“What was that for?”
After grumbling about this not being worth the payment, he said, “He misses you, my lady. He loves you.”
Tears formed in my eyes, and I swiped my cheeks before I stood up. “Thanks.” I looked for something I could give my friend that might bring him some happiness. Somehow I couldn’t part with my ring again, so I settled on a bracelet. Gibbit’s face gleamed when I unclasped it and handed it to him. “Hopefully that will help with the pain. Would you please tell him—”
“I won’t be seeing him for a while.”
All kinds of fears bombarded me. “Why’s that?”
His jaw hardened. In fact he stood so stiff he might have been turning to stone if it weren’t for his mouth moving. “Got a job to do for another client. Will take me quite some time, I think.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Where are you going?”
“The mortal realm.”
My gaze sharpened. “Why?”
“Been hired to find someone.”
Why did I suddenly think there was more to this than what he was telling me? “Who?”
“I don’t rat clients out, my lady.”
“Should I be worried?”
At first I didn’t think he was going to answer me, but just about the time I had given up, he nodded. “If’n I were you, I’d make sure you all get to him before I do.”
“I can’t do anything until I figure out how to get out of the realms.”
Gibbit smiled. “Driftin’s not the only way outta here, if’n you know what to look for. If anyone can do it, you can, miss, or I guess I should call you missus now, right?”
I gave him a little nod, but I was more interested in his previous statement. “Do you know how I can leave the realms?”
“Use the bond to bypass it,” he said, vanishing before I could reply.
I was left to speculate about his meaning. How could my bond to Zach help me ditch the realms? More importantly, would he agree to help me leave if it came down to it?
Ainessa had Gibbit searching for Travis. It had to be him. If Lambert couldn’t be detected anymore, chances were they were together. I still hadn’t heard word from Creed and Tabitha had already left Lombarda. I was starting to worry. I’d barely made it out of those council chambers with my wits, and now I had to face them again tomorrow.
I needed to find a way out of the realms, but I still didn’t have any idea what the bond had to do with that. The idea that Ainessa was after my cousin shot pure fear through me. She didn’t need a reason to harm him or to use him against me. It was in her nature. It was who she was inside and knowing that gave me the shakes.
I wandered the gardens for a while lost in my thoughts. The warm breeze washed over me, trying to sooth my weary mind, but it would take more than a breeze to help me relax. I glanced up at the glowing castle, wondering how or why the window in my room had fogged over under Zach’s breath. It was flat out balmy right now, so it didn’t make sense. It probably wasn’t anything. I was just so on edge, and I needed to find a way to release some stress.
I hadn’t run or practiced Shendo in quite some time, and I needed the release.
If I didn’t do something about it I would lose my control. After roaming around the entire castle perimeter, I found the spot in the meadow, under our training tree to practice. Even though it was dark out now, I didn’t want anyone to notice me.
Jett had been right. This was the perfect spot to train. Looking around one last time to make sure I was alone, I began.
I bowed to the four corners of the earth, focusing on each as Heath had taught me. I turned after each bow, recognizing the powers within me and without. When I was finished, I gazed at the heavens, concentrating on the power I most needed to conquer, giving thanks for the order of the universe and the power that ran it.
Once I started into my kata, I became lost in the movements. My body glided through the air, soaking in the energy around me.
After a long while, I ended my session having shed a bunch of tension. When I noticed how dark it had gotten, I realized I needed to get back before Zach came looking for me. He’d agreed to let me go for a while, but I didn’t want to push it.
As I came out of my meditation, the prickle of being watched slid along my neck. This was different that when Gibbit had found me earlier. Warning bells rang out in my head. My first instinct was to fight, but I tapered in my panic.
My eyes darted around, and that’s when I saw her standing not ten feet away from me. “Bastion?” Her name came out of me as a whisper. How had she gotten out of the stall? How had she managed to sneak up on me? I hadn’t heard a thing.
More predator than pegasus, she reared back and whinnied, punching the air with her front legs. Her hoofs came down hard, making craters in the grass. She stood there motionless for a long time, watching me with those freaky pale blue eyes of hers. I tentatively took a step forward, but before I could move another inch, she turned and took to the sky. The wind kicked up, spinning dust into my eyes, but I couldn’t look away from her. Even in this light her coat reflected the radiant glow of the castle.
I shook my head, wondering what I had done to upset her so much. What was wrong with Bastion? For a moment, I thought she might let me touch her this time, but no such luck.
When was she ever going to give me a chance? I just wished I knew what it was I had done to anger her. With as closed minded as she’d been, I’d probably never know.
Only when she was out of sight did I set out for the castle. I wanted to talk to Styx, but that would have to wait for morning.
Our room was dark when I entered, so I tiptoed to the bed, not wanting to disturb Zach. I didn’t even take the time to change. I just slipped under the covers and into dreamland.
*****
I woke to someone shaking my shoulders. “Rayla?” Zach said, a frantic tone setting his voice on edge. “You must get up. We’ll be late for court. I may have been able to get you out of dinner with Valen, but I’m no miracle worker.”
Groggy couldn’t begin to describe my mind. I’d been dreaming, but I couldn’t quite remember it. “Give me a second,” I said, my head falling back toward my awaiting pillow, but I found myself upright instead. Even then, sleep called to me. My body fell slack and my eyes rolled back into my head.
Zach shook my shoulders, making it impossible for me to drift back into my dream. He shoved me toward the closet, not even bothering to make sure I was steady. “I’ve laid out a gown for you, but you must hurry. If you’re not out here in two minutes, I will come in after you.”
My eyes snapped open. I didn’t want his hands on me no matter how much he thought I did. I flung my clothes on the floor and stepped into the dress, pulling it up my body. I only got one arm through a sleeve when he walked in, smirking no less.
I shook my head at him and rolled my eyes. “That wasn’t two minutes, and you know it!”
He grinned. “Was by my count.”
A groan shot up my throat, but we didn’t have time to argue. “Since you’re here, would you mind handing me my shoes?” I reached behind me to pull up my zipper, but his fingers left a trail of warmth as they slid it up my back. I gritted my teeth. “Shoes?” I asked again.
He winked as he passed by and went deeper into the closet. Only moments later he emerged with a shiny set of gold heels that contrasted well with my green gown. He knelt in front of me, offering a glimmering heel.
“Thanks,” I barked at him while slipping my foot inside.
“My pleasure,” he said, smiling up at me, those shining blue eyes of his flashing laughter.
After he set my other shoe in place, I headed for the bathroom, studying myself in the mirror.
My face was flushed and my eyes nearly wild. I shook my head at my reflection. I had to get a grip on my emotions. Being with Zach had turned out to be harder than I thought it would be.
The whole thing just wasn’t right. I didn’t love Zach anymore, but my body didn’t agre
e with me. After today’s session we were going to have to have a serious talk about touching.
Zach followed me into the bathroom, coming up behind me. I’d never seen us like this, reflected together. Even with his no glamour rule, Zach was a stunner. Like the other lords, he dwarfed me, making me feel almost child sized. Our eyes locked in the mirror.
It was strange how I could hold his stare now, but not when he looked right at me, almost like the mirror was a comforting barrier between us. He reached up, brushing his fingers into my hair.
I stepped away from him, going for my hairbrush. His sigh tickled my exposed shoulder.
“You look amazing in green,” he said, not moving an inch away from me. If anything he was closer.
“Thanks,” I said. “Mind giving me a minute? I have bodily functions to take care of.”
He glanced at the door then back at me. With the blink of his eyes, my hair was done. He’d left half of it down so it trailed down my back, while the front was twisted and curled into a dazzling array of artistry.
I gave him a questioning stare, but he just walked out of the room, his voice trailing after him. “You seem to forget, I have a sister. She was notoriously late when we were kids, and I had to help her get ready on many occasions. Please hurry, Rayla. We need to leave.” The door eased shut, and I was left to myself.
I nodded at no one and took care of business. Once I was finished Zach ushered me down the hall. He walked so fast, I could barely keep up. “What’s going on?” I asked him.
“I already told you we’ll be late for court.”
“Yeah, but there’s something else you’re not saying.”
His voice came out strained. “You’ll find out soon enough, anyway. We’ve been ordered to attend the tournament.”
I swallowed. “Who’s participating that you’re so worried about?”
“Valen, for one. With Luke out of the picture he’ll have an easy win.”
I’d figured as much. Scumbag. “And for another?”
“Heath.”
I stopped, not able to take a step forward. My breath hitched in my throat, and from that moment forward, I couldn’t breathe right. “But I thought he couldn’t.”
Zach’s face hardened. “Even as an underlord, he had the right to participate in his realm’s tournaments. He quickly quashed all his opponents.” His eyes swept over me. “Seems he has a reason for fighting now.”
I closed my eyes, trying to hide my growing anxiety and my burgeoning hope. I was all for Heath coming after me, but how did he think he was going to take me away from Zach when no amount of physical contact had helped? “What else aren’t you telling me?”
“The council had a private session last night.” Fear crept along my neck in anticipation of what he would say next. “It seems some of my brothers are not happy that Tabitha ordered you bound to me. They are insisting I fight in the tournament, as well. The winner will get your hand and your power.”
“But we are already bound.”
“Rayla, we used to fight over every Elemental that entered the realms. Usurping a bond isn’t difficult if a deep connection can be established. Tabitha abolished the practice, instigating the tournament instead to appease us. It wasn’t until she said the champion from each realm could search for his mate instead of having one appointed that we agreed.”
“Doesn’t seem like the best way to keep the peace to me,” I complained.
“Yes, well, it worked for many years, until some started cheating. They found ways to harness the power of others to heighten their own during the rounds.”
I gasped. “That’s not fair.”
“You think?”
I punched his arm. “I don’t want to go to court.”
He grinned at me. “Neither do I, but we have no choice.”
I smirked at him. “There’s always a choice.”
All humor left his face. “Not this time; not this day.”
I nodded. I couldn’t say anything else, either. Zach just admitted to me that, once again, men would be fighting to win me, like I was some kind of prized sow. Was this how the princesses of old felt when they had to witness a jousting tournament? Did it even matter what they, I, wanted? My only hope in this whole thing was that Heath would kick their butts.
He’d been doing everything he claimed he never would. For me. I loved him all the more for it.
We neared the council chambers. All the while my heart thudded a tragic song against my chest. This could go wrong on so many levels, especially with Valen involved. Since he couldn’t get me to chum up to him by ordinary measures, he was going to outright take me? I didn’t think so. Not if I had anything to say about it.
I turned toward Zach, anticipation lighting up my belly. “What if he wins, Zach?” I whispered. As much as I wanted Heath to be the victor, Valen was a complete unknown. Was he the proverbial dark horse? Was he the man Tabitha warned me about? The truth was I couldn’t be sure of anything, and ruling anyone out was a bad decision.
Zach flinched. “The only thing you need to know is I will protect you. You are mine, Rayla. Don’t doubt it, and this will all go away soon.”
I tried to smile at him, but my lips wouldn’t turn up, no matter how much I told them to. In the end I nodded and left it at that. He frowned at me, but then we were ushered into the council room by a couple of page boys that looked like Burger King wannabes in their colorful tights and bouffant shoulder pads.
Once inside the room, I gasped, lifting my face toward the rising ceiling. Every time someone new came in, it lifted a level. Pretty soon, I wouldn’t even be able to see the ceiling. Why did they have so many people here? I didn’t think there were this many representatives from each realm.
“Who are all these people,” I hissed at Zach.
“Most are your suitors,” he said with a wink. I blanched down to my toes. Looking up once again, I tried to get a better idea of who I faced. Zach patted my hand. “Not to worry, love. By the time you attend the tournament, it will be down to five suitors from each realm.”
“But I thought they held the preliminary tournaments in each realm. What’s going on here?”
“We usually do, but this is a special occasion which called for a special tournament.”
Twenty-five men at best. I groaned. Zach laughed, pushing me toward our booth.
It took a few more minutes for the crowd to settle down. Even then the buzz in the room sounded like an angry swarm of killer bees.
Valen sauntered out of the little room at the top of the dais. One of these days I was going to see the inside of that place. Valen scanned the room until he found me. An evil smile crept along his mouth, and his eyes glistened with near triumph.
I gritted my teeth and stared him down. We’d just have to see about that.
Tabitha followed him into the council chamber. She took a few steps forward before she held up her hand. The room fell silent. If there was one thing she could do, it was control a crowd. For once, I was grateful for her ability. “My lords and ladies,” she said, tipping her chin at the congregation. “Today marks a historic event, yet I wish it were for a brighter occasion. For centuries we have lived in relative peace; yet, now, you come seeking to disrupt our precarious balance for power.” She gave a mournful shake of her head. “Haven’t we enough? Isn’t it enough to live together peaceably? Must we revert to taking up our dark past?”
“Times have changed,” a man shouted, his deep voice growling the words. “Leave us to our fate, woman. We no longer have need of you, now that we have the Nexus.”
Tabitha chuckled as if he’d told her a secret joke. “Is that what you think?” She scanned the room with a death stare. “Who among you feel as this man does?”
A roar broke through the air, gaining strength until I had to cover my ears.
No. This couldn’t be happening. Tabitha assured me we could settle this without war. I wouldn’t be the cause of destruction among these people.
Tabitha held up her
hand and slowly the chanting stopped, yet it took longer than it should have for her to regain control. Zach sat stiff as a granite slab next to me.
Tabitha’s voice thundered throughout the room. If it was possible, the sound was more menacing than that of over a thousand men. “So be it!” she spat. “But do not come to me to fix this plague. You have chosen your fate, and now you must live it.” With a dramatic flourish, she grabbed her cloak, pulling it around her. Then she disappeared.
Once again the room erupted in a violent cacophony of sound. Valen stepped forward, holding up both hands. His voice boomed through the space and the air grew thick with anticipation. “As promised, brothers, she is gone. No longer will we stand in the wake of her preposterous predictions. From this day forward, we forge our own future. Together, we will make the fae nations strong. To do such a thing, we need a leader.” His eyes swept through the crowd as his voice grew hard with resolve. “Someone in this room is that man.”
Cheers rang out, so full of pent up rage I slunk down in my chair. If I wasn’t careful I would end up in the middle of these men, flaunted for all to see.
As if reading my mind, Valen stepped up to me, holding out his hand. When I shook my head, panic eating a hole in my chest, Zach stepped in front of me, blocking the chairman from my view.
“Rayla is not yours to display,” he growled.
Valen chuckled, making no qualms about looking me up and down. “Take what you can…while you can, my brother. She will not be yours by week’s end.”
Before they could say another word, I raced for the doors. A raucous of laughter followed me. I was nothing more than a prize for these men. One face caught my attention as I fled.
Ainessa stared at me, not with gloating, but with pained horror and a slight bit of what could only be named compassion. Had she seen this before? Was this why she was so desperate?
For the first time since I’d met her, I realized there might be more to her story than I had been willing to see. I shook my head, forcing the thought from my mind. No man could control me. They’d all tried. Even Zach, with all his power, couldn’t do it.
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