Reign or Shine

  Her eyes widened. “No, you can’t—”

  “Good-bye, Elizabeth.” He thrust a hand at her and a red stream of power hit her chest before enveloping her. She screamed and in the very next instant had disappeared completely. The room crackled with power and it made the fine hair on my arms stand straight up.

  I sucked in a breath. I’d never seen anything quite like that before—both the disappearance of my aunt and the rage in my father’s face which quickly faded now that she was gone.

  My father let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry it had to end that way.” He turned to me. “And I’m sorry you had to witness that.”

  I hugged him then. Tightly. “Is it mean that I was hoping you weren’t just going to forgive her after what she did?”

  “I didn’t want to lie to her, but I was desperate to get that antidote.” He sighed. “I cared for my sister. She had me completely fooled. I still can’t believe what she tried to do.”

  I glanced at Michael, who stood to the side, his eyes on the ground. My father looked at him as well.

  “Thank you, Michael, for your help,” my father said. “You may leave us now.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  I went to Michael’s side and stopped him before he took a step. “He risked his life to help you and that’s all he gets? A ‘thanks for your help you can leave now’?”

  My father looked confused. “I don’t understand.”

  I felt mad, then. After the roller coaster of emotions I’d just been on, from scared to relieved to happy, now I was falling straight down the steep hill into mad. “That’s the problem. You don’t understand.”

  “It’s fine, Princess,” Michael said.

  “No, it’s not.” I turned back to my father. “Before, you said that he was free. That he didn’t have to be a servant anymore.”

  “I did say that.” My father blinked. “And I stand by it. If you wish to leave the castle, Michael, I won’t stop you.”

  Michael didn’t say anything for a moment. “I have nowhere else to go.”

  “You are also welcome to stay,” my father said. “I will need help to regain my strength and to summon the rest of my servants back.”

  He nodded. “Then I’ll stay. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “But not as a servant,” I said.

  They both looked at me.

  “He really helped us,” I continued. “He protected me. If it wasn’t for him, Elizabeth would be picking out her new crown right now.”

  “Nikki,” my father began, “while I appreciate all that Michael has done, he is a Shadow. And Shadows are servants. That’s just the way it is.”

  “Doesn’t have to be.”

  His mouth twitched into a small grin. “Two days with knowledge of this world and she’s all ready to change the politics here. But things that have existed for millennia cannot be changed in two days.”

  “But you’ll make an exception for Michael,” I persisted.

  His smile faded as his expression darkened. “If I didn’t know better I’d say that there was something between you. But that would be forbidden. Humans and demons are not supposed to become romantically involved and neither are Shadows and demons.”

  “We’re not . . . like that,” I said, my face flushing.

  He looked at me sternly. “That is good to hear.”

  Is that really true? I sent the thought to Michael. What he said?

  ::Yes. It’s forbidden for Shadows and demons—or half demons—to be together.::

  So the kiss last night?

  ::Forbidden. Very, very forbidden.::

  Sounds like a play I had to read in English class, I thought.

  ::What play is that?::

  Never mind.

  “So you being with my mom was forbidden,” I said after a moment, looking directly at my father. “But you did it anyway.”

  “I was young and foolish and willing to break the rules no matter the consequences.” He pulled on a black robe and tied the sash at the front. “As you know, the consequences for me were very severe.”

  Right. He’d been summoned here against his will and never allowed to leave—then told my mother had died. That was a severe consequence. But even if they hadn’t gotten involved, he still would have been summoned back here. It hadn’t been a direct punishment for breaking the rules. Just a nasty coincidence.

  “Do you want me to tell my mother about all of this when I go home?” I asked. “She should know the truth after so long. And maybe I could bring her here to see you.”

  His face went ashy. He glanced off in the direction of the framed painting of my mother. “No, Nikki. You can’t tell her. She won’t understand.”

  “I didn’t understand in the beginning, but I do now.”

  He shook his head. “It’s best she never knows the truth and continues to think I left her all those years ago. As you said, she’s moved on and found happiness. I don’t want to do anything to ruin that for her.”

  I wasn’t sure those had been my exact words. In fact, I was sure they weren’t. My mother wasn’t happy. She’d searched for love for years and come up with four lousy marriages, and I was including Robert the supreme creep in that number. Maybe if she knew my father still loved her—because I knew he still did, I could see it in his eyes—that might change. “But—”

  “Please, Nikki. For me. Say nothing to her about any of this.”

  I sighed. This wasn’t the right time, I got that. Maybe someday, but not now. “Okay, if you say so.”

  He frowned very hard. “I will give what you said about Michael some thought. I suppose, in the meantime, I am willing to hold true to my promise to free him from his regular servant status but allow him to stay on here at the castle as a . . . a paid employee. Would that be better?”

  I looked at Michael. Is that okay with you? I mean, it’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.

  He smiled. ::It’s a start.::

  I approached my father. “Thank you.”

  “Will you visit me again?” he asked.

  “On a regular basis. I’m still a Darkling, after all, and I do have these powers to deal with. These potentially dangerous and destructive powers, according to several sources. And it’s not like I can just talk to anyone about them.” I hesitated. “But I don’t know how to find a gateway without Michael always being there.”

  He touched the crystal on my bracelet. “Concentrate and you’ll find one. This will lead the way for you. Practice will make it easier.” He placed his hand against the side of my face. “You should probably go home now or your mother will be worried.”

  I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly. I’d always imagined what my father would be like—a good-for-nothing creep who’d left my mother when she was pregnant and vulnerable. But he wasn’t like that at all. He was nothing I’d ever expected him to be.

  He was a demon king who ruled over another dimension. Who held back the evil from the Underworld and Hell so my world would be safe from harm.

  He was fairly awesome, actually.

  “Please take care of yourself,” I said. “Like, regular exercise, good diet. You need to live for a very long time.”

  He laughed. “That’s right. You didn’t drink the potion after all, did you? You’re still my heir. If it’s any consolation, demons are known to live for a very, very long time.”

  “Still. An apple a day can’t hurt.”

  “I will keep that in mind.” He touched my shoulder. “I’ll see you again, Nikki. Soon.”

  I nodded and wiped away a tear. “Definitely.”

  23

  A little while later Michael and I left the castle and headed back toward the grassy area. I saw my discarded shoes and purse and picked them up, taking a moment to put the strappy heels back on. I’d had a scratch on my shoulder from Elizabeth’s talons, but it had disappeared when I’d turned back to human again. A quick inspection of my dress confirmed that, other than a small grass stain on the bottom hem, it w
as miraculously undamaged.

  I thought I’d had trouble dealing with Elizabeth’s wrath? I didn’t want to have to face my mother’s for ruining her Versace dress. Talk about demonic.

  Michael was quiet on our way to the gateway, which was shimmering where it had been before. I wondered if he was thinking about his new status at the castle. I didn’t know if it would change anything, but I hoped that my father would start treating him with a bit more respect. It was the very least that he deserved.

  I couldn’t believe that only a couple of days ago I’d seen him across the cafeteria watching me and had been scared by him. Then again, staring at somebody for ten minutes without saying anything was a bit strange. Also, following them into a park after dark wasn’t the best way to make a good first impression, either. But I’d long since forgiven him for our rocky start.

  “Hey, are you okay?” I asked when we reached the gateway.

  He nodded, and raised his gaze to mine. His eyes were vibrant green again, even more so in the bright light of the clearing. “I’m fine. Here . . .” He peeled off his sweatshirt and draped it over my shoulders. “It’s going to be cold back there. Come on.”

  He walked through the gateway and I followed him. There was the sudden lurch, the sensation of vertigo, and then I was back home on the dark, chilly street where my house was. I knew I’d left the dance at about eight thirty, and I figured I’d been in the Shadowlands for a few hours at least. It had to be around midnight. The same time I would have been coming home from Winter Formal if it had been just a regular night.

  When we got to my house, we stopped by the maple tree and I looked at him. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve been thinking about what your father said. He reminded me about the rules. All this time I’ve been thinking that you’re the princess and I’m just a servant. I forgot about the bigger problem.”

  “The Shadow/demon thing?”

  He wasn’t looking at me. His green amulet glinted under the street lamp. “I like you, Princess. I like you so much, but there are too many problems. I don’t want you to have to deal with this.” His expression tensed. “Not that I’m saying you want to deal with this, at all. I mean, it’s not like we’re together, or anything.” He covered his face with his hands. “I think I need to stop talking now.”

  I bit my bottom lip, torn between feeling confused and totally elated by his little speech. “Do you have any idea how annoying you are?”

  He nodded. “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “If you don’t stop apologizing, I think I’m going to kick your butt.” I crossed my arms. “And I’m pretty sure I can do it, too.”

  Despite himself, he grinned at that. “I’m sure you can.”

  There was a pause between us before I said, “Do you know that when Chris asked me to Winter Formal, I’d never been so thrilled about anything in my life?”

  He glowered. “I don’t think I’m going to like this story.”

  “I thought that this cute guy liked me and I was so happy. He was everything I wanted. Good-looking, popular, and he seemed really nice. I felt so lucky.” I breathed out and watched my breath freeze in the air. “But I knew deep down there was something missing.”

  “What was missing?”

  I shrugged. “You were.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

  “I like you, too, Michael. A lot. Too much, probably.”

  He raised his dark eyebrows. “Really?”

  “Really.” My cheeks flushed. It wasn’t every day I came right out and admitted my real feelings. But Michael seemed to be the sort of guy who needed this kind of thing spelled out for him.

  “But what about what your father said? It’s all true. You’ve never known this sort of thing because you’ve lived around humans all your life, but there are rules that can’t be broken. Shadows and demons—”

  “I know what he said. And I don’t really care.” I let out a long sigh. “Everybody always tells me what I have to do. Well, I’ve decided that from now on sometimes I’m going to listen and sometimes I won’t. Now, if you don’t want to see me anymore, I totally understand. When I visit my father you can just make sure you’re not around. But if you want to—”

  He kissed me then. I wasn’t prepared and I hadn’t adequately puckered but it was okay. In fact, it was fantastic. I smiled against his lips as I kissed him back and hugged him against me so I could warm up a bit. He kept his hand firmly pressed against his amulet so it wouldn’t shock me.

  “You’re freezing,” he said.

  “It’s December.”

  “You should go inside.”

  I nodded. “I’ll see you soon. Just . . . just don’t tell my father.”

  He smiled. “You don’t think he’ll figure it out?”

  “What’s the penalty for breaking the law?”

  His smile faded. “I don’t know.”

  “Hopefully not the same as the one for touching a unicorn.” Before he could reply to that I kissed him again. “Are all Shadows good kissers?”

  “I wouldn’t know.” He grinned. Then he took my hand in his and kissed the back of it. “Good-bye, Princess.”

  “Nikki,” I reminded him for the millionth time. “And good night, not good-bye.”

  “Right.” He kissed me one last time, tangling his fingers into my hair to pull me closer to him. “Good night, not good-bye. Nikki.”

  I gave him back his sweatshirt and immediately started to shiver without its meager warmth. I watched Michael walk away, my lips tingling from our forbidden kiss. I wished he could stay here and go to school with me so I could see him every day, but I knew he couldn’t stay in the human realm. He had to live in the Shadowlands and I had to live here.

  And we weren’t supposed to like each other in the first place. If my father found out . . . he was going to be very upset.

  It would have to be our little secret.

  “What are you doing lurking around out here at this hour of the night?” a very unfriendly voice snapped.

  I turned to my right. Robert stood in the driveway next to his Chrysler LeBaron. His right arm looked awkward in the cast and in his left hand he held a . . . suitcase?

  “Where are you going?” I asked.

  “Away from you.”

  I felt a sudden stab of concern. “Where’s my mother?”

  “Inside.”

  “What’s wrong with your eye?”

  Even in the darkness I could tell that a bruise was developing around his right eye. It looked puffy and sore.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know,” he growled. “Your mother has a mean left hook on her.”

  My eyes narrowed and I felt my Darkling swirl inside of me. “As mean as your left hook?”

  He glowered at me. “Some women require discipline.”

  I clenched my fists. “You touch my mother again and I swear to God—”

  “Don’t worry. I’m out of your lives forever. And I never want to see either one of you again.”

  “The feeling’s mutual.”

  He didn’t say anything else. He took his suitcase, his broken arm, and his bruised eye socket, got in his car, and pulled out onto the street. I watched until the car’s taillights disappeared in the distance.

  Then I rushed inside, feeling frozen to the bone, but overflowing with concern and curiosity. I found my mother in the kitchen pouring herself a large glass of red wine. A quick check of the wall clock confirmed that it was half past midnight.

  “Oh, hi, honey,” she said before taking a big gulp of the drink. “Did you have fun at the dance?” Her gaze moved down the front of me. “Is that a grass stain on my Versace dress?”

  “I just saw Robert. What’s going on? Did he hit you again?”

  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “He tried to, but I hit him first. He’s gone. He’s not coming back. It’s over. Four strikes for me now. I don’t think I’m going to get married again.”

  I w
ent to her and gave her a big hug.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Her voice was shaky. “Why can’t I find somebody who’ll love me and treat me right?”

  “I love you.”

  “Thanks.” She pulled back and smiled at me. “Just the two amigos, then, huh? You and me. Like it’s always been.”

  I had a horrible thought then. “Does this mean we’re moving again?”

  I hated the idea that we would have to leave and go somewhere else to start all over again. I’d lived so many different places and finally, despite my problems with Chris, I was somewhere I wanted to stay. I valued Melinda as a friend. I liked my classes. I even liked some of my teachers.

  And would I be able to get to the Shadowlands from anywhere? How did that work? I didn’t know and I couldn’t leave until I knew for sure.

  She shook her head. “I’m sick of moving around so much. Besides, you know I grew up near this area. I think I’ve finally found my home again. We’ll stay in Erin Heights for a while, anyway. At least until you finish high school. Is that okay with you?”

  I felt a surge of relief. “That’s definitely okay.”

  “How did things work out with Chris?”

  I grimaced. “Not so well. I won’t be seeing him again.”

  “I’m sorry, honey.” She stroked the hair back off my face and tucked it behind my ear. “Maybe one day we’ll both get to have our happy endings.”

  “I thought you said that was only in your books.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe I was wrong. Life is full of surprises, after all.”

  I wanted to tell her all about Michael. I wanted to tell her about my father so much, too, but I held my tongue. I’d respect his wishes.

  For now.

  Maybe someday I’d be able to share the truth with her, both about me and about him. There was a reason he had a painting of my mother on his wall—a reason he wanted to protect her from the truth about him. It was because he’d never forgotten about her. Because he still loved her. Maybe that’s the reason she’d searched so hard to find love but it had never worked out. Because my father was the perfect man for her.

  Even though he was a demon.

  But then again, so was I. Half demon, anyway.