Chapter Twenty-One
N avigating through the maze of a home was not as difficult in daylight. The arched windows allowed for the golden rays to shine into the manor, making the black and red seem significantly less ominous. The paintings were impossibly more captivating at this time of day as well. The rich and vibrant colors brought character to the black walls and life to the home itself. When we came upon hallways without a view of the outside world, what I assumed was demon light floated in the air.
Eventually we stopped in front of a red door that looked exactly like the rest to me. I was surprised anyone could find their way through the confusion.
“Do you live here alone?” I asked. Bellamy continued staring forward, not so much as glancing my way. “Is that really something I am not allowed to know? What would I even do with the information?”
His eyebrows lifted, amusement lighting his face. I knew though that he was afraid to tell me anything that was not necessary, which proved that he trusted me as little as I trusted him.
The door cracked open and a pair of jet-black eyes met mine before going wide and scanning over to Bellamy. He opened the door fully, showing his equally black waist length hair and scruffy facial hair that slightly came off his chin. The male was wearing all white clothing that covered nearly every inch of his dark skin, seeming to light up the hallways with his presence alone.
“My Prince,” he said, bowing low. I caught his eyes flick over to me again before he straightened once more.
“Ranbir, there is no need to bow for company’s sake.” Bellamy chuckled, clapping the male on the shoulder with his clean hand. Ranbir looked at Bellamy’s nose and clicked his tongue, shaking his head slowly. The sight of the demon prince covered in blood was clearly not surprising.
“What happened this time, Bell?” Definitely a regular occurrence then. Bellamy smiled, flashing his deep dimples and crinkling his freckled cheeks, looking every bit the part of a mischievous youngling rather than a grown male. It was so familiar to me for some reason.
“Ah, the beautiful Asher punched me square in the nose,” Bellamy said.
Idiot.
“It was marvelous,” he rasped, looking back at me in a way that made me feel bare.
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms and bunching my good fist to keep the inappropriate feelings at bay. Ranbir looked over to me again with wide eyes.
“It was his fault. Besides, he could use a good punch to knock him back down to reality.” I scoffed. “Plus, he broke my hand with his stupid face!” Shooting a glare at Bellamy, I reached out my crooked and bruised hand.
Ranbir gasped and stepped towards me. He cradled my hand, running soft touches over it. At first, I was confused, but then I felt the burn of healing. I hissed in pain when I felt his hand tighten and the power rebreak then heal my bones. When Ranbir released me, my hand was back to its former state.
“Thank you so much. My name is Asher, Asher Daniox. I appreciate your help,” I said with a soft smile. At least someone in this horrid place was not a heathen. The Healer smiled back, warm and genuine.
“I am Ranbir Bhesaj, and it was my pleasure. You next?” Ranbir asked, facing Bellamy, who in turn nodded. I watched as Bellamy’s nose was restored to its former glory, smeared blood the only remaining sign of my masterwork.
A shame truly, the shattered nose would have done wonders for his overinflated ego.
“Was there anything else you needed?” the Healer inquired with clasped hands and that same gentle smile. His accent was the sharp lilt of home , just as all the fae here still possessed. It made me wonder once again why they were here at all.
“No Ranbir, that is all. I hope you have a splendid day, and thank you for your assistance.” Bellamy’s words were soft, his tone almost familial. It was the same way he spoke to Lian and Pino, both fae as well. I might not have noticed, but I was trying to remain diligent, to glean any information I could later use to my advantage.
“Thank you,” Ranbir said.
He looked between us once more, then settled his eyes on me, mouth open as if there was something on the tip of his tongue. Bellamy must have noticed the way that Ranbir hesitated, the eye contact we maintained, because he cleared his throat loudly.
“What is it, Ranbir? Please, speak freely.” The demon prince’s voice stayed kind, but I could tell by the tic of his jaw that there was tension. Whatever silent conversation the two had in that moment made me painfully aware that there was something I was missing, and it was important.
“I do not mean to insert myself where I do not belong, but I have long since prayed to the gods that you would come, Princess. Seeing you here is of great relief to me. I would like you to know that the fae of this realm fully support your—”
“Apologies Ranbir, but Asher needs to get ready for her requested training. I do appreciate your help this morning,” Bellamy rushed, ending the conversation.
He placed his hand on the small of my back, pushing me towards the way we came. My head whipped back to watch Ranbir close his door, those black eyes never leaving mine. Chills ran down my spine as my mind raced through the possibilities of what the Healer might have meant.
I shoved off Bellamy’s hand when we were out of Ranbir’s earshot, whirling on the demon.
“What are you keeping from me, Elemental? Do I not even have the right to know the secrets that concern me?” I spat out, my finger tapping his chest in time with my words.
Had I always been this violent? No, I could not have been. It was this place, this house, this male.
“I owe you nothing, please do not forget that,” he said matter-of-factly. I could tell he was on edge, but I could not care less.
“You stole me in the middle of my wedding after swearing to me you would never take me against my will again, then you murdered my betrothed. The least you owe me is honesty!” I shouted. My face heated up and my head pounded. I was uncontrollably angry, and barely containing my power that was trying to burst free from me.
“First of all, you can stop pretending that you were not begging for the wedding to end. I saved you from a man who would sooner murder you than respect you! I know you, and that life would have killed you if he did not,” he said, arms flying in the air.
I refused to back down, to flinch. Instead, I squared off my shoulders, gritted my teeth, and steeled my heart.
“You claim to know so much about me, but have yet to ask me how your actions made me feel. I have been conscious for one night, and I already am being lied to and manipulated, as I have been by you since before we even met.” Every piece of my rage accumulated into that seed of power within my chest, making my fingertips tingle, my ears ring, and my head spin. Everything was heavy.
“I realize I went about this wrong, Asher, but you needed to be removed from beneath their shoes to see what has always been in front of you. You have to realize that the life you were living had no purpose. That you were suppressed and secluded. There was nothing but death and sorrow awaiting you. Can you not understand why I would take you from there?” His hands went to my cheeks, but all I could focus on were the truth of his words.
The life you were living had no purpose.
Was that not the same thing I had been chanting to myself for so long? Still, it pained me to hear the words spoken aloud.
“I know you plan to ransom me, so please, just get on with it so I can go back to where I belong,” I said, my voice sounding as defeated as I felt.
He winced, rearing back as if I had struck him. In fact, my words seemed to have hurt far worse than the punch that smashed his nose earlier.
“You know nothing, Princess,” he rasped, voice full of raw hurt.
“I want to go home.” I was begging, and I hated it, but my pride could take the hit if it meant I would be safely in my own bed tonight.
“I know, and you will.” With that, he turned and continued his quick pace down the hall.
Like a trained pup, I followed. We wound through the three-story manor, and I thought he might be purposefully attempting to confuse me so I could not escape. The twists and turns were disorienting, and when we went down a set of stairs to later go up an oddly familiar set, I knew I had been right about his tactics.
At the end of a hall, we paused in front of yet another red door, exactly the same as Ranbir’s in appearance. Bellamy rapped on the copper wood three times, the sound echoing down the empty walkway. There were a string of curses coming from the other side, then the shuffling of feet. The door swung open, revealing a barely conscious Henry. His orange hair stood up in every direction, mussed from his pillow. He wore wrinkled black trousers, but his toned torso and his feet were left bare.
At the sight of Bellamy his brow furrowed, but when his eyes met mine, shock crossed his face.
“What do you want?” he asked, gaze flicking back to his prince. Informality like that was rarely used between subjects and royalty, and it seemed as if this was the norm between the two. A weak point in his otherwise strong unit. I could sense it, their animosity. I would use it the first chance I got.
“Actually, it is not me who wants anything. Asher would like to ask you a question though,” Bellamy said with a shrug of his shoulders.
Of course he would toss me to the wild beast with no remorse. His bitterness was a pain among other things. Henry once again eyed me, and I felt my body enter self-preservation mode, my feet bringing me a step further from him. Bellamy chuckled softly next to me when I swallowed loudly.
“Um yes, I do. First, I want to apologize for how I acted earlier. It was not right for me to use my power against you like that,” I offered, hoping to bridge the gap between us before asking for a favor. His eyes formed slits, and I could sense his apprehension. The suspicion he seemed to feel was warranted, because I was about to request his help when I did not necessarily deserve it.
“Power, huh?” he asked.
“What?” I asked, confused by his question and annoyed at his condescending tone. Fae power was a blessing from Eternity. From our creation. It was utterly unique, even if the demons might not think so. Their magic derived from darkness, from the Underworld. We were not the same.
“You know very little for someone of your status. Anyways, get to your point before Bellamy lights me on fire for refusing to speak in innuendos.” Again, the energy between the two grew thick, the anger tangible. I might get more from Henry than just training if I play the game correctly.
“I would like for you to train me in combat, if you have the time and are willing that is,” I stated plainly. It seemed this male liked directness.
His eyebrows rose, and his attention went back to Bellamy. I glanced over to see that the prince’s fists were squeezed at his side and every inch of his face had gone red. Fury radiated from him, pouring into the air. Henry smiled at that, then looked at me with mischief in his eyes.
“You do not have to ask me twice, darling.”