Dark Humanity

by Gwynn White

  “Good night, sweet Preeti.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next evening, Errison, Raina, and Allan sat for dinner with King Lavi and his family; a beautiful wife, Nevah, his middle son, Eryon, and one young daughter named Arela. Prince Lavi had yet to make an appearance.

  Never did Raina dream that the humans lived in such beautiful places. Even their clothes were worthy of the royal court in Aden. Perhaps they remembered more of the ancient times when gods roamed the Abyss alongside them.

  Still astounded by the beauty and elegance of this large kingdom, Raina absorbed the festive atmosphere.

  Raina enjoyed sitting next to Princess Arela. She was a pretty child, with hair the color of straw and hazel eyes full of joy and innocence.

  Food.

  There was so much of it spread out on the table. It was the night of one of Rhene’s annual festivals, and guests filled the seats at the long table that stretched between both ends of the massive room.

  Raina chewed her roasted chicken and listened as Arela listed off the many toys she had back in her room.

  “When dinner is over we can play with my dolls.” Arela lowered her voice and leaned close to Raina.

  Raina leaned in, intrigued.

  “They are talking dolls.”

  Raina smiled at the child. “I haven’t played with dolls in so long, dear girl. They sound delightful.”

  Arela nodded. “Father gets many special toys from merchants all over the world. Eryon and Aric both have those special horses that can fly. Father won’t let me have one until I get a little bigger.” She sat back in the high back wooden chair. Her eyes examined Raina’s face.

  Raina looked away, hoping the girl wouldn’t notice her tattoo beneath her bangs. She wore her Seer uniform and was covered from head to toe, but the fear of discovery lingered in the forefront of her mind the entire time they were in the presence of so many people.

  “I like you,” Arela said. “You have pretty eyes and a funny accent.”

  “Do I?” Raina never realized she had an accent. She decided to try to emulate the speech of the Rhene people a bit better.

  “My birthday is always during the annual spring festival. Maybe you can take off that cloak and wear a pretty pink dress for my party tomorrow. I will be eleven, and eligible for my first Pegasus.”

  “Maybe,” Raina said. Only three years of being little more than a governess and she and Allan could return home. It seemed so far away.

  “How old are you, Raina?”

  “Sixteen.”

  Arela nibbled on her sweet roll and lifted a brow. “You aren’t that much older than I am.”

  Everyone’s chatter ended and was replaced by loud cheering when a young man dressed in a white suit with golden buttons and a red sash entered the room.

  When everyone stood, Raina and Allan followed their example and stood along with them.

  Raina’s mouth parted as she looked at him. He took a moment to bow before his adoring admirers.

  “That must be Prince Aric,” Allan whispered.

  Raina swallowed when the young man’s eyes lifted and went directly to hers. It was the young man from the night before.

  Her words came out soft. “Must be.”

  Never had a simple look ignited such new and exciting sensations within Raina. His blond hair was long and pulled back into a ponytail. Raina’s eyes followed him to a seat across from her at the table.

  She wished she could hide her reddening cheeks when he continued to stare at her with those intense eyes. His lashes were long and dark, tipped with a shade of blond lighter than his hair. He had perfectly arched brows and a strong chin.

  And he was tall. Raina never realized how much she valued height in a man. She’d never thought of a man in that way before that night.

  Handsome didn’t begin to describe the young man before her.

  He nodded to Raina and Allan, his eyes lifting to the king’s as everyone settled back into their seats.

  “Who are the Cloaks?”

  Raina figured he referred to Allan and herself.

  “Call them by their proper name, Aric,” King Lavi said. “They are Seers. This is Raina. She will be Arela’s tutor and Allan is the new translator of the ancient texts. They will be staying in the palace.”

  Raina struggled to take her eyes off of him, but it was impossible. She couldn’t even compare his beauty to anyone back in Latari or all of Aden.

  Relax. He’s only a man. A human man, she thought as she realized that while everyone else had sat back down, she was still standing.

  She flopped back into her chair and lowered her eyes to her plate. She no longer had an appetite. When he sat in the seat across from hers, she avoided looking at him.

  “Raina, is it?”

  Raina tensed at hearing him speak to her.

  She nodded, looking at him as he drank from his wine goblet.

  “I don’t think I’ve heard a more beautiful name,” Aric said.

  A smile came to Raina’s lips. “Thank you.”

  “Welcome.”

  Something stirred in Raina’s belly. There was no way she could eat now.

  Somehow Prince Aric’s gaze frightened her more than the thought of Litha finding them. Not because she feared him, but what he made her feel.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Something awakened within Aric as his eyes met those of the new Seer once again…something that frightened and intrigued him.

  Need and desire. One that went beyond his usual urge to seduce a beautiful girl.

  Seers weren’t supposed to have eyes like that; eyes that threatened to bend him to their will. Princess Pria and the battle earlier faded into the forgotten recesses of his mind as he drank his second goblet of wine.

  Aric sat back in his chair and sighed. There was no use getting fixated on a girl had committed her life to the teaching of the gods.

  Something about her presence commanded his attention. Father spoke to him. He barely heard a word but knew better than to ignore the king.

  “What was that?”

  King Lavi pursed his lips. “The ship sets sail in three days. You make sure you have everything ready for the journey.”

  Aric nodded, turning his attention to his father. “I will be ready.”

  “Good,” King Lavi said. “Because you’ll need to be prepared for the weather and customs of all of the nine kingdoms. I remember when I went abroad for the first time. There were so many different kinds of people and cultures that I simply couldn’t appreciate without experiencing it for myself.”

  “I’m certain it will be an enriching experience,” Aric said, taking a bite of smoked ham. “But do I really need to bring so many guards with me? You’ll have everyone thinking I am weak. Don’t I make it clear that I am capable of protecting myself every year during the tournaments? No one has ever defeated me. Ever.”

  “It is precisely why you need more guards. Many will want to test their luck against you. You never know if a friend can turn into an assassin. There are very few people left with traces of real power, Aric. Having you rule Rhene someday poses a great threat to the other kingdoms.”

  “But we are at peace right now.”

  King Lavi lifted a finger. “Exactly. Right now.”

  Aric sighed. His appetite was ravenous after the constant battle in the arenas all week. He looked forward to a relaxing voyage.

  But her.

  The Seer with the gray eyes that reminded him of storm clouds took his mind off of what was to come.

  Aric was drawn to her.

  He had to be near her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Raina and Allan waited for Errison outside the banquet hall in the wide corridor.

  “I’m going to check on Olia,” Allan said. “I can’t believe she couldn’t dine with us.”

  Raina nodded, grinning. “Someone is smitten.”

  Allan’s face turned serious. “Don’t be ridiculous. I just want to make sure she is oka
y waiting at the inn with all of those strange men.”

  “Of course,” Raina said.

  “Just wait here for Errison,” Allan said.

  “Sure,” Raina said to herself. “Go make sure Olia is safe with all of those strange men. Leave me here with all of these strange people.”

  Allan sucked his teeth. “Really, Raina. You don’t need my protection anymore than I need you to tutor me in history.”

  “I was only joking,” Raina said. She folded her hands before her and tilted her head toward the exit. “Now go. You don’t have to pretend that you aren’t attracted to her. I won’t tell.”

  Allan searched her eyes in silence.

  Raina could see that he really cared for Olia. She found it remarkable how quickly feelings could develop between strangers. After all of her training, she wished someone had taught them about this type of thing.

  “Thank you.” Allan gave her a quick hug and turned to leave.

  A smile lingered in Raina’s lips as she watched her brother leave.

  “So,” a male voice said from behind her.

  Startled, Raina turned to face Prince Aric.

  “He must be your brother. The other Cloak,” Aric said.

  Raina nodded, her eyes widened.

  “I figured as much. You two look remarkably alike.”

  “Yes,” she said. Her mind raced to think of something else to say, but as her mouth parted, words refused to form.

  What do you say to a man that you find attractive? Back in Latari, Raina was kept isolated in their manor. She could count only two times when she’d even seen men her age back home.

  The corners of Aric’s mouth lifted into an amused smile. “Are you blushing?”

  Raina straightened her back, trying to hide her embarrassment.

  She was a god.

  Gods don’t blush.

  “No.”

  Aric chuckled. He ran a thumb across his bottom lip as he looked at her.

  Raina’s ears started to grow hot under his intense gaze. It was as if he undressed her in his mind. She crossed her arms across her chest.

  “Did you need something?” Raina had to remember what they were there for. They were to be of service to the royal family.

  “Come with me,” he said, reaching a hand out.

  Raina stared at his hand. Then she looked at her own gloved hand, not understanding.

  “Why?”

  Aric took two steps forward and took her hand into his. His clasp on her hand was firm, sure of himself.

  “You’re not going to deny the future king your charming company, are you?”

  Raina’s brows furrowed. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Always with the questions,” he said. “Patience. You’ll see soon enough.”

  Raina didn’t fear for her safety with the prince. She could break him in half, after all. Besides that fact, he intrigued her, and she desperately wanted to go wherever he led her.

  She quickened her pace as Aric led her down the corridor and up a flight of carpeted stairs. Everyone that they passed bowed and made room for them to walk past. Soon they were farther and farther away from other people. Eventually, they were all alone in a tower.

  Raina’s eyes widened in wonder when she saw the open arches all around the tower’s circular wall. She stepped to one of the arches and looked out upon the entire city.

  “This is incredible,” she said as her eyes took in the wonder before her. “Rhene is so vast.” She could see far over the capital city, and even past it where the mountains stood in the distance.

  The silence behind her made her turn around.

  Prince Aric stood right behind her. She took a step back, her bottom pressed against the wall, the cool breeze from outside billowing her cloak.

  His eyes.

  They were green.

  Hooded under dark blond lashes and eyebrows mixed with brown, she could get lost within them if she allowed herself to.

  When he reached out to touch her, she tensed. It was as if her body refused to move, and so she stood there as he brushed her bangs from her eyes.

  “Precious fates, you’re beautiful,” he said.

  Her heart thumped when he narrowed his eyes to get a better look at the tattoo on her forehead.

  “Interesting,” he said as he traced the symbol with his finger.

  Tears stung Raina’s eyes. Panic filled her. She gripped his shoulder.

  “Please,” she whispered. “Don’t tell anyone.”

  Aric’s brows furrowed as he looked down at her face. “What is there to tell?”

  He doesn’t know what it means.

  Relieved, Raina turned away and wiped her eyes. For a moment she remembered the horrors of the Vault, and what Litha could do to them if they were found.

  She and Allan couldn’t afford to grow complacent and forget their goal.

  Home. They had to get home.

  “Nothing,” she said, sniffling. She worked to compose herself.

  Aric’s voice came out a bit gentler than before. Less suave. Genuine.

  “I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he whispered, moving to stand beside her.

  Raina glanced at him. She struggled to make sense of why he paid her any attention at all. Didn’t he understand what she was pretending to be?

  “It’s fine. There’s no need to apologize.”

  “No,” he said. He looked out to the city.

  All of the lights left Raina spellbound as she followed his gaze.

  “I had no right to touch you. I really don’t know what came over me. I assure you I didn’t bring you up here to seduce you. I simply wanted to learn a bit more about you before I leave.”

  “You’re leaving?” Why should she care? He was a human. He had nothing to do with their plan.

  Except…Raina remembered Errison mentioning that the prince needed their protection. He did have god-like power that made him a target from others as well.

  Raina couldn’t tell if she was rationalizing being alone with the prince for his sake or her own.

  He nodded. “Yes. I start my travels in a few days.”

  “Travels?”

  “Yes. Every future king must travel the world to learn and explore the different cultures. It’s a means to develop alliances, foster treaties, and to also potentially find a queen.”

  Raina swallowed. She wasn’t sure she liked that last part. She was kidding herself, she barely knew him but the thought of him paying attention to another woman annoyed her.

  Raina was set on making Aric her own.

  She always knew that when she found the man for her, it would feel right, that they would just know they were meant to be together. She hid a grin, wondering if Aric thought the same about her.

  “How long will you be away?”

  He sighed and leaned his shoulder against the wall. “The journey takes three years.”

  Three years?

  Raina tried to hide her disappointment. She looked down at the wooded area to the west.

  “That’s a long time.”

  “Will you miss me?”

  “I don’t even know you.”

  “True. But I’d like to change that,” Aric said. “If that is all right with you.”

  Before she could stop herself, Raina nodded. “Yes.”

  “There’s something about you. Something draws me to you. It’s like we’ve known each other much longer than just today.”

  “I feel it too,” Raina whispered.

  Her heart thumped in her chest as Aric moved closer to her again. He took her hand in his. His grip was firm and unyielding, yet tender.

  Oh, my. What is happening, Desi?

  Get out of there, Raina. Desi’s voice seemed to come from far away. Stay focused.

  “Can I get to know you, Raina?”

  Involuntarily, she nodded.

  Desi’s voice faded. Or perhaps Raina simply stopped listening. She hoped the fairy wouldn’t be cross with her.

  He put an arm up a
bove her head, steadying himself as he leaned down to her. He tilted her chin with his finger.

  “Can I kiss you?”

  Kiss?

  The thought made her hands grow sweaty. Her breaths quickened.

  “Yes.”

  Her eyes fluttered closed as his lips pressed against hers, sending electric shocks more powerful than the harnessing of lightning bolts.

  Pure magic.

  The kiss deepened, and Aric caught her in an embrace, holding her tight to his hard chest.

  Raina couldn’t breathe. She didn’t want to. All she wanted was to kiss Aric into the late hours of the night and never leave his side. The heat from their kiss made her want to rip her Seer uniform off and let the breeze cool her.

  The thought made her blush. No man had ever seen her nude body. Aric could, though.

  If he wanted to.

  Something told Raina that he wouldn’t protest. The way his tongue explored her mouth caught her off guard, but Raina was a quick leaner and focused on the sensations, mimicking the movement of his tongue with her own.

  When he pulled away, he lingered, pressing his forehead to hers.

  “Seers aren’t supposed to kiss like that,” he breathed, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs as he held her face in between his hands.

  Raina tensed. “I’ve never kissed anyone before tonight.”

  Together they caught their breaths.

  “Raina,” he said.

  “Yes,” she replied, desperate for more of his mouth upon hers.

  “Meet me tomorrow night in the gardens behind the palace.”

  “Why?”

  “Like I said, I have three days to make you remember me.”

  Raina cracked a smile. She nodded.

  “Tomorrow then.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Was it normal to stay up all night daydreaming about someone?

  Raina left her room at dawn, excited for this new adventure masquerading as a human, but exhausted from lack of sleep. Even gods needed rest, and after traveling for days, Raina regretted staying awake all night.

  The palace was a maze to her. There were countless hallways, crowded meeting areas where the lords, ladies, and foreign royalty looked at her with interest. Despite the winding staircases that all looked the same, and led to similar-looking landings, Raina managed to make her way to the dining room where the servants gathered for breakfast.