by C. J. Anaya
Terise looked between Meredith and the Dark Elf with a mixture of fear and confusion on her face. Hmmm. Forbidden love between a Land Dweller and the King of the Drows. Guess not many people had known about it. Not even a beloved sister like Terise.
How delicious.
“When I presented the problem to the delegates and discussed the requirements for a cure, King Ordin immediately asked for you, Meredith.” I glanced at her, but she only had eyes for the scarily handsome king standing in the doorway. “He would like to be one of the first to offer up a solution to this illness and bond with a Land Dweller. I think it also helps that he’s still madly in love with you.”
King Ordin kept his gaze locked on Meredith, but my words brought forth an amused smile.
“The princess is a very convincing monarch, but I must admit there was no need for much persuasion in my case. All I truly need is your forgiveness for having given you up so long ago, and your permission now to make you mine.”
Eloquent.
Nicely done, King Ordin. Damn if I wasn’t swooning now.
Terise turned her wide eyes on me.
“What?” she mouthed.
He cleared his throat, appearing unsure of himself for the first time as he studied Meredith who hadn’t moved an inch since she spotted him. It was a little adorable to see such a fierce-looking faerie appear so uncertain.
“I’ll not force you to accept me, Meredith, if your feelings have changed over time.”
At his words, she finally managed to shake herself from her stupor. With a loud sob she rushed forward and threw her arms around King Ordin who eagerly scooped her up and delivered the most swoon-worthy kiss ever given to anybody anywhere.
Well, next to Jareth’s swoon-worthy kisses, of course.
I grinned at the entire exchange, never once thinking it more appropriate to give them some privacy. Whatever, man. I was reaping the rewards of my good deeds here. I was all about watching these two make out like teenagers.
Terise inched next to me.
“I gather these two have history?”
“Yup.”
“Does he have any brothers?”
“I know he has lots of sons.”
She gave me a naughty smile.
“Any chance they’ll be as interested in providing the cure as King Ordin is?”
I smiled. “If they are, you’ll be the first one I contact.”
She nodded and grabbed my hand. “Thank you for this.” Tears slowly streamed down her face as her sister remained locked in King Ordin’s embrace. “You have no idea how much this means to me. I don’t think she had much time left.”
“I know.”
Roderick allowed them a few more moments before he cleared his throat.
“Would you two like to make it official?” he asked.
King Ordin slowly lowered Meredith to her feet and took her hand in his.
“Yes,” they both said.
I motioned for them to face one another as Jareth and I took our positions. He smiled at me just before we started.
We made a good team.
We also saved another faerie from griesha and sealed a happy couple to one another through a fated mate bond.
Nice work if you can get it.
All fuzzy feelings brought on by Meredith and King Ordin’s union slowly dissipated after they left the room.
I worried about Terise and hoped one of the Drow would volunteer to bond with her. I worried about the rest of her race and any other half-breed races who were being decimated by this plague. I worried about the maze spell and how we were going to get answers before the delegation’s required deadline, and I worried I’d be forced into a marriage before I was ready to make that kind of commitment…to anyone.
“That’s it then,” I said, after resuming my pacing for another few minutes while listening to Jareth and Roderick throw out half-baked ideas that were getting us nowhere. “We have to go back to what we were doing before. I’ll keep testing exits and melodies until I come up with the right one.”
“Absolutely not,” Jareth said, sitting straight up in his chair. “I can’t watch that again. I can’t put you through that pain again.”
“But I’m happily volunteering to do—”
“No!” He jumped to his feet and whirled around, grabbing my shoulders and pulling me close to him. I titled my chin to meet his gaze, but any hope I had of convincing Jareth flew right out the window as I stared at the half-crazed glint in his eye.
He couldn’t handle it. I knew it, and he knew it.
I placed my hands on his chest and spoke in a softer tone.
“Then we need to try reasoning with Kheelan again.”
“Also not an option,” he said through gritted teeth.
I let out an exasperated snort.
“You have to give me something here, Jareth, because you certainly can’t continue attacking the maze spell, not after being electrocuted until you flat-lined.”
“I can, Crysta, but you know exactly what our other alternative is.”
I stared at him in shock, unable to understand how he could go from let’s start over, and let’s take things slow to forcing my hand in marriage.
“We are not getting married just because you think we’re out of options.”
“This has always been the option. It’s the only option, and you used to feel that way too.”
“We are not rushing into marriage. Jareth. You know how I feel about this.”
“Yet you were perfectly happy to get engaged to Kheelan. How long did it take for you to leap at his offer. One day? Two? I’m beginning to think he’s really the issue that’s holding you back. If you’re in love with him then perhaps we’ve already found the solution to our problem.”
I winced as if he’d landed a physical blow. I shook my head and opened my mouth to say something scathing in return, but absolutely nothing came out. I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t focus on anything other than the sound of my own heart breaking. How could he think that of me when he understood the circumstances?
He released my shoulders and closed his eyes.
“I shouldn’t have said that, Crysta. Forgive me…I…I looked for you for so long, ached to hold you in my arms every night I couldn’t find you. Then to discover you had been with Kheelan, loving him and believing the worst of me.” He blinked back some moisture and ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t help the anger I feel or this aching need that continues to grow whenever I’m in your presence. I can’t…force you into anything, but that’s the point isn’t it?” His sad eyes traveled over my face, a look of abject misery ghosting across his features. “I never thought I’d have to.” He tilted my chin and gently wiped a tear rolling down my cheek. “What more can I do, Crysta? What more do you need from me?”
I shook my head, wishing with all my heart I could simply let go and let him in. Why was I still so afraid?
“I’m sorry,” I choked out. “I’m so sorry.”
His sad smile broke me further.
“Not your fault, sweet Crysta.”
He gently kissed my forehead and retreated from the room.
I stared at the floor while guilt slammed into me. I was quite possibly the worst being on the planet. And Jareth? Well, he was amazing. He was kind, loving, charming, protective, a steady and strong individual.
And I just couldn’t get myself together.
Roderick cleared his throat, bringing me back to the present and to the knowledge that he was still here and had witnessed everything.
Well, it was his study I stood in.
“I know what you’re thinking, child, but I promise you aren’t to blame for this situation.”
“Aren’t I?”
“Let’s place blame where blame is due and not get caught up in the emotional repercussions you and Jareth are now dealing with. Kheelan, quite frankly, is a scheming, deceitful, manipulator. I’ve known that for decades, but Jareth is having to come to terms with that reality now. It
’s easy to dismiss poor behavior when family members are involved, and Jareth has been doing that with Kheelan for years. Now this, coupled with Jareth’s own insecurities where your affections are concerned…well, I think we can give him some leeway for his outburst, don’t you? I certainly had my fiery moments when it came to your mother and my brother.”
“Did you?” I took the chair Jareth vacated and buried my face in my hands.
“Let’s just say I understand exactly how Jareth feels.”
I lifted my head to see Roderick studying me with compassion.
“What should I do?”
“Are you asking me as your father or as your king?”
I hesitated for a moment before taking the plunge.
“I know we haven’t delved into that subject too much, but I could use a little fatherly advice right about now even if you are king.”
“Well, as your king it would make more sense for me to pressure you into an alliance with Kheelan despite your fated mate status with Jareth. That kind of alliance would be more beneficial than you could imagine now that Jareth has relinquished his right to the throne, but as your father, I don’t want you with anyone who doesn’t love you with the purest, most unselfish love that could possibly exist. I have the added benefit of remembering how you two were before you lost your memories. I worked closely with Jareth in getting you back. I trust him with my life, but more importantly, I trust him with yours. I know you care for him, Crysta. You quite possibly love him at this point, but I think you’re afraid. I think fear is ruling your thoughts and your actions, and I don’t think you can afford that.” He slumped back in his seat, looking a bit old for the first time since I’d come to know him. “I sincerely wish your mother and I hadn’t let fears and others’ expectations get in the way of our own happiness. We could have had so much more, though I’ll never be disappointed that the end result was you.”
I gave him a watery smile of thanks.
“You’re right,” I said. “I’m allowing my fears and past experiences with Kheelan to dictate my feelings and choices with Jareth. I just want to be whole, happy, and complete, and I don’t feel that way with anyone but my fated mate.”
Roderick smiled and gave me a nod.
“Then I do believe you have your answer. You better go find Jareth and finally get everything worked out between you two. Memory loss or no memory loss. You two are most assuredly perfect for each other.”
I took in a deep breath, fortifying myself to breach this distance I’d continually created between Jareth and me.
“Thanks, Roderick. I appreciate the fatherly advice.”
He gave me a nod and silently watched as I exited the room.
I fully intended to find Jareth and make things right between us. I really did, but no sooner had I left Roderick’s study then a guard approached me, looking a bit anxious. I thought it had to do with my status, but his next words shocked that nonsense right out of my head.
“Princess, I could lose my position for approaching you like this, but I’m one of the guards keeping watch over Prince Kheelan, and I’m uncertain how to handle a recent development with his highness.”
I studied the guard for a moment, noting his silver braids were coiled in a tight rope at the nape of his neck like most of the guards around here.
“What exactly is going on with Kheelan?” I asked.
“He refuses to eat or drink unless you come to visit him.”
I rolled my eyes in exasperation.
“Wow. That’s mature. I guess he’ll just have to starve to death, won’t he? Though I’m pretty sure he’ll die of thirst before that happens.”
I took a step in the opposite direction to look for Jareth, but the guard cleared his throat.
“Yes?” I said, turning around to face him.
“He said he will tell you where to find the faerie Lily owes a life debt to if you come visit him…uh right away.”
I raised a brow in disbelief.
“And what do you get out of this?”
He averted his gaze and stared at his feet so long I wondered if he would even answer. He finally cleared his throat and spoke.
“A lady friend of mine, from the kitchens, is also in the same predicament. The prince says they share the same debtor.”
I stared at him with interest now.
“You have a lady friend who owes a life debt to the same faerie Lily does?”
“Yes, Princess. I know this seems far-fetched but I would do absolutely anything for her, including deliver messages from traitorous scum like Prince Kheelan. Uh, forgive me highness.”
I felt a small smile tug at the corners of my lips and decided one visit to Kheelan could only help instead of hurt if it meant two women would be freed from their debts as soon as possible.
“All right. You’ve convinced me. Lead the way, but be certain to keep this quiet. Jareth will be furious if he finds out I went to visit Kheelan without him.”
“If the Princess wishes, we can go retrieve him before returning to the prison cells.”
I considered it for a moment, but felt the next conversation I had with Jareth needed to be filled with my own apologies. Asking him to do this with me after his angry outburst would make said outburst seem justified.
Going to visit Kheelan instead of Jareth after Jareth accused me of still being in love with Kheelan?
Yeah. I recognized this wasn’t the greatest of ideas, but I also wanted to give Lily a chance at being free. I was willing to go there for her.
“We’d better just keep this between us,” I said.
He nodded and then quickly led the way to the cells through several back rooms and a few interconnected tunnels within the palace. Nice to know. I could definitely use them for hiding if worse came to worst. After about ten minutes, we descended into a much more human-looking dungeon than King Vargas’s. Well, as far as dungeons go. At least there was decent lighting and a small bed within the cells rather than a wooden bench.
I came to stand before Kheelan’s cell, feeling a little annoyed that he looked so comfortable sitting there on his comfy bed reading a book by Shakespeare of all things.
“Is that A Midsummer Night’s Dream?” I asked. “Prison life seems like a tough gig.”
Kheelan shut the book and stood, wearing a wicked grin and an even more wicked twinkle in his eye.
“Glad you could make it, my dear. I’ve been aching to talk to you, to convince you to give me one more chance.”
I let out a tired sigh.
“Is that really what this is about, Kheelan? You’re wasting my time. You do, however, owe this guard and myself some important information.”
Kheelan’s eyes raked over me from head to foot before coming to rest on my face again. His eyes softened as he stared into mine.
“I do love you, Crysta.”
Ever the charmer.
“Then give us that information.”
“Only if you promise to stay and chat with me. Let me woo you properly like I should have from the beginning with no lies between us.”
“For the sake of Lily and this young man’s lady friend, I’ll agree to a chat, but nothing more.”
“I accept.” He turned to the guard and handed him a slip of paper through the crystal bars. The crystal grew a dark red color as Kheelan drew near. Huh. Some kind of defensive spell? “The faerie’s name is Darkin. There are two spells you must use in sequential order. One to contact him and one to release your lady friend from the debt she owes. It would be best if your friend and Lily are together for this since you can only summon him once with this first spell.”
The guard took the paper with shaking hands, shot out a quick thank you, and then ran down the hall. I could hear his pounding feet as he reached the stairs and ascended them to the kitchens.
“That was kind of you, Kheelan, even if you did expect something in return. I know Lily’s life debt wasn’t her own debt, but her parents’.”
Kheelan nodded. “That bothered
me a bit too. Glad I could rectify the situation.”
Hmm. Kheelan was made up of puzzling contradictions. So selfish to some extent but aware enough of others that Lily’s situation actually bothered him.
“How did you figure out that information?”
“Darkin is a bit dramatic, and one of the few Hobgoblins still holding on to archaic practices such as life debts. It was easy to confirm and even easier to construct a summoning spell and debtor’s spell.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
“And how long had you been holding on to that information?”
His eyes widened into an innocent expression.
“Not long at all. I assure you.”
“Right.”
He motioned me forward with a cheeky grin I had a hard time resisting. I wasn’t in danger of feeling anymore romantic feelings for him, but I did miss him and our conversations.
I took a seat just outside the bars and waited as Kheelan drew up an old rickety chair on the opposite side. Then he reached his hand through the bars and clasped one of my hands. I noticed the bars change color again.
“Kheelan,” I warned.
“As long as I don’t touch them, I’ll be fine.”
“That’s not what I was getting at.”
“I just want to hold your hand while I talk to you. Please. It’s been a bit lonely down here without you.”
“I’m your brother’s fated mate.”
“I know,” he softly stated. He remained quiet for a moment as he studied our entwined fingers. “You know I was always a little jealous of Jareth. Not because he would be king or even because he was older, wiser, and more powerful, though that did rankle at times.” He let out a soft chuckle. “No. I was jealous simply because I wanted so much to be like him and knew that my father wanted that as well. I kept thinking if I could be just like my eldest brother, then my own father might want to be around me.”
I knew I needed to be on my guard with Kheelan, but his words rang true to me. The pain of it felt raw and real.
“You’re wonderful because you’re not Jareth. You’re you. There are elements to your personality that Jareth will never have just as there are elements to Jareth’s personality that you will never have. We all have strengths and weaknesses you know? And if you’re trying to measure your worth by what a deranged father thinks, one who is eternally grieving the loss of his dead wife to the point that he’s endangered the lives of every faerie on this planet, then no wonder you’ve never felt loved. I’m not so sure your father really loves Jareth. He isn’t capable of it. You don’t owe him anything, and you don’t need to prove anything to him.”
