Mortal Enchantment Complete Box Set

by Stacey O'Neale

  Rowan chuckled. "Like me?”

  Had that sounded like I had accused him? I needed to explain myself better. "I was trying to listen through a closed door, and the voices sounded like they were a good distance away, but yeah, his voice was similar to yours.”

  "Why would I be meeting with someone in the basement cells?”

  He was taking this personal. I needed to bring the conversation down a few notches. "It wasn’t you. They were talking about preparations. I came in at the tail-end of the conversation, but it was about everything continues to go as planned. And they mentioned the council and the ball. They also mentioned me.”

  He rubbed the side of his cheek. "Did they say anything about King Taron?”

  "No,” I replied solemnly. Hearing my father’s name hurt my heart. “But one of them had made comments about the air court council. He was either a member or someone with influence. These two were part of the kidnapping. I’m going to order an emergency council meeting to discuss what I heard.”

  “Have you contacted the council yet?”

  “No.”

  “Good,” he replied, seemingly relieved. "I don’t want you to tell anyone else about this.”

  "Why not?”

  "You saw feet and heard part of a conversation. You’re going to need more proof than that if you want them to believe you. And if you’re right, it could be someone on the council. If that’s the case, you want them to continue thinking you’re clueless. Otherwise, they might panic and make a rash decision. They could kill your father.”

  His words were like a gut-punch. “Do you think they would go that far?”

  Rowan put his hand on my shoulder. "We’re not going to take the chance. In the meantime, we need to find out who they are and evidence to prove their guilt.”

  "We might get the chance tonight. Something is going to happen at the ball. They didn’t say what it will be, but they will be there.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair. "I’ll check the basement for clues while everyone else is at the ball. This way, no one will get suspicious.”

  “You have to go to the ball. That’s where they’re going to be. It could be our only opportunity,” I pleaded. “Please, Rowan.”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t,” he replied with a regretful look on his face. “You saw what happened at the council meeting. I’m afraid my aunt will make things difficult for you during the power display if she thinks it will hurt me. I won’t take the chance.”

  I was disappointed that he wasn’t coming, but given the circumstances, I understood. Queen Liana was practically spitting venom when she last saw him. It made sense that he wanted to steer clear of that drama. "I get it. Just promise you’ll come find me if you find evidence we can use.”

  “You have my word.”

  I leaned to the side, nudging him playfully with my folded arm. “Okay, then. I’m going to go find Ariel and apologize profusely.”

  "All you should be thinking about is the display of power.” He put his hands on my shoulders, and our eyes leveled. “Keep your emotions under control. I know you can do this.”

  He was right. I should’ve forgotten about everything else and focused on the power display. Nothing else mattered. Well, except for the fact that I’d ruined the dress I was going to wear and didn’t have a replacement. I also had a traitor in the castle who tried to poison me—a second unknown person from another court plotting against my family. And, worst of all, I was no closer to finding my father.

  Midwinter’s Ball, here I come.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Kalin

  Two hours.

  That was all the time I had left to prepare for the ball. My priority was a much-needed bath. Once I was clean, I threw on a robe and strode over to my closet. I peeked inside, wishing that a beautiful ballgown would magically appear. I heard a knock on my bedroom door—one of the guards I had posted outside stepped inside with Ariel right behind him. The knight bowed and closed the door. She stood silently with a gown folded under her arm and a wrapped box in her hand.

  We made eye contact, and the side of her mouth twitched slightly. The guilt from yesterday churned in my stomach. She laid the dress and gift box on the bed. Now that her hands were empty, I got a good look at her. She was already stunning, but in that beautiful lavender strapless gown, she was a goddess. The fitted bodice and flowing empire skirt gave her thin body a bit of curve. Her hair hung in loose curls, and her lips were cherry red.

  "Before you say anything, I need to apologize.” I reached out and took her hands in mine. “I feel awful about what I said. I was wrong on every possible level.”

  The tension she had in her shoulders visibly released. "I’m sorry too. I should have had the fabric inspected. I never imagined something like that would happen.”

  Ariel had gone out of her way to help me since I’d first arrived. She had become more than just an aide assigned to support me. She had become a friend. And no matter what, I did not want to lose her. "We both made mistakes. If it’s all right with you, I’d rather forget about the whole thing.”

  "Of course!”

  I wrapped my arms tight around her neck. It was a hug-it-out moment. "Since we’ve cleared that up, what goodies have you brought me?”

  I released her from my embrace, and she held up the dress. To my complete surprise, it was the poisoned ballgown. "How is this possible? Is it safe?”

  "The woodland faeries have their brand of concoctions. They used some herbal powder to remove the toxins, and then they repaired the damages.” She fluffed the bottom of the gown. "I told you they’re the best.”

  I took a closer look at the fabric. It was perfect. "I’m really impressed.” I ran my fingers over the elegant cloth; there was no burning or irritation. Whatever they did had worked.

  Ariel laid the gown back down on the bed. "We’ve got plenty left to do before you’re ready to try it on again.”

  She spent the next hour twisting and pinning my wavy hair into an over-the-shoulder style. I reached behind, running my hand down a curved braid with tiny flowers tucked inside. My hair was truly glamorous. After my tresses were fit for a red carpet, Ariel applied my make-up. She used subtle cool tones for my eyes and cheeks, but when she got to my lips, she chose the same bright red lipstick she was wearing.

  When she finished, I gazed into the mirror. It was hard for me to believe what I saw in the mirror’s reflection. I put my hand on my chest. "Thank you so much for this. Everything is perfect.”

  "Not just yet.” She wiggled her eyebrows, heading over to the gift box she had sat on my bed, she handed it to me. "When I retrieved your gown from the seamstresses, this box was sitting on top. They had no idea where it had come from, but it had a piece of paper with your name written on top. By the size of the box, I’m guessing it's jewelry. Maybe it’s meant for the ball?”

  The only person who had left anything for me was Rowan. Could he have left another gift? Something he wanted me to wear to the ball. The thought gave me a shimmer of excitement as I opened the box. A black velvet ring box was inside. I opened the box, taking a heavy breath as Ariel gasped. It was a thick white-gold ring with a round yellow topaz in the center. The air court symbols were on both sides of the center stone, embedded into the metal.

  I’d recognize the ring anywhere.

  Dad never took it off.

  "What does this mean?” Ariel shrieked.

  They wanted me to be afraid, and they succeeded. I held the ring inside my clenched fist as the metal dug into my skin. "It means the people who kidnapped my father are here, and they want me to know it.”

  Visibly shaken, Ariel checked every nook and cranny of the room like she expected to find a hidden camera or an explosive. "How did they know I would bring the box to you?”

  Not only was the traitor close to the council, but he also knew Ariel was my lady-in-waiting. That meant she was in danger too. She would need to be guarded during the ball, as well. "They knew the woodland faeries were b
rought here to make a ballgown for me, which means they’re watching you too.”

  Ariel rushed to the door. "We need to report this to Jarrod and alert the palace guards.”

  She reached for the handle, and I put my hand on top of hers. "No, I’m going to go to the ball as planned. Everything has to go as scheduled. I won’t let them know they’ve gotten to me.”

  "But, Kalin―”

  I couldn’t let her go to Jarrod. Rowan planned to search the basement for clues. If the knights searched the castle, they would find Rowan and possibly ruin everything. "You have to trust me. The poisoned gown and the ring weren’t sent to scare me. They’re trying to keep me from going to the ball, which is why I must go.”

  Ariel chewed on her bottom lip as she helped me into the ballgown. “I’ll stay with you all night. I won’t let you risk your life.”

  I pulled her into a hug. "I promise, everything will be fine,” I tried to assure her, although I wasn’t confident. The traitor had planned something for the ball, but I couldn’t let the fear of the unknown stop me from what I had to do. I had to perform the power display. I released her from my hold. “Please understand, I need to show them that I’m not weak. That I am the future queen of the air court, and I don’t cower to anyone.”

  Ariel’s eyes welled with tears as she nodded. “I believe in you.”

  For the sake of my family, myself, and my court, I must succeed.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Kalin

  The stone hallway illuminated with a glint of tangerine as sunset began.

  The Midwinter’s Ball had already begun. The farther we moved down the corridor, my uncertainty grew. With Ariel’s arm tucked inside of mine, we both rattled with her jitters. I patted the back of her hand in an attempt to calm her. We reached the end of the walkway and stood in front of two French-style gold doors, both engraved with a mountainous landscape etching. The array of voices coming from within overwhelmed the piano’s melody.

  Before the doors opened, I pulled Ariel aside. "I need you to be brave with me, or I’ll never get through this.”

  "I’m with you, Kalin.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. When she finished, she stared at me with determination. “You’ll go in there and claim the power for the air court, and we’ll worry about the rest later.”

  “Exactly,” I confirmed, although I wasn’t sure who she was trying to reassure.

  With our hands joined, we returned to the massive entryway. Ariel tapped on the door with the leaf-shaped knocker. As the doors opened, a brush of cool air pushed the curls away from my face. Sunlight poured out of the entrance, and I covered my eyes. Ariel led us inside, seemingly oblivious to the brightness.

  Once inside, I took in the packed ballroom. White marble floors sparkled in every direction, with couples moving across a crowded dance floor. It was a sea of exquisite ballgowns in a riot of colors. Each dress had an array of decorations—jewels in every size and shape, flowers, and lace. Their partners managed to look just as dreamy in black tuxedos with ties, vests, and even some scattered top hats. Every guest had a mask, either covering their eyes or their entire face. Each masked couple had they own unique style. It was a scene straight out of The Phantom of the Opera.

  We stood atop a double stairway for a while. I was captivated by the orchestra sitting right in between the two staircases. Gnomes from the woodland court held string instruments and flutes or sat behind various drums. With each hypnotic chord, the entire room vibrated in exact unison. The dancers flowed with the music, almost as if they were part of the performance. My body stirred with anticipation.

  As I was about to take my first step down the long staircase, I felt a tickle behind my ear. "Aren’t you forgetting something?” Ariel rhetorically asked while she attached a yellow mask to my face. “You can’t attend a masquerade ball without a mask.”

  I caught a glimpse of my reflection. The mask matched the color of my gown and covered the top half of my face. A starburst of diamonds exploded over the middle of the mask, tracing the eye holes. Ariel stood beside me in the reflection. Her mask had feathers across the top, matching flawlessly to her gleaming lavender gown.

  Ariel spun me around until our eyes met. "Now, this part is very important. When the music stops, you’ll position yourself at the top of the staircase. Your escort will be at the bottom. They will say your name, and you’ll meet him halfway. He’ll put your hand inside his arm, and you’ll walk to the middle of the dance floor. Then, you dance. Got it?”

  My heart pounded like a beating drum. "Hold on a second, an escort? Why do I need an escort?”

  She shook her head, laughing. "Relax, it’s only for a few minutes. The escort will help you down the steps. You’ll walk, you’ll dance, and you’re all done.” She repositioned a few of my curls. "It’s no big deal, I promise.”

  I watched the couples below doing some old-school waltz. Was I supposed to do that too? No one ever said I needed to dance. As the nerves bundled in my stomach, the temperature of the room seemed to rise about a thousand degrees. A drop of sweat ran down my back. "I don’t know how to dance like that.”

  All those eyes were going to be on me. They’d be watching my every move. My chest tightened. It was getting hard to breath. “I think I’m going to pass out.”

  “Okay, no need to panic.” Ariel fanned my face with her hand. "All you need to do is concentrate on the music, and the steps will come. Don’t overthink it.”

  “The steps will come. You can’t be serious.”

  Ariel’s eyes widened for a split second, then she immediately put her hands at her sides and bowed. Over my shoulder, I saw the woodland court king and queen. We remained still as they moved toward us. The queen was picture perfect with porcelain skin and long brown hair hanging bone straight down most of her back. Her dress was a strapless, forest green gown with white flowers sewn into the bottom trim. The king looked flawless in a black tuxedo with a green tie matching the queen’s gown.

  I took Ariel’s cue, bowing my head.

  The king spoke first. "You’ve arrived at last, Princess Kalin. They have announced the fire and water courts already.”

  I had to tell him about my dream vision, the poisoned dress, and my father’s ring. Unfortunately, now was not the time. I had to find a way to get them alone and away from interested ears. "I apologize if anyone had to wait. We had a bit of last-minute drama to deal with, but that’s resolved.”

  His voice turned sullen. "The House of Gheb, as well as the entire woodland court, have prayed for Taron’s safe return. I’ve sent out many search parties over the last few days, but none have returned with news.”

  King Orion was someone my father trusted. If the air council refused to help, I knew I could count on him. "We need to speak soon, Your Majesty. Somewhere private would be best.”

  The king and queen moved into position at the top of the staircase. "After the shifting of power, I will seek you out.”

  I nodded.

  The music stopped except for a trumpet drawing everyone’s attention toward us. Ariel led me to the side of the steps behind the king and queen, then disappeared into the crowd below. I fanned my hand in front of my face to create a little breeze while I replayed every step of what Ariel had told me. I hadn’t noticed that a male in a black tuxedo now stood parallel to me. His mask matched mine. He had a slicked-back hairstyle, and his face was cleanly shaven.

  He must be my escort.

  A pudgy gnome in a tuxedo announced, "Presenting the King and Queen of the House of Gheb.” Rousing applause filled the room as the couple walked down the steps and into the middle of the marble dance floor.

  Every set of eyes in the room shifted from the woodland king and queen to me. The weight of their stares nearly knocked me backward. I had to remind myself that the dance will be over in a matter of minutes. It was like a mantra playing over and over again in my head. My escort would lead me. It would be okay. I kept my head held high and my arms at my sides to preve
nt fidgeting.

  The small gnome cleared his throat. "Presenting Princess Kalin of the House of Paralda and her escort.” The applause started again. It seemed strange to me that the gnome didn’t announce the name of my escort. Had that meant he didn’t know? I didn’t turn to look at him as he locked my arm inside his. It caught me by surprise when he leaned toward my ear. "You clean up nice, Jellybean.”

  Rowan.

  When an all too familiar smirk appeared across his face, my smile grew. I couldn’t hide my excitement. In the back of my mind, I’d hoped he’d show up. He had been my protector since the moment I arrived in Avalon, and I felt safe when he was by my side. We settled in next to the woodland king and queen. "I thought you weren’t coming?” I whispered.

  King Orion shook Rowan’s hand. “I’m glad to see you here where you belong.”

  Where he belonged? The king must’ve meant amongst the royal families.

  “Thank you, Your Highness,” Rowan bowed his head. “I’m glad to see that you and the queen are well.”

  “We would be better if Taron were here,” the king stated firmly.

  Rowan cupped his arm around Orion’s shoulder. “I’m going to do everything within my power to find him.”

  When they finished their conversation, I nudged Rowan to remind him that he never answered my question.

  "I wanted to make sure you were okay,” he replied. "Plus, I look good in a tux.”

  He wasn’t wrong. "You look okay, I guess.”

  "Just okay?” The music started again, and Rowan led us to the middle of the dance floor. After we bowed to one another, his hand settled on my lower back. With one tug, he pressed our bodies together. Tingles raced down my spine. His other hand cupped mine, fingers entwined. "Your flustered cheeks say otherwise.”

  I rolled my eyes. "I’m hot.”