Tangled

by J. E. Taylor

  “You can’t stay here,” I said as hot panic burned my veins.

  He turned, facing me. His eyebrows drew together. “Please, just until dark?”

  The way his eyes pleaded with me, I couldn't send him away, so I nodded. “But just stay where you are and let me do what I need to do, okay?”

  He nodded and his shoulders relaxed.

  I crossed in front of him and picked up the apples, then headed to the opposite side of the room to fix myself apple pie.

  “So, how do you get out of here?” he asked.

  I kneaded the ingredients together for the crust. “I don't.”

  He stepped closer, cocking his head. “You don't? You mean you're imprisoned here?”

  “I wouldn't say that,” I said and glanced up at him, although that was exactly what I had felt like lately. “My mother said it's not safe out there,” I added in response to his furrowed brow and began slicing the apples into the bottom of the pie crust.

  He leaned on the other side of the counter and bit his lower lip as he continued to watch me put together the pie. “There are some dangerous places,” he finally said. “But they are far from here. Nothing out this way is dangerous except for maybe the occasional lightning storm.”

  I turned and slid the pie into the oven and then wiped my hands on a towel, studying him. He was handsome in a rugged way, and his smile warmed me from the inside.

  “So why are you afraid of being out there, then?” I asked.

  He stepped away from the table and turned his back on me. Just when I thought he was going to ignore the question, he said, “My father wants me to pay for my treasonous behavior.”

  “Treason?” I had read enough to know what that word meant.

  The prince sat heavily in the chair at the tiny dining table, and I took the seat opposite him.

  “I made a mistake,” he whispered as if the world beyond could hear him. “In a moment of anger, I let the darkness out.” His gaze found mine, and he shrugged, offering the saddest smile. “What was done could never be undone, and because of that, the chosen heir to the throne no longer exists in this realm.”

  His eyes turned almost a jade color as he spoke, and the silver veins nearly glowed against the darkening green. He blinked and looked away, and when his gaze returned, his eyes were back to the light green and the silver no longer glowed.

  “How long have you been here?” He twirled his finger around.

  “For as long as I can remember.” I glanced around at my cozy home. It wasn't bad, but not having the freedom to step outside and run in the grass or smell the flowers or swim in the ponds irked me.

  “Would you like to go outside?” he asked.

  I couldn't help the smile that surfaced. “Someday,” I said under my breath.

  He reached out and touched my hand, but I pulled mine away. A spark danced between our skin, and we both stared at the mini-lightning bolt. It tingled over my flesh. I forced my gaze away. He still stared at the connection until I pulled my hand under the table. His eyes jumped to mine, widening.

  “Are you a... a light bringer?” he asked.

  I moved my chair back, trying not to gasp out loud. I shook my head. “Why would you say that?”

  He held up his hand, his eyes wide. “The lore we were told all our lives. Whenever a dark bringer and a light bringer come into contact, storms brew between them.”

  “Nothing happened when you covered my mouth,” I said, trying to keep my composure, but that tingle that I had felt came rushing back.

  He moved, and I clamored to my feet, but he was faster, taking hold of my shoulders. I put my hands on his chest to push him away, and the contact sent a jolt through me. We stood inside a circle of light, and the power rushed through my veins, quickening my breath. When I glanced back at him, he was still staring at the stormy circle encompassing us. His gaze moved to mine, wide and with awe.

  I blinked. “What is a dark bringer?” I whispered.

  He stepped away. The connection between us failed, and the room snapped back to normal. Disappointment made my bones ache.

  “While light bringers breed life, dark bringers bring the opposite.” His cheeks bloomed color, and he slid back in the seat, rubbing his face. He glanced back up at me. “They said the last light bringer had died.”

  I raised my eyebrows. My mother never told me there weren’t any more light bringers.

  “And she will rise from the darkness and bring light back to mankind,” he whispered, staring up at me.

  I rolled my eyes at him and escaped to the other side of the room to check in on the pie.

  “We are the last of our kinds.”

  The pie was golden brown, and my mouth watered. I took it from the oven and set it on the counter before crossing to the window. His words pinged around my head, and I did a small assessment of how I felt. I was not drained. As a matter of fact, this encounter had magnified my strength.

  I glanced at all my books. Not one of them talked about light or dark bringers. Nothing on my shelves seemed real.

  I met his gaze. “What lore?”

  He leaned back in his chair. His long study of me made me shift in place and cross my arms over my chest. He stood, closing the distance between us. He raised his hands, palms first. “Place your hands on mine,” he said softly and waited.

  I stared at his palms and then placed mine against his. That electric storm that had encompassed us earlier reclaimed the air around us. The prince threaded his fingers through mine and stepped closer.

  “The lore says the last light bringer is the long-lost princess of Antaries who was ripped from her home by pure evil. The dark bringer was created to save her, and together they will wipe out the darkness hovering over all the kingdoms in the land.”

  I pulled my hands away. “And you believe this lore, my prince?”

  “Please, call me Zach,” he said and sighed. “I didn’t, until just now.”

  We stared at each other.

  “Can't you feel it?” he whispered, his voice filled with awe.

  I took another step away. “I don't know what I feel.” I eyed him suspiciously, wondering if this were another spell like the music the prior evening. “For all I know, you could have cast another spell over me.”

  He cocked his head, and his hands fell to his side. “Another spell?”

  I waved towards the window. “Last night.”

  He straightened, and a crease appeared between his eyes. “I didn't cast a spell.”

  “You most certainly did. When you sang, my body couldn't help but sway to the song.”

  “Really.”

  The slow smile that found his lips sent a thrill through me, and I looked away. When my gaze returned, his had turned towards the cooling apple pie. He licked his lips and glanced my way.

  “Any chance I could have a piece?” His hands slipped into his pockets, and his head tilted in a way that was endearing.

  “Only if you tell me more about what is out there.” Something about what he had said struck bells in the center of my being, and I wanted to hear more.

  “I'll tell you anything you want to know.”

  I cut us both pieces of the pie and brought them to the table. Thankfully, I had two sets of silverware, or otherwise the prince would have had to eat with his hands. Although, the thought of him licking his fingers clean twisted my insides.

  He closed his eyes and let out a rumbling noise with his first bite. “This is heavenly,” he said and ate the rest slowly, as if he wanted to savor it instead of inhale the food.

  “So, what is out there besides the king's army?”

  Zach pushed the empty dish away and leaned his elbows on the table. “Thick woods with all manner of woodland animals, quaint towns full of the nicest people I have ever encountered, which is a far cry from the people within the palace walls.” He glanced towards the window, and his eyes became distant. “Oceans as vast as the eye can see. It's glorious, until you meet up with a pirate or two.” He grinne
d and glanced back at me. “There are dangers, but there are more blessings than darkness, despite what everyone says.”

  “And what does everyone say?”

  His smile faded. “That the end of times is nearing. That the darkness will overtake the land unless the last light bringer can be found.” His gaze met mine. “The darkness has its grip on my kingdom, and that is my fault. I let it in, and the only way for me to go back is if I have the light bringer. Otherwise, my head will be on one of the posts outside the castle walls.”

  “My mother said I would die in the world out there. That humanity would suck the light from my soul.”

  Zach sighed and glanced at his hands. “So, you are a light bringer?”

  I opened my mouth and then clamped it shut, shaking my head. It was easier to avoid voicing a lie than to speak it. Only half the day had passed, and I had another few hours before the sun went down. My heart wanted to trust the prince, but my mind couldn't. Not with all the warnings my mother gave me. Although, I did not feel weakened by Zach's presence. It invigorated me, set a constant tingle on my skin. It was a heady feeling and I enjoyed it, but I didn't know if that was because he was a dark bringer and I his opposite, or if this was what it would be like with the rest of humanity.

  His eyes narrowed as he studied me. “You are a light bringer,” he said, this time with more force.

  “I am not,” I said, but my voice cracked. I picked up the dishes and brought them to the sink, ignoring the knot in my stomach. I cleaned the plates and put them on the shelf with my meager kitchen accessories. When I turned, I slammed right into his chest.

  His hands gripped my upper arms, and he leaned in, planting his lips on mine. My mind went blank, and only the softness of his lips remained. My hands cupped his elbows as a flare of want flushed through my skin.

  He broke the kiss and stared down at me. The silver streaks in his irises glowed. We stood staring at each other, and then he stepped away, running a hand through his thick hair. His chest rose and fell like he had run miles, and a light sweat broke out on his forehead.

  It was just a kiss, but it was my first, and the way it consumed me left me breathless.

  “I should go now,” he said and headed towards the window.

  Conflicting emotions wracked my form. It was still a few hours until sunset, which left him in danger if what he told me was true, but I also felt the heat between us, afraid it would ignite if he stayed. “Was my kiss that bad?”

  His laugh filled the space, and he turned towards me. “No. Just the opposite. It was like stepping through the gates of heaven, and if I stay...” He closed his eyes. “I can't stay.”

  I started towards him, but he put his hand up, stopping me.

  “Next time I come, I'll bring some rope, so we can make you a ladder.” He gathered up the hair on the ground and tossed it out the window.

  I moved closer to the window, and before he could climb out, I touched his arm.

  “I will be back,” he whispered and then was gone.

  The tug on my hair continued until he reached the ground, and then the weight released. I pulled the length of my hair in the window as he walked away from the tower. He glanced back, his gaze meeting mine for a moment before he turned away.

  I couldn't wait to see him again.

  Chapter 4

  Darkness descended and with it came the music. I glanced down as he leaned against the wall, playing his instrument and singing. Between his voice and the soulful tune he played on the cittern, I couldn't help the sway of my hips.

  “You're doing it again,” I called down.

  He glanced up but didn't stop playing, although his smile reflected in the moonlight.

  “You know I'm not going to be able to sleep again if you continue...”

  The music stopped.

  “Let down your hair,” he said.

  I laughed down at him.

  “Seriously, I want to see what this does to you.” He held his cittern out.

  I considered it but didn't want to seem too eager. “Fine,” I said after a moment. I dumped my hair and he climbed up. As soon as his feet touched the floor, he helped bring my hair back in the room. Included with his instrument was a thick braid of rope. He peeled it off his shoulder and laid it on the floor.

  “It isn't nearly long enough,” he said. “But it's a start.”

  I stared at the rope and then up at him. “Where am I supposed to put that?”

  He used his foot and shuffled it underneath my bed, fixing the bed skirt as soon as it was out of sight.

  I raised an eyebrow. He was quick to find the perfect hiding place, which made my skin burn with questions.

  He grinned. “I've had to hide a thing or two before.”

  I crossed my arms, again wondering at the wisdom of letting him into my little abode.

  Instead of addressing my inquiring stare, he pulled his instrument from his other shoulder and started plucking that haunting song. His voice started slow and sultry, like a lullaby, and I couldn't help the sway of my hips. A slow figure eight flowed through me, and I turned, letting myself get lost to his music, his voice.

  When his arms wrapped around my waist, I gasped, but he kept the haunting melody, swaying his hips around with mine. The intimacy of our movements stopped my breath. When his lips kissed my neck, the music stopped. He spun me to face him and his hands cradled my face. His eyes burned, the silver veins glowing.

  He leaned in and kissed me, but this time, his tongue swiped my lips. I opened my mouth in surprise. His tongue explored my mouth, creating a heat through my entire form. I matched his movement. A low rumble built in his chest as he pulled me closer.

  I could kiss him like this forever.

  He pulled away from my lips and glanced at the stormy bubble encompassing us. His gaze moved to the bed and then met mine.

  I shivered at the intensity in his eyes.

  His hands moved from my face down my arms, and his fingers interlocked with mine. “You are too damn innocent to taint,” he whispered, seeming to talk more to himself than to me. His hands squeezed mine. “And too trusting.” His eyes bore into mine. “What if I was here to do harm?”

  I raised an eyebrow. “You would have tried to hurt me earlier if that was your intent.”

  “And do you drop your hair to anyone who calls for it?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “Up until you tricked me, I only dropped it for my mother. You have been the only one who ever came upon this tower, besides her.”

  “Ever?”

  I nodded.

  He released my hands and crossed to the window, looking out over the dark woods. “People should be able to see this place.”

  I crossed and stopped next to him. Light peppered the distant hills, like fireflies in the summertime. I smiled at the familiar view.

  “If we can see evidence of lanterns, it stands to reason that they should be able to see this tower.”

  I chewed on my lower lip and turned towards my ever-present flame. If my mother could conjure a flame like that, could she conjure a cloak of invisibility over this tower? I knew she was a strong mage, but no one until Zach had passed near. At least that I was aware of. That nugget did seem awfully strange.

  “Tell me more about the lore,” I said, staring out the window. “And start at the beginning.”

  He clasped my hand. “The story starts in Antaris with the queen's announcement that she was pregnant with a child. The queen fell sick, and the king set out to find a cure to her deathly circumstances. It is said he found the last existing flower of light from an elderly woman's garden. The king brought it home, crushed it up, and gave it to the queen in a nightly tonic that restored her from the brink of death, like the fabled light bringers. When she gave birth, it is said the girl glowed with the light of the flower. The lore also said when strands of her hair fell out, they turned to sticks of spun gold.” He let out a laugh.

  My chest tightened.

  “That just seems way too
out there for me to get a handle on.”

  “What happened next?” I asked.

  “They say an evil enchantress wanted the golden child for herself, and she stole her away from the king and queen, setting fire to the castle as she escaped.” He sighed.

  Quiet permeated the space between us.

  My gaze turned towards the flame in my oven. “And?” I asked, returning my gaze to the outside world.

  “The king and queen died in the fire. People assumed the baby and the enchantress perished because neither was ever seen again.” He glanced at me. “I was born on the day the flames took the king and queen to their deaths. Storms pummeled the landscape, and darkness shadowed the land for many years following their deaths.”

  I shivered, turning this over in my head. Could my mother be the evil enchantress? Again, my gaze traveled to the flame.

  “I would bet my life that child was you.”

  Chapter 5

  Zach talked long into the night before I finally sent him away. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The chill in the air had nothing to do with the night, and everything to do with the story he’d told. If there was any truth to it, I had been bamboozled all my life.

  I started dissecting every memory I had with my mother. Every word, every action, every nuance. Especially when she talked about the fire that took my father. Was it all a lie? Were her tears those of a crocodile?

  The lights in the distance crawled under my skin. They certainly should be able to see us. That made much more sense than anything else. So, why didn’t anyone chance across this tower in all these years?

  I had no answers to all the questions accosting my mind. Restlessness kept sleep at bay yet again.

  The morning light had long brightened the room, but I rolled away from it, too tired to greet the day like I usually did. I wanted nothing to do with the light as darkness clasped its cold hands around my heart.

  “Danae,” a familiar voice called.

  My heart leaped into my throat. I rolled to my feet, nearly running across the floor and glanced out the window.