Dark Matter

by Christie Rich

  I tried to laugh but it came out all wrong. What had he been like as a child? Just how long ago was that? I smiled. “To each their own.”

  “Somehow I don’t really think you actually believe that.”

  Okay wearing boots without socks was just sick. All that sweat pooling between your toes, making your feet slip around like you were on ice. It was all I could do to keep myself from sticking my tongue out in a disgusted gag. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “Take the hint.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him to hide the hurt I felt. There couldn’t have been more distance between us if he had been standing on the moon. “That was rude.”

  “So was barging in here when you weren’t invited.”

  Fine. He wanted to be that way. I would do the same. “We’ll be in Cassie’s room when you deem us worthy of standing in your presence, your highness.” I turned on my heel and stormed out of the arena.

  Who did he think he was anyway? Yeah, he was lord of fire, but so what. Finn had never been that condescending. I couldn’t wait to see Zach and Luke again. Now those were two men who knew how to treat a…

  Damn that man.

  Chapter Eleven

  It had been three hours and Heath still hadn’t come to Cassie’s room. I was beginning to think he had gone to the island without me. I occupied the time replaying what had happened between us, all the while remembering what Luke had told me about the way compulsion works. Heath had given me the best kiss I had ever gotten and considering how much of a workout my mouth had gotten in the past few weeks, that was saying quite a bit. I couldn’t figure out why he had withdrawn from me. It wasn’t a partial retreat either. He was gone in more ways than one. Even when he stood right in front of me I couldn’t feel him.

  Cassie had fallen asleep, her head resting against Finn’s shoulder. They looked so comfortable as if they had been together for years. I shifted in my seat feeling like the intruder I was and glanced at the door again. He wasn’t coming.

  I stood up and waved farewell to Finn, letting myself out. Cassie’s room was on a lower level than mine. I guessed she wasn’t as much of a flight risk as I was. I laughed at the thought. What would security do if they knew I had figured out how to drift? I’d probably be handcuffed to my bedposts. I trudged up the stairs feeling the full effects of the day in my aching body.

  Neeko was standing outside my door. He didn’t say anything as I approached him.

  “Do you have a message for me?” I asked.

  He shook his head fractionally. “I am to be your guard for the evening.”

  That made me feel soooo much better. “I haven’t had one before. Why would I need you here now?”

  His brows furrowed in confusion. “You’ve had a guard every night since you arrived in Ignis, my lady.”

  “You are mistaken.”

  “No he isn’t, Rayla. I just had something else to do tonight.”

  I paled from the sound of Heath’s voice. I glanced over my shoulder even though I should have just slammed my door in his face. I didn’t have the energy to think about how he had been outside my door guarding me since I the day arrived here. I kept my glare to myself not wanting to make this worse than it was already. “What has taken you so long? We waited for you for hours. If you think you’re going to inform me that I’m not going with you, thing again. Nothing is going to stop me from leaving this place in the morning…including you.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it. Tabitha wants you bound as soon as possible. We need Luke and Zach before we can perform the ceremony.”

  I tried to hide my cringe. She couldn’t possibly think I was going to go through that again. I had to clear one thing up with him. “Why are you acting so differently toward me?”

  “I hadn’t realized I was.”

  Instead of fighting his magnetic pull, I was fighting to keep myself from being thrown across the room. I wasn’t strong enough to keep my ground at the moment so I retreated a step. “Just tell me what the plan is so I can go to bed.” It was one in the morning and I was exhausted.

  He raised his brows. “And to think you have the nerve to accuse me of being an arrogant dictator.”

  I wasn’t going to react to that. “Don’t you think we should talk about what happened?”

  “No.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s a mute point.”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot. You ‘withdrew your offer.’”

  “Glad that sunk in.”

  “You’re impossible.”

  “You want a play by play? Here it is: I don’t want you anymore.”

  His words stung as if I had walked into a swarm of killer bees. “Likewise.”

  His face froze and he sucked in an exaggerated breath. “I never knew you actually wanted me, Rayla. You’re going to make me blush.”

  “As if you could.”

  “You know nothing about me.”

  “And I want to keep it that way. All the information I need from you is how we are going to get Zach and Luke off that island without getting captured ourselves.”

  “Captured?”

  “I’ve been saying they are in trouble for days. It shouldn’t come as much of a shock.”

  “You never said captured.”

  “What else would keep them away from….” I couldn’t say it. I sounded so stuck-up I wanted to throttle myself.

  “Maybe they had some distractions along the way home?”

  “Now you’re just trying to hurt me.”

  “How would you know?”

  I threw up my hands. “Ugh. Heath. It’s clear we could banter about this for hours. You once asked me if I was willing to lose everything to win. There is only one reason I can think of that would make you turn a one-eighty like you have. What happened to make you think you would lose something you couldn’t live without?”

  A shocked expression tried to claim his face, but anger won that battle. “This conversation is over.” He started to walk away then paused. “I will be here to get you at five. Don’t make me wait.”

  When I opened the door after he slammed it shut, I watched him bound around the corner looking as if he was on his way to kill someone. Neeko turned toward me. As usual his face was void of emotion. He gave what I suspected was supposed to be a smile. “Good night, Rayla.”

  Even though I would never openly admit it to him, I sort of trusted Heath. The absurd thought brought a smile to my lips. He’d had his chance to bond with me. I had been completely defenseless just before I stopped him. The more I considered what had happen, the more I wondered what Ainessa was up to. Instead of coming after me herself, she had tried to hijack Heath. Why? I didn’t think it was just because she couldn’t drift with me herself.

  Was it possible she had figured out she wasn’t capable of bonding, or did she think she would get farther by controlling me through Heath? I wasn’t much for gossip, but I had been hearing rumors. The council had agreed to let Ainessa try a bonding, but once it was clear I might be the nexus, they had quickly withdrawn the offer.

  Lysanne told me that Ainessa was supposed to have been with the Eirian delegation at Lomarda while she had been wreaking havoc between me and Heath. Supposedly she had witnesses that would account for her whereabouts. Probably servants that didn’t dare defy her. It really didn’t matter anymore. She had done me a favor.

  The next morning I followed Finn and Cassie out of the castle compound into an open area by the forest. We had to come clear out here to bypass the wards. Technically, Jett shouldn’t have been able to manage it from the terrace, but whatever. I hadn’t been courageous enough to try it myself. I didn’t want to know I was really trapped. I took a final look around wondering if this was the last time I would ever see this place.

  Heath was rummaging through a knapsack when we approached him. His cool glance slid off me as if I was as slick as the surrounding cliffs. I tried to hide my shiver, but I wasn’t sure it actually worked.

  He didn’t bother with g
reetings. “From what we’ve been able to tell, some sort of shield is protecting the compound but it doesn’t extend to this part of the island.” An image appeared in the center of our group.

  The island was bigger than I thought it would be. There was one large peak surrounded by beach on one side and cliffs on the other with more beach below. The compound was on a long stretch of an outcrop that rose out of the water like an intimidating fortress, but from here it just looked like a bunch of buildings. The only thing intimidating about the place was the enormous walls surrounding the generic buildings inside them. From this vantage point the whole thing looked like a gigantic bulls-eye.

  Heath pointed to a spot on the opposite side of the island. “We will be transporting here.” The whole scene rotated as if we were standing on the sand. We were shown a three hundred and sixty degree view of the beach, if that’s what you wanted to call it. It was more rocky than anything. I was sure Heath had chosen this spot for a reason.

  He had a reason for everything he did. That was what worried me more than I wanted to admit.

  A popping noise sounded to the side of me. I’d heard that noise before. I immediately tensed then relaxed when I smelled who it was. “Gibbit,” I cried, flinging myself at the little creature. He took my hugs reasonably well considering the company we were in. I wasn’t exactly sure why I was so happy to see him, other than he had my book and he might have a permanent solution to my little food problem. Being fae-nipped just sucked, but I was determined to deal with it. I had packed a few things in my bag that should last me quite a while, but I wasn’t sure how long we would be on the island.

  “Hello, miss.”

  “We need to talk,” I whispered in his ear.

  He gave me a knowing grin when I lifted my sleeve to expose the bracelet I was wearing. Heath was pretty much staring at us now with an odd look on his face. It wasn’t jealousy exactly. Maybe disbelief?

  He walked over to us, stepping between me and Gibbit. “Thank you for coming,” he said. He held out a pouch toward Gibbit. “Did you bring the items I asked for?”

  Gibbit smiled widely. It ate up the majority of his face. “Of course, sir. When have I ever let you down? I brung what you asked plus a few extra things I thought might come in handy.”

  Heath nodded, taking the bag off Gibbit’s back.

  “We’d best be going,” said Finn.

  I had almost forgotten anyone else was with us. I filed in behind Cassie and followed them to the edge of the forest.

  “Everyone clear where we are going?” asked Heath one last time. The group of men had incredulous looks on their faces, and I didn’t blame them. I was the only one that didn’t know what I was doing.

  Heath reached for my hand. I suddenly wished I wasn’t wearing gloves.

  I had to get a grip. He was not in my future, and I needed to stop thinking about him that way. When had I even started?

  His fingers squeezed mine, and I looked up at him. “You sure you’re up to this? You might not like what you see.”

  I nodded, not able to find my voice.

  “Visualize the beach. Exact details are best. I will guide you if you stray.”

  “Thank you,” I said feeling tears spring to my eyes.

  He looked away sharply. “On my mark. Three. Two. One.”

  Blastoff was the only word that came to mind. I closed my eyes and imagined the sound of the waves crashing just a few feet away from me. I felt the breeze on my skin, inhaling the scent of salt and something tangy. Was that fish?

  When I opened my eyes blue sky greeted me. Sweat beaded on my forehead almost immediately. Heath gave a squeeze to my fingers before he walked away.

  Cassie was holding onto Gibbit’s hand as if it were an anchor. I laughed and walked up to them. “Why didn’t you come with Finn?”

  She might as we have said duh from the way she was looking at me. “He doesn’t have the ability to drift with someone else.”

  Gibbit had a power that Finn didn’t? I stared trying my best to cover my shock. The little troll was full of surprises. What else could he do?

  Two of the men headed into the jungle. I waited for the rest of the group to follow, but everyone just stayed where they were, turning to Heath for his next command.

  “We aren’t going with them?” I finally asked when I figured no one else would.

  “In due course, Rayla.” Heath gave me a small smile. “These things take time.”

  Excitement and dread vied for dominance inside me. I couldn’t keep myself from imagining what had happened to Luke and Zach. Would they be coherent when we reached them? Would they even recognize me?

  The ocean called to me in spite of my musings. I had never seen it in person before.

  The water was the color of Luke’s eyes near the beach but darkened toward the horizon reminding me of the halo in Zach’s eyes. The waves rolled forward crashing into the sand then retreated in an endless symphony of hypnotizing sound.

  I shrugged out of my coat and set it on a large rock. I had no idea how long it would take those guys to get back here, but I didn’t think it was that great of an idea for me to shed my shoes to dip my toes into the water like I wanted to.

  Cassie came and stood beside me. “A little bit different than Utah, isn’t it?”

  “It’s breathtaking.” I had imagined myself in a place like this all my life, but now that I was here, I realized how little a picture can compare to the real thing. The sounds of the ocean mixed with the soft breeze just can’t be synthesized.

  Heath walked up behind us. He didn’t get that close, but I was still attuned to his every movement. “Go ahead,” he said with a little laugh in his voice. “I know you want to.”

  I turned toward him, surprised that he was even talking to me, but he had already walked away. I wasn’t about to waste what little time I had here frowning at his back. I pulled my boots off and shed my socks. My pant legs were a bit hard to get up my calves, but I managed with a little help from Cassie.

  The white sand was scorching hot under my feet. I scurried over to the edge of the water faster than I wanted to. I had planned on taking it in slow, savoring every sensation for the newness it was. To my surprise, the water was warm.

  I stepped out farther, struggling against the tow of the tide. The raw power of the ocean was amazing. To think it was all controlled by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon was a little awe inspiring. Cassie smiled at me then went to find Finn. They started splashing and playing in the water. I felt a brightness spread outward from my chest from just seeing Cassie this happy. They were good together. Finn was so much better to her than Chase would ever have been capable of. I doubted that Cassie even remembered his name.

  I wandered the beach for a while, watching the surf crash into the sand. My stomach grumbled, making me realize how hungry I was.

  I spied Gibbit lounging under the sparse shade of a palm tree and made a hasty track to his side. I sat beside him and glanced at him. He was an odd little creature. A chuckle escaped my lips when I realized that for some odd reason his pale purple skin reminded me of cotton candy.

  He sat up, turning his beady orange eyes on me. “What can I help you with, my lady?”

  “Please call me Rayla.”

  An expression of doubt crossed his features, but he nodded. “I’ve a suspicion that you want something from me, Rayla.”

  It was odd to hear my name spoken normally by someone other than Cassie. I smiled at him. “Two things: I need my book back and I have to get rid of my hunger problem, if you know what I mean.”

  He cringed slightly. He should feel bad. He was the one that got me fae-nipped in the first place. “I’m not sure I—”

  “Please, Gibbit! I’ve brought you a few things.” I pulled my bracelet off. The garnet and gold caught the sun as I handed it to him.

  His expression melted into a puddle of desire. He ran his fingers over the metal and closed his eyes as if he was listening to soothing music. “Where d
id you get such an exquisite piece?”

  “Yes, Rayla,” interrupted Heath. “Exactly where did you happen upon such an unusual bracelet?”

  I stiffened at the sound of his voice. He held his hand toward Gibbit who gazed up warily at him.

  I jumped to my feet. “This is none of your business.”

  He scowled at me. “You stealing priceless artifacts from my kingdom is none of my business?”

  “I didn’t steal it. It was payment.”

  “Oh, yeah, for what?”

  “Putting up with you for two weeks!”

  He snatched the bracelet from Gibbit’s boxy fist, storming away. I caught up to him without much trouble. “Give that back!”

  “No.”

  “You are such a…”

  “Jerk. Yeah, I know. Got it the first time. The next time you think about stealing from my people, you should consider one thing: Our prisons are impossible to escape and come with a life sentence.”

  “That’s a funny thing for an immortal to say.”

  “You wouldn’t think so if you were in one.” He began walking away again, but I stopped him with my hand on his shoulder.

  “Please, Heath. I need it.”

  He stood stiffly under my touch. “To make a deal with the devil.”

  I lowered my hand. “Gibbit’s hardly the devil.”

  He whirled around. “How would you know? You’ve barely been on this planet long enough to be out of diapers. Maybe I’m looking out for you.”

  “Why?”

  He narrowed his eyes at me. “If you need to ask that question we have nothing further to say to each other.” He bounded away from me at a pace I would have had to run to keep up with.

  I felt cold fingers encircle mine. “Come, little lady. Forget about him. Let’s talk.”

  I followed Gibbit into the jungle out of sheer spite. He didn’t lead me too far in. I could still see Cassie and Finn, but we were out of earshot. “So can you help me?”

  “I will bring your book back to you, no problem.”