by Snow, Jenika
They were both silent for several heartbeats. “I like your version a lot better.”
She smiled at him and watched as he got out of the car. He struck her as a sad soul that was trying to be strong. Even though he seemed indestructible, Helina knew deep down he must truly be hurting over his loss. Her door opened and she let him help her out of the car. She and Ryce stood at the entrance of the grand mansion, her mouth hanging open in awe at the incredible dwelling.
“Put the mask on, Helina.”
She did as he asked and watched as he did the same. It felt heavy and odd, a weight that she wasn’t used to. She glanced over at Ryce, who held his arm out for her to take.
“Don’t worry, they will think you’re my pet. No one will question a human being at the ball.”
Nodding, she slipped her arm through his, her heart pounding so hard, her mouth dry with nervousness. Ryce reached up and slammed the knocker against the wood, the noise deafening. Time seemed to slow. She stared at the gargoyle head knocker, its fierce face frightening and realistic. The door opened inward, a small woman with a mop of strawberry blond hair standing on the other side. She wore a long white dress and held a silver tray. She smiled at Ryce, her straight white teeth showcasing two small fangs replacing her canines. She looked at Helina, her smile faltering as her head tilted to the side. Her eyes roamed over her body and Helina instantly felt on edge. The pixy woman inhaled before turning toward Ryce again.
“Welcome, Lord Ryce, and welcome, human pet. Please enter.”
“Thank you, Lucie.”
They stepped inside and followed Lucie into the grand foyer. The servant walked away, her small figure disappearing into the sea of bodies in the next room. “Ryce?” Helina said his name softly, not daring for anyone to overhear her.
“Yes?”
“Gaijryc said I smelled like him…because he bit me. If that’s the case, then why would she think I was yours?”
“Gaijryc’s scent is only on you for so long. He hasn’t seen you for a full day so his scent is already weakened, if not completely gone from your body. Unless a DarkShine is really looking, they won’t be able to detect it. You are also wearing a dress that has my scent all over it so it’s only natural for them to assume you are mine.”
“Oh.”
“Relax. If you seem frightened they will sense it. A pet has nothing to fear, so they will know something is wrong.”
Nodding, she willed herself to calm down.
“My lord?”
They both turned toward the small voice behind them. The servant, Lucie, stood with two glasses in her hands. One held what appeared to be champagne, yellowish bubbly, the other holding a reddish tint to it. She gave the red one to Ryce and the other to her. Helina took a sip from her flute and glanced at Ryce’s glass.
“It called Bluesha. It is a combination of blood and champagne.”
He drank deeply from the glass, his eyes straying to the packed ballroom.
“Ladies and gentleman, if you would please, the high ranking prince has an announcement to make.” A thin servant with beady brown eyes spoke to the crowd in the foyer. He swung his arms toward the open doors and ushered everyone in.
Ryce led her into the room and her breath caught. A grand chandelier hung from the center of the room, the crystals hanging from it and casting rainbows across everything. The place was decorated as if from a sultan’s quarters. It was immaculate and pristine, exactly what she would expect a ballroom would look like for a queen and king.
They moved closer to the raised podium, but Ryce made sure to keep them hidden within the darkened corners. She could see Gaijryc sitting in one of the thrones, a man and woman next to him, and two men with pale blond hair very similar to Gaijryc on his other side. All five of them wore masks like all the other guests in the room, but she could pick out Gaijryc amongst everyone else. Her heart sped up and her palms got clammy. It was as if she hadn’t seen him for ages.
“Calm down. I can hear your heart rate accelerating,” Ryce murmured in her ear.
She nodded and tried to calm herself. Gaijryc rose from his throne and walked to the edge of the podium. The room grew deathly quiet, the bodies parting to the sides so that only four elegantly dressed women stood in the center.
“I have given much thought to this and feel it is unnecessary to hold off the inevitable.”
Helina stared at Gaijryc as he spoke, his words sounding slurred, his movements seeming uncoordinated as he attempted to stand still.
“Plastered.” Ryce all but growled the word.
“What?” She turned and looked at Ryce.
“He’s drunk. Completely trashed.”
Helina turned back and watched Gaijryc, the smile on his face seemed forced.
“I have decided which of the four talented females I will mate and will be my future queen.”
Helina gasped and took a step forward. Ryce grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
“Not yet.”
He hissed the words in her ear and it took all of her control to not move. Even though she was in a room full of vampires she didn’t care. She just wanted to get to Gaijryc before he made a huge mistake.
“The female that I have chosen is…” A darkness suddenly filled the room. “Iena, daughter of Crystile, please take your rightful place by my side.”
Clapping sounded all around Helina, but the only thing she could hear was her own heart breaking. She knew Gaijryc cared for her and was only picking that female to protect her, but it didn’t matter, her soul still hurt. Ryce still had his hand around her arm and she didn’t try and brush it off. She was so stunned, so shocked that she was having trouble breathing.
Helina watched with narrowed eyes as the svelte redhead made her way up to the podium, her arms slinking around Gaijryc’s waist as she smiled brightly. She could see how tense Gaijryc was, could see his clenched jaw and bunched fists. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to stay rooted to her spot. The redhead sidled closer to Gaijryc and pressed her breast against his side. Helina’s heart stopped when she saw his arm go around her waist, bringing her closer to him. Turning her head, Helina forced the lump in her throat to retreat.
“It’s all for show, Helina.”
Although she nodded in agreement, Helina couldn’t help how very real it appeared. She turned back around and wiped off the lone tear that had managed to escape.
“Go now.”
Glancing at Ryce, she swallowed roughly at those two powerful words. Fear suddenly kept her cemented instead of sheer willpower. Ryce started forward, his grip still on her arm as he made his way toward the front of the room. Gasps and murmurs sounded them and Helina knew that what Ryce had just done was a dangerous move. He stopped at the bottom of the podium, everyone now pushed back against the walls. Ryce kept her hidden behind his massive back.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Gaijryc’s deep, puzzled voice resonated throughout the room. She stole a glance around Ryce. Gaijryc either wasn’t aware she was there or didn’t care. He made her no mind, just stared at Ryce as he removed his mask. He tossed it to the floor and the delicate material flittered by her feet. She looked over at the redhead, her murderous gaze trained right on her. Helina’s mouth went dry and she swallowed, stepping more fully behind Ryce, her flight or fight response screaming for her to run. Gaijryc’s eyes were glazed and unfocused, his body swaying ever so slightly.
“This is a mistake, Gaijryc, and you know it. Tell them.”
Gaijryc was quiet for some time and Helina wondered if he would even answer Ryce back. She could see his eyes narrow as he stared at Ryce, his fists clenched so hard they were white as bone.
“I don’t know what you are speaking of.” Gaijryc spoke through clenched teeth, his slurred words a little hard to understand.
Ryce laughed bitterly. “Do you really want me to tell them?”
“What is this all about?”
Helina looked over at the woman who spoke. The queen stood, h
er royal gown sparkling as the light hit it.
“Gaijryc, what is this Ryce speaks of?”
“Nothing, Mother. Just a drunk speaking out of line.”
Ryce and Gaijryc stood perfectly still, their gazes trained on one another. In the next instance Ryce pulled Helina forward and thrust her toward the front. Helina looked around, her breathing labored as she stared at the podium. Gaijryc looked down at her, his brows knitted in confusion. His eyes suddenly grew wide and he involuntarily took a step back. He looked from her to Ryce. Helina removed the mask slowly and let it fall from her fingers.
“What is the meaning of this, Ryce? What have you done?” Gaijryc’s voice sounded strained and she could see beads of perspiration dotting his forehead.
The queen stepped forward and, even though she wore a mask, Helina could see the barley contained anger starting to surface.
“Ryce?” Gaijryc spoke the words softly.
“I think it best you leave…with her.” Helina heard Gaijryc swallow. He flicked a hand toward her as if dismissing her.
Had Ryce been wrong about Gaijryc and his feelings toward her? She turned and looked at Ryce. His expression was sad. He didn’t speak, just nodded for her to continue. She knew he wanted her to confess her love for Gaijryc, but as she looked around at all the guests—at all the vampires, she wasn’t so sure that was the best plan. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed what strength she had and spoke. “I love you, Gaijryc, so much.”
Loud gasps sounded throughout the room. She didn’t take her eyes from Gaijryc even though terror filled her. She stared into his eyes, pleading with him, urging him to tell her he loved her back. He looked at her with such deep emotion that she was positive he would profess his love to her in front of everyone.
“I…”
She smiled, her heart beating quickly at the thought that he would speak those three words. He looked at Iena before turning and looking back at her. The next words he spoke crushed her very soul.
“I don’t love you.”
The queen started to laugh, her eyes boring into Helina’s. The noise was like nails on a chalkboard. “You are nothing but a lowly human. You could never mate one of us, especially Gaijryc. I should kill you right where you stand.”
Her heart was pounding something fierce and her gaze went back to Gaijryc’s, pleading with him. He stared at his mother and then turned back to Iena. When his eyes finally turned back to Helina, the expression on his face was almost painful. A dark cloud had covered his features, all emotion seeming to be gone.
“You were nothing to me. I only fucked you to pass the time. I could never love a human, never will. Just go and stop embarrassing yourself as well as me.”
Helina gasped and gripped her chest, right over her heart. She stumbled back, never taking her eyes from Gaijryc. Iena curved her thin body around him and smiled in triumph. Helina felt her knees give out, but before she hit the floor strong arms wrapped around her waist. She looked at Gaijryc, his gaze trained to the floor, never once meeting hers. Warm, wet tears slid down her cheeks, but she didn’t care who saw. Ryce led her out of the room. She was aware of Ryce swearing under his breath and could hear comments filter around her. The next one more painful than the one before.
“Such a pitiful little thing…”
“Actually thinking she could mate one of us…”
“She’ll probably be all over Ryce before she even gets to his room…”
Helina closed her eyes and let Ryce lead the way, her whole body numb with shock and pain.
Aftermath
Helina realized she was sitting on a plush couch when her mind finally cleared enough for her to notice her surroundings. She looked around the room, her whole face feeling swollen, tears still dampening her cheeks. Standing, she walked over to the window and stared outside. It was dark but she could still see the grand mansion in the distance.
Staring at it, her mind went blank. She willed herself not to cry anymore, to act as though she was strong when she was anything but. Turning away, she took in her surroundings. A lit fireplace took up half the wall on one side, the flames licking their way across the wood. A plush leather couch sat in front of it, along with two small end tables on each side of the couch, and a coffee table in front of that. The walls were a dark blue, but nothing adorned them. She walked out the small entryway into the foyer, the front door huge and the wood looking thick and indestructible. Walking through another entryway, she entered an entertainment room. This one was filled with the latest electronic devices. Again, there were no pictures or decorations. The one thing that looked completely out of place in the modernized room was the glossy black baby grand piano that sat in the corner.
She walked over to and ran her fingers along the smooth ivory keys, absently pulling the velvet seat out and sitting down. She let both her hands rest on the keys, not pressing down hard enough to actually make any noise, just feeling their smoothness. Closing her eyes, she let her mind drift to memories of Lizzy. She thought about how her dark hair used to blow in the wind and cover her face and how angry she would get. She couldn’t help but smile at the image.
No matter how much she tried to refrain, she couldn’t help when her thoughts turned toward Gaijryc. She closed her eyes and remembered how his blue eyes would stare down at her as they made love. A warm tear escaped her eye and she quickly brushed it away. She slowly opened her eyes and stared down at where her fingers met the keys. The song came over her, the notes filling her mind and flowing out of her fingers. She let her eyes close and thought about where her life had gone, what she had gained, and what she had lost.
Beethoven filled her very body, the song like background music for the memories that played like a movie inside of her head. Her peaceful images suddenly turned dark and bleak, the song playing beneath her fingers going down the same road. She saw Lizzy on the ground, her eyes no longer bright and alive. She was now just a lifeless body. She saw Gaijryc standing on that podium, his eyes on the redhead, her body wrapped around his. Helina cut those images off, knowing no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t change what had already happened.
Opening her eyes again, she watched her fingers dance across the keys. This particular song had been a favorite of Lizzy and her. She remembered how her sister used to beg her to play it for her on her thirty-dollar keyboard. Helina started to laugh at the memory. She stopped playing, her laughter coming uncontrollably. That same happy laughter turned into a desperate sob. She was filled was anger and hopelessness, the only emotions she seemed capable of feeling now.
Gaijryc sat on his throne with another full bottle of Crown in hand. Guests moved in the center of the room, their dancing that of old world style, classical and light. Others sat in the corners, the females’ dresses hiked up to their thighs as the males dipped their hands beneath the fabrics until they disappeared. Iena mingled with the ones below. Her expression was one of smug content, her movements that of a satisfied female. It made him sick. He should have told the truth, should have told the lot of them that he was madly in love with his human female and they could all fuck themselves.
He looked at his mother—the evil and vile bitch that she was. She narrowed her gaze at him and he could see her mind working, could practically hear her thoughts about Helina and what was really going on between them. Her mouth curved in a wicked smile and he turned away. He knew that no matter what happened he couldn’t be selfish, couldn’t put Helina in danger because of what he wanted, even if he had to be mated to the devil herself.
“I don’t mean to intrude, my lord, but maybe I should get you something else to drink?”
He looked down at Lucie and purposely took a long swig of the whiskey. His vision was already blurred from the alcohol, her face going in and out of focus. He balanced the bottle on his leg and smiled at her, although it was completely forced.
“No thank you, Lucie. Tonight I plan on getting shit faced.” She didn’t return the smile, just looked at him as he drank again.
He turned a surprised look at Lucie, but she was already making her way through the crowd. He shook his head and wondered if he had actually heard her correctly. Lucie had always been a soft-spoken DarkShine female, never one to express her opinion. Had she realized how much he cared for Helina? Was she telling him to go after what he wanted?
He shook his head again, the hazy buzz of liquor making his thoughts jumbled. He must have imagined her saying that, his own mind creating the things he wanted to hear. He remembered how Ryce had taken Helina away, had put his hands on her. He had wanted to rip Ryce away from what was his… his female… his mate. It took a control he hadn’t known he possessed to not go to Ryce and tear him apart.
He got up, his movements uncoordinated as he made his way off the podium and toward his quarters. He smiled and said his pardons to the guests that tried to talk to him. He expected his mother to say something about his departure, but maybe since he had now chosen an acceptable mate, she didn’t care what he did. He was thankful nonetheless.
He walked up the stairs, stumbling over a few as he finally stopped in front of his bedroom door and gripped the doorknob. He shut the door behind him, his knees giving out, his body hitting the floor. He sat there, his whiskey bottle in hand as the darkness consumed him. He closed his eyes, his thoughts only on one thing, one person. He didn’t even try to hold in the painful tears that were at the brink of spilling. He’d let Helina down, turned her away when she was pleading with him to tell her how much he loved her.
He’d let her down.
He dropped his head, his half-empty bottle dropping to the floor, the amber liquid moving across the hardwood. He opened his eyes and watched the whiskey snake its way across the floor, the darkness of the room making it look like blood spilling.