She laughed and buckled over, her hands clenched across her stomach gasping for breath. “Serves you right for trying to spoil me.”
My pounding heart slowed and I slipped an arm around her waist. “But what if I want to spoil you.”
She flexed onto her toes and rubbed the tip of her nose against mine, then placed a quick kiss on my lips. I leaned in, trying to make the feeling last, but she wriggled out of my embrace.
“Thank you though. I do love the books.” She held up the bag. “All of them.”
“You know I would get you anything you wanted. You just have to ask.”
“I know, but I don’t expect you to buy me things. I don’t need you to.”
“And that’s why I love to do it. Because it’s not an expectation with you.”
Veda grabbed my wrist and slid by my side underneath my arm. A slow, rolling fire built in my veins. Fire, but without the fury, I simply relished in the embers glowing between us.
“Now is there anything you expect of me, my prince?”
“No.” I glanced down at her smile but it had faded. “Why do you ask? Has someone said something to you?”
“Not exactly, but it’s still hard to see you in your world and know that I’m not one of those proper ladies that everyone would want you to be with. Maybe I should try a little harder if we are honestly going to make this work.”
I gripped her shoulder and turned her to face me. “I don’t want to hear you say that. If anyone is concerned with how you look or how you hold your tea, then they aren’t listening to your words. You’re smart and strong, and wearing a pretty dress isn’t going to make you or your ideas more appealing.”
She narrowed her stare. “You say that now.”
“Yes, I do. And I don’t want you making any changes unless you want to. If it’s something you are interested in doing—not for me, but for yourself—I’ll do whatever I can to help. But don’t think I care. Because I don’t.”
She sighed. “I’m not sure you’re right, but I will think about it some more.”
I placed my hand under her chin. “And then you’ll talk to me and tell me what’s going on before you do anything drastic. Okay?”
She nodded and pulled her head out of my hand then sidled back beside me as we strolled in silence through the city. The beautiful afternoon stretched out in front of us, all the plans and obligations I had back at the castle reeling over in my brain, but all I wanted was to stay here a little while longer and just be still.
But as we walked, a strange feeling crept up the back of my neck. Something heavy and foreboding. Like eyes staring through my skull. I glanced around. Just the regular citizens moving about their day. A few looked as they recognized me, but their quick peeks didn’t feel the same. They didn’t hold the same weight.
My stomach clenched and Veda twitched by my side. Could she feel it too or was it just my reaction making her uncomfortable? We turned the corner and a bright spark flashed ahead and to the left of us. I turned toward the disruption. The beautiful woman in the white cloak I’d seen at the writing contest stood in the opening to the alley, her sharp stare following our footsteps. The golden rings in her eyes glinted in the sun.
"Hey," I called. "You there."
The woman glanced back and forth, her eyes wide, then spun around and rushed back down the alley.
"Come on." I grabbed Veda's hand and ran across the street after the woman.
Dark shadows towered around us as we disappeared further into the center of the city. The pathways began to narrow, but the sound of the woman’s feet pounding the ground ahead pushed me forward.
"Where are we going, Fallon?" Veda asked, her constant looking back starting to slow us down.
"Did you see the woman dressed in white standing by the alley? She has the same eyes as me. The same gold rings. I need to find her."
We twisted right, then left, then right again, the brick walls cold and ominous as we raced on. She'd been quick to escape me in the square, but now a second sighting and again she’d fled. Why was she running away from me? What did she know? We crested one final corner and I stopped quick nearly falling over my own feet. The walls stretched higher in every direction. A dead end. Nowhere else to go. But where was the woman in white? I rushed toward the wall in front of us and pushed my hands on the brick. It didn't move, no secret passageways here. I smashed my fist against the wall and a few specks of blood splashed across my knuckles as pain sparked up my arm. I hung my head.
"We must have taken a wrong turn. There's no way we'll catch up with her now." I rested my forehead against the brick, softer than my hand but enough to feel the sting through my skull. So close. But to what?
"Prince Fallon, we've been looking for you." A high-pitched saccharine voice rang off the brick walls.
I whirled around. The woman in white stood in front of the only exit, except this time she wasn't alone. Four other bodies appeared behind her from the shadows. Two men and two more women, nothing about them alike.
I jumped in front of Veda and gripped her hand. "What is going on here? The castle guards know to come looking if I don't check back in soon. Whatever you’re planning, I suggest you don't."
"Then I guess we should make this quick, then shouldn't we?" The woman said as she stepped forward and let her companions pass to form a line in front of us. A solid wall we'd have to fight our way through if necessary.
I slid my switchblade from my pocket and flipped it open. The woman raised her hands. "We aren't looking for violence. We just want to talk to you. And since you've been chasing me for two days, I suspect you have your own questions to ask."
"Who are you?" I shifted Veda further back in the corner.
"I'm Eliana of The Vale. And these are my friends… my family?… We're not completely sure about all that yet. But we do know that shortly after we turned eighteen we each developed abilities that we can't explain. That we can't always control, does that sound familiar?"
I scanned the rest of their faces, each one nodding in agreement with Eliana. Was this some kind of trick? Only a few people knew about my powers and I trusted them, except for one who should be lost in another realm right now.
“What makes you think I'd have magical powers? That sounds preposterous.”
Eliana shrugged and looked over at one of the other women. One who looked like she slayed dragons for entertainment. She gritted her teeth and shrugged back, but I cringed.
"Because we all know that you aren't the blood heir of the Aborian throne. You were left at the doorstep of the castle and the king and queen took you in. Or do you still think I'm lying?"
"Anyone could have told you that. It's a secret, but not very well kept."
"All of us were adopted too. All of us left in different kingdoms eighteen years ago and all of us with strange powers. How many people do you know that have gold rings in their eyes? Until I met these guys I thought I was the only one too. So, Prince Fallon, stop fighting this and just tell us what magic you can do."
I surveyed them all through the darkness but even with the distance between us, gold flickered in each of their eyes. Could it really be true? I released Veda’s hand and stepped forward. I closed my eyes as the tingle shot through my body. Long white-blond hair fell over my shoulders. My nose slimmed and turned slightly upwards. My hands shrunk as my fingers changed into daintier digits with longer feminine fingernails.
Eliana gasped. "It's as if I was looking in a mirror." She stepped forward, slow and measured as if approaching a wild bear. She ran her fingers through her hair on my head as her mouth fell open but silent. “It's incredible. Can you become anyone?"
I nodded. "Or at least I think I can."
One of the men crossed his arms, his own long locks falling into his eyes. Except where Eliana was light he emanated dark. "Not fair. How come he gets to shift into people? I only can shift to animals."
"We all have different powers, Castiel. And I'm sure your powers have their place."
Eliana laughed, her voice light and airy like bells. "No. So far, just the two of you can change your appearance. The rest of us have other gifts. Deon can control plant life." The tall rugged guy in the corner raised his hand.
"Azia can control dragons. Blaise can manipulate water, and I can speak to animals. I'm not sure how everything ties together but that's what we're trying to figure out. To see if there are more in the world like us."
"Plus," the dragon tamer pushed her foot against the brick wall and stepped forward. "We're trying to figure out if these powers have anything to do with the strange happenings in our kingdoms."
"You mean the darkness?”I asked then glanced back at Veda. The uncomfortable look of shock still sat heavy on her face. As strange as this all sounded to me it must be a lot for her to take.
"I don't know what that is but if it's plaguing your borders then maybe,” Azia said. "We're headed to Arcadia to look for any more missing pieces. Are you in?"
I grabbed the side of my face. Everything seemed to be coming at me so fast. I had a few days of downtime since the battle with Edwin and now this?
“I don't know if I can right now. My father has been cursed and turned into a beast. I need to find a cure and get the kingdom back in line before I could even consider leaving him.”
Castiel sneered. "If whatever is affecting our worlds gets loose, you might not have a kingdom left to save."
Azia glared at Castiel and he looked away.
"Maybe defeating this thing, this darkness as you call it, will break the curse? If not, maybe we'll find someone with the power to fix him." Eliana extended her hand and flashed a tense smile. "We could really use you on the journey."
Veda clutched my arm, her cold fingers gripping tight into my skin. I looked back. Her face crinkled with worry, but she nodded her head toward Eliana. She’d been the one to tell me about the darkness in the first place. If anyone understood it would be her. She would sacrifice her happiness to do the right thing, but why did the right thing always need to be so hard?
So many reasons to refuse screamed in my head. I studied the band of unlikely heroes that circled around me. Could they really all be like me? Were we connected somehow? And the biggest question, what would I be giving up if I walked away?
“Curing my dad is the number one priority for me. If this mission goes awry, I’m out.” I took Eliana’s hand and shook it roughly.
Her eyes lit, bright blue and gold shining back at me. “You won’t regret this.”
I let go of Eliana’s hand and pulled Veda closer to my side.
“I sure hope not.”
“I don’t think I’ve had a meal like that in, in well, ever.” Deon rubbed his stomach as the entire crew wandered lazily into the grand foyer from the dining room.
Between the five strangers, they polished off platters of meats, cheeses, pies and anything else the kitchen could find to serve. I watched them all as we sat at the formal dining table, ensuring I ate my share before our journey, but still trying to piece together everything in my head. None of them looked much like me, except for the eyes. Those gold ringed eyes that I couldn’t seem to forget. But, since I could make myself look like anyone I wanted to, maybe I didn’t look like myself either? Maybe somewhere along the way, my undeveloped powers changed my face to blend in with the Aldric’s, when I really looked more like Azia or Deon or even like Castiel. Every time I thought I figured something out two more questions popped up to replace it. A mythic hydra of mysteries.
“Yes, the kingdom of Alantis appreciates your uninhibited kindness, Queen Abigail.” Blaise curtsied in front of my mother.
“No need for pleasantries, dear. You are most welcome here. And when you return, please remember to say hello to your parents for me.”
Griswold appeared behind us with six matching shoulder bags. “The kitchen has also prepared some care packages to take with you on the journey. We wouldn’t want the prince to go hungry, nor his companions.”
Eliana took her bag and slid it over her shoulder. “Thank you. This will be extremely helpful. The long days are wearing on some of us a little more than others.”
Griswold presented the bags to each of the travelers, but the stoic mask slid out of place when he reached me at the end of the line. “Be careful out there, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, Griswold. I’ll miss you too.” I yanked him into a hug. His body tensed in my grip, but soon relaxed and for a moment I thought I felt him squeeze me back.
“Of course, my prince. The entire kingdom will be patiently awaiting your safe return.”
I released him and he readjusted his jacket and cuffs, his eyes cast to the stone floor. He patted me on the shoulder without making eye contact then disappeared into the depths of the castle.
“My son, how will I ever spend the days without you?” Mom replaced Griswold in front of me, her gaze already watery.
“You can plan the days you’ll spend with Dad when I return with a cure. Besides, you’ll have Veda to keep you company and you can both sit and curse about me.”
She slipped into my arms and I held tight, pulling her up so her feet left the floor. The smell of home flooded my senses and I fought to avoid joining her in tears not wanting to make a bad impression on the strangers that might or might not be my true family. We needed more than one meal before they would be let into my world. I already had enough love and people I cared about without them.
Mom nuzzled closer to my ear, a few drops of wetness falling on my neck and running under my shirt. “She’s a good one, Fallon. I’ve never been so proud of you. Your strength, your integrity, and most of all your heart. Never lose your passion, my boy.”
“I love you, Mom.”
She squeezed harder. “I love you too. Now get going before I order the guards to lock you up and selfishly keep you here with me.”
I let her go, my arms feeling painfully empty as she slipped away, then I swiped my arm over my eyes and blinked. Through the haze, the last of my potential regrets appeared. Veda’s stood behind the crowd, her hands twisting together at her waist, a glum half-smile on her lips. We locked stares and she jerked her head toward the doors. I glanced at the others.
“Can I have a couple more minutes?” I asked as I took Veda’s hand and headed for the outside.
Eliana nodded, but it didn’t matter. No one was going to steal these last few minutes from me.
The guards opened the large castle doors and the golden sunlight streamed into the foyer. Another beautiful Aborian day and for the first time I actually wished for rain.
We strolled through the garden without a word, our hands clamped tight together and swinging between us as we walked. Doves sang us a soft mournful tune from their tree perches as the breeze rustled percussion through the leaves. The perfume of my mother's roses scented the winding path between the bushes and fountains. On another day, under other circumstances, this might have been perfection, but right then it felt like a funeral march.
"When all of this is over, I promise to take you anywhere you want to go. I'll show you the whole world and anything in it that your heart desires,” I said finally piercing the quiet.
"You don't owe me anything. All I want when this is over is for you to return to me safely."
I stopped walking and used our joined hands to tug her closer to me. I placed my hand under her chin and propped her head up to meet my gaze. "Don't worry about that. I'll be home before you have time to miss me. And then we'll travel so much you'll beg to stay in for months after we return."
"I’d like that." She smiled but it looked hollow. No joy. No spark of happiness in her eyes.
"You are going to have the best time at the castle without me anyway. My mother is already looking forward to having another female around and I'm sure she will keep you busy. Make sure to get her to show you the library. You'll get lost in there for weeks."
Veda tugged her face away and wandered ov
er to the rose bushes, then pushed her nose into the largest bloom to inhale the scent.
"If anything happens while I'm away. Something at the castle, or with my father, or if you ever just need me, send a note with Alizeh and I'll come back immediately."
She stood back and crossed her arms, still choosing not to look at me. "And if you ever decide that you just want to come home, then call Alizeh and she'll bring you straight to me."
“I will.”
I stood behind her and rubbed my hands along her shoulders the weight of leaving heavy on my back. If only this hadn’t happened so soon. We’d only just found each other again, but the pull of discovering where I came from had grown too strong already. I may never get a chance like that again. My destiny came looking and I couldn’t just let it go off to Arcadia without me. Plus, if I ever wanted the protection of the fairies, I needed to hold true to my promise about defeating the darkness. If I didn’t they might drop Edwin back into the grand foyer and sit around laughing in the rafters as he leveled the kingdom. I couldn’t risk that. Not for the citizens of Aboria. Not for my family. Not for Veda.
“Are you sure you’re okay with watching over my parents? I know it’s not the most exciting job but I need someone I can trust to tell me what’s happening and making sure that my father is cared for until I can bring back a cure.”
“Yes, of course. I’m happy to help try to clean up my father’s mess. It feels…I don’t know…cathartic somehow.”
“You and your father are different people. I don’t blame you for what happened.”
Her body stiffened in my hands. “I know, but I do.”
I turned her around gently, giving her the chance to resist, but she didn’t. I leaned down and brushed my lips against hers. She kissed me back, slow, pressing light like a whisper. I brushed her hair off her shoulder and slid my palm across her cheek, burying my fingertips in her locks, my other hand at the soft flesh of her neck. My head spun, drunk in the sweet taste of her and the delicious sensation of her skin against mine. I deepened the kiss. Stronger. Rougher. Wanting to brand myself with her lips so I’d never forget it.
Fallon: Son of Beauty and the Beast (Kingdom of Fairytales Boxset Book 6) Page 33
