The Dark Pretender

by Nikki Jefford

  Alok slid me an uncertain glance. I pressed my lips together. What could I possibly say with Helio watching our every expression?

  Helio grinned smugly, probably delighting in Alok’s inability to lie.

  “Yes,” he said slowly.

  “It seems the two of you have gotten to know each other quite well this afternoon.”

  “Hardly,” I retorted. I had to end this conversation before Helio had a chance to ask more questions. That, or Alok attacked him. The hard clench of the Fae male’s teeth promised pain with enough provocation. It was bad enough that Alok was being hunted in Faerie. I wouldn’t let him ruin his one escape, not when he’d provided mine. All it would take was one strike for Helio to put out the word. Alok and his sister would never be welcomed into another elf’s home again. I squared my shoulders and chest, lifting my nose when I flicked a glance Alok’s way. “I know enough to be aware that Prince Alok isn’t considered royalty of any kind in his realm.”

  Alok’s face filled with betrayal and hurt, as I knew would happen. His proud anger broke through next. His spine stiffened and upper lip curled.

  Helio chuckled in delight. “Fraya, darling. You mustn’t insult our esteemed guest. I do apologize, Prince Alok. My fiancée has been rather surly the last couple days.” He winked, not sounding sorry at all.

  Alok didn’t spare Helio a glance. His blazing brown eyes were on me. “I am glad that even I, the lowly son of a dead king, could be of assistance to you.” He gave a curt bow of his head before storming away.

  Helio’s shoulders shook with mirth as Alok disappeared around the corner. Darkness eclipsed my heart.

  “You are all needles and thorns, my dear.” Backing me against the wall, Helio’s lips brushed over the shell of my ear. “I can smell his stink on you. I hope you haven’t gotten any ideas into that pretty little head of yours about following in your mother’s footsteps and getting a taste of Fae.”

  I jerked away from him. My fingers twitched. Oh, how I wanted to go for the vial and use the sleeping powder on Helio in that instant.

  Leaning back, Helio grinned. “Or perhaps you are trying to make me jealous. Hmm? You’re afraid I’ll lose interest if there isn’t another male around to compete with.” His entire face brightened, clearly in love with the delusion.

  “I’m tired.” I sighed.

  Drumming his fingers over his pristine white pant thigh, Helio regarded me with a half smile. “Rest up, darling. I have a special surprise planned for you tomorrow.”

  My heart sank. “You’re not accelerating the ceremony, are you?” I slid my hand over my heart, ready to withdraw the vial. Maybe I should ask Helio into my bedchamber first so I wouldn’t have to drag his sleeping body in. But he already thought I was on my monthly cycle. He might become suspicious if I tried to bait him inside now.

  Helio’s amused laughter interrupted my spinning thoughts. “So eager for your place at Amberhill. Patience, my love. You will have your ring at the end of the week as promised.”

  Sky above, I wanted to punch him.

  “The staff is busy making preparations. Not an easy feat while keeping up with the house party. Tomorrow’s amusement is my own undertaking. Until tomorrow, my impatient bride.” He planted a wet kiss on my cheek, then waited, daring me with his cold blue eyes to wipe it away with the back of my hand.

  I said a curt “good night,” then spun around and stomped to my chamber. Once securely inside, I rubbed my cheek and continued to scrub at the spot until it felt like my skin would blister. I should have insisted he escort me to my room, then blown the full contents of the vial into his smug face.

  My heart was a traitor.

  I wanted to get the hell out of there.

  I wasn’t ready to leave.

  Leaving meant no more Alok. It had taken me months to get over him. Stupid, angry pining carried on in secret. I had done a persuasive job of convincing my family I loathed my Fae ex—that I would gut him if given a second chance. Lies and more lies. I still loved him. And also, I hated the male for what he’d done. We could never be together. He’d ruined everything.

  Once I left Goldendale, our paths would never again cross. Like Alok, I’d go into hiding. I would be a single elf mother keeping myself and my child far out of reach of Helio.

  “One more day,” I told myself.

  I couldn’t bear to leave Alok on an insult.

  The next morning, I slipped into an off-white floral corset dress. It had thick sleeveless straps that descended into a wide V. The material tightened around my slender torso before flowing in pretty layers to my knees. I left my blonde hair unbound in soft waves that tumbled over my shoulders—a lovely last look for Alok to remember me by.

  Breakfasts were informal during house parties. Like waiters at restaurants in the mortal realm, servants stood ready to serve guests throughout the morning.

  Helio and his friends were nowhere to be seen in the dining room, thank Sky.

  My stomach grumbled softly, but I felt too nervous to eat. I also felt an obligation to swallow down proper nourishment. Grabbing a gold-rimmed porcelain bowl filled with egg custard, I carried my meal to the far end of the table.

  What else would be good for a baby? Juice?

  As soon as I made it back to Pinemist, and my family returned, I needed to have a serious talk with my mother and Aunt Mel.

  Once finished with breakfast, I asked a server to pour me a large glass of orange juice. I’d guzzled it half down when Alok walked in with Reyna. A trail of pulpy juice escaped my lips and the rim of my drinking glass, dribbling down my chin.

  Pitberries! Real sexy, Fraya.

  Without a napkin ready, I rubbed the juice off my face with my fingers. I couldn’t tell if Alok had seen me drooling citrus. He turned his body away from mine and handed his sister a plate before taking one himself.

  I set my glass down on a tray and walked over. “I didn’t mean what I said last night,” I said to Alok’s back.

  He turned to face me with lips pressed tight. His sister paused, silver tongs in her pale fingers. Her eyes had a way of widening whenever I spoke, like I was some kind of ghoul out to haunt her brother.

  Alok set his plate down with a clack. There wasn’t a glimmer of appreciation in his eyes when he looked at me, only shadows and ice. “Yes, you did. I know what you think of me.”

  “You have no idea,” I said, ever stubborn.

  Alok’s nostrils flared, whether from anger or desire, I couldn’t tell. He invaded my space. As was always the case when it came to him, I leaned closer, wanting no distance to stand between us.

  “You made yourself clear when I came to see you in our last dreamscape. Do you need reminding?” He arched a brow. “You vowed I was the last male you’d ever give yourself to, and you’ve proven your point by wedding someone who is clearly deranged.”

  “I said that to you years ago, and I haven’t wed anyone yet.”

  “What do you want from me, Fraya?” Alok demanded. His hips brushed mine as he closed in.

  My heart pulsed so fast I felt dizzy and swayed. Alok took my shoulders firmly, steadying me.

  “Alok,” Reyna hissed at his back.

  Turning his head to the side, he held me a second longer before letting go. I felt a wave of sorrow sucking me under as he stepped backward, away from me. Being around him hurt too much. I should have put Helio to sleep last night and gotten the hell out of Goldendale. Blinking away tears, I pushed past Alok and hurried out of the dining room.

  It made me crazy that I had nowhere to run besides my room or some other enclosed space within Amberhill. This manor had quickly come to feel like a prison.

  Needing fresh air, I hurried into the courtyard, only to stumble upon Helio and his gang. Just peachy perfect. I couldn’t have hidden my scowl if I’d tried.

  “Fraya, darling,” Helio called from a round iron table painted white. He and his cronies were drinking coffee and eating crumpets and jam off a silver platter. “What timing, the tou
rnament is about to begin.”

  The ground quaked beneath the thin soles of my sandals.

  “Tournament?” I repeated in a whisper.

  It was one of my trigger words, and the bastard knew it. He deserved my wrath. Instead, my adrenaline spiked in panic. A cold sweat formed under my arms and at my back, chilling my skin, giving me the shakes. I darted a glance from side to side. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, certainly not ogres to charge in. But I looked nevertheless.

  Helio slurped down more coffee, then lifted his mug in the air as though raising a pint. “It’s high time you faced your fears. Where better than at Amberhill with your fiancé cheering you on like old times?” He set down his mug and stood, striking a pose of magnificence. The sun in Goldendale seemed to shine right over his bronzed skin and light up the copper undertones in his hair. “Think of it, Fraya. Your parents will return home to find you shooting arrows once more. They will feel such relief. Haven’t you said you want them to stop worrying about you all the time? Won’t this please them?”

  My parents didn’t give a flying fig about whether I picked up another bow again. They only wanted me to be happy, a concept entirely foreign to Helio.

  “I’m not ready.” I’d never be ready.

  “Nonsense. It’s already set up on the front lawn.” Helio’s eyes gleamed when he looked over my shoulder. “Prince Alok, you are just in time to witness my fiancée in action. She is a celebrated archery champion in our realm.”

  Before I could protest, guests scurried over.

  “What’s this I hear?” a male with long brown braids asked. “Fraya Keasandoral is once more taking up the bow?”

  A sandy blond-haired male pushed past Braids. “Are you taking bets?”

  “Of course,” Helio said with a wide grin.

  “Who are the competitors?”

  “Any who wish to compete may do so.”

  “Me.” Taine set his mug down and stood.

  Vocla and Arli followed his lead. Helio laughed and shook his head. “What about you, Prince Alok? Will you go up against Fraya?”

  No! my mind screamed. Goose bumps prickled the underside of my arms.

  “I have little experience with a bow,” Alok said evenly. “It is better if I observe.”

  “Right,” Helio said, bobbing his head. “Your kind aren’t known for your archery skills.” He tsked, causing several elves to chuckle. “Fraya, darling, you really must give the faerie prince a demonstration of your mastery. I’m sensing today will be your comeback day. What do the rest of you think?” Cheers went up. Helio lifted both palms skyward, encouraging them. I glared at him. “Come, everyone. Follow me.”

  I found myself being swept along with a group of eighteen elves to the front lawn, where a row of easels was set up with round targets at various distances. A blanket with bows and arrows had been laid out. The arrows were arranged in piles by feather colors. A servant dressed in white linen dipped down to grab a bow and six golden arrows with white-feathered ends. He presented these to Helio, who took them with a wide grin.

  More guests were ushered out the front doors to watch the latest entertainment. I caught a brief glimpse of Alok’s sister and her elf friend. They stood out for their frowns. Everyone else looked bright-eyed and overly eager for sport.

  Taine grabbed up a bow and some arrows feathered orange like his hair. Arli took the blue-feathered arrows, while Vocla grabbed red. My heart thumped up my chest. When Helio held a rosewood longbow and white-feathered arrows to me, I froze. His smile didn’t waver as he moved to stand in front of the guests.

  “You see before you our contestants,” he announced. “Our guest competitors will shoot in the order that their arrow is drawn. The last to shoot will be the realm’s undefeated champion, my very own Fraya. Hurry and make your bets.”

  A male in a waistcoat lifted a piece of parchment and quill above his head. Guests surrounded him, waiting their turn to place their bets. While names and amounts were being recorded, another male collected one arrow from each contestant. There were three additional elves competing, only one of them female. The arrows were held behind the male’s back and mixed up before he drew one forward. Blue. Arli swaggered over and grabbed his arrow from the male. Chest puffed out, he took his place at the first spot marked with white-and-gold-trimmed ribbon on the lawn.

  My nerves tensed as Arli nocked his first arrow, pulled back, paused, then let loose. The sound of the whoosh and thunk as the tip embedded into the first target made my stomach roil.

  Cheers arose, followed by clapping.

  “Excellent start,” Helio said.

  I looked at the first target, my vision blurring the colors into a swirl of yellow, red, blue, and black. Arli had not hit the yellow bull’s-eye, but he’d come close along the red circle that bordered the target’s center. Back in the old days, a thrill of anticipation would have raced up my spine. I would have been bouncing on my toes for my chance to show these rookies how it was done.

  Arli completed the rest of the circuit. His first shot was his best. As the targets stretched longer distances, his aim became less steady.

  “I hope no one put their bets on you,” Taine jeered when Arli rejoined the group.

  A yellow-feathered arrow was drawn next, and the female stepped forward. I hadn’t been introduced to her yet. I’d rather she beat the males. I didn’t plan to compete. Just seeing the arrows shoot across the lawn curdled the egg custard inside my stomach.

  The female did much better than Arli. After completing the course, she tossed her long brown hair over her shoulder and smirked at him.

  Taine was up next and did better than both his friend and the female. I tried to back into the crowd and melt away as each contestant led closer to my turn. Helio’s broad chest hit my back; his mouth whispered beside my ear. “Show them how it’s done, Fraya. Show them you’re the best.”

  I shook my head, my lips pressed into a firm line. Applause went up as Vocla hit a bull’s-eye dead center. Multiple arrows protruded from the targets from slightly different angles.

  “Win this competition. I command you.”

  Blinding white fury flashed across my vision and scraped at my scalp. I whirled around, my teeth bared. “No one commands me.”

  Helio’s grin widened. “Are you a loser or a champion, Fraya?” Each word felt like a poke in the chest. A taunt. A challenge.

  With a snarl, I snatched the bow and arrows from his tanned fingers.

  I was no loser. Nor champion.

  I was a killer.

  Maybe it was time Helio remembered that. I was long overdue for target practice. If he came after me, my family, or our household staff, he should know I wouldn’t hesitate to defend those I loved—by whatever means necessary.

  “Hey, it’s my turn,” a male with a long white ponytail and green-feathered arrows said as I strode past him to the first target.

  The crowd quieted.

  “Oh, piss off,” Helio said to the contestant who was supposed to shoot next. “No one wants to see you sling arrows. We’re all here to watch a true champion.”

  With a disgruntled huff, the male shrank back.

  As I stepped up to the ribbon and eyed the target, an unexpected sense of calm washed over me. I set the arrows down, saving one. Bow pointed at the ground, I secured my first arrow into the bowstring. Usually, I would have taken time to set a nocking point on the bow, but I’d developed a sixth sense when it came to archery. My arms held steady as I lifted the bow.

  I imagined myself in a different time, before the world went dark. I channeled the self-assurance that had been a constant part of me long ago. No one could beat me. I would win.

  I released the first arrow. Air filled my lungs as it whizzed over the lawn and struck the very center of the target. Taine had gotten that one, too. It was the easiest.

  Cheers went up. It sounded as distant as ocean waves along the coast of Omera. I grabbed the next arrow and shot at the next target, hitting it dead center
. I went to the next and the next, each time aiming true. The first flutter of anticipation had passed too quickly. I felt wooden. My skill hadn’t left me, but my passion for the sport was gone. Each shot was taken with cool, calculated aim. My heart shriveled a little more with each strike. I barely registered hitting the last target, the farthest down the lawn.

  The applause grew louder as I returned to my surroundings. My fist tightened around the bow. I felt a sudden urge to break it over my leg.

  “Still undefeated!” Helio bellowed in pride.

  My stomach churned, reminding me of my earlier distress. This morning’s display had been a temporary intermission, not some miraculous breakthrough.

  The elf I’d cut in front of didn’t bother asking for his turn. Elves surrounded the male in the waistcoat to collect their winnings. Those who had been fortunate hurried over to congratulate me. I stared at them vacantly, which sent them off to more animated companions.

  “I knew you had it in you,” Helio said, draping an arm around me. I sagged under his weight, too drained to slip out from under him. My grip on the bow loosened. One end hit the ground. “Impressive, isn’t she?”

  “Yes,” Alok said in a clipped tone. His black hair descended in long layers over his lean torso. He looked out of place in Goldendale, like a crow who’d come to pick at bones only to find the land rich with frolicking elves with no scraps to spare him. He’d fly away soon. Both of us were imprisoned in misery. It made me want to weep.

  “Fraya’s always been the best,” Helio continued. “No one blames her for shooting her ex-lover. An accident, of course.”

  Alok stiffened.

  “You hadn’t heard?” Helio said in mock innocence. “Well, of course not; you and your sister aren’t from our realm.”

  I didn’t want to see Alok’s reaction. I’d shot him once, too. He’d think the worst. I didn’t bother correcting Helio’s use of the word ex. Conall had never been an ex-anything. We’d been a committed couple in love, and Helio knew it.