Chapter 18
Ididn’t even hear Gaelin come to bed that night and by the time I woke up, he was gone. I moved around the room, trying to distract myself with laundry and cleaning. If Erendrial didn’t believe what I told him, I could try to get as many humans and children as possible out of the castle before Otar attacked. That was my next move. I had to get them ready just in case things went south.
I dropped the basket of clothing to the ground and was moving to the door when Gaelin and Levos came barging through. Gaelin slammed the door, eyes deadlocked on me. It was very clear that he was pissed. Levos looked worried behind him, pacing back and forth.
“What did you tell him?” yelled Gaelin.
“What?” I asked, taking a step away from him.
“Erendrial. You went to him, didn’t you? You told him about your vision.”
I began to tremble, not knowing what had transpired in the past few hours. “Yes, I did,” I admitted.
“Why, Gen? Why go to him? Of all alfar? He is dangerous and deadly. He hates me and all light alfar and yet you went to him and told him something that he can now use against you. You have placed your life in his hands. He would have figured out that you are half alfar by now. Do you realize what you’ve done?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see another choice. You weren’t listening and I am certain of what I saw. If I have to sacrifice my life to save everyone in this forsaken place, then it was worth the risk!” I yelled.
Gaelin strode towards me with an anger I had never seen in him before. He raised his hand as if he were about to strike me. Levos stepped in between us.
“Gaelin, you need to calm down. What’s done is done. You need to prepare yourself for the battle,” said Levos softly.
Gaelin lowered his hand, still locked onto my eyes. “You’ve sealed your own fate. He will use your identity against me, and I won’t allow it. You will have to clean this mess up yourself.”
“I was trying to save your life!” I yelled.
“You didn’t trust me. Instead, you went to him for help. Our enemy,” said Gaelin. He took one more look at me before turning to leave the room.
Levos held onto me, preventing me from following. I was so mad I wanted to hit something. How dare he get mad at me for using the only resources I had available. This was his fault, not mine. Levos turned to me, holding my shoulders.
“His pride is hurt, Gen. You were right. Otar is using some type of illusion that allowed us to see his forces in the south, when in reality, he was preparing to attack the northern wall.”
“Then why is he so angry with me?”
“Erendrial came in during this morning's debriefing with the news about the enemy in the north. He took credit for it—leaving you out of it, thankfully—but in doing so, he made Gaelin look like a complete fool. I think Gaelin is also upset that you felt comfortable enough to even go to Erendrial with this.”
“I wasn’t comfortable. Not for one second, but my state of comfort was of little concern to me when you all were about to walk into a death trap,” I said, pacing throughout the room.
“When did you tell him?” he asked.
“Last night, after dinner,” I whispered, feeling embarrassed to say it out loud. “I went to his room.”
Levos exhaled, flailing his arms in the air. “I specifically warned you not to be alone with one of them, and then you go willingly into their bed chambers in the dead of night? What am I going to do with you?” He rubbed his brow in frustration. “Did he hurt you in any way?”
“No, he was actually very polite,” I admitted.
“Don’t start thinking like that. He can control pheromones, remember. He could have screwed you for all we know and you’re over here under the impression he was the perfect cavalier.”
Shit, I hadn’t thought of that.
“I didn’t think?—”
“No, you didn’t, and you need to start. But, in the end, you were right.”
An hour later, Levos informed me that the troops had set off to the north. We all waited in anticipation of their return. I hated not knowing what was happening. I’d rather have been on the field with them than here in the safety of the court. I cleaned the same cabinet for thirty minutes as different scenarios of the battle played through my head. It was torture.
The next day was the same. The royals sat on their thrones, safe and unaffected by the battle. I couldn’t help but imagine their bodies hung up in the ceiling with ulyrium spears through their hearts. I smiled at the thought, but quickly shook it off, realizing I was taking pleasure in the thought of another’s death.
Two hours before dinner the warriors finally made their entrance back into the city. The alfar applauded and cheered as they marched victoriously. Bodies of the fallen were carried through the gate and set aside to be burned and sent to Valhalla. Another stack of covered bodies were brought to the castle, but quickly disappeared without anyone noticing. The creatures that came through the rift, I presumed.
We lined the walls of the throne room as the officers came in to kneel before the king. The dark alfar remained standing. I kept my head down, knowing I would have to face Gaelin soon. The king raised his hands, signaling for them to stand.
“My king, the threat has been eliminated. We have Otar’s body, along with some of the slain beasts. Our borders are secure,” reported Gaelin.
“And the rift?” asked King Lysanthier.
“Unknown, my king. We are still unable to track the rift’s opening.”
“Very well. I applaud all of you for your bravery. Tonight, we will feast in celebration. Ambassador Lyklor, you and your forces may stay the night, but I expect you to return home at first light tomorrow morning,” said the king.
“Of course,” replied Erendrial.
“I commend you on your invaluable instincts, Ambassador Lyklor. Today may have not been a victory if it weren’t for you,” said the king in a sour voice. I was sure it killed him to give a dark alfar a compliment, but the troops knew who they owed their lives to, or so they thought they did.
“We are all on the same side when it comes to this threat. I hope I have redeemed myself some in your eyes, king,” said Erendrial sarcastically. The king smiled and nodded. He waved his hand to dismiss the hall.
I rushed to Gaelin’s chambers. I ran a hot bath, prepared clean clothes, and had refreshments waiting for him.
Out on the balcony, I watched as the sun set and the moon rose. I loved the contrast between the stars and the night sky. The way you could create pictures and designs from drawing lines in between the radiant spheres of light. The sound of heavy boots came up behind me. I turned to see Gaelin. His face was long and heavy from the fight. I hesitated, not knowing how he wanted me to react.
“I have food and a bath ready for you,” I said softly.
His eyes were softer than the last time we had spoken. His movements calm and steady. He reached out, but I flinched away, remembering our last encounter. Seeing the hurt look on his face, I quickly recovered, stepping towards him.
“I’m sorry about the way I was with you before I left. I had no reason to react that way. Especially because you were right about everything. I was just angry about Lyklor,” he said.
“I know, and I’m sorry I had to go to him, but it was worth it if you came back to me in one piece. And here you are.” I smiled, reaching for him.
He wrapped his arms around me, inhaling my scent. He smelled of copper blood, sweat, and dirt. He pulled away, looking into my eyes as I spoke.
“No more fighting, okay,” I said. “Let’s just be here, with each other.”
“I’d like that very much.” He leaned down and kissed me softly.
“Now go take a bath. You stink,” I said playfully. I plastered a smile on my face until he was in the other room, then relaxed, proud of my performance. I looked back into the stars, wondering if Lilian was looking at the same sky. I missed her so much. I missed her songs, her laugh, her golden-brown hair. I missed knowing she was safe.
Dinner was full of excitement and laughter from the alfar. The food was abundant. The wine poured freely and the alfar were extra handsy with the servants. After the meal was over, I moved to the linen pantry to retrieve more towels and rags. I entered the dark room, setting my candlestick on the shelf.
“It’s not smart to have such a predictable schedule, Gen,” said a voice behind me.
I turned around, reaching for a broomstick near the corner. I swung it at the dark figure, but he caught the broom with ease, pulling my body into his with a single jerking motion. In the flicker of candlelight, I saw swirling silver eyes peering back at me with a familiar devious smile. I relaxed, pulling away from him.
“Dammit Erendrial, what do you want, and why in the hell are you in a linen closet?”
He started laughing, stepping into the light. “Well, I am glad to see you are no longer trembling at the thought of being alone with me. I think we’ve made excellent progress in the past week.”
“I still find you terrifying as hell, but I am too tired to care at this point.” I turned back, reaching for the linens I needed.
“Your information was good. We could use that gift of yours back in the dark court. Interested in making a move?” he said, closing in behind me.
I turned around slowly. I hadn’t even thought that he would want to use me for his own court. Crap, I had to get better at this if I was going to survive. If I did go with him, I would have access to Lily. But how would we get out? There had to be an easier way.
“Let’s not start a war between the light and dark over little old me,” I said.
He smiled, his eyes roaming over my face as if searching for something, but I didn’t know what. “Don’t worry, I just wanted to formally say thank you, and goodbye. I expect you’ll still be under Gaelin during our send-off tomorrow morning.”
I rolled my eyes and grunted at the thought.
“What? Gaelin not satisfying you properly?”
“Don’t start, Erendrial,” I said as he laughed at me. “Gods, why do you do that?”
“What?”
“You’re constantly getting under my skin. Is it some type of manipulative maneuver or something? Are you trying to feel me out for weaknesses, or test my restraint?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. Mostly I enjoy watching the steam come out of your ears. You’re very easy to unravel. Probably should work on that too. I can make you a list of all your downfalls before I leave. Call it a thank you.”
I shook my head, hiding a smile.
“Can I ask you a question, and you answer me truthfully?” I asked.
“You can ask. The answer depends on the question.”
I paused, holding the towels close to my chest. “Have you used that pheromone manipulation on me before? Have you taken away some part of my memory that I'll never be able to get back?”
He looked to the wall for a moment, then back at me. “No, Genevieve, I have never used my powers on you. All your memories are intact, I promise,” he said softly.
“Your promises can’t be trusted,” I pointed out.
He laughed, moving closer towards me. I backed up until my body was against the shelf. He reached out slowly to my face, trailing his fingers against my cheek. Even though I knew he was a dark alfar, there was something warm and comforting about his touch.
He breathed out slowly and the scent of warm whisky and oranges filled the air. My body relaxed so much that my arms let go of the linens and my legs collapsed underneath me. He caught me, bracing my body against his as he pulled me back up to a standing position. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. He smiled at me, leaning into my ear.
“That was only a remnant of what my power feels like. But don’t worry, half-breed...you will never experience it again,” he said softly, his lips brushing against my earlobe. He pulled away and took another look at me before reaching for the door. “May I give you some unsolicited advice?”
“If I say no, would it matter?” I replied, still dazed by his power.
He chuckled. “The greatest power comes from surviving the darkest of nights... Goodbye, Genevieve.”
As the door shut, I fell to the floor from the effects of his power. My whole body lit up. His scent was still in my nostrils, and I swore I could still feel his fingers on my face. The sensation was eerie, yet also comforting in a way. I shook off the feeling, reminding myself that he was the enemy. Or at least Gaelin’s enemy. He served a purpose, but he was not to be trusted by any means.