Curse of Blood and Shadow

by J. M. Kearl

  “They are kind, don’t worry. Nice crown by the way.” It was silver with three peaks in the front and a thin line circling his head.

  I wondered if I touched him, casually so he wouldn’t think I was strange or worse—flirting, would I see the rest of the vision? I was dying to know, literally. Normally I hated my curse but in this instance, I needed to see, for his sake or mine.

  “Aric, why don’t you take Visteal out for a dance?” Fautus said loudly, tipping his glass of red wine toward dancing couples.

  My eyes darted around the crowd for Legacy, then Aric and I awkwardly gazed at one another but he offered me his hand. One dance couldn’t hurt. But before I could place my gloved palm onto his, Zyacus strolled up the steps onto the platform.

  “The princess and I will dance,” Zyacus said, taking my hand. Everyone looked at him. His mother gave him a sideways warning glance, and Zyacus’s lips turned up the slightest bit. “Aric has a girlfriend now.” He shrugged. “Jealous type.”

  A pixie took my glass and Zyacus and I glided down the steps leaving Aric to be questioned about his new girlfriend. “Legacy is not the jealous type,” I said as we slowly made our way to the dance floor.

  “Who said I was talking about her.” And those winter-blue eyes found mine, daring me to ask who else.

  I looked away, searching for familiar faces. “Your silver tongue and charm don’t work on me.”

  “I haven’t even begun to try, Princess.” A soft melody played, slow and romantic, exactly what I didn’t want. Zyacus pulled me to the center of the couples and put a hand on my waist. His intimate touch warmed my belly and I wanted to run. Then he stepped and I followed. “But I’m glad you think I’m charming.”

  I huffed and almost laughed. “I don’t.”

  “That dress is marvelous on you,” he said, and I expected him to look down but his eyes were fastened onto mine and I couldn’t withdraw my gaze. “Now I don’t have to imagine so much what lies under that uniform. Glorious curves.”

  I pulled my hand back to smack him but he caught it and interlocked our fingers, tugging me closer. “People are watching us. Play nice,” he purred.

  Our faces were inches apart when I said, “Don’t patronize me and I will.”

  “I tell you that I like your femininity and you think it’s patronizing?”

  I dug my nails into his shoulder, hoping they would cut through his perfectly tailored suit. “It’s the way you say it. Like everything is a joke.”

  He leaned down, his lips touching my ear. “I wasn’t joking.”

  I hoped he didn’t notice the flush that spilled across my cheeks or hear my heart pounding wildly like the drum that now picked up the pace of the song. I needed to get away from him before he shattered the wall that had been built between us. I pulled back but he didn’t let me go. “You better go find your girlfriend. I know for sure she is the jealous type.” She’d been there when we all stepped through the portal so she was here somewhere.

  “She’s not my girlfriend,” he said, all the playfulness in his voice gone. “She’s the daughter of a Hesstian Entari. A family friend.” Entari were men that helped govern over regions in his kingdom.

  I pushed that small part of me that felt relief, down. “Funny how you knew right away who I was talking about, and if she’s not your girlfriend then why did she tell me to stay away from you?”

  His jaw muscles feathered and his eyes flicked about the crowded room. “Probably because she wants to be my girlfriend but who wouldn’t? Aside from you.”

  He spun me around and then that hand slid back to my waist. I wanted to leave and yet... and yet... I wanted to stay in arms dancing the night away, lost in those beautiful, cunning eyes that could melt and wound me at the same time. “At least you are smart enough to recognize that,” I said.

  He chuckled. “How could I miss it? Subtlety isn’t exactly your forte.”

  The song ended and all the men bowed to their women partners, including Zyacus. His crown glinted in the light, the small blue stones in the dark silver sparkled like the ocean in sunlight. I wanted to make a snide remark about him bowing before me but that girl, his not-girlfriend, came up and snaked her hand along his back. “There you are,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for a dance.”

  His eyes lingered on me a second longer and when he looked away, I darted off to find my friends. Both Legacy and Lora flashed a mischievous grin, the kind that said, “give me the dirty details” and then Legacy held out a glass to me. “So that was interesting.”

  I took the glass of pinkish sparkling liquid. “It was a dance. Nothing more.”

  “Are you trying to convince us or yourself?” Legacy said, and I shot her a glare.

  “You guys don’t know the prince like I do. He’s a sneaky bastard who will say anything to get what he wants. He may be gorgeous but behind that perfect face is a devious pretender.”

  “And what does he want?” Lora asked.

  I opened my mouth to fire back but then bit down on my tongue. He wanted to know about what I saw when Aric touched me. He wanted to know about my curse.

  Chapter 15

  After dancing with Taz, and a few others I hadn’t been previously introduced to, Father called me back to stand on the platform. He put one arm around me and the other held up a glass. “Thank you all for coming to celebrate the first day of fall with us and most importantly, the birth of my firstborn child, Visteal.” He looked down at me for a moment. “We appreciate all the gifts and the time you took to travel here. I propose a toast and blessing upon my daughter; may you always see the good in others, may you be strong in body and heart, and may your mind be sharp and your life long.” Magic interlaced with those words, swirling around me.

  The clinking of glasses followed then applause and hundreds of eyes all on me. I smiled, and put my glass to my lips. Cheers to a long life. I hope.

  I kept an eye on Aric as much as I possibly could. By what I saw in the vision I didn’t believe whatever was going to happen would occur here at the castle but I didn’t want to take any chances. He stuck by Legacy most of the evening, occasionally talking with Zyacus and a few others. The not-girlfriend clung to Zyacus’s side like a leech and even though it shouldn’t, it bothered me.

  Just when I decided I’d get Aric to go on a castle tour with me, where I could attempt to see the vision again, Vyce tapped me on the shoulder. I tried not to look annoyed when I said, “Hey, how are you enjoying the party?”

  “It’s been interesting.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “Interesting? Is that good or bad?”

  He looked around the room, his river rock-gray eyes stopping on nothing in particular. “It’s just so different from home. You look lovely, by the way. I’m sure you’ve heard that a lot tonight.”

  “Thank you,” I replied. “You look nice as well.”

  “It’s good that your mother was able to bring all the kingdoms together.” He watched her across the room and there was something about the way he said that statement that made me wonder if he really meant it. “I’m going to ask Lora to dance, see you around.”

  “Bye,” I said and shook my head at the odd conversation.

  Waiting for a few minutes, Aric headed off toward the drink table alone and I took my chance, removing my gloves on the way. I didn’t want Legacy to be there, she would know if I had a vision and what it meant, and she’d certainly go into a panic. “Aric,” I said brushing his sleeve with my fingertips. “How about that castle tour?”

  “Sure,” he said. “Where to first?”

  “The balcony overlooks the garden, then perhaps the throne room?”

  We strolled side by side out through the ballroom toward the glass doors that lead to the balcony. Zyacus watched us and I gave him a serpentine smile, hoping to make him squirm a little. He wanted to know what happened with Aric and me back in his dorm and I loved that I could withhold that piece of information from him.

  When Aric and I stood at the edge of
the balcony, he rested his forearms on the white stone. “It’s beautiful. So many flowers,” he said, then he chuckled pointing down below. “There’s a couple getting friendly down there.”

  I peered over the balcony’s ledge and there through the blinds of a willow was indeed a couple locked in a kiss. I recognized that indigo dress as one of mine. “Is that—Taz and Freya?” I asked and put my hand over my mouth so I wouldn’t laugh. We were high enough up that they couldn’t hear us unless I yelled down to them which I considered.

  “I think it is,” Aric said, smiling and turned to me.

  Unfortunately the only exposed skin on him were his hands or face and neck. I didn’t know how I could touch any of those areas without him thinking I was trying to make a move. But I had to see… I grabbed his hand turning it over and ran my thumb over his skull birthmark, “Zyacus told me what this meant, but I wanted to ask if it’s true… are you cursed?”

  I waited for the vision to start, to be pulled back to that dark forest, to see those predatory crimson eyes lurking in the shadows again… but nothing happened. My heart sank, I wouldn’t be allowed to see it again except maybe in a dream the night of and that was a big maybe. To my surprise, Aric didn’t pull away, he simply stared down at the mark. “Zyacus seems to think so, but I’ve always wondered if it meant something else… meant something about me.”

  I uncurled my fingers, and set my hand on the railing. “Like what?”

  His throat bobbed. “That there is something evil inside me.”

  “Aric.” I shook my head. “You’re one of the sweetest boys I know. Certainly not evil.” But even as I said those words aloud, I wondered if he was right. If there could be something evil lurking beneath that beauty, something he didn’t even know existed.

  A half-smile, one not born of humor pulled up. “Perhaps it is a death sentence but here I am seventeen years after my mother made that bargain.”

  I wanted to tell him about my own curse—my visions but the words caught in my mouth as Legacy pushed open the balcony doors. “There you two are. We’re going to walk around outside, want to come?”

  “I was just giving Aric a tour, why don’t we show him around the castle instead?” I asked and Aric simply nodded. I wasn’t wearing a dress in the vision but I didn’t want to take any chances going outside at night.

  After we’d gone to pretty much every inch of the castle, we ended up back at the ballroom where few people still lingered. It was nearly midnight and most of the adults had had too much to drink and were likely headed home to sleep it off.

  “This castle is amazing,” Aric said as we sat at a round table with enough seats for the seven of us.

  Taz and Freya had joined for the last bit of the tour and although I really wanted to blurt out I’d seen them kissing in the garden; I kept my mouth shut.

  “It would have been wonderful to grow up here,” Aric said. “The warmth and beauty etched into the very walls, is so much different than Collweya.”

  No one said what we probably all thought; if his mother had won her place as queen instead of mine, he would have been here. Even with that history I didn’t think Aric held a grudge against me. If he did, I couldn’t see it in his behavior.

  We sat talking for a while before I noticed everyone staring behind me and jumped when warm hands slid onto my shoulders. “Look at all of you having fun without me. I guess I’m not part of the in-crowd.”

  Aric was the only one who didn’t appear taken aback at Zyacus’s disruption or blunt statement. “You’re welcome to sit, cousin,” Aric said, gesturing to the seat next to him.

  I got to my feet and pushed his hands off me, debating on saying something rude, but something... menacing about his countenance made me hesitate. As we stood face to face anger rolled off him and I didn’t think it had anything to do with not being invited.

  “No, I don’t think I will,” he said and slowly caressed my cheek with the back of his hand.

  The last thing I wanted to do was cause a scene with his parents and mine here so I caught his wrist and carefully walked him away from my table of friends, into a corner. “What is wrong with you?” I hissed.

  I couldn’t tell if he was drunk or not, the glaze over his eyes would suggest he was but he also appeared clear-headed and alert.

  He let out a low growl. “I overheard some boys saying things about you I didn’t appreciate. I wanted to make sure you were well.”

  “Like what?”

  Narrowing his eyes he said, “Things I won’t repeat.”

  I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before but his hair was slightly out of place and there was a bloodstain on the front of his shirt. If it was from him then he’d already healed himself, though I guessed it was someone else’s. I sighed and folded my arms. “And you got into a fight over it?”

  “It wasn’t much of a fight on their part.”

  I didn’t know if I’d ever met someone more confusing than this boy. “And you came over to the table for what? To tell me? I don’t know why you even bothered getting into a fight when you don’t even care about me.”

  That hot flash of anger showed in his face again. “I’m not sure why you have such a low opinion of me. Yes, we’ve bickered and said some regrettable things over the years but I was a child. What have I said recently to offend you?”

  My breath grew heavier as I tried to think of something but couldn’t. “Well…” I stammered. “While we were dancing you said you imagined what was under my uniform—”

  That devilish smile returned. “You’d be lying if you said you didn’t like my honesty.”

  “Bastard,” I snapped.

  “If either of us is offensive, it’s you. I don’t call you names,” he said and strolled around me, walking toward the exit.

  He was not going to get away with that comment. Falling into step beside him I said, “The only reason you came over to the table was to make a display of your arrogance to my friends. Touching me like there is more between us than there is—in front of everyone, including our families, and I don’t appreciate it.”

  “It was a harmless bit of fun. You’ll tell them it was nothing and that will be that.” He slowed and I realized he was heading toward the bedrooms. “I was going to give you this but if I’m such a bastard maybe I won’t.” From inside his jacket he took out a small box wrapped in gold paper.

  “You got me a gift?”

  “I did.” He slowly handed it to me.

  I blinked a few times before tearing into the paper. I lifted the lid from the box and inside sat a black glass unicorn the size of my palm. I took it from the box and held it up to the torchlight. The details of every muscle and the blue jeweled eyes were beautiful. The gold horn felt like it was made of a different substance.

  Zyacus rubbed the back of his neck. “I know unicorns are your favorite animal. I made it black because you said you like the rarest ones best. If you don’t like—”

  “I like it,” I said hastily. “You made this?” I had a difficult time believing he remembered my favorite animal, I told him that when we were nine. Then he actually took the time to make it. Maybe under his royal cockiness, a sweet boy lurked.

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you,” I said, placing it gently back in the box. “It’s lovely.”

  “You’re welcome. I hope you had a nice birthday.” He cleared his throat. “But I’m tired and unless you care to join me in my chambers, I’m going to sleep.”

  Both of us grew quiet, the intensity growing with each passing moment that I didn’t leave or turn him down. I wonder what he’d do if I actually took him up on the offer. He’d probably pass out. I made my breaths heavier as I tentatively stepped closer to him, and lightly pushed my fingers up his chest.

  His mouth parted slightly, but he didn’t move and I could feel his heart hammering beneath that false calm. His eyes searched mine wondering if I was serious or playing a game. “And what if I did want to come up?” I asked.

  At
that, he stiffened. “If you did want to,” he said slowly. “I’d have no qualms with that—but—”

  I drug my nail up the tender skin of his neck to his chin and then winked.

  A low laugh rumbled in his chest and he visibly relaxed. “You’re devious.” He turned toward the steps and said over his shoulder, “It’s about time you lightened up.”

  And he left me wondering what else he might have said if I hadn’t interrupted him.

  ∞∞∞

  When I arrived back in the dining hall my mother waved. I took a deep breath and made my way over. Bringing me out onto the balcony, her expression grew serious. “We haven’t had much of a chance to talk.”

  “I know.” And I waited for what she was going to say.

  “Be careful,” she said softly. Her gaze drifted back toward the ballroom. “Both the princes are nice enough but it would be best if you weren’t involved with either of them. You’re so young and I would hate for things to go bad and possibly shatter our fragile alliance.”

  I blushed. “Oh, I’m not. Legacy is dating Aric, and Zyacus is—I don’t know if I could even call us friends.”

  “And about the death of Finnick… if you want to come home—”

  “No.” I folded my hands together. “I can help.”

  My father joined us and we spent the next hour talking about keeping the academy safe and when I told them my suspicions about a human-like but not entirely human murderer, neither of them had heard of anything tearing out throats with their bare hands and teeth.

  “We have people looking into it and it’s only a matter of time before we find out,” Father said. “In the meantime, always be on your guard, don’t go anywhere alone, and follow the rules.”

  Chapter 16

  Things were quiet, boring actually back at the academy. Curfew had moved up to nightfall and with the days growing shorter that meant everyone had to be back inside sooner. With the threat of expulsion over our heads, Legacy and I hadn’t tried anything fun but I was itching to do something outside of studies and practice with my weapons. The birthday party was a nice break but as I watched Legacy toss her dagger in the air and spin it different ways, catching it behind her back for the hundredth time, I rolled off my bed. “Let’s go do something. I’m bored.”