by Jen Wylie
"I am not," he continued, his deep voice even more husky in its anger.
"We were just having a little talk. No harm done."
Roan glanced at her and frowned. He didn't move his sword. "You've woken her from riath dreams. She can't move, never mind speak."
The stranger turned his attention back to her. She was surprised to find he didn't seem very concerned about the sword at his throat as he grinned playfully at her. "Here I thought I'd finally managed to terrify someone into silence."
Roan lowered his sword and pulled the Elf up by the scruff of his coat, getting a yelp in response. "Get out. I told you I'd contact you when you could speak with her."
The Elf huffed as Roan pushed him toward the door. "But it took me so long to find her!"
"You've other things to do. Go do them."
"Fine, fine. Until later, my lovely!"
Aro blinked again as they both left the room. Struggling to sort out what just happened, she stared up at the bed canopy. Apparently the Elf hadn't come to kill her, but if not, why did he want to speak with her? Her calming heart did a little flutter. Perhaps Prince sent him.
Recalling how he thought she was Roan's lover, her heart dropped down into her stomach. Considering he'd found her in Roan's bed, she couldn't blame him for coming to such a conclusion. Why hadn't Roan corrected him?
Rotting Elves.
By the time Roan returned she'd gotten a little control over her movement. When he surprisingly sat beside her on the bed, she was able to turn her head to look at him.
"Did he frighten you?"
"I…no. Of course not," she said too quickly. Looking away, her brows drew together and she struggled for words. "I couldn't... I don't…"
Gentle fingers turned her face back toward him. His cold eyes searched her face, and he simply nodded. "I apologize. He should never have been able to get in here."
"Who is he? How did he?"
"That, was Baelan. He came to see me yesterday. My men saw this, so when he told them he'd come to see me again, they believed him and let him by."
"What does he want?"
"He was sent to find Lord Vesrin and bring him back to Norlea."
"Where?"
His dark brows drew down as he frowned. "Did Shael tell you nothing at all? Norlea, the capital city of Rivenward."
"No, he didn't speak much of himself or his home."
Roan actually snorted as he shook his head.
"Why did he want to talk to me?"
"He was also sent to see you."
Her mouth opened and then closed. Prince had actually sent someone. Had the dream been real?
She sucked in a quick breath. "You did tell him. When you saw him out, you corrected him. About…us."
"What about us?"
Her voice rose. "He found me in your bed! He thinks we're lovers!"
"Ah." He shrugged. "Many people do, Arowyn. I see no harm in it."
"No harm…" She could hardly breathe. "But Prince…"
Standing, he looked unconcerned. "He will return later today. You can clear up this misunderstanding then, if you wish."
"Wither me," she muttered as he walked away.
∞ ∞ ∞
Walking out from the bathroom, she took the seat before Roan's desk. She'd stayed in bed until the worst effects of the drug wore off, which thankfully had been sooner than the last time. Whether because he'd given her less or because she'd released more power she didn't know, or care. Being helpless would drive her insane.
Roan looked up, gave her a cold, level stare, and went back to eating.
Her lips twisted into a smile. She'd dressed in her own clothes, a white shirt and black leather pants. Her throwing knives she'd left tucked under extra underclothes in her pack.
Picking at the food on the tray, she left him to his silence for a while before starting with her questions.
"How long did I sleep for?"
"About a day." When she frowned, trying to figure that out, he continued, "You lasted almost 'til morning before you'd take the riath. This is breakfast."
No wonder that tortuous night had seemed like forever. She debated apologizing for keeping him awake but discarded the idea. Having her sleep with him was his choice, not hers. For a moment, she watched him eat, wondering why he acted the way he did. She didn't hate him, though didn't particularly like him either, he'd given her little reason to. Though she still didn't trust him, this cold man currently held her life in his hands. The worrisome part was he didn't seem to care overly much for her either.
"The dress could use a cleaning."
He glanced up at her, surprise showing on his face for a brief moment. "I will see it is sent out."
"Make sure it's sent to a proper laundress. I'd hate to see it ruined." His eyebrows rose. "For a dress, it's pretty," she admitted grudgingly.
She was fairly certain his lips curved up into a slight smile.
"I will do so, then."
They ate in silence while she tried to decide what to ask about the other Elf.
"It's the new year, by the way."
Pausing mid-chew, her brows drew together. Had so much time passed? She'd spoken to the boys while she dressed, and they hadn't mentioned it. "Time goes by so quickly."
"So it does."
"What can you tell me about Baelan?"
Her sudden question made him pause. "What do you want to know?"
"He seemed…different from other Elves I've met."
"He is at that."
"Do you trust him?"
"No." He sat back, giving her his full attention. "But there are very few people I do trust. You should be safe enough with him. That he was the one sent is certainly unusual."
"Why?"
"He is…" Roan searched for the proper words. "Rebellious. His parents are of the high court, yet he is not."
"But he should be?"
Roan shrugged. "Most likely. The Elven ranking system is different than humans. Did Prince tell you of it?" When she shook her head, he grunted his annoyance and continued. "Rank is not by birth, but by power or merit. Elves begin their trials quite young; the first sets determine their strengths. There are many different kinds of magic," he explained. "Some have a greater affinity for certain types. Trials continue for quite some time, and during this time an Elf will work at tasks that need to be done for the country to run. From harvest to cleaning, you do what task you are given.
"The court system is fairly straight forward. There are the low court and the high, with the royals above them all. Baelan, from what I heard some time ago, refused to take the trials that would place him in court. There were various reasons as to why."
Aro liked this Elf already. If she had the ability to avoid court, she would have chosen to as well. "I'm guessing this isn't done often?"
"No, it's not. Certainly not by the son of high court Elves. Even so, he grew up with such as peers. He is well known and likely has many connections, including your prince."
Prince hadn't mentioned anyone from his past, so she didn't know if they'd been childhood friends or not. She was rather starting to become annoyed with Prince for how little he'd told her about his past.
"He's strong, Arowyn. In what types of magic, I don't know. If your guarded mind is something you have control of, then I would suggest you keep it well shielded in his presence."
She held back a laugh. So he'd noticed. Remaining silent, she didn't confirm or deny his comment.
"I see you've finished eating. Find something to do. He won't return until later and I've work to do."
Obviously dismissed, she used her time to catch up on her stretches and began some easy exercises. After cleaning up close to noon, she read until lunch and again afterward while she waited. Men came and went, and both they and Roan mostly ignored her.
Glancing up when Roan rose, she watched him silently leave the room and close the door behind him. Letting out a huff of disgust, she shook her head.
"And he lectures me on bei
ng disrespectful." Pushing aside her annoyance, she returned to her book.
Something tickled her head and she automatically smacked the spot. Spider?
A shiver ran down her spine. Setting the book on the table, she looked around. The tickle came again, but it wasn't on her head. It was inside.
Concentrating on the shields and walls guarding her mind, she made them as strong as possible. Whoever it was, they were attempting to be discreet. Not Damon, then. He tore his way in no matter what the consequences. Another Dragos? From what she'd heard, there were few of them, so not likely. Since Fey couldn't mind speak, and Were didn't condone breaking into others minds, that left an Elf. Not a big surprise.
Had Vesrin or his men found her?
The intruder returned, not a tickle this time, but the feeling of fingers crawling across her brain, searching for entrance. Shifting uncomfortably, she pressed a hand to her forehead until the feeling went away. The light brush passed over and then another tickle.
"Stop it." Rising, she moved out of the sitting area and paused, uncertain what to do. Were they near? Should she get her weapons, or would this be another kind of battle altogether?
Another tickle. The feeling of something slithering through her skull. She shook her head wildly, as if the motion would dislodge them.
Get out!
If they heard her, they didn't reply. Maybe they didn't. They hadn't actually made any connection to her. She couldn't see them and had nowhere to direct her words.
Hands clenching into fists, she squeezed her eyes closed, trying to force down the growing dread rising within her. Too well she remembered Damon's attacks on her mind. His forceful entry, tearing down her walls, and then haphazardly rifling through her thoughts and memories. The pain…
Slithering…crawling fingers…Was there anything worse than feeling like something alive moved around in your head?
The attack continued, grew more forceful, and she turned to face the door as she heard voices in the hall. Pressing her hands to the sides of her head, she held in a scream.
A pressure built within her head, pushing, pulsing, seeking entry. She dropped to her knees, gasping for breath. They were so strong… how did you fight someone attacking your mind?
Tears brimming in her eyes, she gathered the strength within, holding it tightly in her mind.
A sudden, clawing, tearing…pain ripped through her head.
Forming a mental spear with the strength of her mind, she threw it.
The door opened as something thumped in the hall.
"Arowyn?"
Fingers buried in her hair as she held her head, she glanced up to see Roan in the doorway. He frowned at her and turned. Following his gaze, she saw someone slumped against the closed door across from them.
Baelan.
∞ ∞ ∞
The Elf shook his head, winced, and then pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I told him to stop," she whispered.
Roan strode in and crouched before her. "What did you do?"
She glared up at him. What did she do? "I…don't know. He was in my head. He was–"
The pirate raised a hand to silence her sudden frantic rambling. "Are you hurt?"
Assessing her mind, she found all pain gone. Her walls still held. Only the memory of the torturing invasion remained. A shudder passed through her again, but she shook her head.
Roan stood, and after a moment, she followed suit, looking beyond him to see the Elf leaning against the doorframe.
Seeing he had their attention, a cocky grin spread across his face. "Such a welcome. I am honored."
She frowned as Roan narrowed his eyes and gestured for him to enter. "Arowyn, get our guest a drink."
She stared at him in disbelief. He of course ignored her.
As the Elf moved to find a seat, she cast a harsh look at him before turning on her heel.
Roan grasped her hand, stopping her suddenly. Pulling her gently toward him, he looked down as his thumb slid back and forth across her wrist.
Her eyes flew to his face in surprise at the tender gesture.
"Remember," he said softly. His thumb pressed harder, and looking down, she saw one of the scars left by the shackles. Remember what was done, and why, and what we have discussed.
"How sweet," Baelan said softly.
"I will," she muttered, jerking her hand free. Cheeks flushing, she glared furiously at Roan. When he smirked, she clenched her teeth and went to the liquor shelves.
The rotting pirate had done that on purpose. But why? As she selected a small glass and an expensive bottle of whiskey, her thoughts turned to what he'd been trying to tell her.
Elves had taken her to use against Prince. She paused, realizing he also referred to how they'd done it, using memory to show what they'd done to her. Obviously, he meant to warn her anything she did or said could be passed along. What else had they discussed? That Baelan had been sent to find Vesrin…yet Roan hadn't said who sent the Elf, had he?
Don't trust anyone.
That was quite unexpected. I apologize if I caused you pain.
The sudden voice made her slosh whiskey across her finger. She sucked it off, keeping her back to everyone.
Did Prince Shael teach you that?
Stay out of my head!
Tossing back the drink before her, she refilled it and then turned slightly, looking for Roan. Finding him leaning nonchalantly against his desk, she held up the glass. When he shook his head, she took it over to their guest.
"Thank you, my lovely."
His words made her bristle, but she forced herself to take a seat across from him without smacking him upside the head.
As he sipped, she took the time to look him over. She found him inhumanly beautiful, of course. His features though, differed from Prince's: his chin more pointed, nose smaller, brows more arched. His hair startled her the most, not golden as she'd first thought, but a strange molten silver. Unevenly cut, it settled around his face and shoulders in wavy locks. It matched his gray eyes, light yet not pale, with a darker gray ring on the outside. Even his clothes were too pretty. Perfectly cut expensive materials, embroidered with flowing designs, covered him from neck to toe.
"Humans can't help it, you know."
She blinked at him in surprise and shook her head slightly. "Help what?"
"Being drawn to us, infatuated with us." His broad, teasing smile disarmed her as he winked.
"Yet we're still quite capable of hating you," she snapped.
He laughed and leaned back, clearly comfortable, almost childlike in his manner. "This is also true."
She found him unnerving. He smiled too much, was simply too…happy. Like he had not a care in the world. All other Elves she'd met had a cold sternness about them. Even Prince had rarely laughed or smiled. It certainly hadn't reached his eyes or filled his entire being during a common conversation.
"You wanted to speak with me?"
Smiling again, he looked over to Roan. "I'd like to speak with her alone."
"No," Roan said flatly.
Aro grinned. She saw that answer coming. The two stared at each other for a long moment and she rolled her eyes. Having a conversation without her, she wondered what they said.
Baelan finally gave a little huff, yet still smiled when he turned back to her. "Your lover is quite protective of you."
"He's not my lover," she said sharply.
The Elf raised his perfect brows and then gave her a knowing smile. "As you say." He took a sip of his drink. "It is hard, being rejected. None would blame you for moving on."
She stared at him in surprise, which turned to anger. Biting her tongue, she kept her mouth shut. Roan should be proud of her.
I am.
Snapping her head around, she found him watching her with what might have been a small smile curving one side of his mouth. She thought a number of curses at him and he actually chuckled as she turned her attention back to their visitor.
Baelan looked back and for
th between them for a moment and smiled broadly. "So, I was sent to see how you are doing, to ensure you were safe."
"I am," she said stiffly.
"And you are well?"
"Yes."
Baelan looked her up and down. "Lies are not appreciated, my lovely. You are addicted to riath, yes? That is not what I would call well."
"It's being dealt with."
"I see." He glanced over at Roan again and then back to her. "You understand, until Lord Vesrin is caught and returned to Rivenward you remain in danger."
"So Roan has told me."
"It is unfortunate past actions have resulted in this."
Unfortunate wasn't quite the word she would use. "Is he doing well?"
The cheerful smile returned. "It has been a difficult few months for our prince. He has recovered physically and continues to regain his power. His status in court is another matter entirely."
"What do you mean?"
The Elf's smile grew condescending. "Our prince was one of the most powerful of the Elves. He was strong, noble, cold, and one both respected and feared by the court. There had been talk he should be the next heir, not his sister. Possibly one of the reasons why he left, I can't really say. Yet now, he is not the man he used to be, not at all, and he suffers for it."
"Because he's not strong enough?"
"Partly, yet that will change soon enough. No, I speak of him as a man. I'm not even sure I can put into words the changes that have come over him. He is…quiet, morose…and yet more angry." Baelan shrugged. "Then again, I don't know what has been done or said since his return. He spent quite some time with his family. They, too, seem displeased with him."
Her heart settled somewhere in her stomach. Was she the cause of this?
"Your…kiss, has become quite the fodder for gossip. Most Elves have seen it, and so very few are pleased."
She'd grown so tired of hearing that. "I don't know why," she said angrily. "It was a kiss. He left. I'm here. What is the problem?"
"You are human."
"And I will die soon enough. Why do you all get so upset over this? I fell in love with him, but don't for a moment think either of us didn't understand everything standing between us. He is immortal and royal, and I…I am not."