by Kiersten Fay
Ethanule bolted upright. “No making me swear my allegiance? No need for a heartfelt declaration of my honesty and loyalty?” He said sarcastically.
“I wouldn't believe you if you did.” Sebastian turned toward the door, and Ethanule followed.
“Are you taking me to the princess?”
Sebastian grated his teeth. Ethanule's interest in Anya was unnerving. It might be all in his head, but there seemed to be more behind Ethanule actions than a desire to help his people. It was in the way he spoke of her, the way his eyes had sparkled when he first saw her, and the way they'd gone dead when she'd been in Sebastian's arms. Sebastian shook the thought away.
Anya was waiting for them by the door of her old room. The heavy book sat at her feet, leaning against the wall. A light flowing dress, the color of her eyes, draped around her. She smiled when she caught sight of them, and the tension in Sebastian's shoulders eased a little. He scooped her up, and she gave a little squeal of delight. In the next moment, his lips were on hers in a kiss that was meant to show his affection, but was also a warning to the other male. A show of what was his. Ethanule irritatingly cleared his throat, and Sebastian noted that the man's features had gone cold.
Interesting.
“Good evening, Princess.” He gave a respectful bow.
“Please just call me Anya.”
Ethanule straightened, “Princess Anya.”
“No, just Anya.”
Ethanule looked uncomfortable being offered the casual use of her name, but he covered it quickly, replying, “Anya, then.” He bowed again.
“And no bowing, please. It's just too…strange.”
“Of course, prin…Anya” He smiled, as he had to halt another bow. “You can call me Ethan.”
Sebastian interjected, “This will be your room for the time being.”
Ethanule glanced down at the book. “Shall we get started translating?” Anya eagerly picked it up and Ethanule motioned for her to enter the room, as if he'd lived there forever.
“I don't think so.” Sebastian stayed her with a hand to her elbow. The two of them in a room together, alone? Not happening. “Anya, I'm sure Ethanule wants to take a moment to clean up. Maybe get something to eat or rest.” Before Ethanule could protest, he added, “I'll arrange for a room to be set up for your research. You can begin in the morning.”
“That's not necessary. Here is fine,” Ethanule commented.
“It's no problem. I will be sure you have everything you'll need.” And make it impossible for any private moments, Sebastian added to himself. He began guiding Anya away.
She halted. “What about food? Aren't you going to show him to the salon?”
“He can follow his nose.”
“Bastian, you're being rude.” She turned. “Ethan, when you've finished cleaning up I'll show you where you can get something to eat, and if you're not too tired we can talk about the book.”
* * *
Anya waited patiently outside Ethanule's room as he showered and dressed. She had to argue briefly with Sebastian to get him to leave and gather fresh clothes for Ethan. Eventually he'd gone, and come back minutes later, panting as though he'd run the entire way. His behavior was strange.
Ethan emerged fully dressed in the baggy ill-fitting pants and shirt. His white-blond hair was still wet and tussled. Ethan smiled when their eyes met, and she politely smiled back. Sebastian's changing energy smacked into her, and she shot him a questioning look. Arms crossed, his limbs were stiff. What was going on with him?
“Shall we?” Ethan said, offering her his arm. Not wanting to be impolite, Anya took it. Sebastian's energy shifted again, and she got a very strong impression that he was nearing what he called the Edge. But why?
“Oh, the book!” Using it as an excuse to let go of Ethan, Anya turned to Bastian, placing her hand on his tightly crossed arms. He looked at her and seemed to come back to himself. When she reached for the book, both males did too.
“I'll get that,” they said in unison. Two muscular hands gripped the book at the same time. Then they both began tugging, lightly at first. Anya backed away at their odd behavior, watching with confused fascination as they each refused to let go.
“Guys?”
They both turned hardened faces at her. Ethan's lips curved as he released the book. “By all means, you can carry that,” he said, intertwining his arm with hers. “I am famished. Will you show me to the salon now?”
Suddenly, Sebastian had her other arm, and they began walking in an oddly linked group. Anya was too stunned to react.
In the salon, she quickly squirmed out of their grasp and ducked into the galley for a moment alone.
Marik waved a spatula at her, keeping his attention on the hot pan in front of him. “Something tells me you're not here to work.”
“I'm hiding.”
That got his attention. “From?”
As best she could, she explained the odd behavior. Marik gave her a knowing look, and she thought she was about to get an explanation. He glanced out the small window into the salon. Bastian and Ethan had taken a table, sitting across from each other, their unbroken glares trained on each other. Both males were oozing animosity.
Marik grumbled a curse. “You'd better get back out there before they kill each other.”
That's it? No excuse?
Reaching for a heavy pan, he added, “I'll bring some food as quickly as I can.”
“Oookaay.” She made her way to the table and took the open seat next to Sebastian. His lips twitched in what seemed like an unspoken taunt toward the other male.
This couldn't be all about her? Could it? That would be ridiculous.
“Listen, guys, I get that there are some hurt feelings about what happened on the asteroid and then what happened on this ship, but you're even now. You were both locked up for a while. Can we please call a truce and try to work together?”
“My feelings aren't hurt.” Sebastian was still glaring at Ethanule and vice versa.
“Neither are mine.”
Anya rolled her eyes. Luckily, Marik was true to his word and the food was on its way. Thick cuts of meat smothered in a dark sauce. As soon as the food was in front of them the men began stabbing at it, shoving each bite roughly into their mouths, while staring hard at each other. Anya chewed her food methodically as she watched the scene play out.
“So Ethan,” Anya began, hoping to get the conversation back on track. “Why is it that only part of the book was encrypted?”
With a softer look, he turned to her. “The king thought it would be safer, in case the book fell into the wrong hands, that the locations of the princesses be obscured in code. I have the key, but it will still take some time to decipher.”
“He has the ability to see the future?”
“Sort of. He told me once that it was like seeing through a thick fog. The further into the future, the harder it is to see clearly. He also told me that following the timeline is like following the branches of a tree. Any one direction can turn out to be correct. But then, sometimes branches cross and new, entirely different paths are set.”
“So this mission he's sent you on could be a flop?” Sebastian said callously.
“Bastian,” Anya chastised. “Ethan, have you been in contact with my…father?” It felt so weird to say the word aloud.
“It is said that His Majesty also has the ability to project himself, but he's not come to me since the day I left, and I have no way of getting a message into the palace.
“Project himself?” Sebastian sounded slightly more sincere.
“I've never seen him do it, but I’ve heard rumors. Supposedly, for a short period of time he can send his conscious out of his body. Those who have seen it say his projection looks transparent, like solidified smoke.”
Her heart jumped and she covered her mouth in shock. The vision of the old man. Could that have been her father?
“What is it?”
“I think I've seen him. What does he look
like?”
“Last I know, he had wavy short hair, light grey. He's a little taller than you are now, thin, straight nose, ice blue eyes like you. You are the one who resembles him most.”
He'd been there all those times when she was ready to surrender to insanity. His presence, for reasons she'd never known till now, kept her from losing her mind completely.
“I always thought he was a delusion of my mind.”
“That means he must still be alive. I'd had my doubts.” Ethan trailed off, recognizing the war behind her eyes. “Princess…”
“I know. If he could have done something more, he would have. He did help me though. He kept me from…well…seeing him helped me get through it. He always knew when I needed him most.” She swallowed the lump in her throat.
They finished their meal and agreed to meet in the morning to begin deciphering the book. Things got weird between the two males again when Ethan kissed her hand and wished her a good night. She was beginning to see a pattern.
In their bedroom, she asked, “Why were you being so rude to Ethan? He only wants to help.”
“Ethanule,” Sebastian emphasized his full name, “wants to do more than just help.”
“What does that mean?”
* * *
——
* * *
He gave her an exasperated look. “He's Faieara, you're Faieara. He sacrificed a part of his life to find you. It's obvious he wants you.” More than obvious, the man was practically holding up a flashing sign.
“He does not.”
“He does. I know he does because I want you just as badly.” More.
“You have me.”
“Not yet I don't. I haven't claimed you.” Not like he needed to. “And I won't until you ask me to.” He felt her slipping away from him. Why would she need him when she was so close to getting back to her people?
“I do want you to, but I'm just not ready.”
“And if Ethanule does want to be with you?”
“He doesn't,” she groaned. “And I wouldn't.”
He could see she was growing impatient. “Are you so sure?” Was it his imagination or was that a flicker of doubt that crossed her face?
“Of course I'm sure. And I'm finished with this conversation. Be nicer to him, or else.”
“Or else what?” he challenged.
“I'll find somewhere else to sleep.” She knew just where to hit him.
“With him? I'll kill him before that happens.”
“I'll bunk with Sonya. Ethan wasn't even a consideration, but thanks for the vote of confidence. Ethan has no interest in me, besides the fact that I'm his princess and our people are in need of help. Your assumption is beyond ridiculous. If you keep treating him, me, like this…”
“What?” he grated when she trailed into silence.
She crossed to the bathroom, opening the door. With her back to him, she turned her head. “You'll lose my heart forever.”
Then she finished her devastating blow with a quiet click of the door.
* * *
——
* * *
The next morning was awkwardly silent between them.
The night before, when Anya had finally emerged from the bathroom, they hadn't spoken. She'd briefly eyed the couch before deciding to slip into bed next to him, stubbornly turning herself away.
He hadn't reached for her like he had wanted to. He'd been angry that she didn't believe him, didn't trust him, dismissed him so easily.
However, this morning he was seeing things from a different angle, and he suspected the reason Anya had gotten so angry with him was because he didn't show any trust in her. He knew she would never hurt him by accepting Ethanule's advances.
Anya was dressing now, preparing to leave, to start her daily routine, without a word. She wouldn't even meet his eyes. He hated this. The distance between them was like a thousand galaxies. He had to do something about it.
“I'm sorry about last night,” he started.
She stopped, mid-shoe, finally meeting his gaze. She looked tired, as if she hadn't slept a wink. “I am too.”
He grabbed her hand, gently pulling her to him. “I want you to know that I trust you, completely. More than I've ever trusted anyone, which is saying something.”
She rewarded him with a genuine smile and leaned in for a kiss. He wasted no time, pulling her as close to him as he should have last night.
“Thank you,” she said against his mouth.
“Don't thank me yet. I still don't trust him. Don't give me that look. He peers at you like…”
“Like what? Like he hasn't seen one of his own kind in, oh, I don't know, four hundred years? Or like he finally, after so long, thinks he found the key to saving his people and going home? Finally on the verge of completing his mission?”
“All those things may be true. But there's more, I just…” He paused. “My instincts are on high alert when he's near you. I don't like it.”
Anya stroked his jaw, her eyes tender and understanding. “You have nothing to worry about. I promise you, he's no more interested in me than he is in Sonya.”
Chapter 24
Anya traced her finger over the cool metal framing the book cover. Something inside her sparked with electricity every time she came in contact with it. Its ancient magic sang to her. The book seemed to pulse in recognition of her.
Ethanule stood to her side, silent, as though he too felt the magic.
They were sitting in a room Sebastian provided. She'd laughed when she first saw it. It was practically across from the pub. She'd already spotted Sonya peeking her head out at them. There were no doors, only archways, giving the illusion of a room without being enclosed by four walls. One thing she appreciated was that he'd supplied them with computers, in case they needed to look up locations or other relevant information.
Sebastian hadn't stayed long after bringing them here. He'd kissed her goodbye and then stepped into the pub for a few seconds before heading toward the control room.
Their fight the night before was unnerving. He'd shown no trust in her, and she'd reciprocated the feeling. She felt terrible about it, but she truly believed that Ethan just wanted to help. She had probed his energy and found nothing that indicated he was attracted to her.
Gently lifting the flap of the book, she opened it to the first page. Excitement and relief radiated from Ethan. He began looking over the encrypted pages with earnest.
Anya watched him work, not being of any more use than providing the way in. Out of boredom, she studied his features. He was handsome, she supposed. Not more handsome than Sebastian by any measure. His pointed ears peeked out of his blond hair. It felt nice seeing the oddly shaped feature on someone else.
Ethan caught her eyeing him with a quick glance. “You're staring at my ears.”
She just smiled and shrugged. “I've only seen them in the mirror.” When he went back to his task, she tried to occupy her mind with other things, but soon became restless. “Ethan?”
“Yes,” he said, still scanning the book.
“Will you tell me about our home planet?”
His lips curled slightly, yet he seemed saddened. His eyes gazed past her as if he were seeing far away. “It's beautiful. Towering mountains, deep valleys. Some trees are so large they seem to touch the suns. Do you remember anything at all? Our two suns, and the three moons?”
“I get flashes every now and again. Not much to go on. I wish I could remember more.”
“Most of our people favor the warm regions. Cold disagrees with us, don't you agree?”
“Yes.” She'd always hated the cold. “What else?”
“Our society is a free society. Well, it was anyway. Used to be that you could choose your own path in life, whatever that may be. Our markets were rich with traders and merchants and entertainment. You could walk through our town center on market day and not even see a quarter of what was available. As a princess, you would have attended festivals and parties. Your on
ly care would have been what to wear to each.” He quieted. “We'll defeat the Kayadon,” he said, as if it were a fact. “Then, after the wedding, I'll show you everything our planet has to offer.”
“Wedding?”
He nodded, scanning a finger down a page. “Once we are wed, I'll take you through the forest of lights, which is actually so thick with canopy that it's shadowed in darkness year round. It's called the forest of light because the creatures that live there have evolved to illuminate parts of their bodies.”
Anya heard nothing after wed. He took her stunned silence the wrong way.
“Don't worry, it's perfectly safe.”
“Excuse me, but, did you just say we and wed?”
Ethan seemed confused by her question, averting his attention from the book.
“What makes you think we would wed?”
“Well.” He uncomfortably rubbed the back of his neck. “It was agreed upon…by the King…that once I returned with his daughters, I would be rewarded with the privilege to marry one.” His cheeks slightly darkened.
Anya could kick herself. Sebastian had been right and she'd ignored his instincts, had even become angry with him. But Sebastian's fear hadn't really been that Ethan wanted her. It was that she would want him back. Suddenly, like a jolt to the brain, she was struck with a deep understanding—the truth of her feelings.
“Ethan,” she sighed. “I love Sebastian. With everything in me, I love him. And I choose him.” How could she fear being tied to him when she loved him so much?
“But, he's a demon,” Ethan said, as though that explained everything.
A snarky voice came from behind. “I'll take a demon over a pirate any day.” Sonya stood just outside the archway, two full glasses of water in her hands.
Anya felt Ethan's energy spike as Sonya handed one of the ice filled drinks to her.
“Yes, but you are a demon,” he said.
Sonya grabbed her tail and looked at it with utter surprise. “So I am.” Her voice dripped with feigned awe. “And very soon this demon is going to be your boss. Your ass is mine, pirate.” Sonya considered the glass in her hand. “I have no idea why I brought two of these,” she said and turned to leave, her tail swishing behind her.
