Charlotte entered the ballroom open mouthed. Gone was the dismal room she'd trained in that morning. The dreary stone walls now hung with evergreen garlands dotted with rich red berries, the high ceiling swathed in sparkling lights. They reflected in the polished red marble floor, like stars on a calm sea. The entire room was lined with lush pine trees, hung with heavy silver thread that shone and glittered in the flickering light of tiny candles that hung in their boughs. The doors were flung open, inviting the dark winter night inside. But, strangely, it wasn't cold. A fire roared in the large fireplace that dominated the opposite wall, the heat from it chasing any chill from the air.
“Do you like it?” Callan asked, grinning at her.
“It's beautiful,” she murmured.
“I used to visit every year, just for this. From today the winter solstice is brought in and seen out in style,” he explained. “We concentrate more on the summer solstice back at home.
The sea of fae before them parted and Markus came into view. “Ah, the guests of honor,” he exclaimed, taking Charlotte's hand and kissing it gently.
Dane appeared at his side and he bowed to them.
Charlotte gave a small curtsy and looked to Callan. He gave her a broad smile.
“Thank you for the invitation, Markus,” he said as he bowed.
“Would you like to dance, Princess?” Markus smiled, offering her his hand.
With an apprehensive glance to Callan, she took his hand and allowed him to lead her into the crowd.
“I'm afraid I'm not much of a dancer,” she admitted as Markus waved a finger at the musicians stationed on a small balcony above them.
A waltz began and he swept her off. “I don't believe that, Charlotte,” he smiled. “You're a very talented young woman. Are you enjoying your stay with us?”
“Yes, very much so. The castle and grounds are beautiful and you're a very generous host.” She grinned up at him as he led her around the floor.
“Prince Zander did an excellent job this morning, you must be very proud.”
“I am. He's adapted to his new life well. Enya too. They've amazed me,” she beamed.
“They share your power, Princess. You're an extraordinary family.”
“My power?” she asked, perplexed. “How do they share my power?”
Markus pulled her in closer. “The same power that runs through your veins runs in theirs,” he murmured in her ear. “Callan's powers influenced what theirs would be, but their base power came from you.”
She shook her head, her brows knotted. “No. That can't be true.”
“It is. I looked inside them this morning, I saw what they are. Truly unique. A wonderful gift.” He looked at her and pouted, “Oh now, don't be upset. It was a fleeting glance. My curiosity got the better of me.”
She looked up at him and he held her gaze.
So much for rules.
I do have rules, Princess.
“How?” She gasped.
“It works both ways, I can hear your thoughts and implant my own in your mind. You share my gift, Charlotte. I could teach you.”
Before she could answer, Dane cut in, “Father, Petr is looking for you.”
“Excuse me,” Markus said before he bowed slightly and allowed Dane to take her hand.
When he was out of ear shot, he murmured, “What did he say? You looked furious for a second.”
“You were watching?”
“I'm always watching,” he shrugged.
I don't need protecting on all sides.
Yes, you do.
“Not you as well? How often have you listened in?”
He grinned at her, silver eyes dancing. “Enough times to know you think I'm a dick.”
She laughed and rested her head on his shoulder.
Why can't I stay mad at you?
Because you love me.
She looked up at him. He flashed her a smile and spun her into Callan's arms.
“What was that about?” he asked.
“We just had the most bizarre conversation,” she said.
“Oh, was he in your head? You get used to that.”
“How does it work? Markus said I could do it with training.”
“I don't know, it's to do with the shadow. Very useful in battle,” he mused. “You should take Markus up on his offer.”
“Maybe. Who arrived to make him run off like that?”
“His brother. He'll be eager to meet you.”
She groaned, “It's Nyja's dad, isn't it?”
“Yes.”
“Can we get it out of the way?” she muttered into his chest.
“We could skip it, go outside and… enjoy ourselves there,” he smirked.
She slapped his shoulder and he laughed, leading her from the dancefloor. The crowd parted as they approached, bowing as they passed.
“Do people have to do that?” she muttered.
“Just smile and walk by. They'll relax as the evening moves on,” he said quietly. He took two goblets from the tray of a passing servant and handed one to her.
She took a long drink of her wine. It was richer than the wine of the Seelie court. Heavier.
Markus smiled at them as they arrived at his side. His companion turned and cocked a brow as he appraised her. “Petr, may I introduce Princess Charlotte.”
Petr was his brother's opposite. His platinum hair was long, to his waist. His features sharp, his dark eyes hard, unyielding as they took her in.
What colour are they? Black?
She shrank under his gaze. Callan squeezed her hand gently.
She felt a presence behind her, a hand settling on her shoulder.
Dane.
Don't let him intimidate you.
Forcing a smile, she removed her hand from Callan's grip and offered it to Petr. He took it, gently pressing his thin lips to her knuckles. “An honor. Prince Callan,” he inclined his head.
“Petr, it's been a long time.” Callan shook his hand then reached for Charlotte's again.
“Indeed.” His eyes flicked back to Charlotte. “I understand that you're married, with a family?”
“Yes, we married a few weeks ago,” he offered, avoiding mentioning the children.
Markus cleared his throat, “We were discussing our session this morning, Princess.”
“Oh?” She questioned blandly. Dane gave her shoulder a squeeze.
“My brother refuses to believe that you melted a diamond,” he chuckled, pulling the sphere from the pocket of his trousers. “Here,” he laughed as he tossed it to his brother. “She barely broke a sweat.”
Dane laughed but said nothing. Callan grinned.
“Impressive,” Petr muttered, handing the stone back to Markus. He focused his intense gaze on her again. “And what do you plan to do with your power, Princess?” His cold eyes held her.
She looked him over. “Whatever is necessary,” she shrugged, her tone flat, sipping her wine.
Her simple answer seemed to please him as a smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. “Should my support be needed, at any time, my nephew knows where to find me. Excuse me.” He bowed his head, first to her, then to Callan and walked away.
“He's lovely,” Charlotte grumbled, draining her goblet.
They walked through the stone halls hand in hand. Charlotte was grateful for the flat shoes Callan had bought her after drinking so much wine. They were just about to turn off up the flight of stairs to their suite when she heard Dane's voice mixed with those of other men coming from a room on their left.
“What's that?” she asked.
“Drinking games,” Callan shrugged.
Fae drinking games. Wonder what that's like!
“Can we go and see?”
“If you want to,” he laughed, surprised.
He knocked on the door to the room the voices came from and walked right in.
“Callan! I'll line them up,” Dane cheered.
Callan disappeared. The room was plainly decorated, almost identical to his house in Oxfor
dshire. Double doors led out onto a patio at the back of the room. Dane was at a dining table, pouring shots of what looked like vodka into small glasses on a tray. “You playing, Lottie?”
“Depends on the game,” she laughed.
He handed her a glass of wine, took her free hand and led her outside, the tray following him in midair.
“How are you doing that?” she gasped.
“Magic,” he whispered with a smirk.
There were four others on the patio, greeting Callan warmly. Lukas was one of them “Hello” he said as he grinned at her, making space on a bench for her to sit.
“Okay. See him?” Dane pointed to a mannequin slumped by a wall opposite, “You have to hit him, blindfold, with whatever power you have. You miss, you drink. Ladies first!”
Callan sat with the two other Fae on a bench beside her, smirking. A glass had appeared in his hand. “You know she's going to kick your arse.” He said to Dane as she walked towards the dummy.
“Not in that state,” Dane laughed into his glass.
“Ah! Ten paces back, Princess!” Lukas chided.
She took her position and a blindfold appeared over her eyes. Firm hands gripped her shoulders and she was spun three times. “Off you go.”
Raising a hand, she summoned fire, the tiniest flame she could manage given how much she'd had to drink, and fired.
“Unlucky!” Dane laughed. The blindfold disappeared and he handed her a shot glass.
She drank the clear liquid down and gagged. “Oh, that's rank!” she gasped, wiping her mouth as everyone laughed.
“Callan!” Dane called. Callan took his position, was turned and shot a red ball of fire at the dummy. He hit his mark and everyone groaned. Dane pushed a glass into his hand and said, “You drink for being a smart arse.”
Six shots later, she could hardly see. “This isn't fair you know!” she complained as the blindfold covered her eyes. “I'm not likely to hit it after all that vodka!”
“Bollocks. Everyone knows you northern girls drink like marines,” Dane laughed.
She heard Callan snort with laughter. “Oi!”
“You do enjoy a drink,” he muttered, his now midnight blue eyes dancing.
She clicked her tongue and shot her fire at the dummy.
“Shit!” Dane exclaimed and she ripped off the blindfold. The dummy's head was a flaming, melting mess on the floor. “Bet you can't do that again!”
As they returned to their suite, the sun was rising. Callan had almost carried her up the stairs and through the door she was so drunk.
“Don't you ever just get pissed?” she slurred as he slipped off her shoes.
“I am,” he laughed, kissing her neck. “I just stop before I lose the use of my legs.”
He led her into the bedroom, unbuttoning her dress for her as she swayed beside the bed. Sliding the fabric down over her hips he laughed gently.
“What?” she asked, confused.
“Didn't you pack enough underwear?”
“Hmm…” She turned and looked up at him, biting her lip.
With a gentle kiss, he lifted her onto the bed, settling her back onto the pillows. “I'll be back in a minute,” he murmured against her lips.
“No, don't go!” she whined, watching him walk to the bedroom door.
Her head spun as she lay there, waiting for him.
I'll just close my eyes for two minutes, then when he comes back…
Chapter 12
Muffled voices drifted through the closed door.
Hangover from hell.
The door clicked open slightly and the voices became clearer.
“She's late, get her up,” Dane didn't sound pleased.
“If you're brave enough, you get her up. I've had my head bitten off twice now.”
Oh, close the door!
The door slammed shut and she heard Dane swear as Callan barked out a laugh.
Did I do that?
Yes, you did! You're late for training. My father is waiting for you.
I can't! My head's pounding.
“That's your own fault. Get dressed or I'll take you to him as you are,” he called through the closed door.
Grumbling she hauled herself out of bed and got ready.
“You look like shit,” Dane said by way of greeting as she stormed out of the bedroom.
“Callan, have we any painkillers?” she asked, ignoring him.
“I'll get you some.” He kissed her head as he passed into the small kitchen.
“What will I be doing today?” she asked, slumping onto the sofa, her head in her hands.
“No idea. Probably a bit of everything. He's in the study so probably nothing destructive,” he shrugged.
Callan returned with her painkillers and a glass of water. “Okay?”
“I'll have to be,” she grumbled and took the tablets.
“Okay, let's go,” Dane sighed, offering his hand as she passed the glass to Callan.
“See you soon.”
“Did you enjoy the party?” Markus drawled from beside the fireplace.
“Yes. Thank you,” she muttered, wincing at the throbbing pain in her head. “Too much it seems.”
Markus chuckled and nodded to Dane. A dismissal. Dane disappeared. “I can help with that. Please take a seat.”
As she sat, Dusek approached with a tall, dark drink on a silver tray. “Princess,” he said in greeting, setting the drink on the table at her side.
“Mixed berries. It'll help with your head while we work,” Markus explained, sitting opposite. “Today's lesson will be largely non-verbal. Given your current state I think it would be prudent to teach you to manage pain first.”
“Non…” She took the glass and sipped. The juice was cold and tart but refreshing.
Non-verbal, yes. You have the ability, you must master it. This will be the last time I send my thoughts to you, you must seek them out yourself.
I'm not sure I want to be able to do that.
There was no response. Markus simply sat back in his chair and picked at his shirt sleeve.
“Can you at least tell me how I'm supposed to do it?” she snapped.
Should you be in a position where oral communication would compromise you, your mind can keep you safe and relay information secretly. The shadow. Stealth, silence, sneak in, speak through the power.
“I can't.”
Try.
With a sigh, she closed her eyes and thought of her shadow power.
Hide. Stay hidden. Invisible.
How do I get into his thoughts? He hasn't told me how.
Just… get inside his mind, inside…
Is that it?
Very good, Princess. Lukas was right about you.
He sat forward, grinning.
What did Lucas say?
That you're a very fast learner, that your power exceeds even Dane's and you can handle your father alone.
No, that isn't possible.
She shook her head.
No? You, who has created magic wielding children with your fae husband, despite what we know to be true regarding procreation between your species? You who has kept your power safely hidden for decades? You who have such control over the most dangerous magic the world has known?
I don't know what to say… think to that.
With our help, there really is no limit as to what you can achieve. We're fortunate to have you, given the current threat.
I wish I had your confidence.
His smile was kind, his eyes warm. “It's that part of you that makes you a savior and not a threat, Charlotte. You've never sought to use your power.”
Looking down at her glass, she sighed, “Everyone has this confidence in me and I still don't understand any of it. I didn't want any of this.”
“We cannot choose our own path, Princess. We can only hope for an easier time in the next life.”
There was nothing she could say to that. She took another sip of the juice Dursek had brought her.
&nb
sp; Markus continued, “Now, shall we deal with your headache?”
“You can heal that?” she asked.
“You can heal it yourself. Shadow offers more than fear and stealth. There is comfort in the darkness.”
Her thoughts drifted to the years of long, dark nights filled with fear and loathing for the world she found herself fighting to survive in. The times she'd cried herself to sleep wondering how she could be everything her children needed to be. How that same darkness had cocooned her, suffocated her, taught her that however bleak it seemed, there was always tomorrow. However black it was, there was always light, somewhere.
“How?” she whispered.
“Will it. Will the darkness to take it away. Will it to remove all that hurts you.”
She could barely hear him as she closed her eyes. Then, the pain was gone.
She let out a long breath and met his steady gaze, “Thank you.”
He inclined his head, but didn't speak or cast a thought into her mind.
After several, long minutes she asked, “If I can speak to you using my mind, could I speak to him?”
“Your father?” He raised a hand.
She shuddered, “Yes.”
“Of course, if you were close enough. We don't' know the depth of his power but you could implant your thoughts into his mind. Into anyone's.” Dursek appeared beside him, offering a glass of amber liquid.
“But I can't influence their thoughts?” she pressed.
“With training, you probably could,” he said simply, sipping his drink.
She gave him a look of disgust, “No. No, I don't want that.”
“You really are remarkable,” he smiled. “Most humans would jump at the chance to influence others to that degree.”
“Some,” she corrected. “There aren't that many of us so twisted.”
“I'm afraid to say I haven't had the opportunity to spend much time amongst your kind,” he said. “I only know of the downfalls of your people. I apologise.”
His apology seemed sincere. She said, “Perhaps you should take some time to get to know us. Most are good people, making the best of our lives, whatever cards we're dealt.”
“As you did, until Callan found you again.”
“I did my best. I was lucky,” she shrugged. “Few others are.”
“And it's for them you're prepared to fight?”
Riftkeepers: Pursuit Page 9