Chapter 8
The Deal
DELILAH
The next morning, I awoke to Calpurnia cleaning up my cake crumbs and gathering last night’s attire that I had hastily thrown across the floor in anger.
This was my new normal now. This castle. The Fae. There would be no more mornings waking up next to Jared. Not unless I agreed to Titus’s deal.
I knew he was going to force me to comply anyway. Maybe if I knew more of the details, it would make me feel better somehow. Better about cheating on Jared. I guess I could not really call it cheating, though, if I had technically died. That was what our vows said. Till death do us part.
“Calpurnia?” I beckoned softly.
“Ooooh, I am so sorry to wake you, Lady Delilah. I just wanted you to wake up to a sparkling clean room. I will come back later to get you washed and dressed,” she said apologetically.
“No, it’s okay. I was awake,” I lied. “Please stay.”
“Ooooh, goody!” she squealed and bounced onto the bed. “I have been dying to know how your evening with the High Lord went. Isn’t he dreamy?” Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
By her enthusiasm, I could tell that was the real reason she had been in my room so early.
No. He is an asshole, is what I wanted to say. But I could not deny the truth.
“Yes, he is easy on the eyes, but I do not think he cares for me much,” I replied in earnest.
Biggest understatement of the fucking year.
“Oh, he will warm up to you. Just give it time. He has been under a lot of pressure lately,” she replied.
“Calpurnia, what do you know about the mate bond process?” I asked.
Her smile straightened, and she sighed. “Oh. I see he has filled you in on our predicament. Females are not privy to much political information, so I do not know much. But apparently, according to castle gossip, the High Lord has been obsessed with obtaining the God Dragon, Eloria. The prophecy states that only a mortal can awaken her and release her from her eternal sleep. So, bonding you through the mate bond is the only way he believes he will be able to wield her.”
“Female Fae are not allowed in politics?” I asked gently.
Her smile faded at her own words, and she continued. “Not in this kingdom. I think if the Temple’s Council did not have such a strong grip on the High Lord’s rulings, things would be better.”
I was shocked. I did not know what to say. The pause was long and painful, and I could tell this troubled her deeply.
She exhaled a tense breath and continued.
“Anyway, the mate bond process is rather simple. The Fire Fae have rich traditions in everything we do, but the mate bond is our most sacred sacrament. First, the male will ask the female to wear his mark. In our culture, it is a small burn symbol worn on the chest, over the heart. The mark is temporary, though, until you complete the next two steps,” she explained.
“Which are?” I asked.
She grinned with a cheeky smile. “Well, the next step is the physical union. Then, traditionally, the morning after is the sacred ceremony that seals the bond through blood binding and makes the male’s mark permanent.”
“Does it hurt?” I asked.
She looked extremely uncomfortable and said, “Oh… um… well, I am sure the High Lord will be very gentle, but the first time there is an initial pinch.”
“No, not that, Calpurnia. I am not a virgin. I meant the burn mark!” I chuckled.
She sighed in relief, and we shared a long, refreshing laugh as she shook her head. Then she explained, “Guardians, no. The burn mark is nothing. It feels similar to a sunburn for a couple of hours."
Okay a sunburn I could handle that.
She continued, and a hint of sadness crept into
her tone, "or so I've heard.”
“You have not found your mate yet, Calpurnia?” I
asked, picking up on her shift in emotion.
The corners of her mouth dipped, and she shook her head as she
answered, “Oh… no. I have not. In our realm, power is what makes you a desirable mate. Since my blood tests showed that my magic was next to nothing, I was pretty much outcast by my family for being an embarrassment. My community thought I was worthless. No one would employ me. The High Lord saw me begging in the streets of town and offered me a job in the castle, and my life has been wonderful ever since. The staff is like a family. I have a spacious room and all the food I could ever want.”
She paused, then added softly, “I know he is a little rough around the edges, but there is good in him, Delilah. Just give him time.”
I smiled. I was happy for her, happy that she had found a place in this cruel realm to call home. I was also surprised to learn that the fire fuckhead had a heart and was capable of kindness.
“I think someday a handsome Fae male will hear your intoxicating laugh and fall head over heels for you,” I reassured her gently, tucking a rogue strand of hair behind her pointy ear with a warm smile.
She returned my smile and said, “Thank you, Delilah. I just knew we were going to be best friends.”
I had misjudged her initially, and oddly enough, I could see us being good friends too.
The clock chimed, and Calpurnia insisted on bathing and dressing me for breakfast. Apparently, every meal here was a formal event. I was more in the mood for cereal in bed.
She wanted to dress me in another lavish gown, but then I spotted a little black dress tucked all the way in the back. It was silky and simple, with thin spaghetti straps and a straight neckline. The drama lay in the risky slit that ran from floor to hip.
Calpurnia hesitated. I could tell it was not her taste. She seemed to prefer color and sparkle.
So much sparkle.
Still, she humored me and pulled it from the armoire. I paired it with the black glass heels from last night, a high ponytail, and simple, clean makeup.
I did a once-over in the floor-length mirror and was not prepared for what I saw.
The color had returned to my face. My dark circles were gone. My frame was a little less bony. I looked softer. Healthier. More womanly.
It had to be the magic in this place. It was everywhere. In the air. In the water. In the food. Even sleep felt magical, and somehow my mortal body was drinking it all in.
Even Calpurnia seemed to notice. “My, my. I have never seen the color black be so pleasing,” she praised.
This time, Calpurnia escorted me to the dining hall. I had started to familiarize myself with the route, but I was glad she was there just in case. We walked down the halls with our arms linked, the clink of our heels and shared giggles echoing through the endless corridors.
When we reached the golden double doors of the dining hall, she hugged me and went about her duties.
I opened the door to find four sets of eyes already on me.
At the head of the table sat Titus in his usual chair. His eyes widened slightly as he took me in, then he looked away. Other than that, he offered no acknowledgment of my arrival.
To his right sat Rexius, who looked bored. Next to Rexius was a female I had not met. She had long, wavy, flaming red hair, lime green eyes, and bold, bright red lips. Her green dress was extremely revealing, with a deep V that plunged to her waist, leaving most of her breasts on display.
She was beautiful, just like the rest of them, but she wore a scathing scowl. Her nose turned up at the sight of me, as if she were looking at a gigantic pile of horse shit.
Another human hating Fae. Perfect.
I avoided her gaze and looked across the table, where I was met with familiar sleek silver hair and kind eyes. Aurelius.
The only empty chair with a place setting sat between Aurelius and Titus. I was not thrilled about being seated so close to the High Lord, but at least I was not placed on the other side next to the red-haired wench.
Aurelius stood, gave me a slight bow, and pulled out my chair.
Titus observed him closely with one brow arched and flames flickering on his shoulders.
“You look like you are feeling better,” Aurelius stated cheerfully.
Scooping my skirt and pressing my knees together, I tried to sit down like a lady. “I am, thanks. You know, I never got the chance to thank you for saving my life the other day,”
“It was nothing,” he replied, brushing it off and returning to his seat.
I shook my head. “It was not nothing. You were amazing. Do all Fae have the ability to heal?” I asked.
Chuckles stirred around the table, but Titus remained silent. “No. Healing light is a rare gift, though, mine is not to the extent of Gleeda’s or the High Lord’s, of course," Aurelius explained.
Just then, the service doors opened and tiny flaming fairies, no bigger than Barbies, flew in carrying trays of food. My eyes widened. They were naked, but it did not seem inappropriate, as their bodies were entirely flame.
“Let me guess, you have never seen a fire sprite before,” Rexius snarked.
The red-haired female rolled her eyes, then blurted, “Does the human have to sit at the table? Titus, really. I thought you had more sense.”
Titus cut her off. “I would rather sit next to a human than next to you, dear sister.” He shot her a shrewd glance, and she returned it in kind.
Sister of the High Lord, explains the attitude.
The fire sprites flew around us, filling our plates with fruit, smoked meats and eggs, and a variety of pastries that looked to die for.
The Fae bowed their heads with their fists over their hearts in prayer.
I bowed mine as well and waited for them to finish before stuffing my face as politely as possible.
I was starving.
I was sitting next to him this time, not like the night before when I had been two chairs away. I wondered who had arranged the place settings. I was the last to arrive, so why had Aurelius not taken the seat beside the High Lord? Did Titus want me to sit next to him? And if so, why?
Titus turned his attention to me as if he could hear my thoughts.
Could he hear my thoughts?
I would not have been surprised if he could. His power seemed incomprehensible.