With lightning fast reflexes, Erwin rolled out of the way. The sand sizzled as the initial bolt hit where his head had been a millisecond before. I was about to reach out to him again, but Erwin threw out a staying hand.
“No! Don’t move until you have it back under control.”
I clenched my fists and drew them to my side, pressing my arms tight against my body. “W-what they heck was that? What just happened?”
Bending his arms, Erwin pushed his body off the ground, brushing grains of sand off his clothes, wearing a wide smile. “That, Amelissa Allaway, was a demonstration of your elven gifts. Well done!”
I gaped, at a loss for words.
Erwin continued to grin. He was either unaware or unbothered by my shocked response.
I found my voice. “But that doesn’t make any sense. I was trying to shift my eyes, not call on elven gifts.”
He shrugged. “Who cares what you were trying to do. The point is you succeeded in finally demonstrating elven power. Now that we know you have it, we can add practicing control to your training.”
“I thought you said I had to have elven power as a royal.”
Erwin’s grin tilted into a sly expression. “Let’s say I was pretty certain, but it’s nice to have confirmation.”
I scowled. Of course, he manipulated me. I should’ve seen that coming.
“What else are you just ‘pretty sure’ about?” I asked, irritation dripping over the words.
“Nothing else,” Erwin replied, undeterred by my attitude. “I know you’ve already shifted aspects of your body before, so that one’s not a mystery. We’ll have you mastering both your elven and draekon abilities in no time.”
My fingers curled into my hair. Seriously. Sometimes Erwin made me want to pull my hair out. It’s a wonder he hadn’t gotten himself kicked out of the draekon castle a long time ago. His clever antics and smart mouth should have irritated at least one or two draekon nobles. How had he not overstayed his welcome before King Roderick decided to renege on the potential peace deal with Avelin?
“What were you thinking about?” Erwin asked, dragging me out of my thoughts.
“I’m sorry?”
“When you brought forth the bolts,” Erwin elaborated, “what were you thinking?”
Shame filled my face, warming my cheeks. Was my temper really so volatile that I would actually attack someone?
The reaction didn’t escape Erwin’s notice. His smile fell. “Are you embarrassed? Were you thinking about Brion?”
“What?” I squeaked. “No.” Another hot flush washed over my face.
“I was thinking about my parents,” I said before he had the chance to offer any other embarrassing suggestions.
“Care to explain?”
I crossed my arms defensively. “No, not really.”
It was Erwin’s turn to roll his eyes. My eyebrows shot up.
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” The dignified elf had claimed the childish expression was beneath him.
He sighed. “Yes, it seems your immature antics are rubbing off on me.”
My immature antics? That’s rich.
“You don’t need to be ashamed of whatever you were thinking,” Erwin told me. “We need all the information we can get to help you control your powers.”
“But that’s the thing.” I shook my head. “That wasn’t control. I just fired a bolt right at you. Without even trying.”
“Hence, the need to practice.” Erwin didn’t see the threat. I did. I’d felt the power coursing over my body. It was filled with intense anger and fear. How could I ever learn to control such a thing?
“Please, tell me,” Erwin’s voice dropped low. It was almost pleading.
My arms fell to my side. It was hard to deny the elf when he sounded like that. Erwin risked a lot in keeping me safe. Not to mention keeping my secret…
I wasn’t sure what kind of ruler King Aquin was, but even the most benevolent king wouldn’t think kindly of one of his subjects hiding the existence of a half-draekon/half-elven person from him. Especially when said person was the child of his missing daughter.
“I’m angry with my parents.”
He nodded. “Understandable.”
“And I’m afraid for Lin and Lorie.”
“That is perfectly reasonable, Lissa. I’d be worried if you weren’t afraid for them.”
I shook my head. “No, you don’t understand. The anger… the fear,” I paused, not sure how to explain myself. “The emotions are smothering and all-consuming. I hate my parents for what they’ve put us through and the danger my siblings are still in because of them.”
My hands began to tremble. I pressed them tighter against my legs. “I truly hate them, Erwin.”
There. I said it. I hated my parents. And that hatred fueled frightening powers within me. What kind of monster thrived off hate?
“Your feelings are natural.”
I scoffed. “It’s natural to hate your parents?”
Erwin ran a hand through his straw-colored hair. “Given your experience, yes, I’d say it’s natural.”
“You don’t mean that. You’re just trying to make me feel better.”
“That’s not true. But even if it was, I want you to see that what you’ve just done is a major accomplishment.”
I readied my protest, but Erwin stopped me by holding up a hand. I clamped my lips together, resigned to let him speak his mind.
“All elves reveal their gifts for the first time when experiencing intense emotion. We use that intensity to begin training until we no longer need to feel angry, sad, or frustrated to call the power forth. This is a crucial step in your progress, and you should be proud.”
I heard what he was saying. I truly did. But I struggled to accept that such nasty, negative emotions were beneficial. They certainly didn’t feel that way. I’ve prided myself on being reasonable—levelheaded. I wasn’t accustomed to losing myself to my emotions. Not even when Lorie and I were recruited in the Census had I felt so out of control. And the thought I might harm someone with these new, untamed abilities was almost too great a risk for me to take.
The sound of footsteps sinking into sand reached my ears. I turned toward the distant grassy hill, positioned just before the beach. Sure enough, one of Erwin’s employees was making his way to us across the deep sand. There was no way I should’ve been able to hear his approach. Not unless my hearing had shifted…
Frantically, I swung my gaze back to Erwin. “My eyes,” I gasped. “Are they normal?” I prepared to dive, fully-clothed, into the sea if they weren’t. I wasn’t ready to have the entire island coming after me with pitchforks once they learned I wasn’t human.
At first, Erwin looked confused. His brow furrowed, observing me. I motioned towards the approaching man. Understanding dawned, and Erwin nodded. “Your eyes are their normal, stunning blue.”
Sagging with relief, I murmured, “I heard him coming.”
“I gathered that,” he replied wistfully. “Quite impressive.”
The man was too close for me to disagree. I shot elven bolts while also switching my hearing? Neither was even close to what I’d been trying to do. That wasn’t impressive. It was reckless.
A dull ache throbbed under my temples. I rubbed the area. When would I stop having surprise after surprise thrown my way? I needed a break from the insanity.
“Lord Erwin, the guests are arriving.”
Guests?
I stared at Erwin. I didn’t ask for an explanation in front of his employee, but the question was there in my wide, probing eyes.
“Excellent, Henry. You and the others will show them to their rooms. Inform our guests I shall greet them at the welcoming banquet this evening. Amelissa and I will be along shortly.”
“Very well, my lord,” Henry tipped his head, but he glanced at me under lowered eyelids. A flash of knowing crossed his gaze just before he turned on his heel and began the arduous trip back across the sand.
I waited
until he was well out of hearing range before I hissed, “Guests?”
“Yes,” he replied, tugging on the bottom of the tunic to straighten out the wrinkles. “Didn’t I tell you? We are hosting this year’s Gap Ball Tournament. It should be a great time.”
“There’s no ‘we’,” I reminded him, all too aware of what Henry and the other workers at Erwin’s estate thought they knew about my relationship with their boss. Just like when I worked as the draekon prince’s private secretary, rumors swirled that the elven male and I were a couple. Thankfully, the gossip wasn’t as sordid or cruel as those circulating the castle in Draek. In fact, I would say most of Erwin’s employees seemed excited at the prospect Erwin might have a love interest. Definitely different from Draekon.
“And what in the gods’ names is a Gap Tournament?”
“Gap Ball Tournament,” Erwin corrected. “And it is a sport here in Avelin. A very popular one. Every year, the best Gap Ball players compete in a tournament to be named the sport’s champion. It’s quite the affair.”
“But why are you hosting it here?” Where I was trying my best to remain anonymous.
“Avelin royals alternate hosting the event on their estates. This year, it is my turn.”
I groaned and rubbed my forehead. The pain had spread from my temples to my entire skull. “Can you not see the potential disaster? Elves from all over Avelin will be travelling to your island, where I am currently in hiding.”
“I couldn’t very well cancel the event, Lissa,” Erwin replied. There was absolutely no urgency to his tone. He wasn’t bothered by the events at all. “Doing so would only bring more attention to the island and you by proximity.” Erwin lifted his arms above his head and stretched back—the picture of ease.
My temper flared. A semi-familiar warmth began to flicker across my skin. Erwin dropped his arms and grinned. His eyes landed on my fingers. I saw faint hints of blue when I looked down. Then, they were gone. As was my anger.
“We’re going to have fun practicing from now on,” he said with a glint in his eye. “I can tell.”
I refused to let him distract me. “Erwin, my gut is screaming that this is a bad idea. What if someone recognizes me?”
“As a human from Draekon? That’s your backstory. We want them to believe that.”
“As a half-elf. Or half-draekon if my eyes decide to shift on their own again.” I stared at the sand in front of his feet.
“As I’ve said, that’s why we must practice.” Erwin dipped his chin and met my gaze. “Give yourself, and me, more credit. You have survival instincts. No matter what I’ve said before, I know you will not give yourself away. And I am resourceful. If anything should go wrong, I will use my undeniable charm and vast influence to convince whoever I need to that there is nothing notable or strange about you.” He spoke with such confidence. I found I couldn’t continue the argument.
I released a shaky sigh, resigned to acceptance. There was no way I could get him to cancel the event anyway. People were already arriving. “Fine. But I don’t want to mingle or socialize with the visiting elves. Treat me as you would any other servant.”
“But you’re not a servant.” He eyed me up and down.
I cleared my throat. “Everyone thinks I work for you.” Again, my story was that I left Draekon to study healing with Erwin.
He smirked, and I knew I wasn’t going to like what he was going to say before he opened his mouth. “That’s not all people think you are.”
My cheeks flushed. I knew exactly what he was talking about, and I hated my embarrassed response. It only encouraged Erwin’s teasing.
I tried to mask the reaction with anger. I fisted my hands and planted them on my hips. “I would be obliged if you helped squash those rumors whenever they are brought up.” I was certain at least some of his employees asked him if there was something romantic between us. Erwin seemed unusually close with his employees. Dare I say, they seemed like friends.
“Of course I would.” Erwin put a hand on his chest, feigning hurt. “You don’t think I would help spread false information, do you?”
For what felt like the one-thousandth time since I met him, I rolled my eyes. “I hope not.”
Then, to change the subject, I asked, “Should we keep practicing?” I dropped my angry stance, eager to steer the conversation far away from our rumored love affair.
“I think not.” Erwin turned and began walking across the beach. I wasn’t sure if he wanted me to follow until he called over his shoulder, “Come along, doll.” He used the familiar endearment with a teasing smile. The fact we were cousins did not dissuade his flirty behavior, much to my annoyance. “We have guests waiting.” He turned back around. His long legs crossing the sandy ground with ease.
I scowled at his back. “There’s no we!” I shouted, jogging after him.
Erwin’s only response was a loud, boisterous laugh.
3
I stood in the back of the crowd, watching the Gap Ball Tournament in the standing room section. The heat rolling off the bodies around me increased the temperature by several degrees, but the immense white tent erected over the game courts saved the crowd from the sun, making the area tolerable even without the breeze blowing in from the ocean.
“I do hope Lord Erwin wins,” a young woman murmured to my left. I glanced her way and was surprised to see she was looking my direction. Was she speaking to me?
Her gaze turned expectant, and she tilted her head to the side, prompting my response.
“Oh... Yes.” I nodded, casting a quick glance at the game court. A net about chest-high separated the rectangular court into two sections. Each section was then divided into four sub-sections with white paint. It was the second day of the infamous Gap Ball Tournament, but this was the first game I was going to watch. I told myself it had nothing to do with the fact Erwin told me he was competing in the event. I was simply curious with what the fuss was all about.
On the left side of the court, Erwin swung his arms in large circles and jogged in place.
“I had no idea Lord Erwin was so good at Gap Ball,” the girl continued. I looked back at her and saw her nod towards where Erwin was warming up.
“Me either.” Apparently, all hosting royals were given honorary entry into the yearly tournament. I considered that unfair. Why should royals automatically get to compete when so many others worked hard for the chance, and so many were denied the opportunity?
During our practice session yesterday, Erwin responded to my complaint by telling me most royals lose the first game. Some even yield in order to allow the true competitors to begin playing. But not Erwin. He’d grown up playing Gap Ball. Not only had he not yielded, but he actually defeated his first opponent in the tournament.
“He’s very impressive.” The girl practically swooned as she watched Erwin bend over to stretch his legs, showing the standing crowd his muscular backside. I looked away immediately. The rumors were bad enough already. I didn’t need someone thinking I was checking out my cousin’s rear. Not that they knew he was my cousin…
“What’s your name?” I asked, hoping to distract her from starting a conversation about how handsome she thought Erwin was. I could practically see the words forming behind her full lips.
“Rachel.”
“Hi, Rachel. I’m Amelissa.” I dipped my chin and lowered my eyes for a moment—the courteous way to greet a peer in Avelin.
Rachel’s eyes grew wide. She hadn’t expected me to show her respect. I’d gotten that many times from several of Erwin’s servants. I didn’t understand why. I was an employee just like them.
“I know who you are,” Rachel blurted, instantly looking as if she wished she could take the words back. “I mean, Lord Erwin introduced you to us when you first arrived. Do you remember?”
“Of course.” Though, I’d hardly call Erwin waving at his crowd of employees “meeting” them. But I wasn’t about to contradict her. “Well, it is nice to officially make your acquaintance.” I
smiled genuinely.
Rachel’s lips lifted into a relieved smile of her own. “H-how have you enjoyed your stay in Eelie?” she asked, naming Erwin’s private island, which also happened to be the name of the city.
“Very much,” I replied politely. I couldn’t confess the truth of my frustration or anxiety to Rachel. It would create too many questions I wouldn’t be able to answer. “It’s a beautiful island.”
“The lord says you come from Mar.” She named the southernmost region in Draek. One I’ve actually never been to.
I kept the smile on my face. “That’s right.”
“What’s it like?” Her voice pitched lower so as to not be overheard by the crowd around us. “Living among draekon? Are they truly as horrible as the stories say?”
Not at all.
The memory of Brion wrapping me in his arms, showering me with passionate kisses, filled my head. There was once a time I greatly feared the shapeshifting race—and some were still worthy of healthy fear—but it’d been some time since I held blanket prejudice for all of the continent’s ruling creatures.
Obviously, I didn’t share any of that with Rachel.
“The draekon dominate all five regions, but they are more aggressive in some than others.” That was an understatement. Lord Stanley held all of the wealth in Caldiri, and he ruled out of fear. I’d met a few recruits in the capital who’d shared different experiences in their regions, and I even met Lord Meck, a noble draekon in Villam. He certainly treated humans with greater respect than my home region’s overseer.
Rachel shuddered. “I can’t imagine living among them. I’d be afraid they’d turn their horrible temper on me for the slightest provocation.”
“A pretty little thing like you, Rach?” A young man leaned forward, literally putting his nose in the middle of our conversation. “I don’t think you’d have anything to worry about.” His dark brown hair stood out in Avelin—the exact opposite of me in Draekon.
Dark brown eyes further snagged my attention as the stranger shot me a wink before turning his attention back to Rachel.
She frowned. “What do you mean, Kurtis?”
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