Chapter Three
“ A sher,” I said after a few moments of dancing in silence. He lifted one eyebrow in question, cocking his head to the side. “My friends call me Asher. I would like for you to as well.”
His smile illuminated his face, infectious and charming. I could not help but smile back.
“Well, Asher, tell me more about…” My name sounded sweet coming from his mouth, and my eyes wandered to his lips. I quickly reminded myself that it was disrespectful to continuously be thinking inappropriate thoughts about this male. What was he saying?
“What?” I asked, knowing there was no way I would be able to recall what he said.
He chuckled, and the butterflies dipped lower. Something felt different about the way I was reacting to Bellamy. Maybe it was due to the way Sterling had just treated me, and how his words had the opposite effect.
As if thinking his name summoned him to me, Sterling placed his arm between Bellamy and I, halting our dance. It was then that I realized we had drifted so close we were sharing the same breath. I felt Sterling’s arm yank me back, separating me from Bellamy and also hurting a bit. I knew better than to react, but it was an off night.
“Sterling, I told you to keep your hands off of me!” For the second time during the ball, my hand went straight to my mouth. I felt the fear and knew what I would see if I turned around. Looking over my shoulder, I saw that Xavier and Mia were both standing, their eyes piercing me, anger filling the room.
I looked away, surprised to see that Sterling was not glaring at me, but at Bellamy.
“Sterling, I apologize. Please, dance with me.” I moved to grab his arm, but he shook me off with enough force to send me back a step. Before I could even acknowledge what happened, Bellamy grabbed the same arm of Sterling’s that I had attempted to.
“You should reconsider laying hands on the princess,” he said, his voice promising violence. Sterling did not back down, instead getting closer to Bellamy. Their faces were only inches apart, and I could see that both of them were breathing heavily in anger.
“She is mine, and I will do what I want with her. You will do well to mind your own business and not touch what does not belong to you, peasant!” The power in the room started to swell and suffocate as all in attendance tuned in to our conversation.
I felt my stomach drop when Mia put her hand on my shoulder and squeezed. She would not be happy about this. Xavier came over, his crown making him seem even taller, more daunting. His face was red with fury, or perhaps it was the fire within him that began to simmer.
It took every ounce of my being not to snap at Sterling. I was no one’s but my own. I was not a prize to be won or a gift to be given, regardless of the agreement made between our realm—or what I said to Bellamy before. Arguing would be unwise now though. In fact, it would only get me in more trouble.
Xavier seemed ready to end the fight before it started, and I knew that would only mean destruction. So instead, I closed my eyes and honed into everyone in the room. I could sense them—Elements, Readers, Shifters, Healers—calling to that well of power deep within them. At once I grabbed hold of their minds.
Everything is fine. Enjoy the ball. Ignore the childish antics of the two in the corner. Dance.
Just like that, everyone was dancing and laughing once again. Everyone except for Sterling, Bellamy, and the royals. We all stayed in our tight circle, and to avoid further issue, I grabbed onto the minds of the angry males on either side of me.
Take this outside. Now.
They both straightened and began walking towards the hall. I did not bother to check that the king and queen were following; I knew they would. My heels tapped on the marble floor as I struggled to keep up with Bellamy and Sterling stomping ahead of me.
The second they pushed open the double doors that led to the long hall, they faced off. Both were radiating fury, and I wondered what could possibly have made them this mad when neither really knew me. What would they do next? Pee on me like an animal to claim me as their territory?
“You dare to speak to me like that again and you will find yourself in a much scarier place than a hallway,” Sterling said, voice dripping with acid and fists clenched at his side. Bellamy looked him up and down, then laughed. Actually laughed.
That only enraged Sterling further, causing him to step forward once again. I tapped into Bellamy, trying to assess his power, to adjust for the potential danger. The second I did, I felt the burning heat. He was an Element, a Fire to be specific. And he was strong; I could feel the hum of his power, the way it fought to break out. His mind was hectic, full of darkness and heat, painful to be in.
I thought about grabbing onto his mind again, but decided that taking away his free will once tonight was plenty.
“Both of you stop!” I whisper-yelled. “Sterling, I think it is time for me to go back to my chambers. Thank you for the dance. I hope you have a good rest of your evening.” He hesitated, fists still clenched, chest practically against Bellamy’s stomach. There was too much tension in the air to stifle it on their own without coming to blows.
Go find a willing girl to dance with and do not think of me again tonight.
Sterling knew what my powers were, but he would be unaware I was using them until later. By then it would not matter, excuses would be ready and lies spun. Fae were notorious for manipulation, but my abilities went beyond that. As Sterling whirled towards the double doors and exited the hallway, I faced the king and queen. Both visibly angry.
Xavier spoke first, face red and finger pointed at Bellamy. “I do not know who you are, but you will surely pay for—”
“I will escort him out. Thank you for the ball.” Before they could argue, I pushed Bellamy’s back and said, “Go.”
Once he began walking, I sped up to get in front and lead the way. Looking back, I noted the fire rolling around Xavier’s fingers, his whole body shaking. If he ever saw Bellamy again, I had no doubt in my mind that he would end the young fae’s life.
Strangely enough, it was Mia who seemed more angry. The stiffness in her features and the clenching of her jaw told me so. I turned away from her, but her voice stopped me in my tracks. “Remember what is at stake, Asher.”
How could I forget? I started walking again, not turning back this time.
The moment that we were out of ear shot and sight of the royals, I felt Bellamy’s presence move to my side. I looked over to see his hands in his trouser pockets and a smile on his face, both dimples on display.
“What could you possibly think is so funny?” I asked, baffled at his amusement. My head began to pound, a sign I was using too much power.
“Your mortal prince is easily angered, especially seeing as he was the one who touched you against your will. Again.” Despite the smile on his face, I could see the flames blazing in his eyes.
Elements had personalities that mirrored their power—Fires were easy to anger and full of passion; Earths were strong willed and brave; Waters were calm and collected; Airs were wild and free. Knowing that Bellamy was a Fire made sense of his short temper.
All fae carried traits unique to their powers, like Elements. That was likely because of the separation of the factions, but could also be genetic.
The Shifter Faction was unpredictable all around, with both Singles—Shifters who have only one form that they can hold indefinitely—and Multiples—Shifters who have many forms that they can only hold for a short period of time—favoring spontaneity over structure. They are wild, strong, and easily the bravest of fae.
The Reader Faction was comprised of Yesterdays—those who saw the past—and Tomorrows—those who saw the future. Tomorrows were usually fairly antisocial, which might have been because they were constantly asked questions about what they saw in the future of those around them. Yesterdays were much more energetic and outgoing.
Last was the Healer Faction, the largest of the four. They were lively and adventurous, with respect considered important among them as well.
My parents had both been Readers. My mother was the Royal Tomorrow, as she was the strongest of her time. My father was also a Tomorrow, and together they read not only the future of the royals, but also any put on trial for crimes against the crown. They, along with the Royal Yesterday, assessed someone’s past and future, determining whether or not they had committed the crime and how they would affect the future of the realm.
It hurt to recall the loss of them, but the knowledge that I survived what they did not was even more painful. Mia and Xavier lost their son in the same attack, so we rarely discussed the topic. It made me afraid to ask about what my mother and father were like. Had they held the same temperament as most of their faction? Was I like them at all? I knew bringing them up reminded the king and queen of what they lost: their heir, their only child, their pride and joy. I was thankful they took me in, but we would never be to each other what was lost.
I often wished that I could have lived on Isle Reader, just to feel closer to my parents and see where they grew up. But even if the royals allowed me to go, I would never be accepted. I was no Reader, and outsiders were not treated well. Each fae lived on the island that represented their faction, required to marry within to keep bloodlines pure.
The faction islands surrounded The Capital, which was where all younglings went to harness their power and learn to control themselves. It was the only time that fae would live with factions outside of their own. Although, they were still separated, each having their own building where they learned, ate, and slept. Being left to live on Isle Reader would have likely gotten me killed.
Bellamy was similarly out of his depth here at The Capital. I was unsure of his reasons for attending my ball—unless he thought he might be able to secure a marriage with one of the other attendees—but recklessness was not tolerated, insolence even less so. He was a flame walking on thin ice, tempting Eternity.
“He is not my prince, and you had no place interfering. You embarrassed me.”
You forced me to use my powers on you. On everyone. To be the monster they all think I am.
His head snapped in my direction as if he heard the thoughts running through my mind. He opened his mouth to speak, but I held my hand out to silence him.
“Regardless, Sterling is my betrothed whether I like it or not, and our issues are simply that, our own. I thank you for standing up for me, but I do not need the help.” Each word that left my mouth was sharper than the last.
“Asher,” Bellamy said, putting himself in front of me to halt my steps. “You do not know me, and I do not know you. I understand why it was not my responsibility to stand up for you. I apologize for upsetting you in any way. I did not seek to do so, and I deeply regret it.”
I knew he was being honest, could feel the genuine tone of his words and understand a vague tenor of his thoughts. Still, something was off.
I noted the way he wiped his hand on his pants, seemingly removing the sweat. Was it simply nerves? I could find out if I wanted. The mind was easy to take control of, but doing so felt invasive and manipulative. In fact, I was called “The Manipulator” by many of the fae in our realm, their fear of the unknown leading them to hate me.
“I accept your apology,” I said, trying to get my mind to focus on the conversation. We had stopped at another pair of double doors, both of us facing the other. His dazzling eyes and full lips were too distracting, and I found I could not stay annoyed for long.
I knew the best thing I could do for both of us was walk away before I made a poor decision.
“These doors here will lead you out to the gardens, if you follow the path to the right, you will find yourself at the front of the castle where you entered. I am afraid that if you do not leave soon, then you may be subject to far worse horrors than Sterling’s foul attitude. I hope you have a good evening, Bellamy.”
Right as I took a step away from him, Bellamy spoke.
“Wait,” he said, voice low and husky again. “Would you care to take a walk, Asher?”