Dark Promise (Between Worlds #1)

by Julia Crane

  “What did you think of the grounds, Oleander?” Lena asked in a gentle voice.

  I shrugged, tearing a piece off the croissant. I didn’t want to admit how beautiful their world was; it felt too much like giving in. “What I saw was nice.”

  A servant passed by and refilled my glass of juice. I smiled up at her.

  “Very different from the human realm, isn’t it?” Lena prodded.

  “Yup.” I picked at the croissant and didn’t say anything else.

  Lena kept trying to get us all to talk, but it was useless. Another uncomfortable meal. I would never belong in the faery world.

  After breakfast, Kallan asked, “Do you wish to take another walk?”

  Part of me wanted to say no so I could go back to my room and wait for them to kill me. But the other part was so captivated by the outside world, I found myself nodding. “I’d like to see what it looks like at this time of day. It’ll be nice to stretch my legs.”

  “Very well.” He stood and almost offered me his hand, but must have thought better of it, walking instead to the door, where he waited patiently for me. At least it seemed like he wasn’t horrified at the idea of walking with me anymore, not to mention he’d figured me out enough to know I didn’t want to be coddled.

  The beauty of the land struck me speechless. There were so many colorful birds dancing through the sky above us, and the grass and trees were so lush and bright. It was like something from a dream.

  We walked under the bright sun for a while before either of us said anything.

  I finally had to break the silence. “You have a girlfriend?”

  “In a way. It’s not like what you’re used to.”

  “You like her?”

  “Very much.”

  “So you’d rather be with her than be forced to be with me?”

  He paused. “I’m not sure she’s ‘the one,’ but I don’t wish to be forced to marry you—or anyone else for that matter.”

  I stopped walking. “Then why aren’t you standing up for yourself?”

  “You heard him, Oleander. He’ll kill you. I may not want to marry you, but I don’t wish to see you dead. I would rather not have that on my conscience.” He paused, glancing away with that ever-present tick in his jaw. “I’m not a monster.”

  I peeked over at him as we continued walking. His face was thoughtful, maybe even a little peaceful compared to the atmosphere in the dining room.

  We approached a Japanese-style bridge flanked by long, leafy ferns and quaint rock sculptures. The bridge itself was arched gracefully over the stream, painted bright red. Halfway across, I stopped and stared down into the rushing water. Golden fish played in the water, darting about as if in some kind of water ballet. The water was a strange turquoise; I had never seen quite that shade of blue before. It was stunning.

  “What do you like to do?” I asked after the silence started bothering me again.

  Kallan shrugged. “We train a lot, so that takes up most of my free time. I really enjoy fencing, and I like to play sports. Father doesn’t allow me a lot of time to do trivial things.”

  “Sports? What kind of sports?” Just the thought of sports made my heart ache. Adam was obsessed with sports.

  Kallan stared into the water. “We have many sports that are similar to the humans. My favorite is close to what you would know as rugby.”

  “That’s cool. I’ve never watched a rugby game before.” I finished walking over the bridge and glanced back at Kallan, who looked deep in thought. As he joined me on the opposite bank, I asked, “Do you have friends?”

  He laughed, and that beautiful sound made me smile inside. “Of course I have friends. Do you find me so repulsive that you don’t think anyone else could possibly like me?”

  I stole a glance at him, and for the life of me, I just couldn’t imagine him having friends and playing sports. He wasn’t normal. “No, it’s not that. It’s just hard to picture. I guess I just don’t know much about you.”

  “I don’t know anything about you, either. What do you normally enjoy?” He directed the question to me with eyes that seemed interested in my answer.

  “I’m in the choir. I love singing and dancing. I’m horrible at anything athletic. Mainly, I like to hang out with my best friend, Sierra, and Ad—” I felt really uncomfortable talking about Adam to the guy I was supposed to marry, so I changed the subject. “Do you ever go into the human world?”

  “No,” he said curtly.

  “Never? Not even once?”

  There was a long pause. “I’ve gone once. My father doesn’t like it. And I don’t either. I don’t see what’s so great about it. Our world is far superior.” His voice was filled with hatred.

  I wasn’t sure I understood his answer, but I knew better than to question him anymore. I wondered what had happened that made him hate the human world so much. It seemed to be much more than just his upbringing.

  A thought crossed my mind, and I spun around to look at Kallan. “What’s your power?”

  “I wish you hadn’t asked me that.” Kallan ran a hand through his dark hair, and the front stayed spiked. It was eccentric and cute. “People fear me because of my power.”

  My curiosity was piqued. “Tell me.”

  He stopped in his tracks, studying me intently as he said, “Mind control.”

  “What do you mean ‘mind control’? Like compulsion?”

  “Kinda, but I also have the ability to completely erase someone’s memories. I could turn someone into a blank slate.” He looked at the ground. “It’s a powerful tool. Your mind is your most valuable asset, and knowing you could lose control of it is scary.”

  I heard Varwik in the assessment. It was seriously like he’d been completely brainwashed from birth. “I could see where that could cause fear.”

  “I would never use it on you,” he told me quickly, one hand darting out to touch my hand where it hung at my side.

  I met his eyes and was about to question whether or not he really would when I remembered that faeries can’t lie. Suddenly, I had another thought. “Why don’t you clear your father’s memory of me, and I can escape?”

  He frowned, and I could tell he warred with himself over his answer. I could only imagine how difficult it would be to love and hate your own dad. “I wish I could. My father is immune to any kind of power. That’s how he became leader of our land. No one could best him.”

  “Really? Immunity is his power?”

  “More or less,” Kallan agreed.

  That power would be one to truly fear. “I still don’t know what my power is. Can you help me figure that out?”

  “No, it doesn’t work that way. Gifts just show themselves when it is time. I’m sure you will find yours soon enough.”

  “Figures,” I said under my breath. Nothing was easy in the faery world, it seemed.

  A few minutes later, he escorted me back to the castle and up to my room. “I’ll see you at dinner?” His tone of voice made it seem more like a question than a statement.

  Like I had a choice? “Sure.”

  I walked into my room and the door closed behind me, the lock sliding into place. Apparently, they told him to make sure the door was locked. Just my luck.

  I flung myself on the bed and thought about what Kallan had said about his abilities and Varwik’s immunity to all abilities. Even if I had an awesome ability, I couldn’t use it on him, at least not now.

  But if I had an ability to help me escape, he couldn’t do anything about it. Now…if I could just figure out what my ability was.

  I plopped down on the bed and tried to think of every book I’ve ever read, every movie I’ve seen. Maybe it would spark an idea. But nothing much came to mind. I let my head fall into my hands, frustrated.

  The room was becoming smaller with every passing hour. I hated being cooped up. My hands were sweaty and shaky as I paced. I had to get out of here. I leaned up against the door and rested my forehead on it, praying for a way out.

&n
bsp; The next day when Lena came, she said, “Varwik said you could walk around the gardens today, if you’d like, as long as I accompany you.”

  “Gee, how nice of him,” I said sarcastically, turning another page in Romeo & Juliet. I was almost done with it.

  “You shouldn’t be like that,” Lena told me gently. “He’s giving you some freedom. You should be grateful.”

  “I wouldn’t call it freedom,” I told her without looking up from the words on the page. I fingered the corner of the page for a moment before turning it down. “But I guess I’ll take what I can get.”

  A few minutes later, I was out in the sun, taking in the beauty around me. I could hear a bunch of low male voices ahead and followed the sound. Through the leaves, I spotted Kallan with three other faery men. They were standing in a group with what looked like lacrosse sticks. Kallan had a big goofy grin on his face as he talked to his friends. It looked so out of place from the Kallan I knew. He was wearing a T-shirt and jeans, something much different than the clothes he normally wore. This was a different side of Kallan. One I found myself wishing I could see more often.

  Ugh. I needed to stop thinking of him like that. The only person I should be thinking about was Adam.

  Lena tried to pull me back, but I shook my head. I wanted to see what they were doing.

  One of them held up a finger. He was a short, thick-necked guy with platinum-blond hair. “There’s someone else here.” The boy spun in a circle, his eyes scanning the woods. They passed right over me.

  Kallan’s eyes, however, landed right on me. “Come out, Oleander.”

  Slowly, I walked into the clearing, heat rushing to my cheeks. I felt so exposed, and slightly embarrassed to be caught spying on them.

  Kallan’s hair was ruffled, and his eyes cold. “What are you doing out here?”

  “Just walking the grounds. I heard voices. I wanted to see who it was.” I stared at him defiantly. “Do you have a problem with that?”

  The tall, red-haired faery to his right let out a whistle. “She’s hot and feisty, Kallan. I like it.”

  Kallan shrugged. “She’s okay.”

  “Okay?” the shorter blond one said. “She’s gorgeous. Look at those wings.”

  “You want her? Take her. She’s yours,” Kallan said hotly.

  He laughed. “Isn’t she promised to you?” The guy was giving me the creeps the way he kept looking up and down my body.

  “She wants nothing to do with me, nor I with her. So, you go for it. Good luck. She’s a pain in the ass.”

  I narrowed my eyes. I couldn’t believe how much anger welled up in my chest. “I hate you!” How dare he pawn me off on his friends? Who did he think he was? I picked up a rock and threw it at him before storming back in the direction of the castle.

  Lena hurried to catch up. “He didn’t mean anything. He was just showing off for his friends.”

  “Whatever.” I didn’t bother looking back. I wasn’t okay with the tears in my eyes, so I definitely didn’t want her to see them, either.

  “You have to understand your rebuttal is hard for him to take. He’s used to getting what he wants.”

  I spun around on the balls of my feet. “Are you kidding me? He doesn’t want me. He can’t even stand the sight of me.”

  Lena just smiled.

  I refused to eat anything at all that day, and just stayed in my room. I didn’t understand what had happened with Kallan, and I wanted to talk about it with Sierra. It made me more homesick when I thought about how truly alone I was.

  That night, I dreamt of Adam. He was holding me in bed. He pressed his lips on mine, I closed my eyes, and the kissed deepened. When I opened my eyes in the dream, Adam was gone and Kallan was there instead. I woke up crying. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it was going to come out of my chest.

  I heard the light pitter-patter of footsteps outside my door. Bursting into my room a few seconds later, Lena asked, “Oleander, are you all right?”

  I wrung my hands in my lap and then pushed my hair out of my face trying to compose myself. “Yeah, just a bad dream.”

  She narrowed her eyes like she was trying to figure out if I was telling the truth. Finally, she asked, “Do you need anything? I can give you something to help you sleep.” Her voice was gentle, and it reminded me of my mother. Just the thought of her made my heart ache. I wondered how she was holding up since I disappeared. I’m sure she and Dad were both a wreck.

  “Oleander?”

  “No, thanks,” I mumbled and rolled over on the bed. “Not unless you can bring me home.”

  She nodded and closed the door softly behind her.

  I tried to fall back asleep, but just couldn’t. I kept thinking about the dream and what it meant. Why would I dream about kissing Kallan? I didn’t like him that way. He was such a jerk! Every time I saw him, I wanted to throw something at him. He sure as heck wasn’t Adam.

  Now I was positive I had to get out of this place. I felt like I was losing myself.

  There was a knock at the door. I knew it was Lena. Her knocks were short, and she always paused before opening the door. “Morning,” she said, sticking her head in. “Varwik said I could let you out a little early today, if you were up to it, and let you walk around before breakfast.”

  “Oh, lucky me. Breakfast and a walk. How nice of him to allow these things. I feel like a pampered pet,” I said sarcastically. I’d been lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My book was finished on the nightstand, and I was going stir-crazy.

  Lena flipped her hair back. “I guess he wants you to spend more time with Kallan. Take advantage of it.”

  As if two daily meals and a dream weren’t enough?

  “I’ll go get ready.” As much as I hated doing anything Varwik said, I had to get out of the room. I was starting to feel like a caged animal.

  I showered and dressed quickly.

  Lena met me outside my door with a smile. “You look beautiful. Where do you want to go?”

  “Thanks. As far away as we can go would be nice.”

  “Very well.” She began walking, and I followed, taking in parts of the house I hadn’t seen before. Varwik really did have impeccable taste. I ran my hand across a long wooden desk in the library, then paused to admire a beautiful stained-glass lamp that sat on it.

  When I looked up again, Lena was waiting at the door, tapping her foot. I hurried to catch up to her. She pushed the door open, and we walked outside. I was greeted with the bright sun and the tropical scent of flowers. I was beginning to get used to being barefoot outside, which scared me. I didn’t want to get used to anything here, because as far as I was concerned, it was still a temporary situation. But the feeling of the soft grass felt comforting, and even when I was walking on the rocky path, it didn’t seem to bother me. I felt like I was one with nature.

  I walked to a large, open area in the courtyard with all different kinds of flowers, most of which I had never seen before. I smiled and sat down in the middle of the field. I leaned back on my hands and closed my eyes, letting the sun shine down on my face. Out of nowhere, I began to sing my solo. I don’t know what prompted me to do so, it just came out.

  The notes came easily. I let the song surround me and comfort me. It was a piece of home in a strange and horrible place. It helped me forget that my life was in danger, that if I couldn’t find a way out, I’d be forced to marry someone I didn’t love.

  Someone who wasn’t Adam.

  “Wow.”

  I snapped my head around to find Kallan staring down at me. He stood a few feet behind me, his hands shoved in the pockets of his dark pants. I suddenly felt very self-conscious. Blood rushed to my face.

  “Your voice is amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything so hauntingly beautiful before.” The awe in his voice made my heart beat faster.

  From my periphery, I noticed Lena standing up, and I glanced at her as she walked away. She didn’t say a word as she headed up the same path we came, disappearing
towards the castle.

  After she was gone, I caught Kallan’s contemplative stare and flushed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sing. It just came out.” I stood up and brushed the grass off my dress. I felt very awkward and unsure of what to do with my hands, so I clasped them in front of me to keep from fidgeting. I really didn’t like the effect he had on me.

  Kallan took a step closer, and my wings fluttered. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

  I looked down at the ground. “Guess I don’t know what will get me in trouble and what won’t.”

  “Singing won’t get you in trouble…especially with that voice. I know you said you were in choir, but I guess I didn’t realize how good you were.”

  “I have a solo coming up in a concert soon…or at least I did.” I blinked my eyes a few times, trying to keep the tears from coming.

  “Come with me. I want to show you something.” He reached out, his hand dangling in the air between us.

  I hesitated. If I took his hand, what then? I couldn’t accept my fate being stuck here as his bride. But…there was something in Kallan that was so much better than the boy who had been shaped by an evil father.

  I took his hand. It was large and cool in mine. Just his touch caused my breathing to quicken, but I hoped he didn’t notice.

  He pulled me along a winding, cobblestone path. Though I was dying to know where he was taking me, I didn’t voice my questions. I already felt too…close. To him.

  The path grew narrow and less traveled. The trees became thick, and the forest dark. If it weren’t for Kallan beside me, I would have been scared. It was wild and untamed in this part of the forest. No sounds from the castle—like the steady clang of swordsmen at training or the whirring of the water turbine that powered the electricity.

  We turned a sharp corner, and up ahead, I saw a small stone cottage. It was beautiful—the stones were pale gray and decorated in dark ivy. The windows were like gaping eyes, each flanked by bright yellow shutters. The cerulean front door looked like a smile.