Reign or Shine

by Мишель Роуэн

  "Elizabeth," my father said again. "Stop this now."

  Michael began to stir from the floor where he lay and started to push himself up. I was so relieved to see he wasn't seriously hurt.

  Elizabeth shook her head but looked a bit more uneasy than before. "I can't." Her hands began to glow with green light. "It's time, Nikki. Time for me to be queen."

  She raised her hand and launched a swirling ball of energy at me.

  However, I'd just launched one at exactly the same time. Mine was bigger.

  The two orbs of power, hers green and mine red, hit each other full-on, but because mine was larger it sent a shockwave to her side of the room that knocked her backward. She lost her footing and fell heavily to the floor.

  I glared down at her. "You were scared of me because you knew all this time that I could do that, didn't you? That my power is greater than yours."

  She lowered her head. "Please spare me."

  I felt fury spiral inside of me and willed myself to calm down. Being Darkling brought with it a nearly uncontrollable need to destroy, and at the moment Elizabeth seemed like an excellent target. But I knew I had to calm myself down. Michael came to my side and touched my arm, and looking at him made the rage inside of me still a little.

  "What should we do with her?" he asked.

  "I have no idea."

  "Elizabeth," my father said. "Come here."

  She didn't stand up, but instead crawled to the side of his bed, refusing to meet his eyes. I could tell she felt defeated and she was acting like it. My hands continued to glow with power just in case she tried something funny.

  "Where is the antidote?" he asked.

  She gasped sharply. "Please, Desmond-" "Elizabeth, I understand how easy it must have been for you to fall in love with Prince Kieran." He paused to breathe raggedly. "I, too, fell in love with someone who was forbidden to me. It didn't make the love any less important. Listen to me. Give me the antidote. If you do this, all will be forgiven. I will let you continue to live here in the castle with me and there will be no punishment."

  I touched Michael's arm. Was he serious? After everything she'd done he was willing to forgive her?

  Elizabeth's demon eyes widened. "Do you speak the truth, brother?"

  "I do."

  She slowly got to her feet. "I didn't know that the poison would cause you such pain. I thought it would act quicker. I'm sorry for that."

  His gaze was fixed on her. "It's fine. It's over now."

  She took in a shaky breath and let it out, and I watched as her demon form faded away and she became human again. It was easier to see her expression now. She was crying. She reached into her left pocket and pulled out a small clear bottle.

  "Is that it?" my father asked. She nodded.

  "I'm surprised you didn't destroy it," he said. "Obviously some part of you knew what you were doing was wrong, and you wanted the chance to fix this.

  Please, give it to me."

  She uncorked the bottle and held it to his lips. "It might be too late."

  "We shall see." My father drank the antidote and closed his eyes.

  I concentrated on staying in Darkling form and stood at the end of the bed, vigilant to whatever happened next. I didn't want to hope for a miracle, but that's what I was praying for anyway. Elizabeth's hands were shaking as she placed the now-empty bottle on the bedside table.

  For all I knew she could have just given him a full dose of poison. If that was the case then I was afraid of what I would do to her. I wasn't ready to forgive.

  Not yet. Probably not ever.

  It took ten full minutes before we could see any change in my father, and even then it was slow and subtle. My father's form began to change in the bed and become smaller, shifting slowly back to human. I went to his side to hold his hand, and after another five minutes he opened his eyes and looked up at me.

  "I'm so proud of you, Nikki," he said.

  "Are you…" I swallowed. "Are you going to be okay now?"

  "The magic of the potion makers works very quickly," he said. "But the poison did a great deal of damage to me. It will take some time for me to fully recover. But I think I'll eventually be okay."

  "I'm very glad to hear that," I said and smiled. "Because I really didn't want to be queen. Like, at all."

  "I didn't think so."

  My concentration had lapsed and I felt my Darkling slip away with the oh-so-pleasant sensation of a hundred Band-Aids being ripped off my brain simultaneously. I staggered, but Michael was there to catch me. I looked at him gratefully as I leaned against his solid form.

  "I trusted you," my father said, and I realized he was speaking to Elizabeth. "And you betrayed me."

  She didn't look at him. "I'm sorry."

  "Your love for Kieran must be very great."

  "I thought it was." She swallowed. "But perhaps Nikki is right. It's possible that he may have been using me."

  "Do you really think so?" my father asked calmly, but the edge of sarcasm in his voice made me realize that he was anything but calm. I noticed then that despite his human appearance his eyes were red again. "Let me ask you this, Elizabeth. Our father-did you kill him as well?"

  She didn't answer for a very long time. "During my first visit to the Underworld I fell in love with Kieran, even though we were very young. Our father refused to let me go back to see him again. He was a horrible, cruel man. Kieran suggested that something could be done about it. He sent me the potion."

  "You mean, the poison," my father corrected. "Nikki, Michael, please help me get out of this bed." We supported him so he was able to swing his legs out and get to his feet. His chest was bare but he wore loose-fitting black pants.

  Elizabeth shied away from him as he approached. "You said that you'd forgive me and I could continue to live here."

  "I did say that. But I've been rethinking my decision. What you've done is unforgivable, Elizabeth."

  Her expression grew worried. "Maybe in time-" He held up a hand that glowed red. "You've said enough. You killed our father, you tried to kill me, and you tried to kill my daughter."

  "Darklings are unpredictable," she said. "They're dangerous."

  "So, apparently, are sisters."

  She breathed shakily. "What will you do with me? Imprison me? Kill me?"

  "I've considered those options."

  Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Kieran will be very angry if anything happens to me. He will avenge me if you lock me away somewhere alone."

  "Yes, well." His jaw tightened. "I wanted to spend these past years with the woman I loved instead of a solitary existence in this castle. But I would never wish the same fate on you." His eyes narrowed. "Let your prince deal with you. See if he still loves you when you offer him nothing but your constant presence."

  "Desmond, please!"

  "I'm banishing you to the far reaches of the Underworld. You will never return to the Shadowlands." Her eyes widened. "No, you can't-" "Good-bye, Elizabeth." He thrust a hand at her and a red stream of power hit her chest before enveloping her. She screamed and in the very next instant had disappeared completely. The room crackled with power and it made the fine hair on my arms stand straight up.

  I sucked in a breath. I'd never seen anything quite like that before-both the disappearance of my aunt and the rage in my father's face which quickly faded now that she was gone.

  My father let out a long sigh. "I'm sorry it had to end that way." He turned to me. "And I'm sorry you had to witness that."

  I hugged him then. Tightly. "Is it mean that I was hoping you weren't just going to forgive her after what she did?"

  "I didn't want to lie to her, but I was desperate to get that antidote." He sighed. "I cared for my sister. She had me completely fooled. I still can't believe what she tried to do."

  I glanced at Michael, who stood to the side, his eyes on the ground. My father looked at him as well.

  "Thank you, Michael, for your help," my father said. "You may leave us now."


  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  I went to Michael's side and stopped him before he took a step. "He risked his life to help you and that's all he gets? A 'thanks for your help you can leave now'?"

  My father looked confused. "I don't understand."

  I felt mad, then. After the roller coaster of emotions I'd just been on, from scared to relieved to happy, now I was falling straight down the steep hill into mad. "That's the problem. You don't understand."

  "It's fine, Princess," Michael said.

  "No, it's not." I turned back to my father. "Before, you said that he was free. That he didn't have to be a servant anymore."

  "I did say that." My father blinked. "And I stand by it. If you wish to leave the castle, Michael, I won't stop you."

  Michael didn't say anything for a moment. "I have nowhere else to go."

  "You are also welcome to stay," my father said. "I will need help to regain my strength and to summon the rest of my servants back."

  He nodded. "Then I'll stay. Thank you, Your Majesty."

  "But not as a servant," I said.

  They both looked at me.

  "He really helped us," I continued. "He protected me. If it wasn't for him, Elizabeth would be picking out her new crown right now."

  "Nikki," my father began, "while I appreciate all that Michael has done, he is a Shadow. And Shadows are servants. That's just the way it is."

  "Doesn't have to be."

  His mouth twitched into a small grin. "Two days with knowledge of this world and she's all ready to change the politics here. But things that have existed for millennia cannot be changed in two days."

  "But you'll make an exception for Michael," I persisted.

  His smile faded as his expression darkened. "If I didn't know better I'd say that there was something between you.

  But that would be forbidden. Humans and demons are not supposed to become romantically involved and neither are Shadows and demons."

  "We're not. . like that," I said, my face flushing.

  He looked at me sternly. "That is good to hear."

  Is that really true? I sent the thought to Michael. What he said?

  ::Yes. It's forbidden for Shadows and demons-or half demons — to be together.:: So the kiss last night?::Forbidden. Very, very forbidden.:: Sounds like a play I had to read in English class, I thought.::What play is that?:: Never mind.

  "So you being with my mom was forbidden," I said after a moment, looking directly at my father. "But you did it anyway."

  "I was young and foolish and willing to break the rules no matter the consequences." He pulled on a black robe and tied the sash at the front. "As you know, the consequences for me were very severe."

  Right. He'd been summoned here against his will and never allowed to leave-then told my mother had died. That was a severe consequence. But even if they hadn't gotten involved, he still would have been summoned back here. It hadn't been a direct punishment for breaking the rules. Just a nasty coincidence.

  "Do you want me to tell my mother about all of this when I go home?" I asked. "She should know the truth after so long. And maybe I could bring her here to see you."

  His face went ashy. He glanced off in the direction of the framed painting of my mother. "No, Nikki. You can't tell her. She won't understand."

  "I didn't understand in the beginning, but I do now."

  He shook his head. "It's best she never knows the truth and continues to think I left her all those years ago. As you said, she's moved on and found happiness. I don't want to do anything to ruin that for her."

  I wasn't sure those had been my exact words. In fact, I was sure they weren't. My mother wasn't happy. She'd searched for love for years and come up with four lousy marriages, and I was including Robert the supreme creep in that number. Maybe if she knew my father still loved her- because I knew he still did, I could see it in his eyes-that might change. "But-" "Please, Nikki. For me. Say nothing to her about any of this."

  I sighed. This wasn't the right time, I got that. Maybe someday, but not now. "Okay, if you say so."

  He frowned very hard. "I will give what you said about Michael some thought. I suppose, in the meantime, I am willing to hold true to my promise to free him from his regular servant status but allow him to stay on here at the castle as a… a paid employee. Would that be better?"

  I looked at Michael. Is that okay with you? I mean, it's not perfect, but it's better than nothing.

  He smiled. "It's a start."

  I approached my father. "Thank you."

  "Will you visit me again?" he asked.

  "On a regular basis. I'm still a Darkling, after all, and I do have these powers to deal with. These potentially dangerous and destructive powers, according to several sources. And it's not like I can just talk to anyone about them." I hesitated. "But I don't know how to find a gateway without Michael always being there."

  He touched the crystal on my bracelet. "Concentrate and you'll find one. This will lead the way for you. Practice will make it easier." He placed his hand against the side of my face. "You should probably go home now or your mother will be worried."

  I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly. I'd always imagined what my father would be like-a good-for-nothing creep who'd left my mother when she was pregnant and vulnerable. But he wasn't like that at all. He was nothing I'd ever expected him to be.

  He was a demon king who ruled over another dimension. Who held back the evil from the Underworld and Hell so my world would be safe from harm.

  He was fairly awesome, actually.

  "Please take care of yourself," I said. "Like, regular exercise, good diet. You need to live for a very long time."

  He laughed. "That's right. You didn't drink the potion after all, did you? You're still my heir. If it's any consolation, demons are known to live for a very, very long time."

  "Still. An apple a day can't hurt." "I will keep that in mind." He touched my shoulder. "I'll see you again, Nikki. Soon."

  I nodded and wiped away a tear. "Definitely."

  Chapter 23

  A little while later Michael and I left the castle and headed back toward the grassy area. I saw my discarded shoes and purse and picked them up, taking a moment to put the strappy heels back on. I'd had a scratch on my shoulder from Elizabeth's talons, but it had disappeared when I'd turned back to human again. A quick inspection of my dress confirmed that, other than a small grass stain on the bottom hem, it was miraculously undamaged.

  I thought I'd had trouble dealing with Elizabeth's wrath? I didn't want to have to face my mother's for ruining her Versace dress. Talk about demonic.

  Michael was quiet on our way to the gateway, which was shimmering where it had been before. I wondered if he was thinking about his new status at the castle. I didn't know if it would change anything, but I hoped that my father would start treating him with a bit more respect. It was the very least that he deserved.

  I couldn't believe that only a couple of days ago I'd seen him across the cafeteria watching me and had been scared by him. Then again, staring at somebody for ten minutes without saying anything was a bit strange. Also, following them into a park after dark wasn't the best way to make a good first impression, either. But I'd long since forgiven him for our rocky start.

  "Hey, are you okay?" I asked when we reached the gateway.

  He nodded, and raised his gaze to mine. His eyes were vibrant green again, even more so in the bright light of the clearing. "I'm fine. Here. ." He peeled off his sweatshirt and draped it over my shoulders. "It's going to be cold back there. Come on."

  He walked through the gateway and I followed him. There was the sudden lurch, the sensation of vertigo, and then I was back home on the dark, chilly street where my house was. I knew I'd left the dance at about eight thirty, and I figured I'd been in the Shadowlands for a few hours at least. It had to be around midnight. The same time I would have been coming home from Winter Formal if it had been just a regular night.

  W
hen we got to my house, we stopped by the maple tree and I looked at him. "Tell me what's wrong."

  He shook his head. "I've been thinking about what your father said. He reminded me about the rules. All this time I've been thinking that you're the princess and I'm just a servant. I forgot about the bigger problem."

  "The Shadow/demon thing?"

  He wasn't looking at me. His green amulet glinted under the street lamp. "I like you, Princess. I like you so much, but there are too many problems. I don't want you to have to deal with this." His expression tensed. "Not that I'm saying you want to deal with this, at all. I mean, it's not like we're together, or anything." He covered his face with his hands. "I think I need to stop talking now."

  I bit my bottom lip, torn between feeling confused and totally elated by his little speech. "Do you have any idea how annoying you are?"

  He nodded. "I know. I'm sorry."

  "If you don't stop apologizing, I think I'm going to kick your butt." I crossed my arms. "And I'm pretty sure I can do it, too."

  Despite himself, he grinned at that. "I'm sure you can."

  There was a pause between us before I said, "Do you know that when Chris asked me to Winter Formal, I'd never been so thrilled about anything in my life?"

  He glowered. "I don't think I'm going to like this story."

  "I thought that this cute guy liked me and I was so happy. He was everything I wanted. Good-looking, popular, and he seemed really nice. I felt so lucky." I breathed out and watched my breath freeze in the air. "But I knew deep down there was something missing."

  "What was missing?"

  I shrugged. "You were."

  He shook his head. "I don't understand."

  "I like you, too, Michael. A lot. Too much, probably."

  He raised his dark eyebrows. "Really?"

  "Really." My cheeks flushed. It wasn't every day I came right out and admitted my real feelings. But Michael seemed to be the sort of guy who needed this kind of thing spelled out for him.

  "But what about what your father said? It's all true. You've never known this sort of thing because you've lived around humans all your life, but there are rules that can't be broken. Shadows and demons-" "I know what he said. And I don't really care." I let out a long sigh. "Everybody always tells me what I have to do. Well, I've decided that from now on sometimes I'm going to listen and sometimes I won't. Now, if you don't want to see me anymore, I totally understand. When I visit my father you can just make sure you're not around. But if you want to-" He kissed me then. I wasn't prepared and I hadn't adequately puckered but it was okay. In fact, it was fantastic. I smiled against his lips as I kissed him back and hugged him against me so I could warm up a bit. He kept his hand firmly pressed against his amulet so it wouldn't shock me.