by Amy Sumida
“I want that too.” I angled my head so he'd look at me. “I promised to give you a chance, remember? I'll give you two weeks to convince me, but I'll also be using that time to try and convince you.”
Darcraxis rolled us so that I lay atop him. “What if neither of us is convinced after two weeks?”
“You said that if I still wanted the others after I'd been with you, then you'd try to be okay with it,” I reminded him. “Are you asking what will happen if I refuse to become your goddess, and you aren't able to accept my consorts?”
“Yes,” he went serious.
“I suppose we'll both suffer,” I said softly. “But first, I need you to help me find that dagger. Will you do that; even if we can't compromise?”
“Of course, I will,” Darc said. “I wouldn't have told you about it if I wasn't willing to give you that option. I want you to be happy, Elaria. Even if I end up without you, I will be able to go on if I can see you happy.”
“I love you,” I whispered as I leaned down to kiss him. “I want you to be happy too.”
“But?” He asked with a twisted grin.
“But I don't want the others hurt either,” I added.
“Two weeks,” Darc said as he shifted his hips up and drove deeper into me. “We'll talk about this again after two weeks.”
“I can accept that,” I said with a saucy smile. “No more talk of other men or soul daggers until then.”
“Just you and me,” he added.
“Just you and me,” I agreed.
I laid over Darcraxis and started moving in the slow manner he'd taught me; bringing as much of my skin in contact with his as possible. My body came alive with magic and pleasure, and then Darc added his masterful mouth to the mix. I was moaning my way into ecstasy within minutes.
Chapter Eighteen
The next morning, I got Darc's permission to make a quick call to my consorts. I know that sounds subservient, but it wasn't about his control over me, it was the promise I had made. He agreed to release me from my vow for the few minutes it took to let the men know that I was all right and would be spending the next two weeks with Darc. I also told them about the dagger and asked them to begin the search for it. The news about my impending soul severing was as frightening for them as it was for me, but the possibility of not finding the dagger and simply becoming a goddess was far scarier. So, they agreed to use the next two weeks to search Tír na nÓg for the dagger.
After I'd made my calls, I turned to Darc and said, “You've had a day with me here, will you give me a day to show you the world I was raised in?”
“I've seen your world through you, Elaria,” Darc said gently. “You don't have to convince me of the magnificence of Earth or even of Tír na nÓg—which we created.”
“Experiencing things second hand, through your connection to me, isn't the same as being there yourself,” I protested. “You've created worlds, and you've explored them as a god. I want you to know what it feels like to be a regular man.”
“If you wish to take me somewhere, I'm happy to go with you,” he said. “But I'm telling you now that it will not have an effect on my opinions. I've seen and done it all.”
“No, sweetheart, you haven't,” I said smugly as I held out my hand to him. “Do you trust me?”
“You're the only one I trust.” Darc took my hand.
I used my traveling stone to take us to Earth; California, to be exact. We arrived in a small alley but were instantly bombarded by a cacophony of sound: music, conversations, laughter, and delighted shrieking. Darc gave me a confused smile as I led him out of the empty alley and into a crowd of people. He looked around in confusion and then stopped and stared up at the fairytale castle before us.
“What is this place?” He asked in wonder. “Is this a kingdom I've never seen?”
“I suppose it is, in a way.” I chuckled. “Welcome to Disneyland, Darcraxis!”
“Disneyland,” he whispered as he looked over the horde of vacationing families, actors in the costumes of cartoon characters, and vendors hawking their overpriced wares. “I don't know if I like this strange place. Is that a person dressed as a giant dog?”
“The crowds are the worst of it,” I said as I took his hand and started leading him to the castle. “But it's worth dealing with them—and the giant dogs—to experience the rides.”
“Rides?” Darc frowned as he looked around. “What will we be riding?”
“You'll see,” I said gleefully.
It took us an hour to get through Sleeping Beauty's castle and into Fantasyland. Not because of the people impeding us, but because Darc became so fascinated with the dioramas that we had to explore the entire castle. I will never forget his face when Maleficent shifted into a fire-breathing dragon. He turned to me with an excited expression and declared that we should make dragons next.
“I wondered why the gods of the dragon-shifters decided to form their races in such a way,” he gushed. “But now I see; they're beautiful and powerful.”
“That's not a real drachen,” I said. “She's a cartoon character; make-believe. Like Goofy, back there.”
“The daydreams of mortals are the realities of gods,” Darcraxis said with a smug smile. Then he waved a hand at a guy dressed up like Mickey. “I could make a race of giant, talking mice if I wished to. Although, that would not be nearly as magnificent as dragons.”
“You're incorrigible.” I shook my head and led him outside.
“I believe that's part of being a god,” he countered. “You cannot correct the omniscient.”
“Now, you're just being a jackass,” I muttered.
“This is like a European village, but also not,” Darc said as he gawked at Fantasyland—and completely ignored my insult. “Very not.” He frowned at the giant, spinning teacups full of people. “What's happening here?”
“That's one of the rides,” I said gleefully. “Do you want to try it?”
“But why? What's the purpose of spinning about in cups?” He stood at the edge of the ride and scowled as he watched the laughing people as they were tossed about. “It looks insane.”
“We're all mad here,” I said as I took his hand and led him to the back of the line.
“What's this?”
“A line for the ride,” I explained. “We have to wait our turn. See? It's ending now. The people will get out, and the ride attendant will move the next group in.”
“There are a lot of people ahead of us,” he noted. “I don't wish to wait.”
“Well, that's a part of being human.” I shrugged.
“I'm not human, and neither are you.”
“Keep your voice down,” I whispered. “That's not something we advertise.”
“Why don't I just take us directly into one of those cups?” He offered.
“And have everyone see us appear out of thin air?” I asked. “That would cause a riot.” I thought about it. “Or they might think we're a part of a magic act. Either way, it would be attention that we don't want.”
“Fine,” he huffed. “Then how do we bypass this?”
“We don't.” And then I realized that we'd need passes to get onto the ride. “Crap! I forgot that we need to buy tickets.”
“Tickets?” Darc scowled deeper. “This is becoming far too complicated, Elaria.” He looked around and then grabbed a passing princess. “How do we ride in teacups without waiting in this line?”
The woman blinked at him, took in Darc's impossible attractiveness, and nearly fainted. Darc steadied her in a way that looked gallant, but I saw a dark mist seep from his fingers and into her skin. The woman inhaled sharply as her hand went to flutter over her chest.
“I... I'd be happy to give you a VIP tour of the park,” she panted and then held out her hand. “I'm June.”
“That's a month, I believe,” Darc pointed out as he shook her hand.
“And my name.” She nodded. “Although, today I'm also Cinderella.” She giggled like a little girl as she held out her ski
rts and curtsied to Darc. “Come with me, Prince Charming, and we shall explore the kingdom.”
“My name is Darcraxis,” he said. “I'm far more than a prince.”
“I don't doubt that, Mr. Darcraxis,” she said breathlessly. “That's a beautiful name; it's so exotic.”
“And this is my wife, Elaria,” he said with a nod toward me.
June gave me a cursory glance and a nod before flouncing off.
I rolled my eyes as June led us to the front of the teacup line and went to speak with the ride attendant. The guy managing the ride frowned at her, but then took a good look at Darc. His eyes widened and he nodded at Cinderella. I hadn't considered the reactions Darc would get to his handsome mug. A god among men; he definitely stood out. Especially in the casual, button-down shirt and trousers I'd made him wear. He looked like a movie star. Sure enough, when I took a quick look around, I saw all the stares he was getting. People were pulling out their cell phones to take pictures of him.
“They think you're a celebrity,” I said to Darc and laughed. “This is kind of awesome.”
“A celebrity?” He asked. “A popular human?”
“An actor or a billionaire; someone like that.” I nodded.
“Right this way,” Cinderella said and then led us to the front of the line; sashaying her puffy, blue skirts proudly past the line of gawking parents and whining children.
June escorted us all the way to a teacup and set the little door in place before she went to stand by the attendant. The rest of the people were herded into the remaining cups—most giving us curious looks and some glaring at us for bypassing the wait—and then the ride began.
“I don't see how this will be amusing,” Darc said as he gave the humans an imperious stare. “It feels rather silly to be sitting in a giant cup.”
“Just give it a chance,” I said.
Suddenly, we were jerked about, and Darc had to grab the little column in the center of the cup. His eyes widened in surprise as I slid over to him. Darc's arm went around me as we twirled but he kept a firm hold on the column to keep us still. A deep frown marred his forehead.
“Just let go, Darc,” I whispered in his ear. “Hold onto me instead. I promise; it will be way more fun.”
Darcraxis, the God of Darkness, let go and started to laugh.
Chapter Nineteen
We went on ride after ride; Cinderella taking us to the front of every line. We flew through the air on an astro orbitter, rode trains and a monorail, explored a tree house, went down the rabbit hole, paddled a canoe, and had an underwater adventure in a submarine. And still, Darc wanted more.
“Let's get some lunch first,” I suggested. “I'm starving.”
“I know the perfect place!” Cinderella declared.
She took us to New Orleans Square and up to a door that had a brass plaque engraved with the number 33. Cinderella pulled a card out of a pocket in her skirt and flashed it at the plaque. A man opened the door and had a conversation with her that went on far longer than the ones she'd had with the ride attendants. Evidently, this restaurant was exclusive, and the host wasn't convinced that Darc and I should be allowed inside. As insulting as it was, I was impressed that Darc's looks hadn't swayed the guy in the least.
Finally, Darc got impatient and misted the guy with the same darkness he'd used to douse Cinderella. No amount of integrity could withstand god magic. The man blinked, stepped back, and ushered us inside with great pomp. We'd gone from outcasts to royalty in seconds. I glanced at Darc and shook my head with a smile. He just shrugged.
“Excellent!” Cinderella clapped excitedly. “I've never been in Club 33 before. The memberships are expensive and exclusive, but I thought they might make an exception for you.”
“June, there is nowhere that I cannot go,” Darc said gently. “If there is anywhere else you wish to see, tell me; I'd be happy to take you. You've earned it.”
“Really?” June stammered.
“Be careful what you wish for,” I warned her. “He can be very literal.”
“Can I think about it?” She asked.
“Of course.” Darc waved his hand forward. “We still have need of you. Tell me your wish at the end of the day.”
“Thank you,” June bowed reverently and then straightened with a confused and flustered expression. “Sorry; I don't know why I did that.”
“It happens all the time,” I reassured her.
“Oh.” She glanced at Darc again; no doubt wondering who he really was.
June looked as if she might work up the courage to ask, but then I saw the blossoming awareness in her eyes. She was sensing that Darc had told the truth when he said that he was far more than a prince, and she was also sensing that she didn't want to know that truth. After the last conversation, she probably thought he was a genie.
“Right this way,” the host said as he rejoined us.
He had found a replacement to watch the door so he could escort us personally. We were taken into a courtyard that looked very Italian Renaissance. There were iron lanterns, hanging ferns, and statuary posed around a blue, iron staircase that wound its way up. An iron sign announced that it was the Court des Anges; the Court of Angels. I didn't see any angels as we were led upward, though. You'd think with that name they'd at least throw an angel statue in one of the wall nooks or something. Maybe we were headed up to Heaven. After being to the real thing recently, I didn't have high hopes.
At the top of the stairs, the floor was adorned with a beautiful mosaic in blue and gold showcasing the number 33 within a shield. A pair of blue, double doors were opened for us, and we were escorted down a hallway with mural-covered walls, through a dark wine cellar, and into a room with intimate dining booths. The décor was very “Old World library” with maroon drapes, wood paneling, and oil paintings hung on the walls. But our guide didn't stop there; he took us past a nodding doorman and into an Art Nouveau lounge that was much brighter and more beautiful than the previous room.
“This is Le Salon Nouveau,” the host told us with an important air. “It's reserved for our platinum and executive members and their guests. Please, sit wherever you like, and I will get menus for you.”
We took a table in the center of the room beneath the pale blue swirls of stained glass panels. The walls alternated between bare brick and cream wallpaper, the bar was carved mahogany and Italian marble, and there was a painting of some Jazz musicians on one of the brick walls. The musicians shifted as I watched, and one of the players disappeared. Then soft Jazz started to play.
“When you're ready to order, Jeremy will help you,” the host introduced a waiter who bowed to us. “This is the only place in the park where alcohol is served so you may enjoy a cocktail here while we prepare your meal, and then we'll escort you to a table in Le Grand Salon.”
“Thank you,” Darc said regally.
The host bowed and left, and then Jeremy stepped forward. He gave Cinderella a disapproving look.
“I'll just wait at the bar,” she said and went to perch on one of the bar stools.
Jeremy pointed out some specialty drinks, recommended some entrees, and then just stood there, waiting patiently for us. After we'd placed our orders and were sipping our cocktails, at last, Darc turned to me with a soft smile.
“This has been the most amazing day,” he said. “I had no idea that humans could create such frivolously wondrous things. Thank you for bringing me here, Elaria.”
“It's the most magical place on Earth,” I said with a grin. “I thought it was appropriate.”
“It is magical in a way,” he agreed. “All the more so because I experienced it with you.”
“This is just the beginning, honey,” I said smugly. “The Shining Ones may have real magic, and Ildathach is undoubtedly the most amazing world I've ever seen, but Earth has its own wonders to experience.”
“I wish to see them all,” he said determinedly.
“I'm sure you will,” I said softly. “But not today. We're only ha
lfway through this park.”
“Park.” Darc laughed. “This is far more than a park.”
“It was created for children.”
“Humph,” he huffed. “That's something I could have done without; all the children. They're rather loud.”
“You don't like children?” I asked in surprise.
“Not those type of children,” he said. “Our children were born fully grown but after they birthed their own babies, I used to enjoy watching them together. Those were sweet, special moments. However, this”—he waved his hand about—“this ruckus is too abrasive. I never once saw a shining one child behave like that. I'm glad we're dining in a place without them.”
“They can be loud,” I agreed. “Especially when they're excited. But you shouted a few times yourself.”
“I did indeed,” Darc admitted. “Yes; I understand why they're loud, but that doesn't mean that I enjoy experiencing it.”
“Does that mean you'd like to skip seeing the rest of the park?” I asked with a lifted brow.
“I didn't mean that either,” he huffed. “As you said when we arrived; the rides are worth the annoyances.”
“Good; because we haven't gone on the Jungle Cruise yet, and I think you'll really like that one.”
“Jungle it is.” Darc held his glass up, and I clicked mine against it.
Chapter Twenty
The trip to Disneyland was a success. At the end of the day, Darc kept his promise to our guide and—after she changed into her street clothes—we took her to dinner in Venice. By the time we dropped her off in her tiny apartment, June knew that Darc was magical, but she was smart enough to simply enjoy it and say thank you.
The next morning, I decided to take Darc somewhere much colder; the Alps. We went skiing, and Darc loved it; the bracing weather, the speed of skimming over the snow, and the romantic dinner in our private dining room later. The day after that, I thought I'd take him off land entirely and perhaps go for a hot air balloon ride. But the balloon would have to wait because the God of Darkness had other plans. I had two days to show him around Earth and now it was his turn.