The Dark Pretender

by Nikki Jefford

  Fraya walked the perimeter of the cell, wrinkling her nose as she passed the bucket.

  I shook my head. “I can’t believe Lark would allow you in here with me.”

  Fraya sniffed. “He doesn’t know I’m here, and I don’t think Liri is in any rush to update him on that account. I think Liri still begrudges my mother for choosing my father over him. He attempted to school his expression during our audience, but I could see the pleasure he took in listening to me plead on your behalf.” My upper lip curled. “I don’t care,” Fraya said. “I would have gotten on my hands and knees and begged if that’s what it took.”

  “You’re in a dungeon cell,” I reminded her.

  A smile crept up Fraya’s cheeks. “I’m with you,” she said softly.

  The look she gave me slayed my heart. I drew her to me and hugged her tightly. Sky help me. I loved this female more than life, which was why I couldn’t allow her to sacrifice her freedom for me.

  Shortly after Fraya’s imprisonment, the door opened to let in Gem and Magnolia, carrying pitchers and cloths. Shame burned through me at the sight of my mother’s closest friends. I expected them to share in the guards’ contempt of me, but their expressions remained impassive as they entered and set to work.

  “Oh, dear,” Magnolia said, taking in my cheek. She submerged a cloth in the pitcher and wrung it out before dabbing gently at my face. Even the water was warm. Their kindness made my throat tighten.

  Fraya stood back and watched, looking close to tears again. I hated causing her any kind of pain.

  Magnolia instructed me to take off my jacket and shirt, then roll up my pant leg. After she’d cleaned my wounds, Gem rubbed ointment over the gashes. Like Magnolia, she used a soothing touch.

  “You’ve grown,” Gem noted. Her brown hair was as I remembered it, a pixie cut with fringed bangs. She now had fuchsia highlights at the ends.

  Every time I opened my mouth to ask about Lulu, the ropes tightened around my vocal cords.

  The females offered no information. Their conversation returned to my cuts.

  “Apply this as needed,” Gem said, handing Fraya the jar of ointment.

  “Will there be scarring?” Fraya asked.

  “If there is, it will be faint. Luckily, the cuts weren’t deep.”

  “Thank you,” Fraya said.

  At least she was able to express gratitude.

  “Guards, we’re ready,” Gem said.

  I felt like the air was being choked out of me. The hinges squealed as the heavy door opened and began to shut.

  “Wait,” I gasped.

  Gem paused for a moment. She turned her head to the side, not quite facing me. “She knows you’re sorry,” she said. “A mother knows.”

  Then she and Magnolia were out the door and gone.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Fraya

  “There’s no place I’d rather be than with you,” I insisted for the fifth time. Glancing around the room, I returned my attention to Alok and grinned. “Besides, it’s kind of romantic. Torchlight. Our own bed.” Yeah, the list ran out there. A bath and fresh change of clothes would have been nice.

  Alok ceased his pacing near the door to sit on the pallet and groan. “If Liri can’t see reason, then Lark will. As soon as he finds out, he’ll get you out of here.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” I said, taking a seat beside Alok. I pressed my shoulder against his. “You’re stuck with me.”

  “Fraya—”

  “I mean it. You’re mine, Alok.”

  That dragged a hint of a smile from his lips. I was prepared to wait however long it took, though I didn’t expect we’d be in the cell for long.

  A tray of stew and bread was delivered. We’d been given two bowls, two spoons, a large chunk of rye bread, and two cups of water.

  “I’m famished,” I said, digging in. The stew was thick and flavorful. It warmed my belly nicely. I tore off chunks of bread, chewing and swallowing it down eagerly. My appetite had returned in full force since leaving Goldendale. Ironic that I felt safe and happy for the first time in over a year inside a cell with the male who had betrayed my family.

  Alok watched me eat, then offered me his bowl.

  I shook my head. “You need to eat too. Besides, I know I already ate over half the bread.”

  Alok lifted his spoon slowly to his lips.

  I wished he didn’t look so miserable. I’d have to try harder to cheer him up. “I hope you don’t mind making the elven realm your permanent home.”

  Alok set his spoon down in his bowl. “You know I’d happily make a life with you in any realm.”

  “First, we have to find our own cottage,” I continued. “I love my parents with the fire of the sun, but we need our privacy and independence. Besides, I know we’ll see plenty of them, especially after the baby is born. Well, babies. I’ve always wanted two. A boy and a girl.”

  “You want another child?” Alok faced me, his eyebrows lifted.

  I hid my smile. Good. My distraction was working. “After this one, another with you.” I placed a hand on my belly. “Soon after,” I added. “I don’t want to space things out like Aunt Mel did.”

  Alok pushed the tray aside and pulled me into his lap, nuzzling my neck. “It’s a beautiful dream.” He sighed.

  “Not a dream—our future,” I insisted.

  No one else came that evening, not even to take away our tray.

  “You take the pallet,” Alok said, beginning to rise from the thin mat.

  I pressed my hand to his chest. “No way. We’re sharing. Have you not heard a word I’ve spoken? It’s you and me from now on, for all time.” I tucked some of Alok’s beautiful black hair behind his ear and kissed his cheek, just above the cut. He stared into my eyes as though he might never look away—like he was committing me to memory.

  We had to press together in order to fit beneath the small blanket, but I didn’t mind one bit. Alok moved me to face the wall while he held me from behind, taking the spot closest to the door like he intended to shield my body with his. Strong, warm arms encircled my waist. I hugged my arms over his and gave a sigh of contentment. This was how I wanted to spend every evening. Well, not in a dungeon cell. I wanted to go to bed every night wrapped in Alok’s arms.

  I drifted in and out of sleep. I turned to face Alok and snuggled against his chest, breathing him in, soaking up his warmth. I traced the hard planes of his chest, exploring the changes to his body now that he was a grown male. He hardened against me—his length pressing into my belly.

  Alok drew circles up my arm and into the crook of my elbow joint, rousing my body from its partial slumber. Turning me on.

  The stone floor below us didn’t seem quite as cold and hard. I imagined the torch flames as a fire from a hearth in our cottage. Closing my eyes, I envisioned it all as I helped Alok out of his clothes and lifted my gown over my head.

  We kept quiet as we made love in the gloom. Alok dipped down until we were chest to chest. Black hair spilled over his shoulders, touching mine. Our hair brushed together: blonde and black, light and dark mingling.

  There was no concept of day or night in the dungeon. We cleaned ourselves up as best we could with the pitcher of water and cloth Gem and Magnolia had left behind. I insisted on applying fresh ointment to Alok’s wounds before he got dressed. Then we waited.

  Two bowls of porridge were brought in by guards who took away the dinner tray. As with the stew, I wolfed down my portion. As soon as we got out of this dungeon, I was treating Alok and myself to a breakfast feast of poached duck eggs, cheesy potatoes au gratin, glazed berry ham, buttery fried tomatoes, sugared rolls, and crispy waffles topped with berries and cream.

  Oh, sweetberries. My mouth was watering.

  I did most of the talking as time passed. Alok responded kindly when asked direct questions. Once in a while I even got him to smile, but overall, he stood hunched, looking resigned to some horrible fate.

  I wasn’t sure if hours were passing o
r mere minutes. Would we be served three meals a day? If that was the case, we had yet to see a lunch tray. Without a window or clock to go by, I tried to use my stomach to tell the time. When it began to rumble, I guessed it was midday.

  “Where is my son?” a female cried out, jolting Alok and me. Lulu’s anguished voice rang out across the cavernous underbelly of Dahlquist Castle.

  Alok’s eyes widened as if he’d just heard the voice of a ghost. “Mother?” his voice cracked. He looked at me. “Lark said she didn’t want to see me.”

  “Lark’s a liar.” I snorted.

  “What?”

  “Half-elf, remember? He’s able to lie. He tried to hide it from me, but I figured it out years ago.”

  “Alok! Alok, where are you?” Lulu’s voice drew closer.

  Alok rushed to the bars at our door, gripping them tightly. “In here, Mother!”

  “Let me in,” Lulu demanded.

  I stood back as Lulu was allowed into our cell. The petite blue-and-purple-haired faerie rushed Alok and threw her arms around him, bursting into uncontrollable sobs.

  “My son. My son,” she cried.

  “I am so sorry,” he said.

  “I know, my love. I have always known, but I had no way to tell you. How I wished I could see my sweet boy.” Lulu stroked Alok’s head, fresh tears falling from her eyes. My heart was full to bursting, overjoyed to witness Alok and Lulu’s reconciliation. Lulu stepped back, drinking Alok in. “Look how you’ve grown. And your hair—it’s so long.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and studied him, smiling through her tears. “You could do with a touch of color, though.”

  The smile that lit up Alok’s face brightened the entire cell.

  “I always liked blue on you, but I’m up for experimentation,” I offered.

  Lulu turned her teary-eyed gaze on me and grinned. “Fraya, dear child, Gem and Magnolia told me about how you’ve stuck by Alok’s side since his capture. Bless your heart.” She released Alok to hug me. I squeezed her back. She pulled me over to Alok, where she could hug us both. “I am not leaving this cell until King Liri releases you both.”

  “If he won’t, then my uncles certainly will.”

  “Right before they kill me,” Alok said grimly.

  Lulu and I both cried out in protest.

  “No more talk of that, Alok Elmray,” I said. “You made me a promise long ago, and I expect you to honor it.”

  A male cleared his throat from outside the door. “Fraya, it’s Crispin. May I enter?”

  I nearly laughed at the absurdity of the request, but it was no surprise coming from the lips of Lark’s refined mate.

  “Crispin! Of course, you may enter.” I gave a little jump of excitement.

  Crispin was the calm, collected half of my cousin’s claiming. Right now, he was just what we needed.

  The heavy door opened, revealing the tall, impeccably dressed male in his fitted trousers and coat. Crispin’s long brown hair was brushed back and gathered in a black ribbon. Footmen followed him in, carrying a small table, two chairs, covered trays, and a basket with a long piece of bread sticking out. The rest of the contents were covered from view by a cheesecloth.

  “Until an hour ago, I had no idea you spent the night in here,” Crispin said, wrinkling his nose. “King Liri says you will not leave the prisoner’s side. We will sort this out. In the meantime, I had to make sure you were served proper food.” Crispin wouldn’t look at Alok, as though he was an offensive rat dirtying the cell.

  The footmen set the furniture down, followed by the trays and basket. Another footman entered with a teapot, steam rising from its spout.

  My mouth watered in anticipation of a full meal. “Where’s Lark?” I asked. I really wanted to see my cousin to assure him Alok hadn’t come after me. I wanted Lark to know the truth about Helio and to bury the past and accept my feelings for Alok.

  Crispin frowned. “He was on his way down until he heard Lulu was here.”

  “I’d like to speak to him.”

  “He wants to talk to you.” Crispin stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Why don’t you come with me now? We can have a chat in the comfort of the parlor.”

  Behind us, I heard Alok insist Lulu have a seat. “You and Fraya must sit. I will stand.”

  My heart plummeted. “I will not leave Alok.”

  “Why?” Crispin asked in bewilderment, searching my eyes. “Lark told me what happened when you were teenagers. He’s ashamed of lashing out, but I have to say, I have a strong urge to take my sword to anyone who ever hurt my mate.” At this, Crispin’s eyes found Alok and narrowed to slits.

  I pulled Crispin into a corner, keeping my voice down. It was hard to find privacy in an eight-by-eight-foot cell, but I wasn’t leaving, so a corner would have to do.

  “He was only fifteen at the time,” I said. “Have you ever made a mistake before?”

  Crispin didn’t quite meet my eyes. His gaze shifted sideways, suddenly taking keen interest in the stone walls. He tugged at his low ponytail and sighed ruefully. “Yes, actually, I have.”

  If I couldn’t speak to Lark, at least I could convey my feelings to his mate. “Alok regrets his actions. His birth mother abandoned him when he was only seven. She polluted his mind with thoughts of revenge and grandeur. He never actually wanted the crown. He only wanted a mother’s love.” I glanced over at Alok leaning beside Lulu, filling her teacup. Tears glossed my eyes. I returned my attention to Crispin, who considered me thoughtfully. “And my love,” I said softly. “He already had it, but he didn’t think it was enough. He didn’t believe he was enough for me. But I do love him. I have since I was a young girl. Despite everything, I was never able to stop.”

  A small smile rose over Crispin’s mouth. “I know a thing or two about what it’s like to love an Elmray. I’ll talk to Lark.”

  I gave Crispin a hug. “Thank you.”

  After my cousin’s mate departed, I joined Lulu and Alok at the table to see what goodies Crispin had ordered. I didn’t expect I’d see Lark as long as Lulu stuck around—not after he’d wounded her son. I figured King Liri might return, but my parents were our next guests. We hadn’t finished the assortment of cheeses Crispin had sent down when the familiar sound of my mother’s voice yanked me out of my chair.

  “You’ve been keeping my daughter in the dungeon?” she snapped.

  “It’s only been one night,” Liri responded chidingly.

  “She slept down here?” Mom bellowed.

  The color leached from Alok’s face. He stood straight and still, his jaw locked. Lulu nibbled on a piece of cheese as though nothing was amiss.

  When the door opened, my mother pushed through first. She wore a long billowy skirt, a yellow blouse, and a harried expression. Her hair was pulled into a soft ponytail with a one-sided French braid. Mom looked only at me as she rushed over and clasped me in her arms. “I should have never left you behind,” she said.

  My father walked in next. He zeroed in on Alok and narrowed his eyes to thin slits that removed all the color from his irises.

  King Liri stood watching with a smug grin, taking it all in. He waved at his guards to close us all in together.

  “I want a private moment with my daughter and Alok,” Father said.

  My heart squeezed in dread.

  “You’re on my turf now, elf. I’m not going anywhere.” Liri smirked.

  My dad made a sound of disgust and turned away from the Fae king.

  “Father, let me explain,” I said.

  “I think he’s the one who should explain himself,” Dad said, jabbing a finger in Alok’s direction.

  I pulled away from my mom and went to Alok’s side, taking his hand in mine.

  Father scowled.

  “Before Alok makes his apologies, I want you to know that we love, trust, and respect one another. I’m sticking by Alok no matter what any of you say. And you should also know that Helio was mistreating me. He wouldn’t let me leave Amberhill.” My father’s
entire face turned red. A low growl emerged from his lips, and he fisted his hands. Good. Let him redirect his hatred toward a different male—one who deserved it. “Luckily, Alok and his sister happened to be at the party. Alok stepped in and was going to help me escape back home to Pinemist. We were just heading out when Lark appeared and took him away. The only reason Lark even found him is because Alok risked his life trying to send a message to Dahlquist in case he was unable to help me get away from Helio.”

  Mother’s lips pressed together.

  “The boy genuinely regrets his actions,” Liri said. I looked over in surprise. The king pressed a finger to his bottom lip. “I suppose I could be persuaded to release him . . . if he promised never to return to Dahlquist.”

  Had I heard Liri correctly? He would let Alok go? Allow us to portal back to Pinemist and live out the rest of our lives together?

  It was the first time I’d ever felt an inclination to hug the white-haired king. I squeezed Alok’s hand instead, and turned to him with a grin.

  Father walked up to Alok and folded his arms over his chest. “And how exactly would you provide for my daughter?”

  “I’ll do whatever it takes,” Alok answered firmly.

  “Whatever it takes,” Father repeated with a dark chuckle. “What does that mean? Begging? Stealing?”

  “Dad!” I cried.

  Ignoring me, Father leaned in to Alok. “What kind of honest work is a faerie traitor going to get in the elven realm?”

  Alok looked my dad directly in the eyes. “I will figure it out.”

  “I can work,” I blurted out.

  Father scoffed and shook his head. He turned to my mom. “Aerith, please help me talk reason to our daughter.”

  Mom took a long look at me before speaking. “I don’t think reason has anything to do with what they feel for each other.”

  I turned pleading eyes on my father. “Don’t you remember what it’s like to be in love?”