“She is the love of my life, Bal. What kind of person would I be if I did not defend her?”
“Lily, sometimes it’s the things people do, not what they say that show that they really love us. She has undermined and embarrassed you. That’s not the actions of someone in love. She knows you will do your best to protect her from Eli, but don’t make the mistake of thinking she would do the same for you if positions were reversed.” Balthasar touched her hand gently. “I love you, sister. I don’t want to see you hurting anymore.”
“We can’t all be like you, Bal. You have your art and your battles and the honor of being Eli’s companion. I have none of those things. Since you came back, I’ve had to step back in your shadow. Pearl might be selfish, destructive and naïve, but she sees me. You do not. You see no one. Your concern over the Wylt girl is the first time you have showed emotion in years.” Lily ran her fingers down the lapels of his jacket, a rare display of affection for her. “You’ve warned me about my heart so let me warn you in return. Rosa is a human and Eli will never change her, just like he tried to deny me Pearl. I changed her, but she’s not the same as she was. If Eli had turned her, she wouldn’t have been so vicious. I have chosen to love her all the same because that is what love is. You would want to be sure that you are prepared for a different person to emerge if you follow my path. Eli is why Pearl is this way. Our sweet Jane was a fine example of what the loss of a human can do to you.”
“Do to us. I know you cared for her and I wasn’t the only one who changed after her death. Jane was a long time ago, and I have wallowed in my grief enough.”
“You wallowed, but you wallowed alone and shut me out. You seemed to forget until now that you were not the only one who loved her.” Lily’s eyes filled before she controlled it.
“I know, Lily, and I don’t want to take your love from you now, but it’s not my decision to make. Pearl is the architect of her own destiny. You’d best remember that and keep her in control.” Balthasar kissed her forehead. “Be alert tonight. I would hate for any harm to come to you.”
“You stay close to Eli. I’m out of favor or I would do it myself.”
“I promise nothing will happen to Eli,” Balthasar said looking over to where his father was charming Alena Southgate.
The candles had been lit, casting a warm glow on the proceedings. Balthasar moved through the crowds, smiling every time he spotted one of Rosa’s artistic wreaths. It all seemed to be going well until he caught Rosa’s scent.
It is only your imagination, he said to himself as he moved down the staircase. His eyes scanned the crowd of their own accord, and then he spotted someone standing near the autumn tree.
She wore a ball gown that shimmered with red silk beneath the sheer black fabric. The bodice wrapped around her, accenting the decadent curve of her body. Her hair had been curled and pinned up in an elaborate style, small jet pins as its only adornment, leaving her white back bare. As if she felt his eyes on her, her head turned to look over her shoulder. Balthasar swallowed hard as kohl-rimmed eyes burned straight through him, the dark berry stain on her lips emphasizing the curved invitation of her smile. Eli appeared beside him silently.
“What the hell is she doing here?” Balthasar hissed as his fear and panic threatened to choke him.
“I invited her,” said Eli calmly. “She looks gorgeous in that dress.”
“Good enough to eat some would say. Are you out of your mind? This room is filled with Gwaed Gam and soon to be filled with the fae.”
“Celyn hexed her last night. Don’t worry, I removed it, but I didn’t want her alone tonight and so far from the house. He marked her as war spoils. That is not an act of friendly relations. The protections on the cottage are strong but not infallible. If Celyn tries anything more, there will be a house full of loyal supporters to protect her at my command.” Eli smiled, knowing that they were being watched. He tapped his shoulder. “Don’t worry, she will do famously. I know one of the Northland men is already bewitched by her.”
“You’re not helping me right now, Father. She won’t-” but Balthasar didn’t finish. Eli’s posture had flexed as Balthasar felt them moving towards them like a whisper up his skin. “They are here.”
Chapter Sixteen – The Ball of Immortals
Rosa took a secret delight in watching Balthasar unobserved. He looked like heaven in an elegant three-piece tuxedo as he glided through the crowds, putting his guests at ease in his presence. His reputation must not have been an exaggeration. Rosa had seen the flicker of panic in the eyes of the other Gwaed Gam, and the guarded respect in others.
To her, he was just Balthasar. The man who had come to her rescue, who had painted her. The man with a fierce facade put on for the world but had no place when they were alone. She turned to see him finally notice her. For a moment, the look on his face was raw and desperate with desire and panic before all the shields went up. It didn’t matter. She had seen the look she was aiming for.
The dress that Eli had given her was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. When she put it on, she had instantly felt striking, strong, confident and every inch Balthasar’s match. She was about to move to join him when her hand started to burn.
The large double doors blew open in a rush of cold air, the sound of beautiful singing rising like a sea around them. Rosa could smell all of her favorite things, and she knew what was coming.
The Seelie began to file into the room in shimmering gleams of light. Like Celyn, their clothes had a distorted feel of old and new. The women wore elaborate ball gowns made of rose petals, another of butterflies, and another looked like the scales of a fish. The men were all tall and stately, their strangely curved eyes taking in the room with a bemused delight.
Rosa saw Celyn walking on the left hand side of the most stunning man she had ever seen. He was almost seven-foot-tall, and his long fox red hair had been tied with a black ribbon. He had topaz eyes and wore red and purple that accentuated his striking coloring. On the top of his head was a crown of whitethorn leaves.
Rosa shook as she clutched the pendant of her necklace tightly and the clouds that had been filling her head cleared. They were still beautiful but in a way that screamed of unnatural danger.
Eli and Balthasar stayed where they were in the middle of the staircase, the high ground, and allowed the faerie leader to ascend to meet them. They bowed politely to each other, two faerie lords meeting as equals. Eli’s glamor that made him appear human melted away and Rosa’s heart pounded in her chest at the sight of his true face. His hair grew longer, twisting with wild black curls about his head and shoulders. His eyes that were usually a pale green bled emerald, his skin developing a pearlescent sheen like the other fae in the room.
“Ryn Eurion, welcome to Gwaed Lyn,” Eli greeted, his voice resonating through the halls, his timbre altered to be darker, deeper, filled with authority and danger.
Rosa’s heart felt as if it would give way in her chest as the fairy tale came rushing back to her. It was no wonder that the Autumn Queen had been brought to her knees by him. He was desire itself.
“Bleddyn Seren Du,” Ryn answered, “you honor the Seelie with your lavish welcome.”
“I take it that the lovely Autumn Queen will not be joining us in the celebrations?” Eli asked.
Rosa sucked in her breath. She could feel the tension in the room as tight as a bowstring. You have stepped in the middle of an ancient feud, Rosamund Wylt. You shouldn’t have come to the ball tonight.
“As you can imagine, the Queen is extremely busy. It’s a hard task to rule both the lands of Seelie and Unseelie. She sends you her regards, Bleddyn.”
“A shame, I had hoped to get reacquainted with her after so long. I have fond memories of the last time we met,” Bleddyn smirked as Ryn flinched. “But tonight we must let history stay in the past where it belongs. To the Seelie, I bid you welcome in my house. Let you want of nothing while you are here and let you fear nothing while under my roof.” To the sur
prise of all, he laughed, and it was as if his laughter was a pin to the bubble of unease. Everyone stopped frowning and started smiling as music began once more. Drinks were poured, and everyone was comfortable again. Rosa followed the crowds up to the ballroom, careful not to step on anyone’s feet.
“My dear, what a lovely dress you wear,” a tall faerie lady with cat eyes commented to her.
“Thank you.”
“These jet pins in your hair have an aura of the ages about them. They are from the Fields of Night Drops, are they not?”
“I couldn’t say. They were a gift from El…Prince Bleddyn,” Rosa answered with a smile. She really would have to find a way to thank him for the night. She doubted if any human had seen so many fae in a thousand years. None that had lived to tell the tale.
The faerie lady touched a pin with a long finger. “Oh, yes, I’m definitely right. They are made from distilled night tears. An excellent gift.”
Rosa hadn’t seen the final preparations to the ballroom, but Cecily and the others had pulled it all together spectacularly. The roof was hung with buntings of leaf and vine so that it looked as if they had stepped under a canopy of greenery. The fairy lights twinkled amongst the leaves and complemented the huge crystal and candle chandelier. Around the walls were magnificent tables of food, flowers, drinks, and elaborate centerpieces. Musicians positioned themselves on a small stage as a few of the fae produced instruments and began to join in until the melodies were swelling up around them.
“The honor of the first dance shall go to my esteemed guest, Lord Ryn,” Eli said jovially. The faerie smiled graciously and looked about the room for a partner. Rosa didn’t think such theatrics existed in the real world.
You are in a ballroom filled with the fae and Gwaed Gam, I don’t think this qualifies as real life.
Then the crowds were parting, and Ryn Eurion was standing in front of her with a smile before bowing low to her. Rosa watched Balthasar go pale next to Eli, who whispered something to his son.
“My lady, would you do me the honor?” Ryn asked softly.
Rosa felt herself take his hand before she could question it. “I should warn you, my lord, I’m not a very good dancer.”
“Do not fear. I’m a very good dancer, so follow my lead.” The musicians started a slow waltz, and Rosa allowed Ryn to glide her about the floor with a practiced ease. Within a couple of moments, Eli lifted his hand and signaled everyone else to join in.
“I must admit I’m a little surprised to find a human in these proceedings,” Ryn said as he pulled her closer. “Who are you, little rose?”
“I’m a friend of Prince Bleddyn. He invited me here to witness such an important moment in history,” Rosa said confidently. What had Celyn already told him?
“I don’t normally pay attention to humans, their lives are such guttering candles, but there is something strikingly familiar about you. Are you sure we have not met on another occasion?” He spun her out before pulling her back in close. The pendant hidden in between her breasts started to burn painfully.
“I think that I would remember such a fortuitous occasion,” Rosa answered breathlessly.
“Excuse me, may I cut in?” Balthasar’s voice was like cold water drenching her burning mind. Ryn turned to frown at the interruption. “Lord Bleddyn would like a word with you, Ryn.”
“Of course, Leiddiad, I barely recognized you not covered in the blood of my people. Do try to treat my lovely partner with care. I’m not finished with her this night,” Ryn smiled but it was sharp and feral. “Until we meet again, little rose.”
Rosa curtseyed but didn’t offer him her hand, not after Celyn’s kiss. Balthasar took her about the waist, gripping her firmly to him. Rosa’s pulse raced as his hand wrapped around hers. She wanted to hang on to him like a child who had just escaped stepping on a snake.
“I see you are causing a minor stir already,” Balthasar said softly. “Are you okay? Nobody has tried anything on you?”
“I’m fine, not a hitch. I think Ryn was attempting some kind of compulsion. My necklace is still burning, and I feel like my brain is about to turn to mush.”
“You are wearing it?” Balthasar’s eyes went to her breasts appreciably, and she blushed.
“Of course I’m wearing it. That doesn’t mean I’m silly enough to show it off.”
“Good, there are some here that would try to hurt you just for having the guts to wear it to such an event.” Balthasar’s thumb ran over the back of her hand. “You look incredibly beautiful tonight. I wish we were alone so I could show you how much I appreciate this dress. Eli does know my taste well.”
“You don’t look half bad yourself. What was that word Ryn called you?”
“Leiddiad. It’s my title amongst the fae. It means assassin.”
“Your reputation proceeds you even into Faerie.”
“It wouldn’t be a good reputation if it didn’t,” Balthasar turned, so her back was pressed against him. “Does it frighten you?”
Rosa looked over her shoulder at him. He was so close she could have kissed him. Her lips ached to taste his, but she resisted, knowing it could expose them both. “You don’t frighten me, regardless of what your reputation is.” He moved her out of the circle of dancers to a quiet corner out of sight.
“Eli told me about Celyn’s hex. I can’t help but wish that Eli had sent you away, somewhere safe.”
“You can’t lock me away forever. I’m a part of this world now whether you like it or not. I would risk a thousand sleazy Celyns to see you in this tux. I would risk a hell of a lot more to get you out of it later tonight.” He touched her neck slowly with his fingers.
“What I wouldn’t give to kiss you right now,” he whispered, leaning close to her. Their lips were about to touch when a screech cut through the music. Balthasar pulled back searching for the sound. A small group of Gwaed Gam were in defense positions.
“Stay out of the way,” Balthasar said, and he vanished, reappearing between the angry Gwaed Gam.
Rosa couldn’t hear over the commotion in the room, but she saw Balthasar’s face twist and change. He grabbed one by the throat, ripping it out before tossing the body aside. Rosa steadied herself against the wall, the show of angry violence by the man she loved knocking the air from her.
Chapter Seventeen – Spoils
“Lay down your weapons,” Balthasar demanded, “or I shall relieve you of your arms.”
The Riverclear men hissed threateningly at him, their fallen comrade bleeding out on the floor beside them.
“You’re an embarrassment to the Gwaed Gam,” Anton Riverclear spat. “How dare you force us to make peace with these creatures that have hunted and slaughtered us for centuries!”
“Can you say we haven’t done the same to them?” Balthasar asked. “We descend from them, or have you forgotten that? We are the same people despite our differences.”
“I am going to have to interject,” Ryn’s voice made the room fall silent. “We are not the same kind. You are abominations; the failed experiments of one selfish and dishonored family who fled to this realm like scared cowards.”
Eli stood tall and straight with the look of a man whose future was being taken from him.
“Come home, Black Star, and stop this abominable charade,” Ryn demanded. “Your Queen demands you return to her. You lost a kingdom. You have no right to try to build another.” Balthasar’s ears popped as the glamor that Ryn had laid on his fae broke, and their weapons were exposed.
“I wanted to make peace with you, Ryn, despite the pain you have caused my family over the centuries. I’ve spent the last fifty years trying to convince my people that you are honorable enough to make a treaty with. You were the one that suggested it after all,” Eli growled.
“Why do you think I did that? I knew you would bring all your useless kind together and I can get rid of them all at once. Honestly, after the way your own father died, you should have known that the Autumn Queen does not make treaties
or bargains with your filthy kind.” Battle fury surged through Balthasar, filling him with strength. His eyes fell on Rosa. Eli brought her here to be safe.
His father looked at the opposing forces and Ryn’s sneering face. He pulled a pen from his pocket and the glamor melted off it. A long obsidian blade grew in his hands like a shard of midnight.
Ryn’s eyes widened in rage, “You had Widows Fury all of this time? How dare you touch it, you Unseelie scum.”
“How dare I touch it? It is my birthright! I was hoping to give the Queen a taste of it tonight, but she was too much of a coward to face me. Her subject’s blood will feed it instead,” Eli blurred, bringing down four Seelie warriors with one swipe of his blade.
Bedlam broke out around them as Gam and fae tore into each other with boiling hatred and betrayal. Balthasar leaped up the wall and pulled three swords from the Vane coat of arms. Balthasar dropped a sword, and Saul caught it, bringing it down to cut a fae’s head in two.
“Brother!” Lily shouted as he landed back on the bloody floor. He threw her another sword, not bothering to see if she caught it. Lily had taught him to use a sword; he wouldn’t have to worry about her. He needed to find Rosa.
A fae was binding a Southgate vampire in brambles, the twelve-inch thorns piercing through him before it hit his heart and reduced him to dust. Balthasar drove his sword into the fae’s spine, tearing it up and out his shoulder, the brambles vanishing.
Other Gwaed Gam were struggling with the glamours as they tore and cut at their own faces and each other fighting off invisible monsters. Balthasar felt the magic in the room, felt his own Unseelie blood calling out to it.
“Rosa!” he searched, fighting his way through the heaving, bloody crowd.
A high pitched whistle echoed through the hall, and the younger Gwaed Gam clutched their heads as blood began to pour from the nose and eyes. The Seelie broke through the ballroom windows and fled out the doors. The Gwaed Gam pursued them; their screeching calls echoing through the house. Balthasar flipped the tables searching for Rosa.
Wylt: Book One The Blood Lake Chronicles Page 19