The Shadows of a Supernova

by N P Hector

  That must have been what was bothering him because some of the tension left his body. He pulled her into a great big bear hug and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, Selene. Regardless of our past or future. You are my chosen. It doesn’t matter to me if you’re not my fated.”

  She gave him a passionate kiss and stepped away. “So, should I start blowing up balloons in the grand hall, or…?”

  “I’ll send someone to help. It’s a process.”

  Selene sat in the library typing away at her report from a negotiation three weeks ago. It had been on her roster for some time. And while she’d love nothing more than to put it off for another week, but she doubted that I’ve been targeted by a magical hitman who wants to kill me because I’m supposed to be this magical wildcard-- but it’s ok because I found my soulmate!! Would be an acceptable excuse. Besides, there was something comforting in returning to her routine amid all the chaos.

  She cringed just thinking about how that conversation would go over with the very stern Chief of Police and resolved to finish the report before dinner.

  So that’s why on the day of a very big, very important ball she sat curled on the couch in the library typing away and straining to read her hastily scrawled notes.

  The library was a calm island amid the torrential storm that the manor had become. She didn’t know where all these people were before, but it seemed that housekeepers had all seen the bat signal and responded by swarming the Estate.

  On her way to the library she’d seen someone polishing silver. Silver! She didn’t even know that was still a thing. And other housekeepers were bustling to and fro with linens. She didn’t know how many wings or bedrooms this estate had, but if she had to guess based on the flurry of activity she’d seen, she would guess around 50. And that didn’t even account for the parts of the estate that were enchanted.

  She had tried to find Rom. But after seeing the flurry of activity throughout the estate she had given up and gone in search for food. Stepping into the kitchen was like stepping into a boiler room. Frederik stood like an ever-watching drill sergeant-- always yelling for more flour. When he spotted her the military veneer remained, and he had marched her unceremoniously out of the bustling room with the promise that he would send her a cheese plate. She felt like she had been tapped on the head and sent back to her room without a glass of water.

  The man had followed through, and she now sat typing in a spot of sun and nibbling on smoked cheddar cheese and other confectionaries.

  Pausing briefly to stretch her back, she looked around at the warm tone of the oak bookcases housing first editions. She would kill for a library like this in her own apartment.

  But this feels like my home, now.

  She couldn’t imagine going back to her cold apartment without Rom. He had shared his love with her and she was content to bask in the warmth it provided. And there was something so reassuring about loving him back and knowing that no matter what happened they’d be there for each other. That he loved her for everything she was-- good and bad.

  It had taken them a while to get there. But as she thought of dancing with him tonight the butterflies swarmed in her stomach.

  The door to the library creaked open and Selene turned in her seat.

  A man in a silver suit poked his head in. He had bright blonde hair and he seemed iridescent in the bright sunlight. She’d never seen him before and was hesitant to speak to him. “Can I help you?”

  The man straightened and smiled when he saw her. He walked over and sat on the couch opposite her desk. Stretching out and linking his fingers behind his neck, he looked at her. “I’m new here and was just wondering what all the fuss is about.”

  Selene shifted in her chair so she didn’t have to twist her neck. She regarded him thoughtfully. “You’re part of the Court?”

  “I guess you could say that. I was just looking for Romulus the Relentless. Have you seen him?”

  Selene shook her head and gestured to her laptop. “I gave up about two hours ago. So now I’m just catching up on some work.” She turned back to her desk and grabbed hold of the cheese plater. Taking a bit of cheddar, she bit into it and extended the plate. “Cheese?”

  “Don’t mind if I do.” He nipped forward and grabbed a handful of cheese clumsily.

  Well, he’s a bit eccentric. But then again, this whole world seems odd.

  Between bites he asked her, “so, what are you doing here? Are you the accountant?”

  He watched her reaction closely, as if to see if she would be elated or offended. His posture relaxed when she chuckled. “I couldn’t be an accountant if I tried! I suck at math.”

  “So why does Romulus the Relentless have you locked away in this dusty old library, then?”

  “Rom? Oh no, I chose to be here. I’m being hunted by someone in your world so he’s hiding me here.”

  He raised his eyebrows and prodded, “does he take in all of the magical strays, then?” At her blush he expelled a breath. “Ahhh, he’s a bit more than your protector.”

  She crossed her arms across the back of the chair and rested her chin on her forearms. “Well, I didn’t mean for it to happen. But we just...” she snapped her fingers, “I know that he’s positive that we’re soulmates, but honestly? I’m not too focused on that. I just know that we’re together in this life, and that’s all we need.”

  “Ah, but there’s been so much conjuncture about Romulus the Relentless’s fated.”

  “Sorcha?”

  “His soul mate.”

  She furrowed her brow. “I knew that he’d been waiting for his fated, but I didn’t know that it was such a hot topic.”

  The man picked at his nails and whistled low. “Oh boy, are you in for a shock tonight then.”

  “Rom didn’t mention anything.”

  “Oh, of course not. He wouldn’t. But the truth of the matter is, Romulus is currently the only Fae sect leader who is single, attractive, and doesn’t smell like brimstone. Plus, when he finds his fated he’ll be the most powerful leader of all the sects.”

  “So, he’s like...Heir Apparent?”

  The man clapped his hands together. “Exactly. The magical Prince William.”

  Selene shook her head. “But he’s so...serious. And devoted to the idea of a fated. He even contacted this guy to see if we were soulmates.”

  “Oh, Gideon?”

  Selene hummed in agreement. “I’m not worried about anyone else. I trust Rom implicitly.”

  “Oh, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t trust him. Just be wary of the attendees at tonight’s ball. There are many who would like to try to convince him that you are not Sorcha.”

  Selene smiled broadly. This guy understood. “But that’s just it! I’m not her. Rom knows that and he’s alright with it!”

  “So this Gideon, he’s already told you that you are not Sorcha reincarnated?”

  Selene shifted in her seat. “Well, no. But Rom told me that he loves me and that he doesn’t need to confirm that we’re fated. He feels it in this life and that’s all that matters.”

  “That’s wonderful, my dear. But admitting that you’re not Sorcha will just cause people to blink less when they try to slaughter you. If you won’t claim it, then they’ll try to.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  The blonde man popped more cheese into his mouth. Between chews, he cautioned her, “you seem like a good soul. I know you just want Romulus and not the circus that his position demands. But just be careful, ok?” She nodded her thanks.

  The man stood. “I’m on my way to find him. He was looking for me earlier. Just promise me one thing?”

  She tilted her head in question. He continued, “just don’t wear that tonight, ok?” and gestured to her off the shoulder sweater and leggings. She laughed and playfully tossed a cube of cheese his way. He caught it in his mouth and waved on his way out the door.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Giving someone a piece of your soul is better than giving a p
iece of your heart. Because souls are eternal.

  – Helen Boswell

  “Wow, you should wear formal gowns every day.” Katrina adjusted the bobby pins holding up the weight of Selene’s hair. Joan took hold of the dress’s train and splayed it out so it fell correctly.

  The two women had come over to help Selene prepare for her first court ball and to send pictures of the outfit to Jamie. Selene looked at herself in the floor to ceiling mirror and fidgeted with her dripping pearl earrings.

  “Don’t you think it’s too much? I feel like I’m overdressed.”

  Jamie slipped into her black stilettos and glanced up. “If anything, you’re underdressed. Not a single rhinestone on you.” She made a disapproving sound in the back of her throat. Selene was quickly learning that Joan was basically a raven. That woman was tough as nails but seemed attracted to anything shiny. She had shoved nearly three rhinestone dresses her way before Selene had backed away.

  Selene ran her hands over the luxurious midnight blue silk of the dress. Her hair had been swept up into a classic chignon to highlight the nakedness of her shoulders, framed beautifully by the off-shoulder mermaid gown. She had never worn anything so decadent.

  In contrast, Joan was wearing a floor length rhinestone and gold sheath dress. Looking at her friend in the mirror, Selene couldn’t help but comment, “Joan, you look absolutely beautiful. You too, Katrina.”

  Katrina wore black. Apparently, Fae who lose their fated wear black to all formal gatherings. Selene had learned this when she had reached for a simple onyx A-line dress and Katrina had practically tackled her to the floor. Instead, they had steered her towards bright, shiny fabrics.

  There was a knock at the door and Joan sprang upwards to answer it. She murmured a few words to the person in the hallway before returning to the dressing room with a velvet box.

  Katrina shot Joan a knowing look. Joan squealed excitedly and offered Selene the gift. “Rom just sent this. It’s for you.”

  Selene took it and felt the luxuriousness of the wrapping. Her heart fluttered with the anticipation of such a gift. “Oh no! I didn’t get him anything!” She looked panicked towards the two women. “Was I supposed to get him something, too? Is that a custom?”

  Joan took her by the shoulders and steered her to the vanity’s bench. “Will you stop freaking out and just open it? The anticipation is killing me!” A velvet box meant jewelry, and she was eager to get Selene into something that would make her sparkle.

  Selene took a deep breath and opened the box to reveal a pearl necklace choker nestled in dark blue fabric. Strands of pearls looped and sapphires winked at her from the bright white of the necklace. Her breath rushed out. “Oh my god. This is way too expensive. I can’t accept this.”

  Joan cooed over the jewels and shook her head. “Trust me, it didn’t cost him a thing.” Selene shook her head in disbelief. “No, I’m serious. It’s a Fae heirloom. It didn’t cost him anything. It comes with his position.”

  Selene went to caress the necklace but dropped her hand. She’d never seen anything so beautiful and she didn’t want to break it accidentally. “It’s beautiful, but it’s so opulent.”

  Katrina placed her hands on the back of the vanity’s chair. She smiled at Joan and peeked over Selene’s shoulder to get a better look at the gift. “You should definitely wear it.” Joan nodded in agreement.

  Selene lifted the choker out of the velvet box and held it gently in her hands. Joan moved forward to help fasten it around her neck. “Selene, it’s gorgeous. Not only does it go with your dress, but it means a lot.”

  Katrina nodded. Selene stroked the pearls gently. “What does it mean?”

  Joan closed the clasp and adjusted it so the strands weren’t tangled around the pale column of Selene’s neck. “Well, this is kind of like the Fae equivalent of an engagement ring.”

  Selene’s hands fluttered to her neck. “Wh-what? He never proposed!”

  Joan shook her head. “No, no. It’s not necessarily a proposal to you. It’s a statement to other Fae attending tonight that you’re his. Off the market. Not to be trifled with.”

  “He’s staking his claim?” Some part of her cringed at the idea of being attached to a man so publicly. She hated how old fashioned it was. But the smaller, more secret part of her preened at the knowledge that Rom loved her and wanted to show the world. Or, at least his world.

  Katrina nodded and tried to explain it in a way that would make more sense. To the Fae, it wasn’t about property or ownership because the souls were equally and belonged to each other. To her kind, the necklace was a celebration of that connection. “It’s a wonderful gesture. He wants everyone to know how important you are to him, what you mean to him.”

  Selene ran a loving hand over the pearls. But she was still uncomfortable with the idea of being “claimed”. Turning to Joan, she frowned. “It’s beautiful, but I wish I had something to stake my claim on him.”

  Joan winked at Kat. “We can help with that, can’t we Katrina?”

  Joan’s devilish grin caught Selene’s attention and she cautiously asked, “how?”

  Joan pointed to an errant sapphire in the necklace. “May I?” Selene nodded and suddenly a duplicate sapphire was in her friend’s hand. Joan brought it up to her mouth and cupped her hands around it. Whispering, a great flow rose from between her fingers. When she opened her hands the glow had dimmed, and a beautiful sapphire in the shape of a carnation was revealed.

  Joan handed her the brooch with a proud smile, “you can use this as a boutonniere.”

  Tucking the pin in her hand, Selene hugged her friend in thanks. She appreciated the fact that both women understood why it was important to her that she gift Rom with a gift as well. Katrina checked her watch discreetly. “Ladies, we need to get going. We’re already late.”

  Joan flipped her hair and took Selene by the elbow. “Come on, Selene. Let’s introduce you to our world.”

  The girls made it to the hallway and Katrina guided them to the ballroom. The sound of music and excited chatter and shouts echoed through the hall.

  Just breathe. Just breathe. Just slip in and find Rom. No one will notice.

  When they made it to the grand staircase that would descend into the ballroom Selene tucked behind the curtain, horrified. “You didn’t tell me that there would be so many people here!”

  Joan adjusted the neckline of her dress and shimmied a bit. “What did you think you meant when we said a full court?”

  Selene couldn’t form words. Katrina took her aside. “Ok, so here’s what’s going to happen. You give your name to the footman and he announces you. Pause for two seconds and then enter. Easy, right?”

  Selene nodded and asked them, “can we all go at once?”

  Joan shook her head and whispered to the footman. “And be overshadowed by you? No way.” Her tone changed from playful to serious and she shot Selene one last look. “You’re gorgeous. You’re smart. And you can do this. This is your world too, now. I won’t make you look weak by making everyone think you need an escort. You’ve got this.”

  The footman stepped forward and announced to the crowded ballroom, “Joan, La Pucelle d'Orléans, Commander at Arms.” Joan lifted her chin and rolled her shoulders back. She pasted a smile on her face and glided forward, her personality sparkling as brightly as her dress.

  The process was repeated when Katrina waltzed to the top of the stairs. Selene fidgeted with her hands and tried to force herself to relax.

  It’ll be fine. No one will notice. Just find Rom.

  She reasoned that the hum of the ballroom had not been stopped by the announcements before her. She spoke briefly to the footman and moved to the top of the stairs. Waiting a beat as instructed, she rolled her shoulders back and sucked in a breath.

  “Dr. Selene Ashford, of…Conneticut.” The fae man struggled with the harsh “Cs” as if he had never heard of the state before. Nevertheless, Selene upheld a trembling smile and strode forth.

>   It wasn’t like the movies where everyone immediately froze like a bad still scene from the 1960s. No, this was much worse.

  As she descended the stairs the murmuring actually increased before ebbing slowly as word of her arrival spread throughout the mirrored room. Her stomach dropped when she realized that the mirrors made it seem as if there was an ocean of guests, and not just a single room of people.

  She was about halfway when she realized that she couldn’t find Rom. Panicking, she looked for the gold of Joan’s dress. But there was so much gold! She made it to the bottom of the grand staircase.

  Please don’t let me stand here like an idiot.

  A deep masculine voice boomed over the crowd. She felt little goosebumps when she realized that it was Rom. “Selene.”

  The crowd parted to reveal Rom, dress all in black. He leaned forward on what appeared to be a throne, arm resting on his bent leg. He looked utterly at ease. And his dark, devilish eyes bore into hers from across the expanse of the marble floor.

  She started to walk towards him down the narrow aisle that had formed. She could hear whispers follow her, and it felt like everyone was looking at her and the necklace.

  Wait, why am I walking towards him? I’m not a dog.

  So, she stopped in the middle of the aisle that had formed, approximately halfway. She stood there, silent and shaking on the inside, and waited.

  God, please don’t let me wait here like an idiot.

  He raised an eyebrow. When he realized she wasn’t walking any further he smiled and strode from the throne. His long legs ate up the distance between them before coming to stop before her. He touched her choker and smiled broadly. “You came. And you wore my gift.”

  She nodded and uncurled her fist to reveal the sapphire pendant. She clipped it to his jacket and craned her neck to look at his face.