This wasn’t going to be all right. How could he say such a trivial thing to me?
My head was going to explode from thinking about this if I didn’t get away. I backed up. Something solid blocked me. I turned. Nicco gazed down at me. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought he felt sorry for me. He shouldn’t show emotion like he was. Guards weren’t supposed to do that.
Nicco guided me forward, and I noticed other guards at the ready. I could drift now, but where would I go? Running wasn’t an option; besides, it was time I kept my promises. No matter what had happened between Zach and Faine, it didn’t matter now. She was gone, taken to whatever afterlife awaited her.
Zach was my friend, and I trusted him. He’d done so much to try to help me through this process. What right did I have to think he wouldn’t help me now?
I swallowed and placed my hands into his. With all the determination I owned, I gazed up into his loving eyes. “I’m ready.”
He nodded, waiting for Tabitha to get on with it. I barely listened while she went through the ceremony. So many questions rattled in my mind, not the least of which was what Zach was going to expect from me once we were bonded. He squeezed my hand and shook his head slightly.
Blast the fae. How many people had the ability to read my mind? I wasn’t allowing it. I knew I wasn’t. I believed they couldn’t hear my thoughts, but something clicked. The council could read everyone’s mind. I shut my mental gushing off and focused on Zach’s amazing blue eyes. I liked his hair better this way, all disheveled and sexy. No. I wouldn’t think of him like that, at least in the few moments I had left to be me. Once this was over, I would no longer have the tie to Heath that corroded my mind.
I glanced at Heath. The sadness in his eyes made it difficult to keep my tears away, but I had to. “I love you,” I thought to him. I allowed one more thing to slip between us. “I’m sorry.”
He turned away and vanished into the crowd. Had he expected me to insist he bond with me? Had he expected me to risk the entire human race not to mention his soul for our love? I swallowed my grief, turning my mind to the task I’d agreed to…the task that would save my planet…the task that would save the man I loved. I kept telling myself this was the right thing. I was doing the right thing, so why did my heart split when Tabitha finished and Zach pulled me into his arms.
His lips brushed mine. I wanted to pull away, scream at the top of my lungs at the heavens, but I wouldn’t.
I couldn’t.
I turned my mind backward to a time where this man had consumed my thoughts, remembering his kind smile and loving embrace.
When the elements swirled around us, I allowed them in—I allowed him in completely. In that moment, I gave everything I was to him, hoping it would be worth it.
“Rayla,” his voice flitted into my mind. “It is almost finished. Only a few more moments and we can leave this place behind us.”
That sounded good. I could use some peace in my life. I could use some rest.
When Zach pulled away from me, my lips tingled for more. My traitorous lips. I closed my eyes waiting for the moment I would become someone else, someone incapable of feeling love for Heath because I was now Zach’s bondmate.
It never came.
He hugged me to him and lifted me into his arms. I rested my head against his chest and hid my eyes from the world.
My cheek vibrated when he spoke. “If you will all please excuse us, we will be on our way.”
The crowd cheered, the booming sound making my pain ten times worse. Why hadn’t it happened? I’d given my all. I hadn’t held anything back, yet, I still ached for Heath.
Why? The question lingered in my mind as Zach carried me out of the castle, as he set me gently on my feet under the tree with the shimmering orange leaves, and as he drifted us away from this horrible place to my new home.
Chapter Nineteen
The world finally stopped spinning, but my head still throbbed as if I had been clobbered with a bat. Zach tilted my chin back, running his finger across my forehead. “I thought that bruise had healed.”
I found the spot and sighed. “Is someone beating me up in my sleep?”
He laughed. “You needn’t worry about that now.” He might as well have puffed out his chest with the arrogance radiating from him when he said his next words. “I will be with you.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his theatrics. Zach didn’t deserve to be treated poorly just because I felt like my world had gone vertical.
He reached out and clasped my shoulder. “Not to worry, Rayla. I realize you need time.”
My whole body sighed. I expected him to be angry that I still cared for Heath, but I should have known better. Being that way just wasn’t who he was. “So, you were only kidding about sleeping with me?”
Instead of the light response I expected, his expression hardened, his voice falling to a low timbre. “I will not allow you to be alone at night. Too much hangs on our relationship.” He squeezed my shoulder gently. “I will give you time to adjust; but know this, even if you don’t feel it, you are tied to me now.”
I nodded, looking away from his intense stare. “I understand. Thanks for being reasonable.”
He sighed. “I’m just going by experience, Rayla. If I had my way we would have a different agenda for this evening.”
My entire body heated, desperate for what he was offering.
How could I do that? I should be spending this night with Heath. My husband. I should…
I stopped myself when Zach cringed. “I’m sorry, Zach.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. “It’s okay. But don’t expect me to be happy about this.”
“Fair enough.”
We set into a comfortable pace through the trees. I’d been in Eirie before, yet nothing looked familiar.
“It was dark,” Zach said, clearly addressing my thoughts. “And your mind was on other things.”
Why did this have to be so complicated? Back then, there was only one man for me, and I had him now. Could I ever find my way back to that place? I gave him a half smile. “I guess so.”
Eirie was the most ordinary realm I had seen in human standards. If it wasn’t for the slight glow in the air and the phosphorescent veins on the plants and trees, I might have mistaken the place for Ireland. I’d only ever seen pictures of the moss covered land, but I was surrounded by green so bright it should have had its own name.
Maybe it did? Suddenly I wished I had my laptop and internet access.
“It is the same place, Rayla,” said Zach, interrupting my musing.
“What?” I glanced around again, taking in the calming atmosphere. “Are you trying to tell me I’m in Ireland right now?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“Whose manner of speaking might that be?”
He laughed and the sound soothed me. “Mine, of course.”
I stopped, wanting to really see this place. The trees were so alive I wouldn’t have been surprised if they took a breath. From what I remembered, at night they morphed into magical creatures lurking in the darkness. The ground under my feet was nearly black, the soil was so rich. I knew a few farmers that would give their left arm for a field of this stuff.
I faced Zach, giving him a questioning look. “Why is your land different than the others?” He shrugged. “What I mean to say is the other realms incorporate the opposite element…” I’d answered my own question. Space encompassed all elements.
He gave me a smile, and my heart leapt in response. “You are correct. Most are envious of Eirie, but we have our own problems to attend. Have no doubt. You will soon see what I mean.”
Okay? I was pretty sure most of those problems involved his sister. “Is it safe to talk here, Zach? I have so many unanswered questions.” I gave him a pointed frown. “I’m hoping now that you have all my power, you will finally answer a few of them.”
He grinned at me. “Tired of my mysterious air, are you?”
I smacked my lips together. “More than, actually.”
“There is much you misunderstand about the bond, and one of those things is that I do not have your power. I merely have access to it.”
“But I thought—”
He took my hand, and my skin danced under his warm fingers. “Let’s get settled first. Fexlie is nearly upon us, and just try to get a word out once she starts her jabbering.”
A tiny voice squeaked out in the distance. “Talking me up again, I see, Master.”
Zach grimaced. “I’ve asked you not to call me that at least a million times.”
She winked, the shimmering tone of her skin blending in with the background then shifting to a stable blue. She stuck her tongue out at him then flashed her golden smile. “It will take at least a million more for me to listen to ye.” She shook her tiny finger at him, which soon became nothing but a blur to my weary eyes. “Now, hurry up. We’ve been waiting half the day already.” She zigged away from us, her green hair flowing behind her like a cloak.
Master indeed. She’d only spoken a few sentences and it was already clear who was master in this place. Zach laughed.
Fexlie stopped midflight and zipped up to him, a glittering trail of color following behind her. She pursed her tiny lips and flicked the tip of his nose.
“Ow!” He barked.
She gave him a pleased smirk. “You had that coming. Now stop dawdling. We have an entire hall filled with people waiting for you two.”
We followed her, snaking through the trees toward a clearing. Bright light filtered between the leaves, making me squint already.
Zach stopped me before I got a good look at the enormous building way off in the distance. He looked down at me, something not quite definable lingering in his eyes. His fingers feathered along my jaw line, and I shivered.
His face was only inches from mine. If I leaned in at all, our lips would touch. I stepped back.
He shut his eyes tight and turned away from me. “My people have prepared a small celebration in your honor. I know you are tired, but I would appreciate it if you would—”
I rested my hand on his upper arm. “Of course. I will do my best to appear happy.”
His eyes fell to the ground. “Thank you.”
I squeezed his arm. “I will also do my best to make this work, Zach. I care about you, but I just need—”
He nodded. “We should get going. Fexlie will send the giants after us if we don’t hurry.”
Giants? My head snapped around as my eyes searched for signs of them. “Are you serious?”
He gave me a mischievous chuckle. “I just wanted to see if you’d fall for it.”
I pushed his shoulder. “You’re as bad as Travis.”
Zach’s eyes changed, the light drifting away. “Your cousin, right?”
I nodded, wondering what had zapped his mood like that. “Yeah, I guess. Aunt Grace actually just told me that Travis is not a blood relative.”
He tilted his head, glancing at me sidelong. Something was different about him, but I couldn’t label it. “I am aware of the conversation.”
What else was he aware of? “I still think of him more like a brother. I always have.”
Zach nodded once and answered me in a monotone. “We must find him.”
I stopped him and stared into his eyes. “What’s going on? Why are you acting this way?”
He blinked a couple of times then smiled. “I’d only thought you would want to rescue him, as well. The rest of your family is safe from the Order, are they not?”
According to Tabitha they were, but the imp wouldn’t tell me where she had put everyone. “Well, yes, but Travis is in a high security facility. I’d hoped to get to him eventually, but I want to be truly trained before we go.”
He tilted his head, giving me a look. “There’s no need for you to come. I will find him for you.”
“But where would you take him? I have no idea where Tabitha put the rest of my family.”
He eyed me sidelong. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him that? “I was planning on bringing him here.”
“Really?” I couldn’t imagine why Zach would want my brat of a cousin around. “I don’t know what to say. I thought the fae didn’t allow humans into the realms, and now it seems you people will open the doors to anyone.”
“Exceptions are always taken when there is good reason.”
Travis was probably enjoying his stay with the Order. He had the male chauvinist attitude down already. He was nothing like Uncle John. Where my uncle had been kind and always willing to help, Travis avoided work any chance he got. He stayed late at school, or went out with friends while I had to take care of his sisters. I guess that wasn’t a fair assessment anymore. Maybe that explained why he never showed any real connection with his siblings. It would also explain why Uncle John had allowed him to get away with so much. I’d always thought it was because Travis was the only boy, but now I wondered if there was way more to it.
I only knew that Travis had always been there. I’d had so little time with my mom, but Travis had been taken as a baby. I suddenly felt sorry for him. He probably never knew his mom.
I squared my shoulders. “You’re right. We should go get him.”
Zach laughed. “There never was a we in this scenario, love.” He tweaked my nose. “I think you’re forgetting one very important thing.”
I gave him a look. “Yeah? What’s that?”
“You have been bound to the realms. I could not take you if I wanted to.”
I stared at him. I hadn’t realized until now what that truly meant. Unless something changed, I wouldn’t be able to go into the mortal realm again until they release me.
I shook off my growing anxiety and laughed at him. “I thought you said we needed to hurry.”
Just then Fexlie showed up with reinforcements. Styx bowed low before us. I raced over and threw my arms around him. I didn’t know what it was about him that reassured me, but whenever he was around, I just knew things would turn out okay.
His laugh echoed in my mind. “I am happy to see you too, Rayla.”
Zach gave a whap to my rear end as he passed. I whirled on him, glaring. “What’d you do that for?”
“You never greet me so willingly.”
I shook my head. “Are you seriously jealous of your pegasus?”
He mounted and held out his hand. “What I am is late, love.”
I stiffened, but allowed him to pull me behind him. Styx took off, and I flailed for something to hold onto. Zach laughed when I used his abdomen as my anchor. I gritted my teeth but was soon enchanted by the land below us. I gasped when we came closer to the castle.
It was right out of one of my fantasies with jutting turrets, intricate spires, and colorful sparkling glass. The sculptured grounds held a whimsical flair that would make the queen of hearts envious.
When Styx touched down a few minutes later, I couldn’t wait to explore this place I would call my home. No wonder Zach hadn’t been all that impressed with Roger Wayne’s estate.
A shiver ran through my body. I glanced around, but I didn’t see anyone lurking in the shadows. It was probably Creed come to check on me, but I couldn’t help worrying that it was someone else with more nefarious plans. The only other option was Heath, and as much as I longed to see him, I hoped he would stay away. For both our sakes.
Ainessa greeted us at the door, pulling Zach into a warm embrace. And here I thought we’d gotten away with not seeing her at the bonding. She kissed both of his cheeks like she was actually happy to see him. When she turned to me with a glowing smile, I backed away.
She laughed the tinkling trill I had come to hate. “Rayla, dear, you needn’t be afraid of me. All is well.”
I wanted to punch her in the face, but I smiled instead. She was Zach’s sister, after all. “I had no idea you would be here.”
She tsked me. “How could I stay away? It is not every day I get to see my brother bound. What has it been, Ammon?�
�� She tapped her chin then smiled. “Nearly a thousand years, if I’ve kept track correctly.”
“That’ll be enough, Ainessa,” said Zach. The menace in his tone would have sent most women running, but not her, and not me.
She pouted. “I merely wished to come and give you two a gift.”
Oh no she didn’t. I was about to tell her where she could shove her gift when Zach spoke up. “Fexlie, would you please show Rayla to my chambers? I will be along shortly.”
Fexlie flitted to eyelevel. “Come along, miss.” She gave a contemptuous glance toward Ainessa then turned back to me. “Nothing to be seen here.”
When I looked behind me to see what was going on Fexlie yanked my finger. I stumbled forward under her unexpected strength but was able to right myself. “Fine!” I hissed when she tried again.
She led me up the stairs and into a vast hall that oddly smelled like wildflowers, yet no blooms or plug-ins were in sight. That’s where I stopped her. I ignored the amazing crystal chandelier and the shining silver cutlery and jewel encrusted goblets. I made myself focus on the little pixie with the strangest colored eyes I had ever seen. They were nearly magenta right now. Did they darken with her mood? “So that princess wasn’t even punished?”
Fexlie scoffed. “Oh, child, you have no idea how bad this is. She’s got her fangs in deeper than ever before. You must be careful, mistress. Fae may seem civilized, but I warn ye not to get on that particular princesses bad side. You may be powerful, but she has the ear of the most influential courtesans in all the realms. You’ll need time to adjust to this life, but be wary. Things are not always what they seem, and neither are people.”
I leaned in closer to her, not sure if I should even ask this. “Is she influencing him?”
She gave a slight shrug. “Master has been through much since he met you and went off to that island, but, not to worry, he merely requires an adjustment period, as well. He’s been around her longer than you can imagine and knows how to deal with her.”
I could imagine a long time, but that didn’t mean I could understand what it was like to live it. I knew I needed to trust Zach, yet things just kept getting worse. What was going to happen when I actually did have to face the court? I stopped myself from going further. No point in worrying about it now. I nodded at Fexlie and she led me all over the place before we finally reached a circular staircase. I tried to keep up, but she just might have forgotten I didn’t have wings.
Genesis Page 28