Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
I t took fifteen minutes to talk myself into entering the coach. I’d almost punked out and decided to walk, but the initial reasons Mathen had given for wanting me to take secured private transportation still applied.
I womaned up and climbed in, my head nearly hanging out the window the entire trip. Mathen said nothing when he opened the door and I more or less threw myself out. He caught me when I would have tripped on my own feet, and let go when I was steady enough to walk on my own.
That took another fifteen minutes. When we passed the spot where I’d been taken, Mathen slid an arm around my back and swept me inside, not giving me a chance to freeze up again.
‘The building is secure,” Mathen murmured, his hand rubbing circles on my back. “And the people who plotted your capture are. . .a non issue. You are safe. My Lord would not have permitted you to leave the house otherwise.”
Sweet, tactful Mathen. Was “non issue” what we were calling dismembered and fed to the murder swans these days?
Cora ambushed me as soon as I entered the hallway leading to the rehearsal room, which was less than shocking. “We need to talk.”
“About what?” I hedged, stopping because I knew from experience if I kept walking, she'd dig her dagger-like nails into my shoulder and not so gently redirect me.
She grabbed my upper arm and hustled me into a room of her choice. A utility closet this time.
“What happened last night, Hasannah?”
What was it with Cassanians only using your full name when accompanied by a vague threat?
I rubbed my lip, deciding what she had the right to know versus what I should tell her to save myself the hassle.
“I left the party,” I said finally, deliberately relaxing my jaw. I wouldn’t let one incident ruin this building for me.
“You left the party after the Heir?—”
“We don't use the H-word.”
“What word?” For a split second she looked baffled. “Heir?”
I slapped my hands over my ears. “Yes, that's the one. Jesus.”
“Have you lost your mind? This is odd behavior even for a human.”
“We've decided not to have that discussion yet.” I understood I was being silly, but I didn’t care. The Arts building was supposed to be my bubble.
She stared at me like I was a newly discovered species of slug. “Allow me to check my understanding. The. . .Lord. . .has claimed you. I'm aware you're living in his downtown residence. You're guarded by his warriors, and he's made changes in the program for your comfort.”
“That's also something we don't talk about.”
“You don't like to talk about a lot, do you? I approve of avoiding High Lords and trouble in general, but this is taking it to a whole new ridiculous level. I'm almost in awe.”
I let my hands drop since they weren't muting her speech. “Tell me what you want to know and why, and I'll decide how much it will hurt to give up the information for free.”
A really interesting new species of slug. “And what price would you charge for the information in any case?”
“I can charge for it, can't I? I should.”
Coralene folded her arms. “Go on. I welcome the entertainment.”
“When you're done questioning me, I have a few questions for you. An exchange of information.”
“That's it? That's fair. Though I doubt you have the acumen to ask me questions I can't, or don't, want to answer.”
I wrinkled my nose. Another one of those subtle but cutting Fae insults.
“So I left the party after Andrei got a bit snarly?—”
“Almost starting a blood feud with House Tanelian by executing one of their ranking Lords in public is a bit snarly? I see. Please, continue. Please.”
“After I calmed him down I decided to take a walk, and then. . .well, I was kidnapped.”
“You were kidnapped.” She held up a hand. “Forgive me if I question your word, but you’re standing here hale and somewhat sane for a woman who claims to have been kidnapped.”
I frowned. “It was Lord Ashlyun's men. But from what he and Andrei discussed, it wasn't sanctioned. I doubt those men are still alive. Mathen’s exact words were ‘non issue’ and I’m pretty sure that translates into ‘no head.’”
But Coralene had stilled, her focus sharpening as if she'd only been paying half attention before.
“Now this,” she said softly, “is useful information. My uncles said nothing. Though Ashlyun—” Coralene stopped speaking; clearly her mind wasn't on me any longer.
“I’ll answer your question,” she said after some time. “You’ve more than paid for it.”
I hesitated. My question was about to reveal more than I wanted, but considering Andrei’s parting salvo. . .
“Is it possible for a human to have an affinity?”
She cocked her head. “That's unexpected. Why do you ask?”
“Would it break a Vow to answer the question, Coralene?”
“I am, in my fashion, trying to answer the question as fully as possible. If you give me more context, my answer will be more useful.”
“Andrei thinks I have an affinity. He's not happy about it.”
Her gaze traveled up and down my body, but it was speculative and detached. “I've suspected the same for some time. There’s a quality to your dancing which isn't wholly human.”
“What? No, I'm good. I'm goal-oriented, and I train hard.”
She rolled her eyes. “So does everyone else here, or they wouldn't be here. No, he suspects what I suspect.”
“He also called me lamia-born. I don't know what that means either.”
Coralene pursed her lips. “Are you certain lamia-born is the term he used?”
“Do you think I pulled it out of my nose?”
“That is an unpleasant visual,” she murmured. “But yes, I can see why he would be unhappy. Why does he think you’re lamia-born, Han? What did you do to reveal yourself? Please tell me you didn't reveal yourself in a nature that will force him to respond as a High Lord must.”
I shifted on my feet. “When I went for the walk after the party? I kind of ditched my guard. I. . .persuaded him to let me go out on my own. That was how the abductors gained the opportunity.”
She gave me a flat, ice blue stare. “You beguiled one of the High Lord’s warriors into breaking their oath, which resulted in your kidnapping, almost death, and a brush with war in the High Court.” She paused a beat. “Is your guard still alive?”
“Yes. How did you conclude all of that?”
“Please, the insult. I can’t bear it. Your High Lord must value you.”
I looked away.
“I don’t envy you. Very well. Pay attention. Lamia-born means a mortal descended from Fae stock of the succubus sub-species—enchanters who use the power of voice to entice others to their will. You also inherited an affinity for dance, which means you can be trained in its use. If it were the wild magic, this discussion would be pointless. No one can train or reproduce Skills.” She quieted for another several minutes. “It’s almost better for you if you don’t call on the succubus blood, especially with the affinity.”
“Why?”
She smiled. “Oh, my dear, we have a word for mortals who can compel others through art. Though inspire is a gentler word.”
“The word?”
“Muse. And that makes you potentially dangerous, as well as merely valuable. Hasannah, do not tell Lord Issahelle. I have some doubts she would allow her Heir to take a consort who could potentially influence him.”
“She would make him break up with me?”
Coralene gave me a long, pitying look of the “you poor child” variety, then left the utility closet.
For rehearsals, Vargas took us for the first time to the main stage in the downtown theater to practice the group numbers. After that we were assigned time slots for solo rehearsal.
There was no practical purpose in holding back. Cora knew, at least one Lord of the High Court knew, Andrei knew.
During my solo rehearsal, I gave it everything.
On the stage, under the glaring lights, I sank into the music, the rhythm of my choreography, toes skimming the stage and leaving it all together as I soared through the air.
When I was finished, the theater was so entirely silent I thought everyone had left.
And then the talking began.
“That’s Cassanian choreography,” “She’s never danced like that in rehearsals,” “Han, what the hell , girl?”
A part of me had always craved the attention, the praise, but what I saw and heard was neither.
Envy.
Unease.
Anger and growing resentment.
“Humans can’t dance like that,” someone said.
“Did you hear about the pre-showcase party?” Xavi’s voice. “She showed up with a Lord of the High Court and there was almost a fight. She can’t be full human. What a lying bitch.”
“Fae can’t lie.”
“Yeah. They omit like a muthafucker, though.”
I stopped listening, left the stage and headed down the hall to retrieve my duffle bag.
I’d always known it would be lonely at the top.
But now the arrow had pierced me in the gut. . .I wasn’t certain I still wanted it. For the first time I wavered—then crushed the misgiving as soon as it rose. Too late to turn back now.
I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.
“Han! Wait up!”
I turned at the sound of Samuel’s voice. Taima trotted at his side, a slight frown on her face.
Samuel slung an arm around my shoulders. “You’ve been holding out, diva. Nice strategy.”
“You’re not mad?” I asked.
They walked with me to the lockers. “What I am is trying to put out the fire you lit under my ass. But seriously. . .you’d tell us if you were Fae, wouldn’t you?”
I sighed. “I’m not Fae.”
“But, Han, your solo. . .” Taima trailed off.
“I may have some very distant Fae blood and if I do, my parents don't know, so there's no telling who it came from.” I admitted this reluctantly. “It never came up before the other night.”
In the locker room, we began gathering our things. “Speaking of the other night,” Samuel said. “I got laid. No promises, but I didn’t expect anything.”
“The Cassanian guy I saw you dancing with?” I asked. “Was he Court?”
“Low Fae, but rich as a sultan and he likes to bottom. Hand me the whip and I’ll make you call me Daddy.” He smirked. “ Prima , these Fae men can fuck All. Night. Long. But you know.”
Taima groaned as I laughed. “You see the circles under my eyes?”
“I’ll swap stories. I want to know if High Court cock is?—”
“I don’t think so.” I shook my head, shouldering my bag with a grin. “It's uncouth to discuss intimate matters. Besides, I doubt Andrei wants rumors about his. . .uh, prowess all over the city.”
Samuel gave me an amused, incredulous look. “Girl, those are the exact rumors he wants. A Lord who can’t fuck their lover right can’t be trusted to rule a goddamn thing.”
I only sighed.
“Anyway, it’s probably a good thing you and Cora left early,” Taima said, slamming her locker door closed. “The party got real wild. Someone spiked the drinks or something.”
Samuel giggled. “Whatever it was, I want more.”
I rolled my eyes. He was young. Give him a few more years.
I entered my bedroom and hit the shower as soon as I returned home. That I’d come to think about the townhouse as home over the last few days revealed how far I’d wandered into wonderland.
Home.
With a High Fae Lord and his merry band of randy warriors.
I dragged myself out of the shower, tiredness wearing away the natural high of the day’s work. I set aside worries over the other dancers. In the end, they didn’t matter. They’d be in the corps, and I’d be prima. Samuel, Taima, and even Coralene were still my friends and between them, my bonded, and my warriors, that was all I needed. As long as they didn’t betray me, I’d drag them to the top with me. There had to be some perks for putting up with my shine.
The tingling awareness of Andrei’s presence washed over me as I stood at the vanity drying my hair. The bathroom door was half open, my bedroom darkened.
“I've decided on your punishment, Hasannah.”
THE TRILOGY CONCLUDES IN LORD OF DANCE AND DESIRE