The Ice Diamond Cuff (Custodian Novel #4)

by Alison Pensy

  Jocelyn's dress was the same color as Skylar's. Her fitted bodice also laced down the back. The neckline was square and was accented by gold Celtic knot-work embroidery. The dress had straps but no sleeves, baring Jocelyn's flawless pale shoulders under her tumbles of sleek, wavy black and white hair. It had a drop waist which was also accented with gold embroidery. The skirt fell straight to the floor at the front but was fuller in the back, creating a small fishtail train.

  Jocelyn's smile split her face in two. "Thank you, Faedra, but you are the one who looks stunning." Jocelyn turned, took Faedra by the hands and stepped back. She ran her appraising gaze up and down the length of her friend. "My brother is a very lucky fae," she said. "The seamstresses have done you proud."

  Faedra looked down at her ivory dress. Jocelyn was right; the seamstresses had done her proud. The satiny material skimmed over her body like a whisper, pooling around her feet so that when she walked it would train out behind her. The bodice was fitted and heavily embroidered with gold Celtic knot-work down the front, just like the pattern on both of her father's doublets. The sleeves were made from a gauzy material. The seams of which ended at the elbows where the material then fell open and draped almost to the floor. The dress was completed with a sash of satin for a belt that nestled low on her hips and tied loosely below her waist, the ends of which flowed to the floor and blended with the skirt. Faedra giggled at her reflection and twirled around, too.

  "We all look gorgeous," Faedra announced, pulling Jocelyn and Skylar in for a hug. "What do you think, Lady Allora?" She looked up to where Skylar's mother was seated in a tapestry covered wing-backed chair. The lady sniffed and, fishing out a linen handkerchief, dabbed at her eyes.

  "Mama!" Skylar cried. Breaking from the group, she ran over to her mother's side. "Why are you crying?"

  Allora sniffed again and wiped away another tear. "You all look so beautiful," she said.

  There was a knock at the door. Everyone turned.

  "Come in," Faedra called.

  The door opened just enough for a beautiful young girl to poke her head around.

  "Excuse me, Your Highness," she said, a flush blooming on her cheeks.

  Although Faedra knew everyone must address her formally, she wondered if she'd ever get used to it. Inside, she still felt like plain old Faedra. "Yes, Callie?"

  "Your father requested your presence. The guests are starting to arrive. He would like you to meet him at the fountain in front of the castle."

  Faedra's heart leapt to her mouth and her heartbeat quickened. This was it. It was really happening. She was only a couple of days away from her wedding day. Then something struck her as odd. Why would her father want to meet people at the fountain? Didn't he usually greet guests in the great hall?

  "Tell him I'll be right down," Faedra said, as she turned to allow one of the seamstresses to undo the pearl buttons that ran the length of her back, and then some.

  "Thank you, My Lady," Callie said, backing out behind the door.

  "Callie, wait," Faedra called. The young fae's face appeared at the door again, her expression curious.

  Faedra looked over her shoulder at the seamstress who was industriously undoing the fastenings down the back of her dress. "On second thoughts tell my father I may be a little while getting out of this dress. I'll be there as soon as I can." She followed her request with a lighthearted smile.

  Callie inclined her head and left. Faedra turned to Jocelyn and took hold of her hands.

  "Oh, my God," Faedra squealed. "This is really happening, isn't it?" The two friends started bouncing up and down with excitement until the seamstress gave a disapproving grunt and Faedra stilled, realizing the poor woman was still trying to extricate her from the dress.

  "It is, Faedra," Jocelyn squealed back. "In just two days, I can officially call you my sister."

  There was a sob from the couch and both Faedra and Jocelyn turned to see Allora dabbing at her eyes again. The Lady held up her hand and waved it dismissively. "Don't mind me," she said between sniffs.

  Faedra and Jocelyn fell into fits of giggles.

  ***

  Half an hour later, Faedra made her way down to the fountain as instructed. She saw her father and her groom-to-be. They were standing in front of the ornate water fountain that adorned the front flower garden in the castle grounds, watching intently. She wandered over and stood in between them.

  "Hi," she said. Both men turned their heads and greeted her with a warm smile before returning their eyes to the fountain. "Have our guests arrived yet?" she asked.

  "Not yet," the king replied, not taking his eyes off the fountain.

  Faen took hold of her hand and twined his fingers with hers. A jolt of electricity shot up her arm. She concentrated on her energy, not wanting to shock her Guardian, then she realized it was his excitement that was racing through his fingers.

  Curious, Faedra looked up at each of them with a questioning glance, but they had their attention firmly rooted on the fountain before them and didn't respond. Faedra scrunched her mouth to one side and turned her attention to the fountain, also. It was just a fountain. She had walked past it countless times in the past year. Water trickled with a soothing flow from an angled jug, held in the arms of a beautiful statue of a fae maiden, into the massive reservoir at the bottom. She couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Subconsciously, she scratched her head.

  A few moments passed and her curiosity got the better of her. "Why are we staring at a fountain?"

  "You'll see," the king answered.

  Okay, why was he being so cryptic? Faedra wondered, casting her father another confused look; and why was her fiancé so excited about watching water trickle down a fountain.

  She didn't have to wait long for her answer.

  Faedra took a step back when the water in the lower basin started to bubble with wild abandon. Her eyes widened. "I'm not doing that...honestly," she said, casting her father and Faen a worried look.

  Her father responded with a warm smile. "I know."

  "Well...what is?" Faedra squeaked.

  "Patience, my dear. You will see in just moment. All will be revealed soon enough."

  Faen squeezed Faedra's hand. Distracted, she tore her eyes away from the bubbling water and looked up at her Guardian. His warm, reassuring energy was an instant balm. Faen returned his attention to the fountain and his look of reassurance turned into a look of recognition. He encouraged Faedra to follow his line of sight. She did and sucked in a gasp.

  The Custodian blinked a couple of times. She'd seen a lot of weird things since finding out who she was, but this...this was something else entirely.

  There were three circles of bubbles raging within in the basin of the font. Faedra's eyes widened as her brain registered three shapes forming from the bottom up. It was like someone pouring water into a mold. The transparent water sculpted calves, knees, thighs, a skirt-like piece of liquid clothing. Up higher, and now three stomachs were bared to her, perfectly shaped. One male with well-defined abs, two females with soft waistlines. Up even higher, and the male form was shaping a perfect set of pecs, the two female forms were shaping form fitting bras over trim bust lines. Continuing upwards shoulders were generating, as they did, long muscular arms were being created from the shoulders down. Then came necklines. The male's was thick and muscular, both female's slender and long. Finally heads and faces. The male's face was strong, commanding. The females were beautiful, delicate, with long, sleek liquid hair that spiraled down as soon as the head was fully developed. It fell in long sleek waves over their shoulders. The hair on the male's head was shoulder length and mussed.

  Faedra stood rooted to the spot, her jaw slack.

  "Breathe, Faedra," Faen said, squeezing her hand.

  Good idea, Faedra thought, dragging in a deep breath. She looked up to see her Guardian's amused smile.

  "Derian, it is good to see you again, my friend," the king greeted.

  Faedra turned her attention ba
ck to their guests. All three of whom were now stepping from the basin of the fountain, perfectly formed beings made of nothing but water. She could see right through them, but it was distorted, like looking thought a glass bottle. They didn't have any color to speak of, but the odd sparkle would reflect off them in the sun's rays.

  Derian and the king bowed to each other, then the king turned his attention to the older looking of the two female forms.

  "My Lady Jalia," he said reverently. He leaned over and placed a kiss to the back of her offered hand. "You look beautiful, as ever."

  Watery lips curved at the king's compliment. The lady inclined her head and took a step back allowing the last person in the group to step forward.

  "And Princess Eadlin," the king said, "My, how you have grown." The king duplicated his gesture and kissed the back of her outstretched hand. "Welcome to Azran. I am pleased to welcome you as my guests and will make every effort to ensure your comfort during your stay."

  All three of the newcomers inclined their heads.

  "Thank you for the invitation, Kenreth. We are honored to be here."

  The king turned and took Faedra's hand, pulling her forward. Faedra snapped her jaw shut, realizing she was still staring, open mouthed, at the spectacle that was unfolding before her.

  "May I introduce my daughter, Princess Faedra," the king stated. "Faedra, this is King Derian, Queen Jalia, and Princess Eadlin of the realm Umor."

  Say something, Faedra, she told herself brusquely. She was still in shock from seeing three perfectly formed beings mold themselves out of the water in her father's fountain.

  "Um, hello," she managed to splutter. "Pleased to meet you." Is that what you said in a situation like this? She couldn't remember. All her 'princess training' had just packed its bags and was heading for the station. She cringed, Saxen would be having a conniption if he could see her right now. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind and decided to do the best she could with the manners her dad had taught her growing up.

  She thrust out her hand to King Derian for him to shake. A perfectly formed liquid eyebrow twitched at her gesture, and Faedra found Savu's fire to be an immediate problem. Her cheeks burned red, and her whole face felt like it was on fire. She was obviously not doing this whole greeting-rulers-from-other-realms thing the way she was supposed to. At least, if the being before her did decide to take her hand, she was relieved by the fact that she couldn't burn him.

  Derian's look of confusion turned to one of amusement. He leaned forward and took Faedra's hand, turning it over to bare her knuckles to him. As soon as he did, there was a loud sizzle with steam rising from where their fingers touched. Faedra wanted the ground to swallow her up when she saw the startled expression on Derian's face. She retracted her previous thought. She may not be able to burn him, but, at this rate, she could probably evaporate him to death.

  Faen and her Father took a step forward.

  "Oh, God," Faedra whimpered, her expression tortured. "I'm so sorry." She tried to tug her hand away from the visitor's, but Derian held fast. The steam hissing between them was doing nothing to quell the Custodian's rising panic, which, in and of itself, was making the matter worse. Derian held up his free hand to halt the king and Faen in their tracks, not taking his eyes off the fear-filled ones of Azran's princess. He tilted his head, the startled expression giving way to a look of consideration. A smile tugged at his lips. He leaned in to kiss her on the knuckles. Steam hissed from his lips and wafted up from either side of his face. Faedra's eyes widened in disbelief. What was he doing? Didn't he value his life? But even as she thought the questions, she could feel a cooling sensation around her hand. Her brows creased. What was happening? Whatever it was, she certainly hadn't experienced anything like it since absorbing Savu's powers. The cool sensation continued up her hand over her wrist and along her forearm. It felt icy hot, like one of those balms athletes rub on sore muscles after a workout. The sensation traveled up her arm, along her shoulder and made its way to her face. The burning in her cheeks ebbed and her head felt cool for the first time in a long time.

  Faedra closed her eyes and reveled in the coolness of Derian's touch. All propriety went straight out the window as she let her head drop back. "Ahh," she murmured, "That feels so good." The flow of Derian's cooling energy had made its way across to her other arm and was now snaking its way down Faedra's torso. She could almost visualize the flames inside her being doused by water.

  Somewhere deep in the back of her mind, she registered someone clearing their throat. She ignored it. A second later the same sound penetrated her brain again, this time it was much more urgent. Faedra's subconscious shook her by the shoulders. Her eyes opened and she was greeted by Derian's warm smile, his eyes flickering with the merest hint of amusement. Faedra was still holding his hand. Oh, how embarrassing. He had somehow extinguished her heat so her cheeks no longer had the ability to flush. Thankfully.

  She turned to look at her father, whose eyes flashed with disapproval. Faedra's heart sank. Her very first diplomatic greeting and she had screwed it up big time. She felt so ashamed.

  She shot Derian a sheepish smile and tried to pull her hand away, only to have Derian grasp it even tighter. Faedra's eyes widened at Umor's king. Why wouldn't he give her hand back? Derian's smile was still warm, reaching all the way to his eyes.

  "You have a formidable power there, young princess," he said. "When I let go of your hand, the effects of it will come rushing back. I just want you to be prepared. Do you understand what I am saying to you?"

  Faedra looked at him in stunned silence. For the first time in nearly two years, there was no roaring furnace raging in her ears. Her head was at peace, her body was not fighting to keep control. She felt truly relaxed. She felt cool. She didn't want the power back; fear spiked through her at the thought. She wanted to feel like this again for all time. Faedra hadn't taken her eyes from Derian's as his words permeated her brain. As the realization dawned on her what was about to happen, a tear slid down her cheek. She drew in a deep breath and gave the king a barely perceptible nod.

  Derian nodded back and slowly released her hand.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Faedra sucked in a sharp gasp as the roaring flames engulfed her again. No slow build up, no warning, the power just slammed into her, around her, smothering her with its intensity. She staggered back a couple of steps and leaned over, resting her hands above her knees to steady herself. The roar. The heat. The burning. It was all back with a vengeance. She sensed her Guardian's worry and looked to her side.

  "Don't touch me!" she screamed, as he reached out to put a hand on her back. Faen drew his hand away, his eyes wide. "I'll burn you," she murmured, softer this time, as she saw the dismay on her beautiful Guardian's face. "Just give me a minute to get this under control again."

  She dropped her head, panting. Unchecked tears were flowing now, evaporating half way down her cheeks with a sizzle. Derian had given her a glimpse of what it felt like to be normal again, or as normal as she could be after her eighteenth birthday. She had almost forgotten what it felt like. She didn't want to go back to this, it was too much. Her emotions were getting the better of her, she didn't have a hope of getting her powers back in check when she felt this upset, this desperate.

  A panicked squeal made her lift her head. A tree beside the fountain had burst into flames and the water in the font bubbled angrily. Eadlin's eyes darted from the tree, to Faedra, to her father. She moved closer to him, her terrified gaze connecting with the Custodian's, as she did. A fresh wave of emotions swamped Faedra, this time they were her own. Disgust at herself topping the list. Then her eyes widened as she absorbed the fact that steam was flowing off the visitors. Jalia noticed it, too, and grabbed hold of her daughter and husband, dragging them back further. Faedra turned to her father and her Guardian, both of whom had taken several steps back. Both sets of eyes filled with anxiety.

  This was not good. Oh, this was so not good. If she was to have any
chance of getting some semblance of control over the power that took her over more than a year ago, she had to get away from the five pairs of eyes that were gawking at her. Between them, the energies were too intense, ranging from worry to fear. She could tolerate people being worried about her but she loathed herself when people feared her. She was just a young woman, she wasn't a monster. She wasn't.

  Faedra cast her teary gaze around the assemblage. She swallowed, hard. "I'm...so sorry. I...can't..." She let out a strangled sob before taking off. It was as if Derian had opened Pandora's Box. She couldn't get the power under control again. Faedra was terrified. There was one place she could go that she knew she wouldn't hurt the occupants. She disappeared inside the castle and prayed she didn't raze it to the ground before reaching her destination. The doors to her father's study flew open without her touching them. Right now, Faedra didn't dare touch anything for fear of setting the place on fire. If she didn't have to retrieve a certain object, she wouldn't be inside the castle at all. She had to hurry. Faedra held her hand up and the doors to an ornate cabinet flew open. The roar in her head was getting louder. Would she spontaneously combust? She came to a stop in front of the cabinet and eyed its contents.

  Faedra drew in a long breath and scrunched her eyes closed. The flames were raging in her brain, but she had to pull them back from her hand if this was going to work. With gritted teeth, she summoned forth every ounce of control she still possessed. Her face strained with the effort, but she was successful as she managed to pull the heat back to her wrist. She tested her fingers on the wood of the cabinet with a tentative touch. Good, no scorch marks. But she had to hurry; she couldn't keep the heat held back for long. She reached in and grabbed the ruby staff.

  ***

  "Draconis...help...me" Faedra's strangled voice echoed around the walls of the great hall in Zutherindal.

  Draconis turned, his emerald green eyes flashed when they fell on the distressed Custodian. In one fluid movement Draconis traveled the length of the hall. He scooped Faedra up just as her legs gave way and buckled underneath her.