Dark Humanity

by Gwynn White

  The satisfaction of a successful day was apparent on her face but mistaken for excitement for Arela’s grand party.

  Raina, Eryon, and Allan headed to Olia’s dress shop. Allan led the way, already dressed for the party. He kept his cloak secured over his fancy suit.

  Eryon did the same. They didn’t want it known that the prince was out in the city without a guard.

  “You really didn’t have to come all the way to the Lower City with us, Prince Eryon,” Allan said.

  “It’s fine. I wanted to make sure you made it safely. This part of the city can be quite dangerous.”

  Raina smiled up at him. “I’m lucky to have such a charming prince to protect me,” she said.

  He gave her a sidelong glance, the corner of his mouth lifting into a half smile. “You are lucky.”

  Eryon scanned the crowds with his eyes.

  “In just an hour’s time we will be dancing the night away with royalty from all over the world,” Raina said, her mind only on Prince Aric.

  Her eyes looked upward at the Upper City. She liked to call it the silver city because it seemed to glisten under the sun’s light. The palace was prominent toward the back of the enclosed stone circle, seeming to look down on them from its spot on the raised plateau.

  Soldiers patrolled the roads but the crime was more prominent in Olia’s part of town. Raina didn’t care. She wanted her dress to be made by the best, and to her Olia’s gowns seemed to be spun from pure magic.

  The path to Olia’s dress shop was crowded with excited young folk as they headed from their studies in the trade school at the end of the alley. Raina smiled at them as they passed her by, missing a time when she and Allan could go about their lives without worry.

  Past the groups of students, Raina saw someone watching her. She tensed when their eyes met. He was tall and wore a black cloak that matched the same shade of his long hair. His eyes studied her, unashamed that he’d been caught staring.

  She didn’t say anything to the others as they walked past him. She looked away, feeling that something was wrong, but unsure of what exactly bothered about him.

  Once they reached Olia’s shop door, she figured the stranger was just another citizen of the Lower City. That was until she glanced over her shoulder to see him standing right behind her.

  Raina stopped and turned to him.

  Her eyes narrowed as they stood face to face.

  Eryon stopped beside her, looking at the stranger to Raina. He put his hand on the hilt of the sword that rested on his hip. “Is something wrong?”

  The stranger didn’t break his gaze with Raina, but a thin-lipped smirk came to his face.

  Raina’s body went cold as she looked into his blue eyes. They were so blue that they mocked the sky on a bright summer day.

  He took in a breath as if smelling her, and his smirk widened. His eyes flickered up to Eryon.

  “No, Prince Eryon. Everything is entirely right,” he said and walked away as if nothing odd had just happened.

  Raina stood there, a sick feeling entering her stomach as she watched him walk away and blend into the crowd.

  She folded her arms and rubbed them against the sudden cold she felt.

  “What was that?” Seeing that she was cold, Eryon risked being recognized and took his cloak off. He wrapped it around Raina and smoothed it over her arms to warm her.

  “That was odd,” Allan said, his eyes following Raina’s gaze. “Do you know him?”

  Raina still shivered despite wearing Eryon’s cloak. She looked to Allan and Eryon.

  “No,” she said. “But I have a feeling we will.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Olia looked up from her scrolls when they entered her shop. The store was empty of customers. Bookshelves filled with scrolls, pots of herbs, flower petals, and various spools of fabric, thread, and needles were everywhere.

  Olia’s grin faded when she saw the looks on their faces.

  “What is it?” Her thin blue eyes looked behind them. “Has something happened?”

  Raina closed the door behind them, glancing out the window that looked out to the alley where she’d encountered the stranger.

  “I’m not quite sure what just happened,” Allan said, sniffing the various herbs Olia had on her work table.

  Eryon still had his hand on the hilt of his sword. “I’m not either. Maybe we should hurry to the party. I didn’t like the look of that man.”

  Olia looked alarmed. “What man is he talking about, Allan?”

  Raina turned to her. “No need to worry,” she said, shaking her head. “We are fine. Everything is fine.”

  “Are you sure?” Olia’s eyes questioned Raina about more than she could say in front of Eryon.

  “Yes,” Raina assured her. “But Prince Eryon is right. I need to hurry and get dressed so we aren’t late.”

  Olia smoothed her brown hair down. “I’m already ready,” she said, giving a twirl of her maroon gown. “Do you like it? I made it this morning.”

  Raina smiled.

  “It’s beautiful,” Allan said.

  “Thank you,” she said to him. “Your dress awaits you upstairs, Raina.”

  “Great.” Raina grabbed Olia by the hand pulling her toward the stairs that led up to Olia’s bed chambers.

  Upstairs Olia quickly changed out of her Seer’s uniform. Olia helped her slip into the gown. The fabric was softer than Raina remembered from when she picked it out.

  She glanced in the mirror that stood in the corner of Olia’s room.

  Raina paused at her reflection. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at herself.

  It had been a long time since Raina had worn a gown that beautiful. She’d have to thank Arela again for buying it for her. The high waist of the lavender dress had a shimmering black bow that Olia tied for her. It rested on her full bosom that was hinted at by the draped bodice. With long sleeves to cover her tattoos, and the hem brushing the tops of her black shoes, no one would suspect that she was anything but an average human girl.

  “You look fabulous,” Olia said as she stood beside her. “Prince Aric won’t know what to do with himself when he sees you.”

  Raina blushed. “You weren’t supposed to know about that.”

  “I see more than you think,” Olia said.

  Raina turned and winked at her. “I do too,” she said, pointing to a pair of Allan’s socks on the floor beside her bed.

  Olia’s face turned beet red. “Raina. Please don’t tell anyone.”

  Laughing, Raina rubbed Olia’s arm. “Who would I tell? Your secret is safe with me. You’ve kept Allan’s and mine for so long. I would never betray you.”

  Olia hugged her tightly, her face pressed to Raina’s chest.

  “Thank you, Raina.”

  When she pulled away, Raina saw tears in Olia’s eyes.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Olia sniffled. “I love him…and soon the two of you will leave us all behind and never return.”

  Raina’s smile faded. She lowered her voice. “It’s okay, Olia. Who says we can never return?”

  The thought had come to her many times, and each time she felt the pain of the truth. Olia was right. Soon they would have to leave, and all of their friends and loved ones would be forever gone to them.

  Raina turned and used one of Olia’s combs to break through the tangles in her waist-length black hair.

  “Do you really mean it, Raina?”

  Nodding, Raina pursed her lips. She couldn’t bring herself to voice the lie once again.

  Olia hugged her again. “Thank you,” she said and gave Raina a quick kiss on the cheek.

  The thought of falling for Prince Aric filled her with both grief and excitement. She started to doubt even wanting to experience love. She didn’t wish to feel the pain Olia would soon feel.

  Raina gripped her necklace in her fist.

  What are we doing?

  When Desi’s voice didn’t answer her, Raina felt the worry start to
rise from her belly to her throat. Desi was always there. Was she too weak to even speak now?

  She looked down at the necklace and gave it a shake. “Desi?”

  Olia stood beside her. “Is the fairy okay?”

  Raina sighed. “Yes. I’m sure she’s okay,” she lied. “Let’s go.”

  “Yes! Let’s get going. I don’t want to miss anything,” Olia cheered.

  Raina forced a smile. She didn’t mean to ruin Olia’s night amongst royalty. Prince Eryon was kind enough to bring her as a guest.

  Together they made their way from Olia’s bed chamber and down the stairs.

  Raina’s eyes met Eryon’s as she walked down to the shop floor. He looked up at her with a look of surprise and adoration. Wearing a golden mask, and revealing his rich evergreen waistcoat and black pants, he looked handsome.

  Almost as handsome as his older brother.

  His lips parted as his eyes followed her every move.

  “Do you like it?” Raina eagerly awaited his reply. His approval meant Aric would like it as well.

  She hoped as much.

  She walked directly to him, feeling Olia and Allan’s eyes on the two of them.

  Eryon swallowed, nodding. “I’m not sure why you’re asking me, Raina.”

  “Because I care about your opinion,” Raina said. She held her dress’ skirt out, her eyes bright as she awaited his reply.

  “You look nice.”

  Nice? She hoped that was enough.

  Eryon licked his lips as his eyes went to her bosom. Abruptly, his eyes left hers. He cleared his throat. “Is everyone ready?”

  Without looking back, he spoke to Allan and Olia. “Let’s go.”

  Raina stood in the doorway, watching Eryon walk ahead of them, his cloak lifting from the dusty stone streets with the gentle night breeze.

  “I think you’re going to break his poor heart tonight,” Olia whispered to her, her eyes saddened.

  Raina’s mouth parted. What did she mean?

  She tried to make sense of Olia’s words as they walked together through the dark roads of the Lower City to the outdoor garden hall near the Upper City.

  The moon shone above them as the sky went black.

  Raina glanced up at the sky. Her brows furrowed.

  Where were all of the stars?

  The sky was odd all day, and she didn’t like it.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Aric stood on the balcony above the crowded courtyard, looking down at the people of Rhene. After so much time abroad, they all seemed odd to him. He was still amazed by how differently the rest of the world dressed and styled themselves.

  Also, the pungent scent of magic didn’t exist in his kingdom. Aric had been to lands where magic could be felt in the air. Being without it made the taste air stale.

  He’d been farther than most people would ever go in their lives. He’d seen things that had changed him forever, and he missed the freedom he felt when he was away. Now that he was home, nothing felt the same.

  After that stunning loss in the coliseum earlier, he was in a foul mood.

  How did a woman defeat him?

  He’d trained with some of the best swordsmen in the entire world. The shame of such an embarrassing loss would cling to him forever.

  “Why the solemn face, Aric? You’re supposed to be celebrating with me,” Arela said. “Did you have too much ale yesterday?”

  His sister was right. Aric was supposed to be enjoying himself, or, at least, pretending to enjoy himself. He gripped the stone of the balcony.

  “I’m sorry, Arela. I really am glad to have made it home in time to celebrate with you.”

  The truth was, just three weeks ago, Aric had killed his first man. Father was right. There were those out there that wanted him dead. Being born with even a tiny measure of god-like power, and he was hated by those that didn’t even know him.

  Aric had never been hated before. He’d also never stabbed with a dagger.

  The wound was healing, but the memory would hurt him forever.

  “I am so glad that you’re home,” Arela said, hugging his side.

  Aric smiled at her and turned his gaze to the guests that poured into the courtyard in the center of Rhene’s gardens.

  They all wore elaborate masks just as Princess Arela requested.

  “Well,” Arela said putting her hand on his. “Let’s go down there and meet some of the guests.”

  Aric nodded and led his sister down the stairs from the balcony.

  Aric did enjoy the smell of the food being prepared, and the scent of flowers once they were outside. He started to feel at home. Tall covered torches lit the area, and musicians played soft music with their instruments.

  “They could use some drums out here,” Aric said.

  Arela nudged him. “You complain too much. Did you know that? I know you saw a lot out there during your travels, but you are home now. Enjoy what home has to offer.”

  Aric’s brows furrowed at his younger sister’s keen assessment of his attitude, but he kept silent as they stood on the stairs that led to the courtyard.

  Arela was right.

  Besides, he needed to prepare himself…for her. He’d told himself that he would make it right with her. There was no point in hurting her. She deserved better than what he’d done the say before.

  He only hoped she still felt the same.

  It didn’t take the people of Rhene to notice them. People started making their way closer to get a better look. They smiled up at him, eager for him to come down to their level.

  With a sigh, Aric took the last few steps down.

  “Hello, Prince Aric,” an older woman with too much red rouge on her lips said the instant she was in his range. She pushed her daughter before him. “This is my daughter, Liza. She just turned sixteen this summer.”

  The girl looked younger than sixteen, with long brown hair and a body that was much thinner than his preference for women.

  Aric nodded. “Good to meet you. You’ll excuse me,” he said with a nod to Liza before sidestepping her.

  “She wasn’t that bad, Aric,” Arela said as they made their way through the crowds that bowed their heads in his presence.

  “She’s too young.”

  Arela snorted. “You’re only twenty-one. The gap isn’t that noticeable.”

  “Then she wasn’t pretty enough.”

  “No one is pretty enough for you.”

  Right. No one except the girl with the eyes the color of storm clouds.

  “Mother and father will find you a wife if you don’t hurry and find one of your own,” Arela said with a grin. “They might just choose Liza.” She laughed.

  Aric stopped walking. Arela stopped beside him.

  “What is it?” Her eyes followed his gaze.

  Aric heard the arrival of Prince Eryon and his guest. He glanced up at them, but his eyes fixed on the girl at Prince Eryon’s side.

  There she was. It had to be her. Dressed in a lavender gown and mask, nothing could hide her from him.

  He urged her to look at him. It was all that he had waited for those past three years.

  That kiss.

  Aric had dreamt about it almost every night.

  When her gaze met his, he felt that same powerful connection that made the hairs on his skin stand on end.

  Before he realized what he was doing, he was walking directly toward her.

  Her eyes widened when he stood before her, Arela quickly following to stand beside him.

  Aric glanced at Prince Eryon. “Hello, Eryon. You look smashing,” he said to the prince, and his eyes went back to the beauty at his brother’s side.

  “Good evening, Aric. Welcome home,” Prince Eryon replied, his jaw tightening as he watched Aric look the girl up and down.

  “Raina,” Aric said, taking her hand in his. “I’d never forget those eyes.”

  She was warm without the gloves.

  She nodded, keeping her smile at bay, but unable to hide the sp
arkle in her eyes when she looked at him.

  “Yes, Prince Aric. I am Raina.”

  Aric didn’t let go of her hand but nodded for her to come with him.

  “You’ll join me for a moment,” he said.

  It wasn’t a question.

  She looked back at her brother, Eryon, and the plain girl at his brother’s side, as if asking them if it was okay. They all looked stunned by what was happening.

  Aric could tell that Raina didn’t reveal anything about that night before he left.

  It was their little secret. Now, he didn’t want any secrets between them.

  He didn’t care what anyone else thought. While the group before him seemed perplexed by Aric’s actions, Arela grinned.

  When neither of them gave her the permission she sought, she made the decision on her own.

  “Yes. We have much to talk about, Prince Aric,” she said and allowed herself to be led away.

  Aric didn’t let go of her hand. He never wanted to let her go ever again.

  “Yes,” he said, stroking her soft hand. “We do.”

  There was something special about this girl, something that made him forget the pain of the past.

  He would not sleep until he found out what that was.

  Chapter Thirty

  He didn’t forget me, Raina thought with a grin.

  Raina still held the hand of her prince. Her cheeks felt warm as they walked through the path made by the crowd of guests. They all stared at her with curiosity.

  She’d barely had time to notice the incredible decorations and the gowns and masks of the other guests. She tried to take it all in, but her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced up at Aric’s face.

  His blond hair was cut a little shorter, and his face was smooth and free of facial hair. He had grown older, but even more attractive.

  Raina stared at him curiously.

  Something had changed about him, now that she had a closer look without slamming her swords into his shield. A hardness that wasn’t there before.

  He had seen things.

  Done things.

  Her heart went out to him. She wanted to hear about everything that had occurred while he was away.