The Emerald Ring

by Dara Girard

  Michelle rubbed her hands together feeling foolish. When she’d been alone with James their connection seemed magical somehow, but under the scrutiny of an outsider it seemed as childish as one of her father’s many tales. “My father thought the ring was a way for divine love to find me.”

  James looked at his grandmother, satisfied. “See?”

  Martha nodded. “Yes, I do. Well done.” She handed Michelle the ring. “Your father was right. You may find it strange that James would have you meet me, but he has to be very careful with his choice. Hold out your hands, palms up.” She shook her head when Michelle opened her mouth. “No, need to argue. Bite your tongue and do as I asked.”

  Michelle bit her lip instead and held out her hands.

  Martha looked at Michelle’s palms. “You are a strong woman.” She lifted her gaze to Michelle’s face and slightly frowned. “It’s a shame you aren’t handsome, but you carry yourself well. Do you have siblings?”

  “Yes, two sisters.”

  “Are they like you?”

  “They have their own gifts.”

  “Is one a stone reader?”

  Michelle clasped her hands behind her back, surprised by the question. “Yes.”

  “Hmm. Are your sisters married?”

  “Too young.”

  “That’s not an answer.”

  “Not yet.”

  Martha nodded. “So you’d be the first. That’s good. Tell me the myth of your people.”

  “The myth?”

  “Yes.”

  Michelle resisted the urge to roll her eyes, remembering the many times her father had forced her and her sisters to recite the tales. Although she liked the stories she never truly believed them. But if a wealthy woman wanted to be entertained, who was she to argue? Michelle cleared her throat, lifted her chin and stood as if she were on stage entertaining thousands. Then with the slow, captivating cadence of a storyteller she said, “It is said that my people came fully formed from the insides of a petrified tree when the God of Whispers cried because no one could hear his voice. We burst forth with a radiant array of gifts and learned to honor him by using the natural treasures of the earth to speak. Giving jewelry and other ornaments are vastly important to us because it speaks for both the giver and receiver, showing many different things. Sometimes love, sometimes destruction. We believe that when you possess something it becomes part of you.” Michelle lowered her head, half-expecting applause.

  Instead Martha stood, grabbed one of the peacock feathers and whacked Michelle hard on both shoulders. “I approve.”

  James rushed forward and kissed his grandmother on both cheeks. “Thank you.”

  “Yes,” Michelle said, removing a peacock feather from her dress. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”

  Martha put the peacock feather back in the basket and said with a smile. “It’s not time to say goodbye yet. We’ve only just started.”

  James squeezed Michelle’s hand as they walked along the garden path at the back of the cottage. “You were great. She likes you.”

  “Because of the peacock feathers?”

  He sent her a solemn look. “They’re important.”

  She sighed. “I know. And I’m glad I passed whatever odd test that was. I half expected to walk into a room with twenty mattresses.”

  “What?”

  “Like The Princess and the Pea.”

  He frowned.

  Michelle looked at him stunned. “You’ve never heard of The Princess and the Pea?”

  He shook his head. “I grew up on stories like The Lazy Tortoise.”

  “Oh,” Michelle said realizing she’d never heard that story. She shook her head. “Doesn’t matter, it wasn’t my favorite anyway.”

  James smiled up at the blue sky above, and listened to the sound of a goldfinch singing from a tree. “I feel like a weight has been lifted.”

  “Has your talent really caused you that much trouble with relationships?”

  For a moment a sad expression crossed his face then he looked at her and smiled. “The past doesn’t matter anymore.”

  “When will you tell your mother about me?”

  His expression grew guarded. “My grandmother is the only family who needs to know about this right now.”

  “Because you don’t think she’ll like me?”

  James glanced at his watch. “We’d better get back.”

  “You’re avoiding my question.”

  He sent her a long look. And again, like before, the garden seemed to melt away and she was again standing in the palace, but this time he didn’t kneel before her. He stood before her, proud, powerful, dark; his compelling presence suddenly making her senses spin and a potent feeling of excitement swept through her as the man that she saw swept her into his embrace. And she felt safe and loved. But then arms grabbed her and then him and forced them apart. And she opened her mouth to scream but no sound came. And the ring on her finger seemed to glow as the vision faded away replaced by the sight and scent of hollyhocks and foxgloves. She looked at James, her heart racing. He had answered her question. There were people who would tear them apart. Her question no longer mattered, what anyone else thought no longer mattered. He hadn’t moved, but everything between them had shifted. He was asking her to trust him.

  “Ready?” he said.

  She nodded knowing he was preparing her for a bigger test. “Yes.”

  Chapter 22

  Dark forces still swirled but there was a chance at happiness.

  A slim chance.

  Martha watched James and Michelle walk hand-in-hand in the garden but she knew they were no ordinary young lovers. In truth she doubted they were lovers at all, yet. Her grandson would be very careful about that. He would dazzle Michelle so much she wouldn’t know what she was missing—until she did. But by then James would know what to do. Her grandson had been surrounded by darkness all his life, he deserved a chance to capture light—joy. Something that had been missing from his life for years. The Seer had a described woman like Michelle offering him a chance.

  “You’re being cruel. Why would you approve a match that could never be?”

  Martha turned to her friend and companion, Hildie Buxton, who had a disposition like sour butter. She was a large woman with small feet, a wide nose and heavy eyebrows who had been by Martha’s side for decades and knew all her secrets.

  “It’s possible. Shame she’s not pretty.”

  “She’s prettier than you are.”

  Martha smiled, liking her friend’s honesty. It was true. Michelle had an inner beauty Martha certainly lacked and she had done plenty of acts she would later atone for. But power came with casualties. She had done what she had to survive. Those who didn’t survive, died.

  “She will have to find out.”

  “Not if it’s not necessary.”

  “How long will you keep them both in the dark?”

  “As long as it takes.”

  “He’s getting stronger.”

  “I know.”

  “That puts him at risk.”

  “Then this young woman came into his life just in time.”

  Chapter 23

  He didn’t love her.

  It was a painful thing to admit, but Michelle forced herself to face it. In four days she’d return home. This was their last weekend together, but despite the time together and visiting his grandmother, she knew this was not real. That she cared about him more than he did her. Because not once had he touched her as a man in love with a woman.

  Michelle sat on the blanket while James lay next to her with his eyes closed. She looked out at the Cambridge campus where other couples lazed, rode bicycles and one group threw a Frisbee. She’d miss him. She loved him. She didn’t want their time together to end. But it had to because it was all make-believe. You better prepare yourself for heartbreak, Mini Cooper had warned her. She hadn’t listened and now she would pay. She jumped when she felt a warm hand against her cheek.

  “No, don’t do t
hat,” James said in a soft voice, wiping away a tear.

  Michelle rubbed her eyes embarrassed. She wasn’t one to be emotional. Crying was silly. She plastered on a smile and laughed. “I’m just so happy right now. It’s all so perfect.” His gaze stayed on her face. She lowered her head suddenly feeling shy. “Why do you do that?”

  “What?”

  “Stare at me that way?”

  “What way?”

  She managed to look at him. “Like you’re entranced or amazed by something.”

  “Because I am.”

  She sniffed unimpressed. “Don’t say it’s because I’m beautiful because I know I’m not.”

  “No, you’re something so much more.” He sat up, his tone eager. “I don’t want to lose you again.”

  “Long distant relationships are hard.” She frowned when he started to smile. “What?”

  “It doesn’t have to be long distance.”

  “What do you mean? You’re here and I’m—”

  He shook his head. “I don’t have a fixed address. Yet.”

  “Yet?”

  He nodded. “For most of my life I’ve lived near the best hospital or specialist. We have different properties so I’m used to moving. I don’t care where I land.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Meaning, where you are I’ll go.”

  “But I live in this unexciting town in Maryland.”

  He nodded. “Okay, we’ll settle there.”

  “You make it all sound so simple.”

  “It’s not but it’s worth it.” He drew her close and held her tight. “I want this. I want this always.”

  She smiled, resting her head on his chest. “A moment captured forever.”

  “I’m serious.”

  She stared at a yellow car passing in the distance. “About what?”

  “Marrying you.”

  She turned sharply to him.

  “If you’ll have me.”

  She stared at him not knowing what to say.

  “Unless you want to live together first.”

  She opened her mouth then closed it.

  “I’m getting stronger and—”

  Michelle shook her head. “It’s not that. I know you’re strong.” She gripped her hand into a fist. “It’s just…are you sure?”

  “Yes. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. This feels right. No matter what trials we’ll face, we can face them together.”

  “But you’re gay.”

  He blinked. “I’m what?”

  She turned away and laughed with cynicism. “Of course marrying you would work since you’re not afraid of me and I’m not afraid of you. And arrangements like this have been made for centuries.”

  “Michelle—”

  “And I completely understand that you’d want to move away and live—away from your family. Especially your mother. But I don’t think you’ll be happy hiding who you really are.”

  James shook his head. “Michelle—”

  “It’s okay,” she said tears filling her voice. “I suspected it and I understand why you chose me. I should be grateful but I’m not. I love you and not just as a friend. I’m greedy and want to be with a man who truly loves me too.”

  “I’m not gay.”

  “I’ve been with you all these weeks and you’ve never kissed me.”

  He took her hand and smiled. “I’ve kissed you on the cheek.”

  Michelle shook her head. “That’s not the same.”

  “On the hand too.”

  “You can do that with anyone.”

  “I’m being a gentleman.”

  “I don’t want a gentleman.” She sighed. “I want someone who truly loves me.”

  “I do.”

  “As a woman.”

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I do.”

  Michelle opened her mouth to respond when she felt herself back in the palace again with him and he spoke to her with words she didn’t understand, but felt in her heart. She angrily pulled her hand away from him and the vision disappeared. “I don’t like being manipulated.”

  “It’s how I feel.”

  “Show me how you feel.”

  “I just did.”

  “No, right now. In this time.” She touched his arm, lowering her voice to a seductive purr. “You know you want to. You want to be with me. You want to touch me and taste me.”

  James shook his head as if trying to clear her effect on him. “Stop it.”

  “You’re strong. Strong enough for anything and you’ve been so patient. Waited so long. Now it’s your chance.”

  He looked at her, his dark gaze burning. His voice a ragged gasp. “Not yet.”

  “Kiss me.”

  His gaze heated. I won’t be able to stop.

  Yes, you will.

  And I’ll want to make love to you.

  I won’t mind. I want you to.

  He shook his head. You don’t know what you’re asking. We have to wait otherwise you won’t have a choice. You’ll be bonded to me for life.

  Do you love me?

  There will be no turning back. I mean it. The ceremony won’t matter, the guests, nothing. You’ll be mine. Completely. Always.

  Michelle wrapped her arms around his neck. “Is that a promise?”

  Chapter 24

  He was going to lose her tonight. James felt an increasing feeling of doom crawl over his skin as he walked inside his private flat. He held the door open for Michelle to pass. He closed the door, hearing the soft click as the lock engaged. Take her, a sinister voice whispered. Take her and don’t look back. She said she wanted it. Said she wanted you. Make her prove it.

  He’d been with women before. Two he’d paid for and one… One who’d been a mistake. He’d gotten cocky and scared her. He had to be careful not to scare Michelle.

  But you will. The voice said again. Because she means too much to you. You won’t be able to stop yourself.

  “Would you like something to drink?” he asked her. Michelle jumped and he couldn’t blame her, his voice sounded extra harsh even too his own ears. He didn’t know what came over him when he was in this space, but he didn’t dare take her to his family’s flat. He was too old to be slipping in undetected like a teenager. This place had been his small taste of freedom, though he rarely used it.

  He turned to Michelle who seemed frozen in the foyer, her gaze sweeping around the room. He’d had one of his mother’s designers construct it in a modern style of silver and black. “Take a seat.” She didn’t move. Her eyes were wide, she was frightened. He could feel it. But he stood blocking the door, blocking her escape. He couldn’t let her go. “What’s wrong?”

  Michelle’s brows furrowed. “Are you sure you live here?”

  “One of the many places,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to the couch, feeling the hunger inside him growing. She smelled good. He knew she would taste even better.

  Michelle sat down, but continued to survey the room with unease. “It doesn’t feel like you.”

  James cupped her cheek and forced her to face him. “But it is me,” he said in a velvet whisper. He felt her tremble and a rich, raw excitement gripped him.

  She covered his hand with hers. “Are you sure?”

  He paused, the hunger ebbing a little. She wasn’t supposed to ask questions like that. Or look at him like that either. She’s trying to control you. Don’t listen. He bent to kiss her.

  She turned her head and pressed her hand against his chest, stopping him. “No, James.”

  Anger shot through his veins. “You lied to me.”

  She lifted her hand to his face and met his eyes. “No,” she said in a steady voice.

  James sent her a hooded glance. “You’ve changed your mind.”

  Michelle shook her head and continued to hold his gaze. She spoke in a soft voice. “No. You did.” He started to shake his head, but she stopped him and her voice remained calm and steady. “You’ve changed your mind becaus
e this isn’t what you wanted. This isn’t how you wanted it.”

  James closed his eyes wanting to fight her words, feeling the affect they had on his hunger. But another part of him knew she was giving him—them—a way out.

  He opened his eyes and stared at her for a long moment before he said in a hoarse voice, “Go.” When she didn’t move, he added, “Quickly before I convince you to stay. I’ll meet you at the car.”

  “James—”

  His eyes flashed but he didn’t raise his voice. “Now.” Before I can’t stop myself, he added sending her the urgent, silent message.

  Michelle quickly grabbed her handbag and raced out the door.

  James hung his head, feeling the pain of what he’d lost.

  Michelle paced outside of James’s flat, her heart pounding. She felt awful. Had she lost her courage? No, she wanted him still. But something felt wrong. Terrifying.

  There had been no apprehension when she’d first arrived at his place. She’d been eager, but the moment she’d crossed past the door and entered his place something fearsome gripped her. She remembered clasping her hands together against the dark chill. The décor didn’t suit him, although it was masculine, sophisticated and modern, there was a large ornate mirror against the far wall and a hutch crowded with crystal figurines that seemed out of place. Plus, there was something in the air that made her feel uneasy. Uncertain. Afraid.

  And then she saw James’s face. Something about his expression had changed. It seemed hungrier, more primal. What was going on?

  James opened the door then stopped when he saw her. “I told you to wait in the car,” he growled.

  She didn’t move. She searched his features relieved to see the animalistic, primal hunger was gone from his face. He looked like himself again. She grabbed his arm. “Promise me not to go back in there.”

  He pulled his arm away and headed down the hall. “Let me take you home. Unless you’re afraid—”

  “There’s something bad in there.”

  He shrugged. “It’s up to you.”

  “I want you to take me home. You can stay at my place.”