Dark Humanity

by Gwynn White

  Arela’s face brightened. “Really? You’ll take me for my first adult drink?”

  Aric grinned. “You’re an adult now, right?”

  She nodded quickly. “I am.”

  “Good,” he said.

  “A drink sounds perfect,” Eryon said. “You have no idea how much I need one.”

  Aric grinned. “I know the perfect place.” He looked to Raina again.

  Face without emotion, he spoke to her. “Thank you for escorting my sister for me,” he said.

  Raina nodded. “It was my pleasure, Prince Aric.”

  “Good. Eryon and I can tend to her now.”

  Eryon looked from Raina to Aric, a confused look on his face. “Can’t she join us?”

  “Seers don’t drink,” Aric said and turned to head down the path.

  Eryon lingered as Arela joined Aric.

  “I can walk you back to the palace,” Eryon said, stepping close to Raina.

  There were no words. Raina could feel herself fuming.

  “I’m great, Prince.” She forced a smile. “I can walk myself. Thank you.”

  Eryon shook his head. “I’ll catch up with you two later,” he said to Aric and Arela.

  Aric shrugged.

  Raina watched as they walked away from her, along the road to the pubs.

  Raina’s jaw clenched.

  The pain.

  To her surprise, Raina didn’t fall into tears like a wounded woman. As she let the crowds push her farther and farther away, she was surprised by her own strength. She clenched her hands into tight fists as she watched him vanish into the side alleys.

  She couldn’t even speak to Eryon, who stood there patiently waiting for her.

  Her heart went out to Eryon for his kind gesture, but she couldn’t control the other emotions that threatened to break her composure.

  “Are you okay, Raina,” Eryon asked softly, his hand reaching for her.

  She turned her back to him. The world was being destroyed by a vengeful god and all she could think of was her heartbreak.

  “I’m fine,” she said in a hiss.

  No tears.

  Only rage.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Allan played with Olia’s hair as she snored on his bare chest. The years only made Olia more beautiful to him. Her short hair had grown to her shoulders, and her love for him had increased greatly.

  He could think of nothing he loved more than her sweet smile.

  Just as Allan closed his eyes to drift back to sleep, Olia’s soft snores faded.

  Opening his eyes, he kissed her on the top of the head. “Morning.”

  Olia yawned, snuggling her head into his shoulder.

  “Morning, my love.”

  Those words made him beam nearly every time she’d said them.

  “Sleep well?”

  “Like a cat, that’s had too much cream.”

  Allan chuckled. “Is that so? I can’t say I’ve ever seen a cat that’s had too much cream.”

  “Trust me then,” she laughed. “I slept well.”

  “Good, maybe we can head to the pastry shop for sweet rolls,” Allan said, tilting her head up to look at him.

  “I’d like that.”

  He kissed her on the lips.

  They were soft as rose petals. Even her scent enchanted him. He’d never understand how she always smelled of rosemary, but he looked forward to that scent whenever they were apart.

  Allan rolled onto her, his arm cradling her head. His other hand grabbed her upper thigh, squeezing it tenderly as he sucked the white flesh of her neck.

  Her little moans of pleasure sent instant heat to his loins.

  The ringing of the customer bell downstairs in her dress shop made him pause.

  He pressed his hardness against her naked core and kissed her lips again. He licked her bottom lip and whispered to her.

  “Just pretend like we aren’t here and maybe they will go away,” he said.

  Olia tried to suppress a giggle. “You know I can’t do that,” she said.

  He signed, resting his forehead against hers. “Right. Fine,” he said. “Go on. Leave me all alone in this comfy bed.”

  Olia scooted off her bed and stepped onto the stone floor. She quickly pulled a flowy gray frock over her body. She pulled on her thick stockings and boots before running a comb through her hair.

  “Why don’t you bring the sweet rolls back here? I’ll start the kettle for some tea.”

  Allan sighed, willing his desire to subside. He nodded. “As you wish, my queen.”

  Her smile grew so big that he couldn’t resist smiling back at her. “I’ll be back, my king.”

  Somehow he would make it true. Olia would be his queen. She would return to Latari with him.

  Nothing short of that would be acceptable.

  He watched her leave the room and head down the stairs to the shop. Once in his Seer uniform, Allan made his way to the top of the stairs. He listened for voices and heard that Olia had her customer in one of the fitting rooms. He took the chance to sneak out unseen.

  Once out of the shop, and on the roads of the Lower City, Allan crossed the alley to make his way to the pastry shop.

  The peculiar yellow sun had become commonplace to Allan, but soon he would look upon the red sun of Aden once again. He and Raina would visit their homeland of Latari that sat at the foot of the imperial city of Gallio, where they would rule the entire world of Aden.

  That was the plan, but why did his stomach twist into knots whenever he thought about it?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Prince Aric drank the last of his ale. The cold liquid did nothing to quench his true thirst. All he wanted was to be cleansed of his sins.

  Three years away from the place of his birth had made him grow up in ways he’d never anticipated.

  He wanted nothing more than to return to the young man he was before he set foot on that blasted ship.

  The world wasn’t the beautiful place he thought it would be. Yes, there was beauty, but there was also darkness.

  Ugly darkness.

  Evil.

  With a god walking amongst them, things were different. The people of Rhene had no idea what was coming. The weight of responsibility rested heavily on his shoulders.

  Aric shuddered, his eyes squeezed shut against painful memories.

  Dear fate, why wouldn’t it go away?

  Why couldn’t he forget what he’d done?

  Princess Arela only lasted for one drink. Her innocence was almost too much to be around, and so he took her to the palace where she was safe from the sin that tainted his soul.

  Now, as he sat at the bar of Linden Pub, he couldn’t seem to free his mind of what he’d done.

  Then, his mind wandered to her.

  The Seer.

  Why had he been so cold to her?

  It was the only way to keep her purity from his evil.

  Aric was certain that if he looked into her eyes for too long, she’d see what he had done.

  He stood from his place at the bar. Two women reached for him.

  “Come now, mister,” the woman with the bright pink rouge on her lips said. She stood before him, the smell of her curly blond hair reminding him the palace stables.

  “I have a warm bed on the top floor. For five silvers I’ll pleasure you until sun up.”

  Aric shook his head. Through the haze of his own drunkenness, he tried to walk around the women.

  “I’ll join for an extra five silvers,” the other woman with the low-cut red frock added, her hand sliding into the front of Aric’s pants.

  Despite the ale’s clouding of his mind, Aric took her by the wrist and gave a firm push away. “No, thank you.”

  “Suit yourself, bastard,” she said before turning to the next man that entered the pub.

  Aric closed his eyes, steadying himself on his feet. He knew that the next step would be wobbly, so he took a few deep breaths.

  Tomorrow would be his last battle in
the arena. He feared for the safety of whoever he was matched against.

  Aric feared there was too much of his father’s rage within him. The memories of his mother hiding her bruises and tears saddened him.

  No. He wasn’t like his father.

  Aric would never hurt a woman.

  Nonetheless, the Seer, the one he’d come to call his Seer when he daydreamed about her each day deserved more.

  How could he tell her that he killed a man?

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  A new day brought hope, but Raina wasn’t certain what the future would bring. She hadn’t slept the night before. Maybe an hour of nightmares broke her from the worries of what they would soon face.

  She wished that Errison was there to give them guidance.

  Or Desi.

  A glance at the gray sky hinted that it might rain, but Raina didn’t smell any trace of it. She hoped the sun would show so that Princess Arela’s grand garden party wouldn’t be ruined.

  With the annual festivals occurring at the same time, all of Rhene was in a frenzy of joy and excitement.

  Ambassadors and royalty from the nine kingdoms were assembled, all with their champions set to compete and bring honor and glory to their homelands.

  “Is this the one you wanted?” Prince Eryon held up a beautiful mask.

  The sun’s rays caught on the tiny crystals, making it glitter.

  “It is,” Raina said.

  Raina, Prince Eryon, and Allan stood before a cart filled with rolls of exotic silks and masks made specifically for Arela’s birthday celebration.

  The princess declared that everyone must wear costumes and masks. Not because she was particularly keen on dressing up in disguise, but she wanted to make sure Raina and Allan could attend her party without defying their oaths to conceal their looks.

  Raina touched the smooth texture of the silver and crystals on the mask.

  “Look, your gray eyes are almost silver. They will match the jewels perfectly,” the shopkeeper said.

  Standing little more than four feet tall, the woman smiled at Raina. “You would be the most beautiful maiden at the princess’ party this evening.”

  Allan nudged Raina, grinning. “The most beautiful maiden indeed,” he said with a smirk.

  Raina returned the grin. Somehow smiling wasn’t as easy after Aric’s apparent rejection of her. Apparently, humans didn’t hold up to their vows the way gods did.

  When a god said that they would do something, they did it.

  Simple.

  The idea of attending the party as didn’t bring her as much joy as she’d originally thought. She imagined blending in with the elite in the beautiful silk gown Arela commissioned Olia to make for her. She imagined disappearing.

  What was there to stay in the Abyss for now?

  In only months, she would return home.

  Raina could not wait.

  Her little pupil was growing up. She’d grown to love Arela like a sister and a close friend. The princess would be greatly missed.

  The shopkeeper held up the mask in both hands. “Three gold coins and it’s all yours.”

  Raina looked to Eryon. “Thank you for this,” she said.

  She knew that three gold coins were a high price for something she’d only wear once. Attending without one was unacceptable, and she wanted to pick out her own.

  Eryon didn’t flinch at the price. He handed the shopkeeper the three gold coins from his waist purse. At a year older than Raina and Allan, Eryon was also a close friend, one that related to Allan more than she. They shared a love for knowledge that Raina couldn’t comprehend.

  A faint smile on her lips, Raina watched as her new mask was wrapped and placed in a pretty purple box. She took Eryon’s hand into her own gloved hand and gave it a squeeze.

  “Thank you,” she said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

  A quick nod was all he gave her. He cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact but not letting her hand go.

  “Let’s go. I don’t want to miss Aric’s appearance at the coliseum today,” Eryon said.

  Raina winced at the mention of Aric.

  It was apparent that Prince Eryon looked up to his older brother, trying to emulate him in all that he did. He’d even grown out his auburn hair the same length as Aric’s, and wore it styled the same way.

  “Thank you,” Raina said to the shopkeeper as they walked away. She glanced up at Eryon, pulling her hand away as they stepped along the stone walkway along the side of the road.

  Seers don’t show affection in public. She recited Errison’s words to herself.

  Allan walked a little ahead of them. “I wish I could have seen more of the world.”

  “You can,” Eryon said. “Won’t you have a chance to change stations soon?”

  Allan shrugged, glancing at Raina. “I suppose.”

  Going back home was the only change they foresaw for themselves. Standing up to Litha and reclaiming their rightful place as rulers awaited them.

  Somehow, neither option seemed as appealing as when they’d first started their time in the human world.

  Raina looked at the shop fronts they passed along their right, wishing they could linger awhile longer and browse the beautiful things that were sold. She had visited one of the shops earlier; one that sold more than jewels and garments.

  Parties and festivities weren’t the only things on her mind.

  Prince Aric was returning to Rhene after three years abroad.

  There had to be more than just passing looks between them. Even though she was leaving for Aden soon, Raina had to be sure.

  Her heart deserved it.

  She had a plan that would definitely get his attention.

  “I will meet you at the palace at sunset, and we can all go to Arela’s party together,” Raina said before turning to walk the other direction.

  Allan frowned. “Where are you going?”

  Raina avoided his eyes. “I need to make sure my dress is ready. I won’t bother you men with such silly lady tasks.”

  Allan watched her hurry away. She was sure he didn’t believe a word she said, so she didn’t linger and give him the chance to stop her.

  She bit back a smile as she heading toward the shop.

  They held something for her.

  Something that would help her reconnect with the power she suppressed, the power that begged to be set free.

  Be careful, Raina.

  Raina clutched her necklace. “Desi? I’ve missed you!”

  Be careful. Litha watches. Do not show your true power.

  “I know what I’m doing, Desi. Trust me.”

  I really hope you do.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Full armor shielded Raina from the eyes of the crowd. So far everything went according to plan. No one knew who she was. Her helmet covered her face, only revealing her eyes.

  No one suspected a thing.

  Except Prince Aric.

  She could see the doubt in his eyes. He knew that something wasn’t right.

  He stood in the coliseum across from her, sword and shield in hand. Loose strands of his blond hair were caught with the swift breeze, whipping around his face as he stared at her.

  When their eyes met, Raina almost turned the other way and left. Something about them made her feel torn between getting lost in his gaze or hiding from it.

  “Who are you?”

  Raina swallowed as he searched her eyes. Something was missing from his gaze. That energy that made her swoon on their first encounter was missing.

  What was he hiding?

  Too late to back out now. She gave him a wink and drew two swords that crisscrossed behind her.

  The crowd roared when she ran the steel of one along the other, sending sparks into the air.

  Aric eyed her swords.

  “Come now, Prince. You aren’t afraid of a woman, are you?”

  Raina swung both swords, making the air swish with the blades.

  His jaw cl
enched. “Of course not. I’m just thinking of how much I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Raina grinned and readied herself. “Funny. I was just wondering the same thing.”

  He straightened his shoulders at her words.

  “Begin,” King Lavi said, his voice echoing along the entire coliseum.

  Raina didn’t waste a second. She charged at Aric with every ounce of energy and strength that had been bottled up for far too long.

  Aric’s eyes widened at her skill as she spun and swung her swords in ways the humans had never seen.

  “Show me, Aric,” she said in between strikes. “Show me the power you’ve inherited.”

  “What? What are you doing?”

  Raina closed her eyes. “Practicing,” she said and kicked him in the chest with one long powerful leg. She sent him crashing into the floor.

  Queen Nevah shot to her feet. “Show the crowd your power, Aric. Do not hold back!”

  Raina grinned. The queen did not sound pleased with her son’s performance.

  To her surprise, Aric didn’t hesitate to heighten the intensity. His body vanished before her eyes.

  For a moment, Raina had to straighten up and focus on finding him. It didn’t take long. Her senses did the work. She heard him, felt his presence, and soon she saw the outline of his body against the air.

  She stretched her neck, and with a surge of power, she crashed into him, sending him flying across the coliseum and into one of the walls. She pressed her breastplate to his and looked him in the eyes.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Breathless, and stunned that she had beaten him, he looked down at her with widened eyes.

  “For what?”

  Raina closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. She still felt that intense attraction to him, but showing him that she was more than his equal, and not just a silly girl gave her such satisfaction that she felt tears well in her eyes.

  “Thank you for reminding me of who I am.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Nine men had been defeated by Raina and her specially crafted swords.