by C. J. Abedi
“You are doing well,” she said. “Rowan told me you are one.”
I couldn’t hide my nervous laugh.
“Not quite,” I said.
“Believe it, my darling,” Dana said. “It comes naturally to you. Your powers are stronger than those of any other Fae.”
I nodded.
“Tell me. Why didn’t you come to see your kingdom this evening?” she asked.
How did I know this question was coming?
“I just thought that—” my voice trailed.
“Devilyn would bring you.” Dana had read my mind.
“Yes.” I smiled ruefully.
I wanted all of my firsts to be with him. But it seemed that he would only share my lasts.
D
She had been gone for a long time.
A feeling of anxiety rushed through me as I thought about not being able to see her at dinner tonight.
A first.
Would she come?
Or would she be spending the rest of her evening with Rowan?
As soon as I digested the meaning and consequences of my thoughts, Caroline rushed in to the dining room, late for dinner, flushed but carrying an air of elation with her.
“Sorry, I lost track of time,” she said to Odin, who sat at the head of the table.
I stared out the window. I couldn’t look at Caroline. Not now. Seeing her happy face made me wonder what Rowan had done to bring that smile.
“I think we might have some of your favorites tonight,” Odin said.
As usual, he had arranged an extravagant four-course meal. Food was one of his many enjoyments and he made sure that every meal in our home was a moment of relaxation and decadence.
“Whatever it is, it smells delicious,” Caroline said with a smile.
I could hear the chair scrape against the ground and knew she had taken a seat.
“Regardless, I hope you are pleased, my dear,” Odin said.
“I know I will be.” Her voice was polite.
“It’s one of my favorites: pan-seared halibut with a creamy lemon dill sauce, grilled asparagus, and mashed potatoes with fresh heirloom tomatoes from the garden.” Odin’s voice was filled with so much enthusiasm that it almost made me roll my eyes. “I wanted this to be special for you. As our first official dinner together tonight,” Odin went on.
“Everything sounds lovely and I love halibut,” Caroline said.
I continued to stare outside. I wasn’t surprised when I heard the sound of thunder in the distance. A storm was coming, in more ways than one.
“Do you plan on joining us, son?” Odin asked me.
“Yes, of course.” I turned my attention back to the table. Tatiana had engaged Caroline in some ridiculous conversation. Caroline was carefully avoiding my gaze, but Odin stared at me with that knowing look of his.
“Please, have a seat next to your queen,” Odin motioned.
My queen.
There were two empty place settings. One was at the head of the table and one was next to Caroline. There was an uncomfortable silence as everyone waited for me to sit.
“Are we expecting someone?” I asked.
I was careful to avoid looking at Caroline, trying to remain immune to her and trying my hardest to keep my hands to myself.
“It depends,” Odin said.
“On?” Tatiana asked him.
“If you’ll indulge me,” Odin said as he picked up his champagne flute.
He snapped his fingers and his servants were all around us, setting our first course, which was a delicious looking vichyssoise.
“We’ll need some music as well. Helps the food go down smoothly,” Odin continued. “Don’t you think?”
Seconds later, the sounds of Bach filled the room.
“So?” I asked as I picked up my spoon.
“I’ve extended a dinner invitation to Puck,” Odin said in between bites, like he was talking about something as trivial as the weather.
I dropped the spoon in my hand and stood up in fury. “What?!”
Odin wasn’t rattled at all.
“Sit down,” he commanded.
“Father—” I began.
“Sit!” His voice crackled through the air, in sync with the rumbling of thunder.
“Why would you invite him here?” Caroline spoke out in her low voice.
I expected to hear anger or fear in her voice, but all I heard was curiosity, which was a far different emotion than I was feeling.
“It’s important to meet your enemies. Face-to-face. I’ve seen Alderon. I know what madness drives him. I’m curious to know what drives Puck,” Odin explained.
“And Caroline?” I asked doing my best to keep my temper under control.
“Do you for one minute believe I would ever put her life in danger?” Odin asked sharply. “Puck’s powers are rendered useless here. There is no Fae magik that can penetrate my walls.”
“Actually, I think it’s a very smart idea,” Caroline cut in.
“Are you crazy?” I asked her, finally turning to face her. I wished I hadn’t. Her gray eyes were so incredibly beautiful. And her hair, I just wanted to run my hands through—
“Odin’s right,” she said softly. “Why not learn as much about him as we can? This is one of the only places where we know he can’t harm me, outside of the Light Kingdom. And I don’t believe he would ever go there. So why not?”
“With all due respect, I think you and my father have lost your minds,” Tatiana said. “How are we supposed to enjoy our meal with him here?”
“I’m sure it will be quite enjoyable, my dear. Think of it as a dinner show,” Odin said with a smile.
Had the world gone mad?
Was Tatiana the only one who agreed with me?
“How do you even know he’ll come?” I finally asked.
“He will come,” Odin said. “His ego would allow nothing less. That, along with a promise that no harm would come to him.”
“You promised him that?” I asked.
“Yes,” Odin replied. “And even though it’s tempting, I’m a man of my word.”
Odin pinned Caroline with his gaze.
“So you are truly all right with this, my queen?”
“Yes.” Caroline’s voice was strong. “I am.”
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, the doorbell rang.
“Our guest has arrived,” Odin said as he looked at his watch. “Right on time.”
My heart thumped in my chest as I stared at the door that my enemy would soon enter. How could I control my rage around him?
Just as I was about to stand and unleash hell, Caroline reached out and put her hand on mine.
And just like that, all the anger was gone. And I felt calm again.
“It will be all right,” she whispered. “Trust him.”
There was shuffling and whistling in the hallway. Before we knew it, Puck was standing in the doorframe. He was dressed in medieval garb as if he were about to perform a Shakespeare play.
“What a fantastic home you have here. Quite extraordinary,” Puck said. “I brought white and red wine since I didn’t know what you’d be serving.” He looked around the table. “Ahhh, what a pleasure. I didn’t know if the entire brood would be here joining us.”
“None of them would miss this opportunity,” Odin replied. “So nice of you to accept my invitation.”
“How could I not?” Puck asked as he sat down at the head of the table. “When the mystical and renowned Odin of lore invites you to dinner, you go.”
I envisioned smashing his condescending face into the table. Odin snapped his finger and a servant placed a glass of champagne and the first course in front of him.
“Can I get a lovely decanter, my dear?” Puck asked. “I like to let my wines breathe.”
A decanter was placed in front of Puck as he sat back in his seat. He gave us a bright smile.
“It’s so quiet in here,” he said. “Don’t you kids have much to talk about? How w
as school today?”
“You tell us.” My voice was cold.
Puck feigned a look of ignorance.
“I wouldn’t know,” he said. “I don’t play human. I prefer to be exactly who I am. Running from truth is a useless endeavor.”
He took a sip of the soup and I envisioned him choking on it.
“Delicious!” he exclaimed. “Your chef has outdone himself. Can I get a name? Culinary expertise is so hard to come by these days.”
“I’m happy you like it,” Odin said.
Tatiana looked as if she were about to burst.
“How is Alderon?” Caroline asked. All eyes turned to her in surprise.
Puck did not answer immediately, taking another bite of his soup.
“With all due respect, I don’t know how that would be any of your business,” Puck replied.
“I think it’s my business,” Caroline stated coldly. “He wants me dead.”
Puck gave her a sinister smile. “As do I, my dear.”
“You will not disrespect our guest,” Odin’s voice was sharp. “Or you will leave.”
“I prefer that he leaves,” I said, standing and staring down at Puck in fury.
“When has speaking the truth become a crime?” Puck asked. “Isn’t that what your invitation said, Great Odin? Didn’t you ask for a night of truth?”
“I did,” he said.
“Well, then,” Puck replied as he looked right back at Caroline. “I would like nothing more than to see you destroyed in the most painful and horrific way. I would also like you to be wiped away from our history. Like you never existed. That is my truth.”
“Father—” My voice shook in anger.
“Father?” Puck said as he swiped some butter on a piece of bread. “Your father isn’t here. It’s touching to watch you try so desperately to be something you’re not. And slightly pathetic.”
“You are vile,” Tatiana spat out going from suspiciously quiet since his arrival to obviously affected and incensed.
“Me?” Puck replied innocently. “You, my dear have betrayed your people. I thought, albeit for a brief moment, that you might have potential, but no, you’re just a sad and weak little girl with daddy issues. I would have you know that you are your father’s greatest disappointment.”
“You are actually incorrect,” Odin interjected. “She is my greatest pride and joy.”
I watched Puck’s face twist in annoyance.
“You forget yourself dear Odin, she is not your daughter,” Puck said pointedly.
“In every way,” Odin replied. “Second course?”
The servants appeared again and placed the food before us.
“Bon appétit,” Odin said calmly.
It was then I noticed how his blasé attitude was beginning to annoy Puck. Anger made him dance in joy, whereas indifference infuriated him.
“This is delicious,” Caroline said to Odin.
“I’m so glad you’re enjoying the meal,” he said.
“I am, very much.”
“Touching,” Puck said. He reached out for his goblet and took a sip of his wine.
“Love your outfit, by the way,” Tatiana said to him, feeding off the energy around her, barely hiding the sarcasm from her voice.
“This old thing?” Puck said. “It’s one of my favorites from my days with William. I thought it would be fitting for me to wear this tonight, to get in the spirit of things to come.”
“What things are you referring to?” I asked.
“The fun games that are planned.” He stood up with his wine glass in hand and began to walk around the table. “I’ve heard there’s something very memorable coming to this miserable little island of Roanoke.”
“What’s that?” Odin asked curiously.
“A special play,” he said.
I could feel Caroline tense up next to me.
“I think Mr. Copeland might be a budding playwright,” Puck told us. “Of course not nearly as talented as my William, but still there is some potential there.”
He stood in front of the window and stared out on Odin’s maze.
“William had many masterpieces,” Puck said with a sigh. “My favorite, of course, Romeo and his Juliet. The tragedy of the story. The fate that no one wants to accept. To die in each other’s arms. That particular moment was quite beautiful, don’t you think? There is a certain kind of power at work when true love is denied.”
His eyes brushed over us all but he paused to wink at Caroline. I was proud that she stood her ground and didn’t flinch.
“Copeland’s tragedy will be just as spectacular. With all the pomp and pageantry that our tale deserves.” Puck smiled at me. “Oh what fun we’ll have, now that the end is near.”
Chapter Eleven
“There is no remedy to love, but to love more.”
—Thoreau
Ireland
Many Moons Ago
Tara
Alderon haunted my every waking moment.
He would come in my dreams and tell me he was going to find me, that I could not hide from him forever. And that he knew I felt for him the same way he did for me.
I would wake in a frenzy and try to fight against the sleep that my body so badly desired. My friends and family were growing more and more concerned over my erratic behavior.
I couldn’t tell them.
And I couldn’t go on like this. So I did the only thing I could.
I left the Light Kingdom.
I foolishly believed that if I were away from all things Fae and immersed in the human world, I would forget him and the connection we had.
But as I now know, you cannot escape your destiny.
I was sitting in a pub in Dublin, enjoying a book. The noise around me helped occupy my mind, as did the novel I read. I had allowed a few of the men to sit with me, buy me a beer, and I was finally having a good time.
I heard the chime ring and I felt like all the energy was sucked out of the room.
Alderon filled the door with is tall frame.
My heart stopped. I couldn’t breathe. Or think.
Our eyes were locked and butterflies danced in my stomach from the heat and the possessive way he stared at me. He was dressed all in black, but in human clothes. Every woman that was in the pub was just as entranced as I was. He was the most beautiful Fae I had ever seen.
He walked right up to my table and it felt as if we were the only two people in the world.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
He reached into his shirt and pulled out a long strand of my hair, which he held out for me. When I took it from him our fingers brushed against each other.
The electrical energy that moved between us was astounding. His eyes lit up in desire. I felt as though I had been consumed by the sun.
“I knew it was you,” Alderon said to me.
It couldn’t be! I stood abruptly.
“No,” I said even though I knew he spoke the truth.
“You felt the call.” His voice was but a whisper.
“No,” I said again.
He was everywhere. Crowding my space. I had to get away. I tried to move past him.
He stopped me. He took hold of my arm and the attraction between us was undeniable.
“You will admit it,” he said to me as his eyes darkened in passion.
My traitorous body leaned in toward him. He didn’t hesitate.
His mouth crashed into mine. It was everything I had ever dreamt about and more. It was fire and ice and passion and perfection.
It was love.
We couldn’t get enough of one another. It wasn’t until we heard the hoots and hollers that Alderon drew away. His hand was wrapped in my thick black hair and he was staring at me like I was the most precious thing in the world.
Like I belonged to him.
“How can this be?” I asked in confusion.
He was Dark. I was Light. In all of the Fae history, never had a soul connection been made between Light and Da
rk.
Alderon’s gaze swept over my face as his hand gently caressed my cheek.
“I know not. And I care not,” he said. “All I know is that I will have you as my wife.”
C
The house was unusually quiet after Puck finally left. I made my way up to my room, still reeling from what had happened at dinner. I had to appreciate Puck’s honesty. He made no apologies and told us what was to come.
What rattled me most was the confidence in his voice. He was not afraid that their plan would fail.
But the craziest part was that neither was I.
I wasn’t afraid of anything.
I was willingly walking into what was quite possibly a trap. But none of it mattered.
As I sat across from him at the dinner table, I decided I wasn’t going to give him or Alderon the satisfaction of reading Mr. Copeland’s play about The Lost Colony before class tomorrow. I would just continue to patiently await the next day and whatever trials or tribulations it brought.
“Caroline?” Devilyn called out to me.
He caught up with me just as I was reaching for the doorknob to my bedroom. I took a deep breath and gathered the strength to turn around.
It was so difficult to be this close to him. He was everything I had ever wanted and everything I couldn’t have.
We loved each other.
And I couldn’t have him.
We fit.
And I couldn’t have him.
It was the worst kind of torture that anyone could bestow upon me. He leaned up against the wall across the hall, his hands in his jean pockets. All he had to do was stand there.
And I would want him.
Even if he didn’t say a single word.
I would want him.
All of him.
“Yes?” I finally croaked out, shaking off the insane feelings stirring inside.
His dark eyes filled with concern.
“Are you all right?” he asked me.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I snapped back.
He narrowed his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”
“He’s clearly insane, but Odin was right. It was eye-opening and revealing.”
