Jett grunted and moved beside me. “The head table is over here.”
Everyone filed in after him. I followed Luke which seemed to make him happy from the smile he gave me. Gibbit’s warning surfaced in my mind. Luke didn’t seem any different. Maybe Gibbit had bad information, or maybe Heath had paid him to make me worried. One thing was certain: I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my stay in Altasia if I was constantly concerned about my safety.
I settled onto the seat next to Luke. “When do we leave?”
He laughed and patted my hand. “I’m not surprised to see you eager to find alternate accommodations.”
I frowned at him. “I like it here.”
He frowned back. “But I thought you disliked Jafan.”
I couldn’t think of him and that name. “Jett is much different than I imagined him. He’s become a good friend in only a few days.”
Luke frowned deeper then quickly tried to cover it up with a chuckle. “The old man’s full of surprises.”
Old man? I nodded, not really sure what to talk about now. I improvised. “How was the trip here?”
“Quick.” He laughed, raking a hand through his sunny hair. “Once we were safely on land, we drifted to Lombarda, and it is a short ride from there.”
Where exactly was Altasia? “Couldn’t stand to be away from me, is that it?”
His face went completely serious. “Yes, my lady. I needed to see that you were safe. I’ve been worried about you.”
Something about his unease bothered me, especially the darkness behind his expression. He clearly didn’t trust Jett; yet if I wasn’t safe with the captain of the fae army, who would I be safe with? I gave him a short smile. “Thanks for your concern, but I’ve been just fine. I would have been much better if I had actually gotten to spend some time with Mo—”
Luke interrupted me as if he hadn’t been listening to a word I was saying. “It will be good to have you within my lands.”
Okay? That was a weird thing to say. “I’m looking forward to seeing it. Nothing about Faeresia has been predictable so far, and I’m sure that applies to your realm, too.”
He shrugged. “Altasia is magical. I think you will enjoy your stay. If only we had more time, yet I do understand Tabitha’s hesitance to delay…”
You couldn’t have pulled my attention away from him for all the chocolate in Belgium…well, maybe. Why had he stopped? “Go on,” I said.
Jett bent around Queen Kalista. “He has said quite enough already. Isn’t that right, Luthais?”
Luke pushed back from the table and raised an ankle to his knee. “I apologize, Jafan. I find Rayla distracting.”
Jett smiled humorlessly. “Don’t we all?”
A trumpet sounded, and everyone at the table looked to the man on the steps. His voice carried throughout the space. “Queen Alithea. King Theran.”
My heart jumped. “Mom?”
Luke snapped his neck toward me. “I thought you denounced her as your mother.”
I would never do such a thing again. I didn’t care who knew about it. I needed my mom, and no one here was going to stop me from having her in my life. I gave Luke a shrug. “When I first saw her, I thought she couldn’t be my mom, she only looks a couple years older than me.”
He grunted, giving me a compassionate stare. “You must long to spend time with her.”
I sighed. “You have no idea.”
Luke clasped my fingers and ran his thumbs distractingly along my wrists. “We could delay our departure for a day.”
I looked straight into his heavenly eyes. “You would do that?”
He smiled. “Rayla, I would do anything for you.”
Without hesitation a grin sprang along my lips. “Thank you.”
A woman’s voice interrupted our conversation. “Luthais, I do not think that wise. As it is, we only have three days with Rayla. We cannot afford—”
Luke cocked his head. “If Rayla wishes to linger another day in Eldrea, we will accommodate her.”
The queen of Altasia nodded and turned back to her conversation with Jett. Seems Cassie was right about the lords being the true rulers of the kingdoms. Jett peeked around her and gave me a slight smile. I doubted anyone else would have even noticed. Putting that aside, I shrugged. More time with Mom. I was all for it.
Mom headed toward me, so I stood and raced over to her. Not even thinking about it, I threw my arms around her neck. I didn’t care that the whole room watched us. I also didn’t care that her jerk for a husband scowled at me. If I had been a bit more brazen, I would have stuck my tongue out at him. As it was, I gave him a genuine gloat of a smile. He twirled on his heel and marched up the steps. What was this dude’s deal? I had never done anything to him.
My eyes narrowed, honing in on his retreating form. That would change if he didn’t start treating my mom right.
Mom stepped away from me. “You look dreadful, Rayla.”
I laughed. “Uh, thanks.”
“Haven’t you been sleeping?”
“I…it’s been a bit difficult lately.” Especially with Heath showing up almost nightly.
She hugged me again. “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry for having to leave before. I wish I could have been here, but—”
“I understand, duty and all that.” I gave her a frown. “Why didn’t you tell me you were queen?”
She gave a quick glance around the room. “I didn’t want to make you any more self conscious. This must be difficult enough.”
Luke joined us. “Your highness,” he said, taking my mom’s fingers into his. He placed a gentle kiss at her knuckles. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”
Her cheeks flushed a pretty pink, and she smiled. “Always a pleasure, Lord Luthais. I trust you are recovering.”
Luke blanched as if surprised. “I am, your majesty. Thank you for asking.”
Their interaction rang as more than a little odd. I faced Mom. “Did you hear?” She raised her delicate brows. “Luke said we could stay another day.”
Instead of overwhelming joy, the only thing I could label her expression was concern. She faked a smile and hugged me. “That’s wonderful, baby. I’m so pleased.”
I frowned, but Jett entered our little circle. “Since our guests will be tarrying for the night, we’d better get you all settled. Please follow me. I will show you to your rooms.”
“Thank you, Jafan,” said my mom. “I appreciate your willingness to help.” Her cold fingers grabbed my arm, making sure I stayed put. “Rayla will come with me. She and I have much to catch up on.”
The minute Mom and I were alone in the hall she pulled me tight against her for a quick hug. “We have little time. Come.”
She led me into a small antechamber that housed a few benches, but we didn’t stop there. She flicked her wrist and the wall in front of me dissolved into an archway. Something in the rigid way she carried herself told me this wasn’t going to be the family reunion I had dreamed about.
Once through the door, the wall reappeared. I touched her shoulder. “What is it?”
Her muscles constricted under my touch. “I’ve never wanted you in Faeresia.” She threw her hand in the air and groaned. “You cannot imagine the underhanded ways of the fae race. Back alley deals have become commonplace.” Her face went pale. “I’ve been told if you linger here, you will be taken. If that happens, Rayla, you will get no second chances. You will be used for your power by the one person I couldn’t stand to see have it.”
She was talking about Ainessa, and I should have just taken her word, but I still had so much to learn about this place. I shook my head. “What am I supposed to do?”
“I know you think you are not ready to choose a bondmate, but if you delay, you might have no choice at all.”
I nodded, pacing a line in front of her. I’d worried about that too. Any moment the council could insist I bond with whomever they wanted. Was that what this was about? She had to know what they were planning. “What if I don’t want to bond wi
th anyone?”
Her eyes hardened. “I can’t stress to you how important your power is to overthrowing the Order. The only way to accomplish such a thing is for you to be bound. As it is, your power is volatile. You could easily hurt yourself or someone else out of nothing more than inexperience.”
“Is this you or the council speaking?” She cringed. “Why didn’t I see you there?”
As if to avoid looking at me, she stared at the painting on the wall. “I wore a glamour.” She held up her hand when I started to speak. “So much had happened to you already; I just wanted to save you from having to face me in front of those people.”
“You act as if you aren’t one of them.”
She shied away from me. “It has been difficult to maintain a safe distance. Theran wants to rise in the ranks. He is hoping to overthrow Valen as chairman.”
“Why?”
“Power. Rayla, everything here is about power. If anyone tells you differently they are either delusional or lying to you.”
“What do you want me to do?”
She shook her head and sighed. “I cannot give you my observations without swaying your decision. Heaven knows I would love to delve into the political mess I deal with everyday, but that wouldn’t be fair to you. It would also be forbidden. As the Nexus, you must choose.”
That was the plan, but if I could be more certain about a few things, my decision would be much easier. “Gibbit told me the Altasian raiders were after me.”
To my surprise, she nodded. “I’ve heard rumors. The dark court is full of dissention. I wouldn’t be surprised by anything that happens while you are here.”
“So Eldrea and Altasia make up the dark court?” How odd considering every Altasian I had seen so far had been fair haired with blue eyes.
She smiled. “No one has explained this to you?”
I folded my arms. “I can’t seem to get much in the way of explanation these days.”
The five-fold symbol with its interlacing circles emerged into the air between us, shining like an errant star. She traced the top circle. “Air, the most buoyant of all elements starts the cycle of creation. Fire is next and transforms the unorganized into recognizable matter. Then comes water, of which emerges the very essence of life. Next earth, the stabilizing force. Last comes void, the cohesive glue that holds everything else together. Without it, we would be nothing more than floating molecules.”
“Wait a minute, if void contains all other elements, shouldn’t the Eirians have control of all elements?” Taylor’s explanation had left me wanting. “Even if one person couldn’t control all the elements at once, couldn’t they have a group of people who did it together?”
Mom laughed. “They wish. That would make a certain princess very happy. They do have small abilities with each element, but it is no more than a flicker of power. They don’t have the capacity to use all elements at once even with multiple fae trying. They can only manipulate a few at a given time which gives you a marked advantage. Their role has always been one of management.”
“Does that mean if I bonded with Zach, he would have more power over each element than any other lord would?”
Her face reflected her speeding thoughts. “I honestly don’t know, baby. I guess he could. Are you considering him?”
“I’m still considering everyone at this point. I know I could really mess this up, and I don’t want to make the wrong decision.”
She shook her head. “I am pleased you are taking your responsibilities seriously, yet you should not have such worries. As your mother, I want you to make the decision that will bring you happiness. I don’t think any of the current lords are a bad choice.”
Nice to know, still, I didn’t miss her unsaid but. “Even Heath?”
Her chuckle carried through the room. “He’s been illusive at times, but he seems the good sort. Of all the lords, I know him least.”
It was no wonder. Up until recently he hadn’t even been at court. “What impact will my choice have on the realms?” A shudder rippled down my body. “Will the council uphold my decision?”
“We would all like to know that, Rayla. All I can tell you is, depending on what happens, we may be facing civil war. No house is willing to give up position.”
What kind of answer was that? “What about your house, Mom? What exactly do you all hope to gain if I choose Jett?”
Her smile brightened. “I had hoped your thoughts would bring such questions. The dark court, especially the Eldreans, have the least interaction with humans at this point in time. We hope to alter that.
“Once the Tuatha de Dannan entered the race, change was not far behind. You see they found a way to connect with humans that did not interfere with the dictates of the creator.”
My brows shot up. “How’s that?”
“Through dreams, mostly. The fluidity of the water element allows a certain link to all Earth creatures. The goal was to bring humans out of the dark ages. To help them see there was more to the universe than Earth. To help them know of their own insignificance.”
“How was that supposed to help the fae?”
“Ah! Here’s the best part of the Altasian plan. Through captivating the imagination of the race, they were able to make interaction possible because it was the desire of the humans. For centuries, Altasians had open relations with humans. The golden age ensued and some say the Altasians have once again infiltrated human minds. The industrial revolution is evidence of manipulation.”
“Why is that a problem?”
“Things got out of hand with a few mortals when other houses attempted communication, and the fae were commanded to keep a distance. Thus came the contention we face now. The Altasians claim if the other houses had let them do their job, we wouldn’t be in this mess with the Order.”
Confused anyone? “I thought it was okay for fae to influence humans.”
“There is the slightest difference between influence and manipulation. Influence is to set a point to light. Manipulation makes that point seem like the only way. If we manipulate, we take the free will from our target. This, we cannot do.”
Even though she had insisted otherwise, I had to clear this up. “You talk like you’re one of them, Mom.”
She winked at me. “At the moment I am, or at least I have to appear that I am. I have been integrated into the fae collective.”
“Sounds suspiciously familiar to Star Trek.” Travis used to love that show and got me hooked on the reruns.
She laughed. “You are very observant, Rayla. Many of the current trends in literature and other forms of entertainment stem from the desire to make humans more receptive to interaction with the fae.”
“So it is possible the Altasians are contacting humans again?”
“Very. In fact, I’m quite sure of it.”
“What would happen if humans discovered the truth?”
“According to the compact, the fae would be evicted from Earth.”
I let out a low whistle. “Pretty harsh.”
Mom shrugged. “Maybe, but there has to be a good reason for the creator to keep the fae from humans.”
Hmm, was there really? Or was this something else entirely? Maybe this wasn’t the creator’s doing at all. Maybe someone else had a reason to keep the fae from wielding more power over humans, and I bet that someone at the moment was Nigel Lambert. The Order stood to gain the most by keeping the races apart. Otherwise, they would lose the ever present advantage they had in human society.
My head hurt from lack of sleep and all the questions now floating in my mind. One thing remained, though. Mom had not answered my question. No one around here seemed too fond of being straight forward. The new question was—should I make a big deal of it or not. The last thing I wanted to do was push distance between my mom and I. I wanted to think she had my best interest at heart, but her blatant admittance that she was part of the fae collective made me wary even though she’d made light of it. I decided to save my questions for later. Now,
I just wanted to enjoy spending time with her.
We spent the rest of the day relaxing in the bright afternoon sun at the Oasis Jett had taken me to. Seemed to be a favorite spot with the locals, and I could hardly blame them. The cool water diffused the searing heat. Bonus was I’d spent the majority of the afternoon in the sun and I didn’t even burn.
We were about ready to head back, but there was one question I couldn’t put off any longer. I took a deep breath then walked up behind her. “Mom?”
She glanced back at me as she folded our blankets. It was such a simple mundane thing to do, and I wondered why she hadn’t taken to using all the fae short cuts like others I had seen.
She frowned at me. “What is it, Rayla?”
“Who is my dad?”
She licked her lips and studied the ground. “I don’t know.”
I laughed. “Good one.”
When she looked up at me, her eyes were bright with tears. “I had my memory of him erased before I returned to the realms. I don’t know why I did it now. I wish I could tell you who he is, but there had to be a good reason for me to wipe that information from my mind.”
Disappointment rattled through me. I’d gotten up the nerve to ask, and now here I was no better off than I had been.
It was probably for the best anyway. If he was some sick member of the Order, I wouldn’t want to know him. Gibbit’s declaration resurfaced. If my dad was fae, it was probably better no one knew about him, including me, maybe especially me. If the fae found out who he was, they might be able to breed their own Elementals. I was quite sure things would take a turn toward abysmal if that happened.
Chapter Ten
Mom dropped me off at my room before dinner. She gave me a brief hug then told me she would see me later.
My only goal was to get some sleep before the evening meal. As great as it had been to spend the day with Mom, I was exhausted. I slogged inside my room and kicked off my shoes. The bed was too far away so I drifted to save time and effort.
The cool sheets soothed my skin, and soon I succumbed to the blissful weight of sleep.
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