Chapter 27
ARIANNA
Gaelan allowed me to have a pair of shorts and a vest top; I’d had to fight him. He used the word ‘allow,’ not ‘me.’ After making me promise to walk around our bedroom naked tonight, I know there isn’t going to be much walking, but I agreed anyway.
“Ready?”
I look up and smile at the sound of him. “Lead the way, my lord,” I mock and bow.
He groans, pulling me close, his eyes glowing bright blue. “Keep calling me that and we won’t be going anywhere.”
I laugh and pull from his arms. “I will save that for later then,” I say as I wink at him. I’ve noticed his eyes more, the way they glow when he’s fucking me, the way they light up the room when he comes. I wonder what they’d look like when he’s angry.
“Come, Ari.” He takes my hand and leads me out of the bedroom. I let my eyes take in the slight difference in light; it doesn’t get dark here, but somehow it feels a little lighter.
Gaelan leads me down the stairs, and it’s not brimming with people like it was last night, and I am grateful for that.
I want to meet everyone, but after everything that has happened, I want to spend some more time with Gaelan, to see if what I’m feeling for him—the feeling I still don’t want to admit—is real.
I also feel like I might get some answers about my book.
He says that I’ve been here many times before, and this realm feels safe for some reason.
We step outside, and the first thing I notice is that the moon is light blue; maybe that is why it’s lighter? The silver swirls from earlier are gone, and there are still no stars.
“Where are the silver swirls, Gaelan?” I question. Gaelan comes over to stand behind me and wraps his arms around me, kissing the side of my neck.
“It’s the first moon, so it’s kind of like daytime, just in a demonic way,” he laughs and nips my neck before pulling back and walking us over to the dock. When we arrive, Gurt is standing by the boat, waiting for us. As he sees us approach, he bows and steps back, letting us board.
“How are you, Gurt?” I inquire.
“Well, my lady, no one has tried to cross my river today, so it is good,” he explains before bowing and vanishing—I’m starting to realize that Gurt might not be a daemon of many words.
After stepping into the boat and sitting down on the plush cushions, Gaelan moves to sit next to me and takes my hand. I lean against him and let the light sway of the boat soothe me. “What’s on the agenda for this tour today?” I ask, curious.
“We’ll stop in the market for something to eat and a picnic, then we’ll take the Hell -horses into the meadow… there’s a little spot I want to show you.”
“Hell-horses? As in something Hades would ride?”
Gaelan chuckles. “Same form, just more fire and rage.”
I bite my lower lip as butterflies fill my stomach. Gaelan laughs. “It’ll be fine, I only have two and both of them belong to—” He stops talking and looks away from me. I reach out to touch his cheek.
“Gaelan?” He turns to look at me. “I don’t remember any of my lives before, and I’m not sure I ever will, but it’s okay if you tell me stuff; it might help.”
His eyes soften. “I know, my Rose. I’ve just spent a lifetime trying to find you again. It’s going to take me a moment, that’s all.”
I lean forward and kiss him. “I’m not going anywhere, not this time.” Something that looks an awful lot like sadness crosses Gaelan’s face, and it breaks me a little. “How many times have I said that before?”
“Every time,” he whispers.
His voice is thick with emotion. I want to soothe him, to help ease the burden he carries. I want to tell him everything will be okay, but the little I know of my past, I think it might be a brutal stretch, so instead I squeeze Gaelan’s hand.
“Both of them belong to us?” I change the subject back to safer territory.
“Yes, we got them as foals, I hand-reared them when you…” He pauses, taking a deep breath. “…left,” he finishes.
“They mean a lot to you?”
“Never let me down in battle, and they remain loyal to both you and me.”
I frown at him. “What do you mean?”
“Shadow won’t let anyone ride him; he’ll walk next to Midnight and me.” He smiles. “He’s been waiting for you.”
“Midnight is yours too?”
“Yes, she also can’t wait to see you.”
I’ve never seen a Hell-horse before. I’ve read about them in books and seen news reports when one was spotted topside, but they’re said to be rare. I honestly didn’t think the stories were real; I just thought they were another way for the supernatural to scare humans, but I guess I was wrong.
The boat comes to a stop, and Gaelan stands, holding out his hand to help me out. As soon as my feet hit the docks, the boat starts drifting back toward the castle with Gurt nowhere to be seen.
Gaelan walks us toward the village market.
Last night it was busy, but now it seems even busier; more shops are open and even more people are walking around.
I can’t help looking at each person more closely and notice the colors of their eyes—all different colors, all different kinds of supernaturals—and I tighten my hand around Gaelan’s.
He looks down at me before leaning to whisper in my ear.
“Don’t worry, Ari, all the supernatural’s here must be checked before they’re allowed in the village, and no one is permitted to the castle port; it’s warded, so it’s tough to find.
“Why are they here?” I ask.
“They come to trade and buy things, just as humans do top side. We are also permitted to trade in other sections of the underworld.”
I watch as daemons shuffle in and out of shops and market stalls, their hands full of bags and odd things like stones and charms I’ve never seen before. “You look after your people well from the looks of it; everyone seems happy,” I muse.
“My father always taught me; mate first, then people, because without them both we would be nothing.”
“He was right.” I smile up at him
“Let’s get something to eat, I have a surprise for you,” he says, grinning at me, and leads me to what looks like an old-fashioned tea shop.
The outside looks like it’s made from the same dark blue stone as the rest. Stepping into the building, I notice tables dotted everywhere, with people sitting around, eating what appears to be afternoon tea.
“Are we having tea and sandwiches?” I ask, laughing, unable to hide my excitement.
I haven’t had afternoon tea since my grandfather was alive; he used to take me when I was younger, and it was always a favorite of mine.
Aunt May would try to take me when she could, but it was never the same, and I miss it.
“Yes, this was one of your favorites in your last few lives. I thought you might like it.” Gaelan looks a little nervous, which makes my heart swell—this strong, confident man is worried about my reaction.
“It’s perfect, thank you.”
A plump woman pokes her head out from the back; she’s wearing a dress with flowers on it and a bright pink apron, which, by the looks of it, is covered in flour and chocolate.
Her gray hair flows down her back, almost reaching her waist. As soon as her blue eyes land on Gaelan and me, she gasps.
“My lord, I didn’t think you would be coming to collect the basket.
” She bows and rushes over to us, her hand stretched out for me to shake.
“Not that I mind, mind you… pleasure it is.” She smiles sweetly at me. “Book Reader, so pretty in person.”
I blush at her words. “Please, call me Ari, it’s lovely to meet you.”
“We have been hearing a lot of stories about you, my dear. Can’t wait for you to fix this mess.” She waves her hand in the air dismissively.
I frown at her words and then look at Gaelan, who changes the subject by pointing to the table by the window. “Fran, can we have some of your amazing afternoon tea?”
“My lord, have a seat, and I will bring it straight out.” She then whispers to me, “Don’t mean to speak out of turn. It’s been a long time since peace was all.” With that, she turns and leaves us.
I follow Gaelan and take the seat that he pulls out for me. “Gaelan, what did she mean by a long time since peace?” He opens his mouth, but the look in his eyes. The look that tells me he doesn’t want to answer my question makes me put my hand up to stop him. “Tell me, please,” I say.
“I will, but it’s nothing for you to worry about.” He sighs, then lowers his voice. “Tate. Wants the underworld for himself, he’s attacking sections of it, taking over realms and turning them to his way.”
“His way? What do you mean?” I look out of the window; everything seems so peaceful: daemons walking around shopping, young children playing.
“He wants every lord in the underworld to bow down to his way, to walk the pitch-black path he offers to all. We’ve always had some sort of balance down here, a fair amount of bad to balance the good.
Tate wants there to be only evil, but that’s not how the world works.
There must be a balance. In him tipping it, he wants to rule the underworld, heaven above, and the topside.
Some of us have been able to hold him off; he had a powerful assassin working with him, but something happened, and he stopped.
No one knows why. We’re just thankful the killing has ended for now. ”
Fran comes out with a whole tower of cakes, sandwiches, and tea, smiling. I note the lemon cake. “Lemon cake, just as the lady loves. Baskets are ready when you are, my lord.” She bows and scurries off.
I pick up a cucumber sandwich and take a bite. “Do you think he’s given up?”
“No, I do not. A daemon like Tate doesn’t just give up, I think he’s regrouping, so the lords are doing the same.” Gaelan lifts a cake and starts eating. “But we can talk more later, let us eat and get on with our day.” He gives me that killer dimple smile, and I almost melt in my seat.
“Your smile is dangerous,” I laugh.