Chapter Thirty-One
As time slipped toward the Doom Ball, Aidan felt more pieces of himself slip away. He pretended to be all right when Meical treated him like a brother. He pretended to be all right during the communal meals. He pretended to be all right when invited to train with the Curse Warriors.
The only time that he didn't pretend was with Carys, and she left him so confused. Desire for her was one thing. Dishonorable and lurid, but he understood it.
But he didn't understand his eagerness to sleep beside her, why he felt peaceful when they sat together in silence, or why the sound of her voice made his heart pound.
Or he just didn't want to understand.
Only Carys brought back his true self, and only for snatches of time. Shutting himself off from the world was the only way he could cope with what happened. Not because he married Carys, but what it meant. He was no longer Prince Aidan of Dalon.
He was Curselord Meical's brother.
"If we're to go to the Doom Ball, there is an important lesson you need to learn." Meical tipped his head. "Only the strong succeed."
Aidan shrugged. "I think I've learned that lesson by now."
He hated being in Meical's chamber. It might be the finest room in the Curselands, but it reminded him of that horrible day when Meical stole the last of his freedom. But Meical requested his presence before the Doom Ball.
"You haven't learned it well enough." Shadows concealed Meical's expression. "You were weak enough to give in to my demands. You can't be weak enough to give into Kieran's demands. If any sense weakness, they will devour you whole."
"I've already been devoured," Aidan said.
Before he could blink, Meical grabbed him by the throat.
Even as the icy fingers clenched his skin, Aidan didn't flinch.
Meical shook his head. "Then think of it this way.
If they devour you whole, my sister will pay the price.
And if your new wife's safety isn't enough for you, what of the woman who should have been your wife? "
"You said yourself that the day will come when I cease to care."
Heat licked Aidan's head as Meical thrust him close to a candle sconce. "But that day isn't today."
Aidan averted his gaze, and Meical released him with a humorous laugh.
He imagined strangling Meical with his bare hands, and the candle's flame leaped as anger rose inside.
There was a time when the hateful images would have horrified Aidan, but now was the only thing keeping his anger under control.
He was too angry these days.
A knowing look crossed Meical's face. "There's nothing wrong with being angry."
All the candles burned brighter, chasing away the shadows. Aidan twitched, enraged at his uncontrolled magical reaction.
Meical snorted. "As you've learned, honor means shit in the Curselands. What you don't want is to go mad with anger. The atmosphere can affect your magic. It can make you a monster."
"Such as me, my lord?"
Bradon led Shanna into Meical's chamber.
Aidan, sliding between the fire of fury and the ice of indifference, still noticed Shanna's beauty.
Her curls were swept up, and an innocent expression graced her face.
Wearing a golden gown with a high waist, flowing lacy sleeves with a sweeping skirt, she looked like a faerie lost in the underworld.
Her captor incongruously showed more terror of her.
Bradon practically shoved her as he darted away.
Not that Aidan could blame him.
Meical wasn't affected at all, merely bowing graciously. "Mistress Shanna, you are always a desert blossom."
A beatific smile graced her face. "My lord, you do me great honor. I could have worn this dress to Prince Aidan's wedding if anyone had been considerate enough to invite me."
Meical's composure didn't waver. "I knew you would be worried about your brother. I didn't want to cause any distress by compelling you to attend during your time of worry."
Her effect inspired opposing reactions. An irresistible attraction tugged at Aidan, Bradon looked like he couldn't get far enough away, and Meical stood there as if she was of little concern.
"You are ever so thoughtful, my lord!" She swished her skirt. "And so gracious to make such an attempt to save Gil, even though he wouldn't be in danger if it weren't for you."
"I am certain Gil will forgive me since I take such good care of his sister." Meical narrowed his eyes. "I know you are a retiring maiden, but my sister assures me that you know how to behave at a ball."
"I do, indeed!" Her curls bobbed as she gave a vigorous nod. "I do look forward to meeting the great men of the Curselands."
"I would caution you to watch your step with them. Men of the Curselands can be rather forward," Meical said. "But in light of your rather delicate condition, I think most men will treat you with the respect that it deserves. They will be too careful of their own necks to act differently."
Her smile grew vicious, and Aidan shuddered. The only safety for women in this land was to be a monster.
Nyx entered. Aidan had never seen the warrior in the gown, and the effect was unsettling. All in black, looking like a witch risen from the grave. Meical evidently appreciated her appearance as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the ruined half of her face.
"Dressed for a funeral, are you?" Meical teased.
She let out a harsh laugh. "Aye. Tonight we will bury Kieran's ambitions."
None of that sounded like a plan to rescue Gil. Aidan shot a look at Shanna and saw the mad girl had narrowed her eyes.
Nyx looked at the small group. "All of you need to remember that magic cannot be used against guests at the Doom Ball. It will ultimately rebound on yourself. I trust you are all prepared."
"We know," Bradon said irritably.
Nyx smiled and sent a dagger flying at Bradon before anyone could blink. Bradon didn't dodge, magically halting the blade in midair before it fell harmlessly to the ground. As soon as it clattered on the floor, Nyx pulled a pin from her hair and sent it sailing toward Shanna.
Catching it in her sleeve, Shanna pulled it out and held the pin up to the light for examination. "Dragon poison... gracious, what a dreadful way to die."
"Give it back," Nyx ordered.
"Law of the Beasts. I've claimed it," Shanna said, placing the pin in her own hair and Nyx's face scrunched up in irritation.
So distracted by the exchange, Aidan almost missed Bradon flinging Nyx's dagger back at her. Nyx caught it with impossible accuracy, the coldness of the room suggesting she summoned magic for that unlikely dexterity. With no hesitation, she hurled the dagger.
But she was aiming for Aidan.
The attack almost took him by surprise. He was so tired of the sly tricks of the Curselands.
His magic flared up in defense, halting the dagger inches away from his face.
The blade burst, bits flinging in every direction.
Nyx held up her arm to shield her eyes, while Aidan's summoned magic prevented dagger shards from striking himself.
"I say, that's how you stop an attack!" Shanna beamed. "But Aidan almost used his magic in a way that harmed us. Wouldn't that violate the Doom Ball?"
"No," Bradon said. "Intention only matters. The prince only intended to defend himself."
"Truly?" She shook blade bits out of her skirt. "I remember Star Magic being constructive, not destructive. Defense magic should have just stopped the dagger. Instead, it shattered into bits. Are you sure that was defense magic? Is the prince even still using Star Magic?"
The words filled Aidan with fear, but he forced a calm expression. Nyx and Bradon both looked at Aidan as if he was a stranger. Only Meical remained unaffected. A smile spread across his face. "Nightshade... you look beautiful."
Aidan turned, finding Carys in the doorway. He had seen her in so many intimate ways, and nothing should surprise him.
But this sight stole his breath.
She looked like a faerie of fire and shadows.
Garbed in a gown of crimson and black, a low neckline revealed her pale neck and chest. The dress had a tight red bodice and matching sweeping skirts with an underskirt of delicate black embroidery.
Red sleeves cascaded with lace, concealing her hands.
Her normally wild hair fell over her bare shoulders in golden curls, and a ruby ribbon choker graced her neck.
"This dress itches." Carys rubbed at the lacy sleeves. "And it's hard to move about."
"Aye, quite a sacrifice you are making this day," Meical teased.
Aidan didn't know which was more disturbing: Meical assuming the role of playful brother or desire flooding Aidan at the stunning sight.
But that wasn't right. Their so-called marriage was forced on both of them and in name only. His feelings were nothing more than lust brought about by their intimacy and the wretched influence of the Curselands. Isolation would summon such feelings for any comely woman.
Except Nyx didn't bring those feelings, nor Shanna.
He pushed aside those uncomfortable thoughts as they prepared to depart. Carys donned a crimson cloak before stepping outside, the hood only adding allure.
So unnerved by Carys' sirenic shift, the method of travel barely troubled him.
An ominous-looking black and silver coach led by Curse Stallions.
The ebony, snarling beasts had the look of pegasi, only with bat wings.
A very unfriendly looking Curse Warrior served as a driver.
Meical escorted Nyx into the coach, the dark duo undisturbed by the demonic horses.
A wary Bradon went to help Shanna, who took his hand with a devilish delight.
That left Aidan and Carys. She didn't wait, gathering up her skirts to clamber into the coach. Aidan, feeling rude, followed her into the coach.
He found himself awkwardly in the middle of Carys and Shanna. Meical seemed much more content at being in between Nyx and Bradon.
"This will be a rough ride," Meical warned Aidan, Carys, and Shanna. "Try to hold on to something."
The coach began a rough, bumpy journey forward, only to tilt upwards as the Curse Stallions pulled them into the air.
Meical, Nyx, and Bradon were unaffected by the abrupt ascent.
Aidan stopped himself from falling forward into Meical's lap.
Shanna, with the strong grip of a shapeshifter, pulled him back to his seat.
Aidan clutched onto it, desperate to keep a firm grip.
Carys' hood obscured her feelings on the ride.
But halfway through the speedy flight, her knuckles went white from gripping the seat.
Aidan almost took her hand, as he did at night. Then memories surfaced, and the desire submerged. Carys appeared to be a helpless maiden, all to curse him. She gave him a glimpse of Bella to obtain his blood.
Her very existence damned him.
Determined to avoid his confusing feelings, he looked out of the coach. His stomach lurched at the dizzying heights, but he didn't turn away. Fear was weakness in the Curselands.
Weaknesses would only bring more destruction to Aidan.
Eventually, Aidan caught sight of Cinder Fortress, a black tower surrounded by cliffs and a scarlet sea.
"Is it true there are mermaids in the Blood Sea?" Shanna asked.
"Aye." Nyx leaned against Meical. "Horrid beasts. Bad enough in the Starlands, but the Curselands only brought out their more monstrous nature. That's the reason Kieran cannot be attacked by sea. Most men go mad hearing the song of the mermaids."
"I wonder what it sounds like," Shanna said, looking out of the coach as if hoping to see a mermaid leap from the bloody sea.
Aidan swayed as the coach began an unsteady descent. The defensive spells around Cinder Fortress were weakened to allow entrance for guests. But Meical warned that once they passed the barrier, they couldn't use magic to harm anyone.
"So this will be my last chance to harm someone?" Shanna asked.
Before anyone could blink, a burst of magic rocked the coach. Aidan slammed backward, hitting his elbow, but the attack hadn't been directed at him. The coach door blew open and Carys flew out of her seat. She clutched onto the coach, but her grip wasn't strong enough.
She fell out of the coach in a blur of crimson.
Color and sound faded for Aidan. The wind rushing by the coach, the cries of Nyx and Bradon, and the horrible piercing shriek of Carys were all muted.
Meical moved before Aidan's senses returned, diving out of the coach, his body transforming into a blur of shadows.
The coach wobbled at the sudden removal of weight.
Aidan sat in the swaying coach, feeling as if he was the one falling to the ground.
Years passed, or most likely seconds, before Carys' voice broke through the buzzing in Aidan's ears.
She was outside the coach, atop a raven composed of shadows.
Determined not to waste a second, he stood, trying to keep steady in the rocking coach.
With a tight grip on the coach, he extended his arm to Carys.
She grabbed onto him, almost dragging them both out of the coach.
He pulled her back, and they collapsed onto the seat.
Underneath the fine dress, her cold body shook.
He clutched her tighter, trying to offer a measure of comfort.
The raven twisted into a blur of shadows and shot back into the coach, reverting to Meical. He sat down, staring at Shanna with a chilling emptiness.
Shanna was looking out the window, not paying attention at all. "I say! It seems someone has arrived on a monstrous owl. The Curselands are never dull."
"Nightshade," Meical said, his voice sharper than a knife.
A shudder rippled through Carys before she pushed Aidan away and straightened herself out. "I'm well," she said mechanically.
"This was what I precisely wished to avoid. A show of weakness." Meical's jaw clenched. "Now our arrival has been tainted by my sister, nearly getting herself killed. What is wrong with you, Carys?"
Anger burned Aidan. "Shanna was the one who pushed her. She almost died!"
"Carys allowed herself to get caught off guard and almost died.
Weakness!" Meical spat. "And I had to save her.
Now she will be seen as a lamb for the taking.
Blood Dragon, I'm happier than ever that I locked you two together.
But that was one pile of dragon shit avoided, and now we've another.
" He leaned forward. "Carys, you made look weak.
This could destroy everything that we hope to accomplish tonight. "
Aidan hated the shame on Carys' face. "How does that make you look weak?" he asked. "I've never seen such power used so easily."
"It's not the power, it's the act." Carys balled her hands. "Saving me shows weakness on Meical's part. Either I'm a valuable asset, and he showed everyone that I'm worth something, or he saved me out of misguided brotherly compassion. It doesn't matter which one. Both harm Meical."
Aidan gritted his teeth. "That's ridiculous."
"Law of the Beasts," Meical said, shadows dancing over his face as the coach swayed back and forth. "Nightshade, I will do my best to correct this error when we land."
Carys nodded, sinking in misery. Aidan shot a look at Shanna, who had a playful smile on her lips, as if expecting this all along.
The landing was rough, jostling the passengers. Meical exited, assisting Nyx and Bradon did the same with Shanna. Carys didn't seem in any hurry to leave the coach, but didn't refuse Aidan's help.
They had landed in a rocky courtyard, surrounded by other coaches and Curse Creatures. Over the voices of guests and growls of beasts, Aidan heard the faint sound of waves crashing.
Quite a few black eyes pointed in their direction. None of them friendly. A loud crack echoed, and the eyes ceased to matter.
Meical had slapped Carys and hadn't been gentle about it. She stumbled back, clutching her cheek. The magic rose in Aidan as Meical raised his hand again.
A hand clutched his shoulder. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Nyx said in a muted voice. "Meical has to show his displeasure with her weakness and make it clear he doesn't harbor any weak compassion."
Aidan flinched as another loud slap rang out. "Then let him hit me! Carys near died. She doesn't need punishment for it."
"Aye." Nyx nodded. "But those monsters watching? They will eat us all alive if they sense weakness. They would use Carys against Meical if they thought it could hurt him."
Aidan didn't think anything could hurt the stone hearted-bastard. Meical delivered one final blow to his sister. She stumbled but kept upright. The siblings stared at each other before Meical turned to greet a fellow guest as if it was nothing.
As if his sister was nothing.
Aidan moved to reach Carys, but Nyx wouldn't let go. "If you show any compassion, you shall look weak. Bad enough that you are from the Starlands. If you care anything at all about saving Gil, you'll leave her alone. Carys can take it."
The whole thing disgusted Aidan. There was a time when he wouldn't hesitate to run up to Carys.
But he learned his lesson about the way things worked in the Curselands.