by Amy Patrick
She touched my hand lightly in a reassuring gesture. “Don’t get me wrong—I love it. Good manners are a lost art. I find you very charming.”
“Thank you. I hope you slept well.”
“Yes, thank you. My bed is heavenly.”
At the risk of contradicting her newly formed opinion of me and sounding rude, I asked, “If I may know—how old are you?”
Her brown eyes sparkled with humor. “I’m an old lady—nineteen.”
A year older than me. “I’m surprised you’ve just recently become betrothed. Is it so different in the Dark Court?”
“No. We usually bond at eighteen as well. But Mother wanted me to establish myself in modeling first, and then I found myself rather reluctant to marry someone I didn’t even know, though she fielded quite a few offers for me.”
“I can imagine,” I said honestly. “I feel the same way about arranged marriages, as you’ve probably deduced by now.”
“Right. You clearly chose your own bride. That must have caused quite a stink around here. I can’t even imagine suggesting bringing a human into the Dark Court.”
“A ‘stink’ is putting it mildly.” I laughed. “I came extremely close to walking away from the throne over it.”
Her eyes widened and then warmed. “So… you must really love her.”
“I do. More than anything. And you must love Culley as well, since you have accepted his offer after refusing so many others.”
There was a beat before she replied. “Yes.” She lifted her glass and took a drink. “So… what’s on the agenda today? I haven’t been here since I was nine and I ran around giggling about all the men’s tight breeches. I’m looking forward to becoming acquainted with the other attractions of your kingdom.”
I chuckled at her deliberately cheeky tone. “I’ll be happy to show you around. I hope you won’t be disappointed.”
She gave me a direct look, filled with good humor. “This is such a fascinating place, I don’t think that’s possible.”
After breakfast, I gave Ava a tour, starting with the royal residence. Then we went out into the common area with its shops and recreational areas. She watched in fascination as skilled artisans made tools and dishes, silverware, and jewelry.
In one hut, a mother and daughter worked closely together at a loom, weaving fabric for clothing. Ava stopped and observed with rapt attention as the pair laughed and chatted, their hands a blur of harmonious motion, the product of years of close communication and skill handed down from generation to generation. It made sense, I guess. Her career revolved around clothing.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said, in a tone so low I wasn’t sure it was meant for me to hear.
She seemed enthralled by the endless tunnels and antechambers, expressing delight at the stacked multi-level residences rising high on all sides of Altum’s interior walls.
“It’s sort of like my family’s apartment in New York City,” she said. “But far less noise and traffic.”
No matter where we went or what we spoke of, she always seemed to turn the conversation back to Ryann and me. “I’ll bet she couldn’t believe this place when she saw it,” Ava said, gazing out over the wide, clear, underground river as we approached it. “What made you decide to break the rules and bring her back here in the first place?”
“There wasn’t much decision on my part in that matter.” I shrugged. “I had been shot by a hunter, and I was dying. Ryann managed to make contact with my guards and lead them to me. They brought me back here in the nick of time, and Ryann came with me.”
“Wow. So dramatic,” she said. “You’re all right now, though. You seem… very fit.”
Something about her lilting tone gave me pause. And the way her eyes roamed my body before she said the last words made me uncomfortable. But then she turned and nearly skipped away toward the bridge spanning the river, exclaiming over its size and beauty.
Perhaps that was the way it was with the Dark Elves. Nox was certainly an unrepentant flirt, and it had meant nothing—if you didn’t count Ryann’s case. Dark Elves were more like humans than Elves in many ways, except of course for their appearance and glamour abilities. Speaking of that, Ava had mentioned mine when we’d first met. We hadn’t yet discussed hers.
I caught up with her. She was leaning over the railing, studying the crystal clear water.
“How deep is it?” she asked.
“I don’t know. No one has ever been able to reach the bottom of it. I tried once when I was a boy. Perhaps it has no bottom.”
Resting her chin on her hands, she kept her eyes trained on the fathomless water. “Memories are like that. Some are so deep they seem to have no beginning and no end. Some are so shallow, they barely cause a ripple. They all float around in our brains, either submerged in our subconscious or bobbing on the surface.”
Her faraway tone made me suspect she was speaking of her own memories—of her father perhaps? I’d been told that, like me, she had lost a parent. It was a unique commonality we shared. As Elves were immortal, not many people I knew had ever lost a relative. Only violence could end our lives.
Thinking of my own father, I said, “I find memories can bring peace.”
“They can also haunt you. Sometimes it’s better to forget.”
I glanced over at her profile. Her expression was thoughtful, a little sad. “Sometimes, perhaps,” I said. “How did your father die, if you don’t mind my asking?”
Breaking her concentration on the river, she glanced up at me. “I don’t mind. It was years ago. I was seven. He was killed by a human—a drunk driver. It was a two-car accident. The human lived.”
“I’m so sorry.” I knew what that kind of loss felt like. At least I’d had my father for my entire childhood.
“Thank you. I’m sorry for your loss as well. At least you got revenge on your father’s killer.”
My head jerked back in surprise. For anyone to think I had sought to kill Davis for revenge was shocking. Ryann and Nox and Vancia and I had worked together to end his plot for Elven domination over the humans. His death had been an accident—he’d actually caused it himself.
Obviously reading my horrified reaction, she continued. “I know—you didn’t really kill him. We all heard the story. But still, he’s dead, isn’t he? He got what he deserved. My father’s murderer served two years in jail. He’s probably out there driving around right now.”
Her face was a strange mix of melancholy and anger. I wasn’t sure what to say. And for the first time since she and Culley arrived, I felt a twinge of concern for Ryann’s well-being around our emissaries. I didn’t want them saying anything to hurt her feelings or make her feel self-conscious about her part-human heritage.
“That must be very difficult,” I said, probing. “It would be understandable if you harbored some very bad feelings toward humans.”
She straightened and gave me a half-smile. “I don’t—not really. I know the crime of that one guy is not the fault of their whole race. Mother is a different story, though. She hates them all. Not only for taking her bond-mate’s life but for leaving us without support. My father had no life insurance. We’re immortal, after all—I guess he wasn’t expecting to die. Unlike Nox’s and Vancia’s parents, my father wasn’t a celebrity. He made a good salary as an entertainment lawyer with Audun’s firm, but he wasn’t rich.”
“There was no money set aside for the future?”
“No. Apparently Mother spent every penny Father brought home. When he was gone—so was the money. For the first few years we scraped by on charity from Audun. Now we survive on what I make from modeling.”
Still unfamiliar with the ins and outs of Dark Elven life, I was surprised at her statement. I’d had the impression they were all quite well-off due to their Sway over humans. “Would your mother’s glamour not allow her to easily obtain money?”
“Well…” She hesitated, her face flushing red. “The kind of glamour Mother has isn’t exactly useful after one has a
lready found a permanent mate. At least—it can’t earn money. Well, it might, but she’s too proud to use it that way.”
“I see,” I said, though I didn’t really. Reading her discomfort, I didn’t pursue the subject. “I’m sorry to hear of your family’s struggles. Is there some way I can help? We don’t use money, but we have plenty of everything here to share.”
Ava gave me a funny look, as if she’d stumbled upon some previously undiscovered species in the rainforest. “You really do have good manners, don’t you? I had no idea the Light Court was so generous. To listen to our High Council, you’re all a bunch of decrepit old fuddy duddys burrowed into your little hidey hole like cowardly ticks.”
I laughed at the unflattering description of my people. Ava’s spirited, happy laugh joined mine. She slipped a hand around my arm and pulled me along as she began to walk.
“You haven’t told me your glamour—what is it?” I asked, trying to turn the conversation to lighter topics.
Her face instantly flushed a deep red. “I’d uh… rather not talk about it if that’s okay.” She stared fixedly at the ground, fighting for composure. “It’s… embarrassing. I try not to use it when I have a choice.”
Okay… so not a better topic. Her refusal to discuss her glamour concerned me a little. Then I thought about what she’d said. It’s embarrassing. Perhaps she had a glamour that was unfit for polite conversation, like Nox’s. At least she wasn’t flaunting it as he had.
“Ready to see more of our decrepit hidey hole?” I asked.
“Oh yes. I can’t wait to see what new wonders you have to show me. As if you haven’t impressed me enough already.”
Ava’s words were innocuous enough, but then she followed them up by batting her eyelashes at me and grinning in a way I could only describe as provocative. Having spent so little time around Dark Elves, I wasn’t sure how to interpret it. If only I had Ryann’s glamour. Maybe Ava did have sexual glamour and the body language was unintentional.
Just in case, I decided to nip the apparent flirtation in the bud. “We’ll visit one more site, and then I’ll have to escort you back to your quarters. Ryann will be arriving soon. You should invite Culley along on our next tour.”
“Sure. Of course. But I have no doubt he’s entertaining himself just fine without me.”
I chuckled. “Yes, the servants say he’s settled in quite comfortably, giving orders, asking for something every few minutes. Have you two known each other all your lives? Your parents are close, right?”
Ava kept her eyes on the stone path ahead. “Um… yes, our parents have known each other forever. My father was on the Council with Audun—Mother took his place after his death. But Culley and I just met recently. He grew up abroad—his mother rules the Australian clans, and he went to school in England.”
Her answer was rushed, as if she was uncomfortable discussing her fiancé’s disjointed upbringing. Maybe she felt it was his place to talk about it. Then she gave me a bright-eyed side glance.
“What about you and Ryann? How did you meet?”
A smile overtook my face. I couldn’t stop it. “We did meet as children, actually. I was out in the woods as usual, exploring. It was nighttime. She was lost, and I found her.”
“I thought Light Elves didn’t mix with humans. I’m surprised you didn’t run the other way when you saw her.”
“Yes, well, that is what I was taught to do. But she fascinated me. She was wearing these little pink pants—I’d never seen a girl in pants before. I knew she was human. When I got close, I could tell she was in trouble. She was alone. She was so cold. I thought she might die if I didn’t help her. I gave her saol water, and… I brought her back here.”
Ava’s eyelids flew open. “Oh my God. All Hell must have broken loose.”
I laughed, remembering. “Oh yes. Father was furious. The Light Council met for hours, trying to decide what to do with her. Mother was upset with me, but she did insist I be allowed to stay with the human child while we waited for a verdict. She was worried about her and didn’t want her to be afraid. So, Ryann and I were locked in my room all night together, unable to even speak to each other. But you know what? We communicated anyway—just through looks and smiles and hand gestures… and music. I liked her instantly. She liked me, too. I could tell. She fell asleep on my bed. I stayed awake as long as I could, watching her dream.”
“That’s so sweet,” Ava said. “Almost like it was destiny for you to meet.”
“Exactly like destiny.”
She nodded, looking thoughtful. “So then… you continued to see each other over the years and became friends?”
“No. We never saw each other again, not until this year. I tried but—well, it’s a long story, and here we are at the crystal cave. There’s a hot spring in here that forms a heated pool. It’s where we all learn to swim as children.”
As we entered the warm, humid environment of the cave I saw there was a class of small children and their adult minders wading in the shallow end.
“Oh, they are adorable,” Ava said, watching the tiny naked bodies splashing about. “I suppose you’ll be wanting one of these before too long?”
“I haven’t thought that much about it, but yes.” Now that she’d brought it up, I could picture a little brown-haired girl with Ryann’s beautiful eyes. Or maybe a rambunctious tree-climbing boy who’d challenge me as much as I’d challenged my father. “I wouldn’t mind having more people in my life to love. After we’ve been able to go on a honeymoon and have some time to ourselves. Right now, I’m kind of selfish when it comes to my time with Ryann.”
“Oh. A jealous streak, huh? You’ve got to watch out for those… they can get you into trouble.” She punctuated her teasing remark with a wink.
“Is that what you tell Culley?” I asked, teasing her back.
At the mention of Culley’s name her expression soured. “He’s not exactly the jealous type. And you’ll figure out soon enough, no one tells Culley Rune anything. So tell me how you and Ryann ended up running into each other again. That must be a good story… ”
Chapter Nine
Ryann
After church with my parents, I went to Altum to meet Lad. I was eager to find out how things had gone with Ava this morning. He was planning to show her around and basically give her a welcome to his kingdom while learning more about her.
Walking through the common area, I marveled at how much things had changed. Not the place itself—the attitude of Lad’s people toward me. I was no longer an intruder, an outsider, though I’d never be just another citizen of this underground world, which was too bad.
Those I came into close contact with acknowledged me with a nod or slight bow as I wished them good day in their native language. Naturally, their deferential treatment made me feel weird, but I understood. They showed me respect because I was the betrothed of their king, and soon, I’d be their queen.
One day, when my natural, believable human lifespan expired, I’d move here permanently—assuming I did possess immortality. It was a strange thought, that my human life would end and a whole new one would begin in this land of silence.
“Good morning, lovely.” A very audible voice behind me caused me to whirl around in surprise. From the distinct accent, I knew before I saw him it was Culley. He was casually dressed today in a black sweater and jeans. Even in his human clothes, I was once again caught off guard by how much he resembled my fiancé. He was the only person I’d ever met whose eye color even approached the mesmerizing green of Lad’s eyes.
I gave him a friendly smile. “Hello. How are you getting along here so far?”
“Well, I’m a bit starved for conversation, but the food’s decent,” he quipped. Stepping closer, he grinned down at me. “You are a breath of fresh air—literally. You smell like the woods.”
His tone and the way he raised a brow with his last statement made it feel like he’d just told me I smelled like sirloin tip steak right off the grill. I hadn’t thought
it possible, but there was actually someone in the world more flirtatious than Nox.
I took a step back. “Oh. Thanks I guess. Have you seen Lad today?”
“I do believe your betrothed is still occupied with my betrothed. Shall we seek them out and catch them in the act of whatever mischief they’ve got up to?” He gave me an impish smile.
I blinked in surprise. “Um, I’m sure there’s no mischief. But, yes, I am supposed to meet him, so I’m on my way to find him. I’ll tell Ava you’re looking for her.” I turned and continued on toward the palace.
Culley fell into step beside me. “I’ll come with you. We third wheels have to stick together.”
There it was again—the insinuation that I didn’t belong here while Ava somehow did. It irritated me. I cut my eyes over at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh nothing. It’s just that I’m not really needed here. I’m just the plus-one, the man candy.” He winked at me. “And you… well, it can’t be easy being the only human. Especially when everyone here only puts up with you because they’ve been ordered to.”
The words were like a hard slap. Unexpected. Stinging. Offensive. But not necessarily untrue. Culley had only been in Altum for one day. How would he know how the people here viewed me? Unless it was common knowledge.
“Is that… what you heard?” I asked.
“Oh, don’t mind me. Everyone knows I have a big mouth and an even bigger…” A wicked smile spread across his face, and his eyes held a devilish spark. “Never mind. That’s a discussion for another time. Speaking of… how are the wedding plans coming along? You must be eager to get on with it.”
Still off-balance from his earlier remark and now reeling from his obvious attempt to be provocative, I was no longer in the mood for conversation. But we were going to the same place, and he was the ambassador’s fiancé—I couldn’t exactly tell him to get lost.
My tone downgraded from friendly to merely polite. “They’re coming along fine. How about yours? When’s the wedding?”