Dark Matter

by Christie Rich

  Two comfy crème couches faced each other in the center of the room. Between them glowed an open fire pit over which hung an enormous chandelier made entirely of ice. A linear band of gold flowed around the outer edges in stark contrast to the intricate branches of lacy ice that hung down several feet. It looked like pictures I had seen of a coral reef, only this was upside down. It reflected the glow of the fire while radiating a blue light of its own. The colors it cast over the space were the soft blues and ambers of a sunrise. To my amazement, it had never dripped in all the time I had stared at it.

  This room abutted an atrium full of thriving plant life. To my surprise, she walked past the sofa and out into the garden. It was hard to tell I was in the middle of a frozen wonderland when I was in this oasis. The Ignisian people rarely traversed the glaciers or ice-capped mountains surrounding their home. I had been told that in spring and summer, certain parts of the country became lush with plants, but most of the realm was a wasteland year-round.

  She stopped at the reflecting pool and sat on a bench. The fish were active today. A vibrant variety about the size of coy, their scales gleamed florescent shades of pink, purple, blue, and yellow.

  The school crowded the edge of the pond, wagging their tails like a bunch of Labrador puppies. Lysanne reached into a pot at the side of the bench and scattered colorful flakes over the top of the clear water. The fish went crazy fighting for the morsels.

  I waited for her to talk, knowing if I said anything it would only drag the conversation out longer. Her gaze rested at the center of the frenzy but seemed to focus on nothing in particular.

  Her cheeks rose in a small smile. “You know what I most envy about humans?”

  The thought that this woman would envy humans at all bewildered me. She was beautiful in every respect. I wasn’t sure where she fit in with her people, but I gathered she was a leader. When she didn’t continue, I said, “What’s that?”

  “Every one of them has a future.” She turned to look at me. Her amber eyes held an ageless sadness.

  I felt sorry for her, and I wasn’t even sure why. I wanted to tell her that she had just as much of a future as any human, but she didn’t really. Her life would always be as it was. Any change that would come would just be a different version of what she already had. I couldn’t offer her painted lies. “Yes, they do.”

  The intensity in her expression deepened. “So do you.”

  “I know,” I said. I wasn’t sure where she was going with this.

  “Some Faeresians hate humans because of this.”

  “You don’t?”

  She shook her head mournfully. “I cannot say I haven’t felt the pain of hate at times, but I am here because of choices I made. I refuse to blame humans for my actions.”

  How very adult of her. I wasn’t sure where the resentment in my tone came from, but no fae had ever just shot the breeze with me. “What is it that you want from me?” I asked sharply. They all wanted something, and this woman was no different.

  “That person we were discussing earlier desires to switch the roles of women and men in our realms. She will not openly admit it, but it is her goal, nonetheless. I see a need for us to work together. I ask only this: the prophecy is cryptic, but I believe part of it refers to your ability to reject bonding altogether.”

  I brightened at the thought that she might actually tell me what I had been so desperate to find out. “Will you tell me what it says exactly?”

  She laughed softly. “To do so would be to influence you to your detriment. However, I will share one thing with you. It says that the choice must be yours. Many of us are staking our happiness on that choice, my lady. I know it is a heavy burden I lay at your feet, but I am asking you to choose no one. I think it is the only way we can achieve a lasting peace.”

  I was confused. “How would that help you?”

  “Only when we are forced to realize there is no salvation will we truly be able to live.” Lysanne stood and paced in front of me. Her every movement was a study in grace. She stopped, looking down on me. “We fight because we think there is something to fight over. If you were to refuse the throne, we would have to seek an alternative to our problem.”

  I had no idea what she was really talking about, and it was clear to me that she wasn’t going to speak in more than generalities. “I see,” I said. “I will take that into consideration. I haven’t decided at this point what I will do, but I can assure you I will not enter into any decision lightly.”

  She nodded and gave me a ghost of a smile. Had she ever really smiled before? Was her life so bleak that this was the best she could come up with? When I thought about it, though, I realized my return gesture was probably just as shallow.

  “We had better return. You will be missed otherwise.”

  I followed her back to my room in silence. She didn’t even say anything as she placed jewels in my hair and around my neck. Her show of respect didn’t go unnoticed. She left the room for only a moment and returned with a pair of sparkling emerald-studded heels. She slipped a shoe onto my foot and it auto-adjusted to my size.

  “Cool,” I breathed. I stood, expecting to wobble a bit, but I was as stable as if I were wearing hiking boots. I raised my wondering gaze to hers.

  She smiled. This time it almost lit her eyes. “I never said there weren’t advantages to being fae.”

  I laughed, practicing walking even though I didn’t have to. She came up behind me. “Turn around,” she said. She picked up an upside down mask and pressed it against my face. Just like the shoes, it shrunk to fit my features perfectly. I walked over to the mirror, unable to believe I was the person who stared back at me. The mask only covered my eyes, but I didn’t look like me. It gave me a sense of autonomy. I was suddenly grateful to the queen for letting me hide in plain sight.

  I whirled back around and straight into a mist of perfume. It smelled of musk and made me a little dizzy. I frowned. “I wish you would have warned me before you did that. Au de BO would be better. It appears I don’t need any help attracting men around here.”

  She smirked. “My lady, you could smell like a cesspool and they would still flock to you. Besides, this may mask a bit of your overwhelming charm.”

  “My what?”

  She raised a brow as if I should have known this about myself already. “Your power radiates from you like a small sun. It is almost intoxicating at times. None of us are immune to it. Some of us are just better at covering up our awe of you.” Her eyes became distant. “That particular princess we were talking about has been the only female of our kind to seek to attempt a bonding, but with power like yours, I understand her reasoning for wanting to.”

  She didn’t look at me as I backed away from her, making an excuse that I needed to find Cassie. I didn’t feel powerful at all, but these people acted as though I was the ultimate Energizer Bunny.

  I finally found Cassie. She was holding a diamond choker to her throat. It sparkled against her pale skin. Her dress was silver and she had a gold crown woven into her hair. Her mask was black and covered half of her face. Her pale eyes were nearly glowing.

  She caught a glimpse of me in the mirror and smiled. “You look absolutely stunning. I love your dress. Who are you supposed to be?”

  I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”

  “Didn’t they tell you? Each costume represents a mythical figure.”

  The first thing that popped into my mind was that dress with the absurdly big shoulder pads. Who was that supposed to be? “Lysanne didn’t mention it.” I turned around to ask her, but Cassie and I were alone. “Who are you tonight?”

  Her smile had a ting of embarrassment to it. “Belisama.” When I stared at her dumbly, she said, “She was a goddess of fire, not a well known one, but I thought it was…fitting. What do you think?” She held the choker higher. “This one…or,” she lowered the necklace and raised a diamond pendant that fit snuggly against her generous cleavage.

  An easy smile settled on
my mouth. I waggled my eyebrows at her. “I guess that depends on whether you want Finn to look you in the eyes at all tonight.”

  “Rayla!” she sputtered.

  I pushed her shoulder lightly. “It’s true and you know it.” Before she had a chance to contradict me, I continued, “You look beautiful, by the way. I guess you didn’t need my help after all.”

  She smiled impishly, lower the choker to the table.

  She pulled up her tangle of hair, and I moved behind her glad to be able to help in some way. I gave her a teasing look in the mirror as I dipped the pendant lower against her breasts before I fastened the clasp.

  She mock-glared at me in the mirror. “Oh, like you’d be any different if Zach was here for you to impress.”

  I felt the blood drain from my face. My taunting smile fizzled. Missing Zach and Luke was the least of my worries. A few days ago I had been so caught up in which of them I would choose that I hadn’t considered I might never get that option.

  She whirled around, her dress swishing after her. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I can be the biggest idiot sometimes. I didn’t mean to make you think about him. Maybe he’ll surprise you? Stranger things have happened.”

  Chapter Four

  I shrugged before I walked to the door. There was no point in putting this off any longer. The sooner I faced the royals tonight, the sooner I could come back up here and cry myself to sleep. Zach wouldn’t be coming. Luke wouldn’t walk through the doors with an everlasting smirk on his face.

  They were in trouble. I felt it in my blood. I had to find a way out of here.

  When I opened the door, Finn stood at the ready with his hand poised to knock. He barely glanced at me as he reached for Cassie. He was elegantly dressed in an ornate costume of gold, sapphire and silver. I was sure he was supposed to be Belisama’s counterpart, but I didn’t want to spoil their moment to clarify. They looked good together.

  Just when I thought I would be going stag tonight, Heath rounded the corner. He was dressed in brown leather pants and boots that went to his knees. His loose fitting shirt was open to his navel, highlighting just how sculpted his body was. And he wore a bandana around his head, his long hair pulled back into a queue. He walked toward me, smiling. His mask only intensified the depth of his eyes. Without a word, he held a hand out toward me. I slipped my fingers through his and waited for him to walk forward, trying to ignore the way my heart raced from his touch.

  I reminded myself that nearly all lords affected me this way. Some were just worse than others. It hadn’t escaped my notice that he currently led the pack in that regard.

  His voice was smooth as honey. “You are stunning as usual, Rayla, but you look extraordinarily exquisite tonight. I am honored to be your escort.”

  I cleared my suddenly parched throat. “Thank you.”

  Cassie took Finn’s arm, giving me a slow smile. As she passed, she waggled her eyebrows at me. I gave her the brightest smile I could manage; however, I still thought we might be making a mistake. Finn showing up to the ball with her instead of me would be a slap in the face to the Ignisian council, and I wondered what repercussions we would have to face for it. As long as they believed he had the desire to bond with me, even if it was unwanted, I figured they would let him see it through. I was worried they would be insulted and remove him as champion immediately. Maybe he and Heath had planned such a thing already.

  We walked down the sconce lined corridor in relative silence. The only sound was the sharp rap of our shoes clicking on stone. The bright glow of the lights did little to uplift my mood.

  Heath ran a thumb over my wrist igniting my awareness of him to a slow burn. I glanced sharply at him. He peered down at me through hooded eyes. Touching him was making it hard to concentrate on anything, even walking.

  When I nearly tripped over a high spot on the floor, he tightened his grip on my arm, glancing down at me. “Something wrong?” He appeared genuinely concerned. “You seem a bit more nervous than usual.”

  I bit my lip not liking that he could read me so well. “Do I? I hadn’t noticed.”

  He gave me a soft expression that looked out of place on him. “You needn’t worry. I have been assigned to look after you tonight.”

  I stopped and stared at him having been stunned into silence. When I finally found composure, I said evenly, “Is that meant to reassure me?” I squeezed his fingers. “Tell me this one thing so I’ll know where to park myself later—whose job is it to keep you in line?”

  He laughed, running a finger down my bare arm. “There are none strong enough to manage such a feat. It is why I received this assignment in the first place.”

  I glanced down the hall at Finn, but Heath blocked my view. His gaze claimed mine as he shook his head. “Not even him.”

  I swallowed hard trying my best to come up with a distraction. “Your costume is fitting.” I thought back to Cassie’s words earlier. I had been sure she was right about Finn being stronger than Heath, but now my certainty was wavering. The longer I was around him the more he affected me. I jutted my chin out a little higher. “What arrogant scoundrel are you trying to impersonate tonight, anyway?”

  He stepped closer, his expression intense like a pirate about to board a hostile ship. I hoped he couldn’t see the vein on my throat pounding a staccato beat in response. I’d be a goner if he did. He cupped my jaw, tilting my chin a bit higher in a blatant show of mockery. “Make no mistake. I am never anything other than myself, Rayla.”

  Why was I finding it so difficult to concentrate around him? I had a pithy retort waiting somewhere in the back of my brain to shoot at him, but it was impossible to retrieve with him hovering over me like he was.

  He bent dangerously close to my earlobe. I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down. With more effort than it should have taken, I swallowed a deep breath and held it to keep his scent from flooding my senses.

  His voice was barley a whisper but it penetrated me to the core. “Don’t you dare put another man’s name to the image that haunts your thoughts.” Before I could move, his warm lips brushed my skin, lingering there. The heightened sound of his breath sent a shiver rippling through me. The silence stretched until I thought I would scream. He moved slightly closer which thankfully snapped me out of my trance.

  Why wasn’t I stronger than this? I wrenched out of his grasp, my chest heaving to get enough air.

  He straightened to his full height, his eyes skimming over me. A bored expression lingered on his mouth. I was not about to take his outstretched hand. Instead, I hastened my step. Finn and Cassie were nearly out of sight. Had they even noticed we weren’t behind them anymore? Heath chuckled lightly when I tried but failed to stay ahead of him.

  “Something funny?” Finn turned and asked.

  Heath became instantly sober. “I was only thinking of the response Rayla might have to the festivities planned for later, brother.”

  “What festivities?” I asked, looking back and forth between the two of them. There seemed to be a conspiratorial glance shared, but I might have been imagining that.

  Heath cocked his head smugly, raising his dark eyebrows. “Nothing more than the dancing, drinking, brawling, and inappropriate entertainment that usually occurs in that order at events such as this.”

  For whatever reason, I had assumed this was a special occasion, but he was making it out to be rather ordinary. “Is there anything else planned that you haven’t already mentioned?” I didn’t have a good feeling about this.

  The smile left his face. He stared at me for what seemed like hours.

  From his expression and the way he studied me, I couldn’t quite determine if he was astonished I had caught his double entendre or if he was imagining me naked. I didn’t like either alternative.

  He laughed then, loud and boisterous. His smile brought out a softness in his features that I hadn’t glimpsed before. “You really aren’t like any Elemental I have ever met.”

  I’d heard that one a
lready, and I was getting sick of it. No one would tell me how I was different than other Elementals. Although, to be fair, if they all acted like Jessica had before bonding, I could see why he would think me different. She had been so focused on Taylor, she probably wouldn’t have cared if her hair was on fire if it meant she could be near him. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “Beautiful and observant.” Heath glanced over at Finn. “I don’t know how you can resist such a temptation. I’m unsure whether to admire you for your efforts or think you the biggest fool alive.”

  Finn didn’t respond. Cassie went red, glaring at Heath for all she was worth. She looked at me for help, and I joined in the effort.

  Heath just ignored us, so I decided to make my thoughts known. “You imply, my lord.” I spat the term at him. “That all Elementals are born without brains. I highly doubt that could be the case, given a whole compound of them managed to escape fae notice for decades if not centuries.” Luke would have been proud of me. I had used my imperious voice.

  Finn busted up laughing and so did Cassie. Heath smiled, as well, but there was no light behind it.

  He bowed low before me. “Forgive me for implying such a thing, my lady. I intended no insult. In fact, I was paying you the highest compliment I have ever given to one of your kind.” He was completely serious.

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “If that’s true, you need to work on your manners.” I huffed away, but he quickly caught up to me.

  He reached around me and grabbed both my wrists, halting me. My breath stalled in my throat out of shock. I glared at him, intent on not allowing him to affect me in any way. I only wished it was working.

  He cocked a smile at me. “Please, forgive me for offending you, Rayla. I promise to behave myself tonight.” To my utter disbelief, he had the nerve to wink at me.

  My mouth fell open slightly. I couldn’t believe he was actually saying it. “So you admit that you have been trying to compel me when it is not your place to do so?”