Mortal Enchantment

by Stacey O'Neale

  She reached for the handle and I put my hand on top of hers. "No. I'm going to go the Ball as scheduled. I won't let them know I've flinched. That's exactly what they want.”

  "But, Kalin―”

  I could not let her go to Jarrod and the knights. Rowan planned to search the basement for clues. If the knights went searching the castle, they would find Rowan and possibly ruin everything. "You have to trust me here. They won't make a move at the Ball. There will be witnesses everywhere. What I really need to do is to get through the night. We'll deal with this afterwards.”

  Ariel chewed on her bottom lip. It was easy to see she didn’t agree with me, but she had no choice, and she knew it. "I'll stay with you all night. I won't take any chances.”

  "Come on, girl. I promise, everything will be fine.” I let her out the door and followed down the hallway toward the ballroom. I swallowed hard, hoping she didn't notice my anxiety. She needed to think everything would turn out okay. I wanted to believe it too, but I wasn't certain.

  Nothing was certain anymore.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The sun set, illuminating the stone hallway with a glint of tangerine. The farther we moved down the corridor, the louder the piano music sounded with a mass of voices in the background. I shook along with Ariel’s jitters. Of course, I had no choice since she had my arm wrapped inside hers. At the end of the walkway stood two French style golden doors, both engraved with a mountain landscape etching.

  I pulled on her arm, and we stopped. "Come on, Ariel. I need you to be brave with me or I'll never get through this.”

  She smiled back at me. "You’re right, I'm sorry. Nothing has changed. You'll go in there and claim the power for the air court then we'll worry about the rest later.”

  I wasn’t entirely sure who she was trying to reassure. I took the last few steps, settling right in front of the massive door.

  Ariel tapped on the door with the leaf shaped knocker. Her arm still nestled in mine, we waited as the door screeched open. The music echoed down the hall while a brush of cool air pushed the curls away from my face. I turned away as the setting sun's light poured out of the entrance. Ariel led us inside, oblivious to the brightness.

  I opened my eyes, taking in the packed ballroom. White marble floors sparkled in every direction with couples moving across a crowded dance floor. The women wore exquisite Ball gowns in a riot of colors. All were beautiful—some were made of fabric while others were made of flowers and vines. The men managed to look just as dreamy. All wore black tuxedos with ties, vests, and even some scattered top hats. Each guest had a mask either covering their eyes or their entire faces. Of course, the masks matched to coordinate each couple. It was a scene straight out of Phantom of the Opera.

  We stood at the top of a double stairway for several minutes. I was captivated by the orchestra sitting right in between the two staircases. Gnomes from the woodland court held string instruments and flutes, or sat behind various drums. With each hypnotic chord the entire room vibrated in exact unison. The dancers flowed with the music almost like a joint performance. My body stirred with a desire to join them. But before I could take my first step down the long stairwell, I felt a tickle behind my ear.

  "Surely you can't expect to attend a masquerade ball without a mask?” Ariel asked rhetorically while she attached the yellow mask behind my ears.

  I zipped around, catching a glimpse of my reflection. The mask matched my yellow gown exactly, only covering my eyes and nose. A starburst of diamonds exploded over the middle of the mask, tracing the eye holes. Ariel appeared beside me in the reflection. Her mask had feathers across the top, matching flawlessly to her gleaming lavender gown.

  Ariel spun me around until our eyes met. "Now, this part is very important. When the music stops, they will announce you. You'll see your escort on the other end of the stairs. They will say your name and you'll meet him halfway. He'll put your hand inside his arm and you'll walk to the middle of the dance floor. Then, you dance. Got it?”

  My heart pounded like a beating drum. "Hold on a second, an escort? Why do I need an escort?”

  She shook her head, laughing. "Relax, it's only for a few minutes. The escort will help you down the steps. You’ll walk, you’ll dance, and you're done.” She repositioned a few of my curls. "It's no big deal, I promise.”

  I watched the couples below doing some old-school waltz. The room suddenly felt incredibly hot. A drop of sweat ran down my back and I was sure my face was blood red. "But Ariel, I don't know how to dance like that.”

  My chest tightened. Is this what it feels like to hyperventilate?

  She fanned my face with her hand. "All you need to do is concentrate on the music, the steps will come. Don't over-think it.”

  The steps will just come? Oh good, I'm feeling so much better now!

  Ariel's eyes widened for a split second, then she immediately put her hands at her sides and bowed. Over my shoulder I saw the woodland court king and queen. We remained still as they moved toward us. The queen was picture perfect with porcelain skin and long brown hair hanging in loose curls down most of her back. Her dress was a strapless forest green gown with white flowers sewn into the bottom trim. The king looked flawless in a black tuxedo with a green tie matching the queen’s gown.

  I took Ariel's cue, bowing my head.

  The king spoke first. "You've arrived at last, Princess Kalin. The fire and water courts have already been announced.”

  Now was not the time to tell them about the ring. "I apologize if anyone had to wait. We had a bit of last minute drama to deal with, but it's resolved.”

  His voice turned sullen. "I had hoped Taron would have surfaced by now. He is an ally to the House of Gheb, as well as the entire woodland court. His disappearance has upset us deeply.”

  His allegiance to Dad was not a surprise. Dad had told me many stories about his longtime friendship with King Orion.

  "I had hoped the same, Your Majesty. I'm sure the council is doing all they can to find him.” I lied. No matter how useless they seemed, I needed their help. After the Ball, I planned to call an emergency meeting and tell them about the dream vision of Dad, as well as show them the ring.

  The king and queen moved into position at the top of the staircase. "For now, I hope you can enjoy the Ball. The shifting of power is an important moment for your court. Your father would be proud to see you now, Kalin.”

  I forced a smile. His words sliced into my chest like a sword. King Orion meant well, but thinking of my father in his current state made my heart ache.

  The music stopped except for a trumpet drawing everyone's attention toward us. Ariel led me to the side of the steps behind the king and queen, then disappeared into the crowd below. I fanned my hand in front of my face to create a little breeze while I replayed every step of what Ariel had told me. I hadn’t noticed that a man in a black tuxedo now stood parallel to me. Minus the diamonds around the eye holes, he had an identical mask. His hair was slicked back and his face was cleanly shaven. Whoever he was, he had yummy written all over him.

  A pudgy gnome in a tuxedo announced, "Presenting the king and queen of the House of Gheb.” Rousing applause filled the room as the couple walked down the steps and into the middle of the marble dance floor.

  Okay Kalin, this will be over in a minute. Just relax and let him lead you.

  The small gnome cleared his throat. "Presenting Princess Kalin of the House of Paralda and her escort.” The applause started again and I met my mystery guy in the middle. I locked my arm inside his and he leaned toward my ear. "You clean up nice, Jelly Bean.”

  Rowan.

  The tension in my shoulders relaxed when an all too familiar smirk appeared across his face. Exhilaration bubbled in my stomach. I didn't want to be so excited that he was here, but I was. He led me next to where the woodland king and queen stood. "I thought you weren't coming?” I whispered.

  "I wanted to make sure you were safe.” He shrugged. "Besides, I look sexy in a tu
x.”

  Really, he was hot in everything he wore, but no need to tell him what he already knows. It was amazing that his inflated ego was able to fit through the doors. "You look okay, I guess.”

  "Just okay?” The music started again and Rowan pulled my body into his. Tingles raced down my spine as his hand tightened around my waist. His other hand cupped mine. "Your flustered cheeks say otherwise.”

  I rolled my eyes. "I'm hot.”

  He chuckled. "I'm sure you are.”

  In the mist of our banter, I hadn’t realized we were gliding across the floor like professional dancers. My legs moved as if I had performed this waltz every day. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this.”

  “I had a feeling you’d be a good dancer.”

  My eyebrows knitted together. “Why do you say that?”

  He was about to say something, then paused. "You have a great partner.”

  "Partner, teacher, friend. We seem to fit in quite a few categories.”

  "I don't have friends.”

  "What about Marcus.”

  For a brief moment, his lips tightened into a thin line, then returned to his standard serious face. "He’s the only one.”

  The words stung a little. Was everything between us on a co-worker level? Had I read too much into his subtle flirtations? "Okay, then what are we?” I asked, sharply.

  He leaned closer to my ear, his breath made me shiver. "Wouldn't you love to know?”

  When the last note of the song played, Ariel appeared right next to me. Before I could say another word, I was heading toward the farthest corner of the room. She finally stopped behind a bronze statue of two dancing elementals. I gave her my what-is-your-drama look while Ariel peeked around the side of the sculpture.

  "Who are you hiding from?” I asked.

  "Aiden,” she stated, as if I was supposed to already know why.

  I tapped her several times on her shoulder until she turned around. "Okay, I'm going to need a bit more information. Spill it.”

  "He's my betrothed.”

  "Wait, what?” My eyes widened with shock.

  She crossed her arms, staring at the dancing elementals. "His father is a high-ranking knight in the air court, which is why he was chosen. Our union will elevate our family status within the court.”

  I rubbed the back of my neck. "Okay, this isn't the 1600's. Why is this necessary?”

  "Elementals have existed since the beginning of time. The traditions have been around for centuries and they rarely change. It might surprise you to hear this, but most high-ranking elementals have arranged marriages.”

  I took a peek at the crowded dance floor. A male elemental was scanning the area around us. That had to be Aiden. He had his mask off, revealing high cheekbones and pouty lips. His white-blond hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, he had a very muscular build. For a moment, I wondered what she was really complaining about. He was pretty hot. I curled back around, noticing Ariel's head pointed toward the floor. There had to be something more to her story.

  I put my hand on her shoulder. "I'm having a hard time feeling sorry for you while I stare at the sexy-as-all-hell dude searching for you. Am I missing something here?”

  She met my gaze with moist eyes. "There is, but it can never happen.”

  I wiggled my eyebrows. "There's another guy? The plot thickens. Who is this mystery guy?”

  "He lives mostly in the mortal world. He's a halfling like you.”

  Nice to know I wasn't the only halfling around. "I think you should tell your parents. There's no way they would want you to marry Aiden if you're in love with someone else.”

  "It's not that simple. I cannot refuse an order from the court. If I did, I would be exiled.” She leaned to the side, watching Aiden weave through the crowd. "We can never happen.”

  I bumped her shoulder with my arm. "Regardless, I still think you should try to tell your parents how you feel.”

  "With my parents, it’s only about our social status in the court. Aiden is our best chance for my younger brothers to join the knights. The union makes sense on paper.” She wiped away a tear with the back of her hand. "There’s no getting out of this. Eventually, I will have to marry Aiden.”

  I tucked a few of her stray hairs behind her ear. "We’ll find a way out of this Ariel, I promise.” I winked. "Let's not forget I'm kind of a big deal around here.”

  She ran her fingers under her eyelids, wiped her smeared make-up and giggled. "Oh, I must look like a total disaster. I’m going to go clean myself up.” She hesitated for a moment. "Will you be okay by yourself for a minute?”

  "She'll be fine.” A male voice interrupted. "I'll make sure she's safe.” I turned and Jarrod was standing behind us holding two filled wine glasses. "You both look like you could use a drink.”

  "You couldn't have come at a better time.” Ariel smiled, snatching one of the glasses and chugged it in one gulp.

  I was a bit more hesitant. "What's in it? I haven't had the best experience with wine around here.”

  "It's mortal wine from Tuscany, I believe.”

  Even though he had been my father’s closest confidant, I had to count him as a possible suspect. "Thanks again.” I took a small sip of the rose colored beverage. Nothing happened, so I assumed it was okay. "If you'll excuse me, I should go mingle with the other council members. It would be rude otherwise.”

  "Of course, Princess.” He bowed, and Ariel darted for the bathroom.

  I made my way toward the dance floor while I thought a bit more about this whole betrothed thing. If most high-ranking elementals have arranged marriages, does that include half- elemental princesses from the air court? My anxiety soared. I was about to chase after Ariel for clarification when a single guitarist began to play. The lights dimmed until the entire room was lit only by pink candlelight. A drummer joined the guitar rhythm. It was hypnotizing. The mass of dancers swayed slowly along with the thumping beat. Following the seductive sounds, I pushed my way through the crowd, hoping to get closer to the orchestra.

  Without much thought, I finished my wine, setting the glass on a nearby table. A hand clasped mine. I twisted around discovering Rowan standing there. He stepped back and took a bow in front of me. When he rose, I stared at the shape of his perfect lips. The bottom one was slightly fuller than the top. Totally kissable. Instantly my mouth was dry. I licked my lips.

  Elementals circled all around us while we stood—some dancing alone and others partnered in an erotic dance I had never seen. Like never before, I felt a desperate longing for him. A feral desire to crush my body into his, dancing into exhaustion. I reached out for his other hand and several female elementals let out a long, moaning sigh.

  Our hands joined and I felt a sizzle at the tips of my fingers. He pulled me into his chest, and with his other hand, gripped dangerously low on my backside. My free hand slithered around his neck, fingers tickling at the bottom of his hairline. With no space left between us, we glided across the dance floor. We spun around in circles, captured by the enchanting song. The tension built the longer we danced. His fingers pressed into my back, letting me know he felt it too. Our motions reduced to barely a sway as his hand skated up and down my exposed spine.

  The music came to a stop and we stood still. My arms crossed around his neck. I was desperate to feel his kiss. I traced his lips with the tip of my finger, his body stiffened. His hesitation surprised me. "You're not planning to run away again are you?”

  He lowered his head. "You don't understand.”

  "Then please, explain it to me,” I insisted.

  Another song had begun, but we stood motionless on the dance floor. He appeared as if he was searching for something to say, but stayed silent.

  I stood still, but the room continued to move around me. The dancers around us contorted into impossible positions. I couldn't watch them anymore. Instead, I focused on Rowan. His mouth was moving, but I couldn't comprehend what he was saying. I felt like I was drunk, but how could that be?
I had only one glass of wine. Then it all made sense.

  Jarrod lied.

  He gave me an enchanted elixir.

  "Something is wrong,” I shouted at Rowan over the music. "Everything is hazy. What I'm seeing doesn't make sense.”

  He grabbed hold of my shoulders to keep me steady. "Did you drink anything?”

  "Jarrod brought me and…and Ariel something,” I stuttered. Fear settled in the pit of my stomach. "He said it was mortal wine. He lied.”

  "I have to get you out of here.” Rowan clasped my hand in his, leading me toward the exit.

  The music stopped and the sound of trumpets followed. I squinted at the top of the stairway. The fire queen stood ceremoniously in a skintight red dress with her hands clasped behind her.

  Oh God, it was time for the power display.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Even with blurred vision, Liana was impossible to miss. Her red dress wrapped snug around her voluptuous curves. Behind her, the three Gabriel Hounds I remembered from the council meeting stood in their mortal form. They each scanned different parts of the room. In their tuxedos, they reminded me of the secret service minus the roach-size earpieces.

  I gasped when Jarrod appeared at her side. If the room ever stopped spinning, I planned to grab the nearest sharp object and slit their throats. I had no doubt I was looking at the two people responsible for my father’s disappearance. I clenched my fists so hard I broke through the skin of my palm.

  Jarrod waved his hands to silence the crowd. "It is customary for the king to greet you during these ceremonies, but due to current circumstances, I will stand in his place.”

  His fake sympathy made me want to vomit. The crowd let out a heavy sigh, and Jarrod lowered his head. Liana put her hand on his shoulder as if comforting him. Rowan was right all along, the fire court couldn’t be trusted. Liana had to be the other person involved in my father's disappearance. She could have been disguising her voice when I heard them talking behind the iron door.