose you weren’t expecting an arranged marriage.”

  “I wasn’t expecting to be betrothed to the Princess.”

  “How about this?” I said, frowning a little. “We keep up this whole thing until the Impius attacks are under control. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll both walk away.”

  He stopped walking.

  “Walk away?”

  “Yeah. I don’t want to let my dad down but he also doesn’t want me to be unhappy. He’ll understand.”

  “So you’re willing to go against the Council.”

  “They don’t own me,” I stated firmly. “I’m not doing this for them. I’m doing it for my father and to keep the media’s attention while the Council deal with the Impius.”

  “If we turn around and say it’s not working out, they’ll be furious.”

  “Probably. But I’m sure they’ll find me someone else and you can go on your merry way.”

  He continued to stare at me, clearly not sure where I was going with this.

  “Look,” I sighed, “our best shot at selling this is if we can actually get along on some level. You’re always going to resent me because you’re being forced into this. I’m giving you an out if this isn’t what you want. The pressure’s off. But we still need to try until everything else is resolved. Can you manage that?”

  He studied my face for a moment.

  “You’re really okay with that?” he asked.

  “Yes. You think I want to marry someone who hates me?”

  “I don’t hate you.”

  “Fine. You hate this whole arrangement.”

  He glowered.

  “So, what? We’re gonna fake it?”

  “Wasn’t that the plan anyway?” I pointed out, starting to walk again. “We’re putting on a show. It’d be nice to be friends or whatever but I’m not naïve enough to believe that would happen with that invisible noose you’re picturing around your neck.”

  He snorted and I caught a glimpse of a smile.

  “Oh, you do know how to smile!” I declared. “So, we agreed?”

  “Fake being in love until the Impius aren’t a problem anymore,” Blaine recited. “It could be years.”

  “Long engagements are normal.”

  “Fine. I can deal with that. But you’re really okay with ending it once this shit’s over with?”

  “It’s not going to be a fun conversation,” I shrugged. “But I’ll make it work.”

  Blaine fell silent as we walked. I contemplated how I would break the news to my dad and the Council. Maybe I would speak to my dad about it now. He’d understand. And maybe he could plan in some damage control with the Council when it came to an end.

  Blaine’s hand suddenly found mine. I looked up at him.

  “I’m no expert but I’m pretty sure that’s a reporter,” he muttered, folding his fingers between mine. It felt weird, holding his hand. His grip was gentle but it didn’t feel right. I guess that was the problem. We weren’t a good match. I looked up to find who he was talking about.

  “That’s Miranda Brookes,” I said quietly as we walked. “She works for Heat.”

  “The magazine?”

  “That’s the one.”

  “Think she’ll buy this?”

  “Maybe. Just keep smiling while we talk.”

  Now I was aware we were being watched, it felt awkward between us. I really wanted to act like we were smitten but it felt wrong. This was only my second meeting with Blaine, not that the media knew that.

  “We should have our stories straight,” I said suddenly. “They’ll want to know how we met.”

  “I guess telling them it was a set up is a bad idea.”

  I fumbled through my thoughts as I tried to plan a story that the public would love.

  “How about we met at a Council meeting?” I suggested. “We can say we kept catching each other’s eye or something.”

  “That sounds terrible.”

  “Fine, you think of something.”

  We entered Hyde Park and walked along the path, discussing ideas. Blaine dismissed most of my ideas but we finally settled on a chance meeting in the Fae headquarters. He didn’t really offer up any ideas of his own, just agreed with mine.

  “So we bumped on the stairs,” I said. “You knocked my coffee out of my hand and offered to buy me another one. And then we went for a coffee.”

  “Sounds a bit cliché.”

  “They’re cliché for a reason,” I stated, pushing some hair behind my ear. “People love them. It’s cute.”

  “Cute,” he snorted. I spotted a bench ahead so I sat down on it. He slid down beside me and stretched his legs out. “So you think this will work?”

  “I don’t see why not,” I said. “Miranda got some good shots of us holding hands. I’m surprised she didn’t come over though.”

  Blaine cleared his throat.

  “She’s over there,” he said, nodding his head slightly. I glanced discretely sideways. She was standing by a streetlamp, typing on her phone.

  “Damn, she’s pushy,” I muttered. “Nearly as bad as Isabelle.”

  “Who?”

  “Some reporter who hates us. I’m sure you’ll get the pleasure of meeting her eventually.”

  “She’s staring at us.”

  I really wanted to look but didn’t. I leaned back a little more, trying to look relaxed. Blaine tapped his fingers on the bench.

  “She’s probably waiting for something more interesting,” he said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t freak out.”

  I frowned at his words. He shifted closer suddenly and my eyes widened.

  “Let’s give her something to write about,” he suggested. I swallowed hard as his face came closer to mine. I hadn’t been expecting him to make such a bold move. I’d just kind of figured that it would be my suggestion and we’d plan it in like we’d done with everything else.

  He kissed me gently. It was a nice kiss. And though my heart was racing from the shock, I couldn’t deny the fact that there was no spark.

  “Think she got that?” he asked, moving his head back a little. I glanced across the park. She had her phone up, taking photos of us.

  “She’s taking photos,” I said, my voice coming out a little shaky.

  “What’s wrong, Princess? Lost your cool?”

  “No!” I blurted. “You just surprised me.”

  “She’s still watching,” he reminded me. He kissed me again, this time pushing some hair behind my ear. I kissed him back, a little disappointed that there was no spark there.

  The kiss was chaste but long, drawn out to make sure she got enough photos. When Blaine finally pulled away, I had to blink a few times to clear my head. I looked over to Miranda. She was typing madly on her phone, looking smug.

  “Prepare to be mauled by reporters,” I told him. “I think we’ve just made the front cover.”

  Chapter 6

  I nibbled on my straw as Rick ordered his second beer. Loud music pumped out of the speakers, making the band’s music loud no matter where you were. A few of our sort-of friends were here too and I was glad. There was tension between Rick and I and though we hadn’t talked about my date this afternoon, I knew he wanted to ask.

  And I really didn’t feel like talking about it.

  Normally we’d get drunk and dance the night away but I wasn’t feeling it tonight. I would’ve happily stayed at home or gone somewhere a little more low-key. But this was Rick’s favourite club and I was hoping the alcohol would kick in soon so I could forget about everything else.

  “Hey, Ashley,” Terry said, leaning on the bar beside me. “You’ve been nursing that vodka and coke for like half-an-hour.”

  Terry was one of the few girls I actually liked. Her mum was on the Council and she was a year younger than me, but she was nice enough, if a little bland. She had blonde hair in a ponytail
and a modest little dress with flowers on. I wore my little black dress and killer heels that took my five-foot-five up to five-foot-eight.

  “I guess I’m not in the party mood tonight,” I replied. Terry nodded, as if understanding.

  “Fair enough. I don’t really like this club anyway.”

  “Why’d you come then?”

  “Rick invited me.”

  I noticed her cheeks darken a little as she said his name. I took a small sip of my drink, studying her. She had a crush on him. Cute.

  “Why don’t you ask him to dance?” I suggested. “Once he’s half-way through that second beer, he’ll be ready for just about anything.”

  She laughed awkwardly.

  “I’m not much of a dancer.”

  “Sure you are. You just need another drink.”

  I flagged down the bartender and ordered us a fresh drink and a tequila shot each. Her eyes widened as I held out the little shot glass to her.

  “Salt, shot, lemon,” I told her, sprinkling some salt onto her wrist.

  I didn’t think she’d do all three but she did. Her face after the lemon made me laugh.

  “That was disgusting,” she declared, taking her fresh drink and sipping it.

  “It gets easier the more you do it,” I promised. The shot helped to loosen my shoulders a little. I pushed my old drink away and took the fresh one. “Why don’t we go and dance? The boys will join us when they’ve had another drink.”

  She followed me out onto the dancefloor, clutching my hand nervously. It was always busy on a Friday night so we had to watch our feet and hold our glasses tightly to avoid spilling them. I tried to lose myself in the music but it was hard to get in the mood. Terry, on the other hand, went crazy. The bland blonde girl I knew turned into a party animal as she danced around.

  “Whoa,” I said, grabbing her arm as she nearly fell into a group of dancers. “I think that shot was a bit much.”

  “I don’t normally drink,” she admitted as she swayed in front of me. I sighed and linked my arm in hers.

  “Let’s go sit down,” I suggested. I led her over to an empty booth and dropped her on the seat. “Stay here. I’ll get you some water.”

  When I returned with a glass of water, the boys were all sat in the booth too. Rick didn’t look up as I placed the water in front of Terry.

  “Drink up.”

  She took a big gulp as I glanced at Rick. His hands were tight fists on the table. Two of the others laughed at something on their phone and looked at me. I raised an eyebrow.

  “What?” I snapped. They glanced at each other. Rick snatched Rory’s phone and tossed it to me. I stared at him for a moment before looking down at the phone screen.

  A royal romance in Hyde Park.

  It was some online blog and this entry was filled with pictures of Blaine and I, including ones of us kissing. I guess we were being watched by more than just Miranda.

  “They don’t mess around,” I said slowly. Rick stood up abruptly and stormed out the club.

  “I’d leave him to it,” Rory said as I handed his phone back.

  “Not a chance,” I responded before following after Rick.

  I found him pacing the pavement outside the club. A few reporters were hanging around and snapped some photos of me as I crossed over to Rick.

  “You okay?” I asked, hugging myself as rain drizzled around us.

  “I’m great,” he snapped back. I grimaced and took a few steps closer to him, hoping to be far away enough from the reporters for them not to hear us.

  “Why’d you storm out?”

  “Because I’m angry.”

  “Why?”

  I already knew the answer and as much as I didn’t want to have this conversation with him, things were going to remain tense between us if I didn’t do something.

  He paced a little more before stopping in front of me.

  “Do you like him?” he asked bluntly. I held his gaze.

  “I don’t even know him.”

  “But you’re engaged. And you fucking kissed him, Ash.”

  “We were being watched,” I said carefully. “The whole point of this arrangement is for us to be seen in public. We need to make it believable.”

  I kept my voice low.

  “I don’t know what you want me to say,” I said weakly.

  “Say that you won’t go through with it.”

  “Can we go inside?” I asked. “I don’t want people to overhear.”

  “Why? Because you don’t want them to know it’s a sham?”

  He had raised his voice slightly. I took a step closer to him, giving him a warning look.

  “Rick, stop it. You’re angry – I get it. But this is not the place to do this.”

  He ran his hand through his hair, looking torn between calming down and losing his shit. He glanced around us.

  “Oh look,” he said dryly. “Your new fiancé’s ride.”

  I spotted a big black car driving down the street. It had FFU written on it. The Fae Fire Unit. There were plenty of different units that patrolled the city regularly and the chances of Blaine even being in the car was low.

  “Do you want to get a taxi back to my flat?” I asked, trying to distract him. “We can talk there.”

  “No,” he said. He drew closer to me. “Do you have any feelings for him?”

  “No,” I said honestly, hoping that answer would calm him down.

  “Do you have any feelings for me?”

  I winced at his words. He had never asked me that before. He’d barely even confessed his feelings for me himself.

  “Rick…”

  “Just answer me, Ash.”

  “You’re my best friend,” I said weakly.

  He stared at me, hard.

  “Answer the question,” he said stiffly.

  “I can’t give you the answer you want.”

  He moved away from me, throwing his hands up in the air.

  “Why not?” he demanded, his voice carrying through the rain.

  “It’s just the way it is,” I said, wishing I could say it more fiercely. Honestly, I was scared to lose him altogether. He’d been my rock for years.

  “That’s bullshit!” he declared. “We’ve been friends for years. Best friends. I’ve been there for you when nobody else has. It was my shoulder you cried on when your mum died. Don’t tell me it meant nothing to you.”

  “Rick, please…”

  My voice broke as I pleaded with him. I really didn’t want to cry right now.

  “Can we just go home and talk?”

  My eyes flashed past him as the FFU pulled to a stop on the road behind Rick. The windows were all blacked out but I had a feeling I knew who was in there. And I was certain it wasn’t a coincidence.

  Rick rubbed his eyes with his hands in frustration.

  “Rick?” I asked again.

  “No, Ash. I think I need some space.”

  “Why? Because of some stupid blog? Nothing has to change between us…”

  “It already has!” he shouted back. I winced at his harsh tone. The front door of the FFU opened and Blaine stepped out, his eyes meeting mine. I shot him a warning look, hoping he’d get the message to go away, but he didn’t.

  Rick followed my gaze and let out a bark of a laugh.

  “Of course,” he said bitterly. “I’ll leave you and your prince fucking charming to pose for more photos.”

  He shoved his hands in his pockets and stalked off down the street. I wanted to run after him, but I knew it was pointless. Blaine approached me slowly.

  “Everything okay?” he asked. I didn’t meet his gaze, just stared after Rick.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked him, ignoring his question.

  “We’re just on patrol,” he replied, scratching his head. “Though we were meant to be on Battersea tonight. They changed it last minute.”

  “Almost as if they knew I’d be here,” I said weakly. The Council were sneaky. I bet they hoped we’d run into each
other.

  Blaine stood there awkwardly for a minute. I probably looked like a soggy puppy right now, teary eyed and soaked. He shrugged his leather jacket off his shoulders and dropped it over mine.

  “You don’t have to do that,” I told him. All I could think of was how Rick would react to me wearing Blaine’s jacket.

  “Can’t let the Princess freeze to death,” he replied with a shrug. “What was your friend yelling about?”

  “Nothing,” I said quickly. “It doesn’t matter.”

  He frowned but didn’t push me. His eyes darted in the direction Rick had gone but he’d vanished into the night.

  “You should get back to work,” I told him stiffly. “I’m fine, really.”

  “You don’t look fine.”

  “I know we’re meant to make it look real but I’m so not in the mood tonight.”

  “Fair enough,” he said. “At least let me put you in a taxi.”

  I sighed but agreed. I was in no mood to go back into the club anyway.

  Someone grabbed my arm. I spun around only to see Terry standing beside me.

  “Where’d Rick go?” she asked, swaying a little.

  “Home,” I said vaguely. She looked up at Blaine and smiled.

  “Hi. You must be Blaine.”

  They shook hands and I cringed. Terry wobbled as she shifted her feet. I studied her for a moment. I didn’t really have many female friends here. My closest female friends, Remy and Rita still lived in Avaria and rarely came to Earth. Maybe it would do me good to have a few more girls in my life.

  “Why don’t you crash at mine?” I suggested. “You look like you’re about to fall over.”

  “Oh, um…” She looked a little uncomfortable. “I don’t know.”

  I looked back to Blaine, who was waving a taxi down.

  “It’s fine,” I told Terry as she shifted about. “I could use some company tonight anyway.”

  Blaine returned to us as a taxi pulled up behind his car.

  “Thanks,” I told him. I went to give him his jacket back but he put his hand up.

  “Keep it,” he said. His eyes flashed to the reporters behind us. I swallowed hard as I slid my arms into the sleeves. It smelt like him, though I couldn’t say I’d really taken in his scent. Some kind of aftershave.

  He walked over to the taxi and opened the back door. Terry went in first, nearly falling face first into the seat. I turned back to Blaine before I followed her.