The Heart of Arima.

by Emma V. Leech

  Rodney’s eyes widened with shock. “What you on about?”

  I shook my head. “Nothing, it doesn’t matter.”

  “Luv, you aint ... seein’ someone else, like?”

  I rolled my eyes at him. “Yeah, between killing myself every day with Cain and trying to keep Corvus happy at night without ... well.” I flushed. “Yeah, I’ve got time and energy to be having an affair!”

  Rodney breathed out. “Bugger me, you had me worried a moment then.” He looked at me curiously. “So what made you say it then?”

  I shook my head. “Forget it.”

  “Come on, luv, thought I was yer mate, like. You can tell old Rodders.”

  I laughed and he grinned back at me. When I had first arrived in France to discover the truth about myself and the world I’d been destined to live in, Rodney had been my only true friend. He’d almost died to protect me and we had an easy relationship that Corvus had always been a little jealous of. Rodney was a ghoul, which gave him a kind of immortality but meant he had to inhabit the body of a dead mortal. A lot of ghouls were gruesome as they weren’t usually concerned with appearances and rotting body parts. Rodney was different, thankfully, and my Gran had created a preservation potion for him which kept him in good condition.

  When he had sacrificed himself to enable me to kill a rogue vampire his previous body had been burnt to cinders. Thankfully with his fiancé, Amelia’s, help we had found him a new host body.

  This however had caused complications. The original owner of the body was a famous rock star called Johnny Blonde. He had overdosed and was brain dead, enabling Rodney to take over his body. He also bore a striking resemblance to Kurt Cobain. Now, if Rodney went out in public, he was pursued by screaming girls.

  “Well then, spit it out, luv.”

  For a moment I considered telling him everything; the voice in my head, the man who pursued me in my dreams and said I was his, that he was coming for me, and about the vision that had felled me to my knees a few weeks ago. I had been outside, sitting by the lake in the freezing cold, trying to clear my head. I had almost given in to Corvus the night before, had wanted to so badly that I could still feel the ache, the unsatisfied burning under my skin that wanted him more than anything else. I had decided, in that moment, that I wouldn’t wait; I would be with Corvus, because otherwise, what was the point? I loved him, I knew that. The man whose voice haunted me was terrifying-- surely I shouldn’t be afraid of a man I loved, a man I was destined to be with? The sun was going down and I had got up, heading back to the chateau with my mind made up, and then the sound of a baby crying had whispered through my head and the vision that followed had changed everything.

  “It doesn’t matter, Rodney. Just forget I said anything.”

  I couldn’t do it. It was bad enough I was keeping secrets from a man who could tell when I spoke a lie. I wouldn’t put Rodney in a position where he might have to lie for me and face Corvus’ anger.

  He sighed and shook his head. “You know how upset he’s gonna be when he hears you’re tryin’ to find a way to break the bond don’t you?”

  “I know, I know!” I stood up, feeling incredibly stressed all of a sudden and started vigorously plumping up the cushions on the sofa. “I have to though, there has to be a way. Then we can just be together and see how things go, like normal people. Then in a while, when I’m sure ...” When I knew what the hell was going on. “Then we can be bonded if it means so much to him.”

  “I think that one’s dead, luv,” Rodney nodded at the cushion I’d been beating on while I was speaking.

  “Oh.”

  I threw the cushion down in exasperation. “There has to be a way, someone we can ask that would be able to find out.” Rodney looked thoughtful, and for a moment I hoped he’d come up with a solution. Then he shook his head.

  “Nope, aint got a soddin’ clue!”

  I sat back down with a thud. My week just kept getting better and better.

  Chapter 2

  After training the next morning I headed over to Brantôme market to pick up some supplies for Inés. It was a freezing cold day and the rain lashed against the windscreen as I drove. In the village the Christmas trees drooped in the downpour, their decorations fluttering madly in the icy wind. I slammed the car door shut not bothering to lock it as no one in their right mind would steal my rusting heap of metal. Head down against the cold, I ran beside the river across the bridge and into the market place.

  The stall holders huddled under their awnings, some of them already packing up though it was early yet. I waited for the Dutch guy who owned the spice stall to finish serving one of his more ordinary customers before catching his eye and asking for the order Inés had placed the week before. I waited while he rummaged under the stands, the smell of herbs and spices in the open baskets in front of me mingling pleasantly on the cold, damp air. There were dozens of baskets, all filled with things most people would be familiar with, cinnamon, coriander, star anise, peppercorns. The stuff he kept under the counter ...not so much.

  He stood up and handed me a box, opening the lid slightly to show me a large, shiny brown egg; though anyone trying to make an omelet with one of these would likely get a surprise they’d regret.

  “Go carefully,” he advised. “You break one of those you’ll be sorry.”

  “Why?” I looked at the box in my hands in alarm.

  “Because they’re ten years old. Ever smelt a bad chicken egg?”

  I nodded. “Yeah?”

  He pointed at the box. “Much, much worse.”

  “Oh is that all? I thought you were going to say they’d blow me up or attack me or something.” I breathed a sigh of relief but the guy was looking skeptical.

  “One sniff of that beauty and you may wish it had.”

  I raised my eyebrows and handed over the money. “OK, I get it, I’ll be careful.”

  I hurried back to the car, cradling the egg carefully all the way and then put the box on the floor with my bag beside it to stop it sliding around. Easing out of the car park I drove back to Inés’ place at a snail’s pace, earning myself a lot of arm waving and cursing from those unfortunate enough to get stuck behind me on the winding country roads. It was alright for them, they didn’t have a rotten Gryphon egg in the car. God alone knew what she wanted if for. It was usually safer not to know what Inés was up to.

  By the time I’d made my way up the rutted driveway to her house, I had opened all of the windows, despite the fact it was about two degrees outside and the rain was still hammering down. The smell had permeated the car and I’d actually had to stop twice and get out, retching at the side of the road. No wonder Inés had asked me to get the bloody thing. I didn’t know why I had expected any different; she’d happily get me to do her dirty work when she could.

  I pulled up at the side of the little stone cottage. It looked cosy against the bleak winter landscape, smoke curling from the chimney, and I decided to go in the back door that led into the herb room. No way did this stinky egg want to set foot in the kitchen. I took a deep breath before picking the damn thing up and going carefully indoors, unlocking the big cupboard where Inés kept her more dangerous items, and locking the door again gratefully. I breathed out in relief and then realised I could hear voices. Inés had company.

  The sound of laughter reached my ears, a rich, decadent tone, most definitely male and also very familiar. I got up silently, noticing the door into the kitchen was slightly ajar, and peered out.

  Corin was leant elegantly against the dresser, though this was the first time I had seen him dressed for the human world, I could see there were still tiny braids in his long, glossy, chestnut hair. He wore jeans and boots and a v-neck black jumper that clung to his chest and highlighted a very fine figure. He looked different from the last time I’d seen him, in fact he looked edible and boy did he know it.

  Nevertheless I scowled. I was not happy to see him here. Corin was an elf, he really didn’t look like the guys that wor
k for Santa. He was also Prince of Alfheim and on the lookout for a human bride. The fae as a people were dying, human illnesses were creeping into their world and the only way they could figure to strengthen their race was to breed with humans. The royal family was supposed to set an example, and Corin had set his sights on me, despite the fact that, as a blood witch, I’m not entirely human. That fact didn’t appear to bother him.

  He had tried to trick me in the summer time. I had been completely clueless about the supernatural world and no one had thought to inform me that you never accept gifts from an elf, no matter how trivial; one of mine had been a box of biscuits. Accept three gifts and they own you, body and soul. Thankfully Corvus had noticed his second gift, a bracelet for my birthday, and warned me in time. To say Corvus hadn’t been happy would be something of an understatement. Corin assured me that he had never been intending to do anything more than induce me to visit his lands in the hope I would want to stay with him and perhaps agree to be his wife, one day Queen of Alfheim. He said he would never have held me against my will. Did I trust him? About as far as I could throw him.

  I watched as Inés poured a glass of something and handed it to him. He took the glass from her and her fingers lingered, brushing his before letting go.

  “Isn’t it a little early?” he asked mildly and she shrugged.

  “Oui, for most people. Not for you though, I suspect.”

  He downed the glass and handed it back to her empty. She took it and poured him another, holding the glass out to him, and he chuckled, shaking his head.

  “Inés Corbeaux, I do believe you are trying to get me drunk.”

  “Oh, as if I would do such a thing?”

  I watched in astonishment as she pouted and tossed her thick black hair. She was flirting with him!

  “I believe what you meant to say was, as if you would do such a thing ...again. I have a tendency to learn from my mistakes, my dear, and my powers have grown somewhat over the years. You won’t catch your quarry so easily this time I’m afraid.”

  I watched with horror as she set the drink down and put both hands on his chest, smoothing them slowly down to his waist before pressing her body against his. Now, admittedly, Inés was hot; she looked about twenty four, with a figure and face any girl would be proud of. Up until a few months ago though, she had looked like my eighty year old grandmother. She was my grandmother, though actually closer to eight hundred than eighty. Watching my granny make out with a man… I felt sick.

  “Yes, I can tell your powers have grown, so much more tempting now, and that was such a long time ago. It must be over a hundred years at least.” She pouted at him.

  “One hundred and sixty two, to be precise.”

  She kissed the side of his neck and he tilted his head to give her better access. “Surely you’re not still sulking?” she murmured against his skin. “Besides it was fun, wasn’t it? I think you have to admit that much.” She carried on kissing down his neck, her hands roaming over his chest.

  “No, not sulking my dear. And in parts, it was certainly ... interesting, however I do not like being held against my will, no matter how enjoyable the prison entertainment.”

  Oh God, I leaned my head against the door jamb, groaning internally. I was going to throw up - again.

  She bit his neck and he drew in a sharp breath. “Alors, and just how are you proposing to pay for my services then, Your Highness?” she asked in a low voice. I looked up in horror, knowing exactly what she was after.

  He narrowed his eyes at her. “What do you want?”

  “I think I have made that abundantly clear.”

  She kissed him full on the mouth and his hand went to her hair, tangling in the long tresses and yanking her head back as he took control. One hand dropped to her hip and then lower, cupping her backside and pulling her against him. I heard Inés moan and my heart sank. I had to get the hell out of here but it was like watching a car crash, you knew you shouldn’t look but it was so horrific you couldn’t drag your eyes away. He backed her to the kitchen table and sat her on the edge. She wrapped her legs around him, at which point his eyes lifted and he looked directly at me.

  Shit.

  The bastard had known I was here the entire time.

  He let her go and returned to his position at the dresser, leaving Inés gasping for air.

  “A nice down payment perhaps but what you are asking for will take time and effort. You will have to try harder,” she said, her voice breathy and seductive.

  “If you think I’m stupid enough to risk anything else I’m afraid I shall take offense, my dear, as you must believe me foolish indeed.”

  I jumped as the kitchen door screeched opened, scraping on the stone floor. Corin winced and then looked up to see the woman who had walked in. The expression on his face was fleeting but I would have sworn he looked worried.

  “Heloïse, what a surprise," he said, sounding as relaxed as ever, though I wasn't buying it. "The family are all here today, I see.”

  Family?

  The woman who strode in was in her early forties, at least she looked it. I no longer took age at face value. Long chestnut brown hair hung to her waist and she flung her coat on the kitchen table behind Inés to reveal an enviable figure in a fitted wool dress. Intelligent green eyes quickly took in the scene and a slow smile curved over her wide mouth.

  “Well, well, Corin. I’m surprised to see you here again. Is this bravery or desperation?” She walked over and kissed him. It should have been a peck on the cheek but it was a fraction too close to his mouth and she lingered just a moment too long. Good God, what was going on here?

  He smiled but I felt it was a little more strained than before.

  “We were just reminiscing about old times, weren’t we, Inés?” he said, folding his arms across his chest.

  There was a chuckle from Heloïse as she walked over to the range cooker and poured a cup of coffee. “Oh, yes, I remember.” She turned to him, cradling the coffee cup in her hands. “I do believe that was the last time I saw you? So pretty. I was almost tempted myself.”

  “Oh? I seem to remember you being angry with Inés. You said she was too reckless.” A thread of anger coloured his voice now, though Heloïse looked back at him with a bland smile.

  “I did say that, didn’t I? Do you know though ...? I’ve rather regretted it.”

  There was an underlying note to her words which Corin was obviously well aware of as he looked directly at me, and there was certainly an appeal for help in his eyes. I cursed mentally, the last thing I needed was to get caught up in one of Inés’s games and frankly I was still mad at him. I should leave him to his fate. But the two women were looking at him with such a predatory gleam in their eyes, and I couldn’t do it.

  I sighed and opened the door into the kitchen. Inés jumped and actually looked guilty for a moment before rearranging her face, but the new woman smiled at me with warmth. She looked pleased to see me. Not as pleased as Corin though.

  “Jéhenne!” He crossed the kitchen and grasped my shoulders, kissing me on both cheeks while I glowered at him. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  “Jéhenne, did you pick up my order?” Inés asked, though her eyes were still on Corin who was sticking beside me.

  “I did and you can thank me by getting the smell out of my car, like, now.”

  She tutted at me in irritation. “D’accord, Heloïse, come give me a hand for a moment will you?” Heloïse rolled her eyes but picked up her coat again and the two women headed outside, leaving me alone with Corin. He let out a breath.

  “Thank you.”

  “You owe me.”

  He smiled and nodded. “Yes, I do.” He reached out and took a lock of my hair, twisting it around his fingers and looking at me curiously. “I don’t suppose you would accept payment in the manner Inés was proposing?”

  Flames leapt at my wrists and I held my hands up in warning. He let go of my hair wit
h a chuckle and shrugged. “Ah well, it was worth a try.”

  “What the hell was all that about? Did she really trap you?”

  He picked up the drink that Inés had poured him earlier and took a large mouthful. “Oh yes, indeed she did. You see I have certain magical abilities which Inés is keen for me to share with her. I was unwilling and so she set a trap for me. I was young and foolish enough to fall into it, and once I was caught, she was not above helping herself to the entire package.”

  “Ugh!”

  He raised his eyebrows at me. “Am I such an unappealing prospect?” He fixed his gaze on me and I felt heat prickle over my skin. He had the most extraordinary eyes, tawny and golden, like a lion.

  I dragged my eyes unwillingly from his and swallowed. “Don’t try your magic tricks on me, Corin. You’ll get burnt.”

  There was a deep chuckle and I glanced back at him. “Oh I feel much better now.” He stepped closer to me and caught my chin lightly in his hand. “There was no magic in that, my dear,” he whispered and kissed me lightly on the cheek. I smacked his hand away, irritated.

  “Behave or I’ll leave you to face the cougars on your own.”

  He grinned, quite unrepentant. “Oh, Jéhenne, behaving is so very dull, don’t you find?” His eyes fell to my neck. “Still no tattoos I see. Having second thoughts?”

  “No! Not that it’s any of your business.” I flushed, though as much with anger as embarrassment. This was one of the worst things about the bond with Corvus, the fact that the entire world seemed to know we hadn’t ... Ugh. It was too humiliating.

  He twisted the crystal glass in his hands before downing the remainder of its contents. “No, perhaps not, but I can’t help but be curious. I thought you said you loved him?”

  “I do.”

  One elegant eyebrow arched and his eyes fell slowly from mine, back to my neck. “Actions speak louder than words, my dear.”

  “I am not discussing this with you, Corin.”

  He shrugged. “To be rejected because your heart was elsewhere is one thing, my dear. I was, if not happy, then resigned to leaving the field. If that is not the case however ...”