Five

  I lay in a bed cocooned in soft cloth, my muscles abnormally stiff. Downy pillows rested under my neck. Sensations came slowly. Soothing sounds of birdsong. The scent of leather and sandalwood. I blinked a few times just to make sure I was actually seeing this.

  Luke and Zach were playing a game of chess over in the corner like old friends. The alabaster and jet board mimicked the differences between the two men. I tried to keep quiet. They laughed softly. I smiled fractionally.

  They were the two most stunning men I had ever seen. I could feel the weight of a decision I didn’t want to make looming over me. How was I supposed to choose one of them? If I picked one, I would hurt the other. I didn’t want to care, but it was too late for that. I turned away.

  If I couldn’t escape, maybe I should let that feral looking woman do it for me? She had been here recently. Her scent lingered beneath the others.

  I heard the scrape of a chair against stone. Zach’s beautiful face hovered above me. Luke’s golden one not far from Zach’s.

  I groaned, trying to sit up. Why was I so weak? I felt as though I was coming out of a deadly fever.

  “Let me help you,” Zach said softly. He leaned into me and lifted me upright.

  My pulse raced as always at his nearness. I breathed in deeply, hoping it would help. It didn’t.

  Luke propped the pillows up behind me. His arm brushed mine. My heart couldn’t take this. I needed some space. I shifted away from them both.

  To my surprise, neither one seemed offended. Zach offered me a drink.

  I downed it greedily. “How long have I been out?” My voice cracked as though I hadn’t used it in a decade.

  Luke sat on the bed. Zach moved to the other side. I didn’t get the look that passed between them. Had it been that long?

  Luke grasped my fingers lightly. “We were beginning to worry you would never recover.”

  “What happened to me?”

  Zack spoke up first. “You do not have the protection of a solid connection. We tried to get Tabitha to choose one of us to complete the process, but she refused. She wasn’t sure which of us you belonged to.”

  That made two of us. Maybe she wasn’t as crazy as she had seemed.

  Luke grimaced, “Nothing like this has ever happened.”

  I smiled weakly at them. “There’s a first time for everything.”

  My words didn’t have the effect I expected. They both glared at me. Again, my fault.

  Giggling women rushed into the room. They pushed at Luke and Zach, as if they could budge a statue.

  Zach smiled down at me. My heart fluttered. I felt ridiculous.

  “Time to leave. They’ll sick the royal guard on us if we don’t,” said Zach, smiling.

  Luke brushed my fingers. “Just go with it. They won’t hurt you. This is an honor for them.”

  A bit of my happiness left when they did. One of the women came to my side. She handed me a plate of food, smiling kindly.

  “Thank you,” I said. I nibbled at the delicacies feeling too nervous to really eat.

  The woman brought a hot pink melon to my lips. “You need your strength. Please, mistress, eat this.”

  I obliged, but my stomach rebelled a little. I found I didn’t have the strength to refuse her. I finished everything on the plate and downed the drink she had given me. Hopefully it wouldn’t make a return journey.

  The other two women pulled my covers away. I shivered.

  “Are you cold?” one of them asked.

  Wasn’t it obvious? I nodded anyway. She closed her eyes and warmth caressed my skin. I smiled at her.

  “My name is Grindell.” She pointed to the woman standing next to her. “This is Elise.”

  “I am Shaerie,” the woman that had given me the food said.

  They would be hard to tell apart. They all were tall with flowing blond hair, golden satin skin, and blue eyes like Luke. Were they his sisters?

  “We need to get started. You will come with us.” Her words held a subtle but undeniable command.

  I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. “What are you going to do?”

  “Prepare you for the ritual,” Grindell said as though stunned I didn’t already know what was going to happen.

  The cool glowing tiles chilled my bare toes. The lovely pink satin nightgown I was in didn’t do much to take away the chill. Might as well get it over with. When I stood, I swayed a little.

  Shaerie placed a hand at my elbow. “This way, miss.”

  She led me down the hall to a large bathroom. A Romanesque steaming pool rested in the middle of the room. We had to be up pretty high. Blue sky shone through the Grecian columns. There were no outside walls or windows.

  I felt my clothing disappear and swallowed hard. Thankfully, the women didn’t look at me as we proceeded into the water. I dipped underneath, the warmth spreading through me.

  This wasn’t ordinary water. My insides sizzled with something intangible yet frightening. Would I even recognize myself when this was done? My scar prickled with sensations, not alarming, but strange none the less. I had expected it to vanish, but it was still there when I stood up. Oh well. I sighed as the women washed my body and hair. We emerged from the pool completely dry. They rubbed oil all over me.

  In another instant, a new gown caressed my skin, white and weightless as a cumulous cloud. I ran my fingers along the shining fabric. It was sort of like silk, but I wasn’t sure.

  “The fibers are collected from the nest of the alspeca spider,” Grindell said as if reading my mind.

  I cringed. “This is made from a spider web?”

  “Not so different than wearing the cocoon of the silkworm, I think.”

  Eww. I didn’t want to know this. Even so, the fabric was light as chiffon. I shifted some through my fingers. It caught the light, reflecting a prism on the wall. Beautiful.

  Elise led me to a bench overlooking the green valley. She guided me down when I stood rigidly in terror. I didn’t like being so close to the edge.

  Her gaze slid over the picturesque scene. It was stunning. I didn’t want to think about how high we were, or the fact that nothing shielded me from the open air. One shove and I would plummet into the mist below.

  “There is no place in your realm that compares to this, don’t you think?” Grindell said from over my shoulder.

  “I wouldn’t know,” I said sadly. “I didn’t exactly get out much.”

  They laughed. The sound was comforting. Maybe these people weren’t so different than humans. From their perspective, I wasn’t even human.

  A familiar laugh rang louder than the others. The women around me fell silent. I whirled around. Ainessa stood a few paces back. What was she doing here?

  She looked pointedly at the women. “Leave.”

  They scurried out of the room faster than I could tell them to stay. I didn’t want to be alone with Ainessa. She scared me almost as much as Jett did.

  She sat beside me, black skirts rustling. Her gown flowed seamlessly over her flawless frame. Her gaze slid over the valley below.

  She snaked her hand over mine, pulling me to my feet. I struggled but she was strong. Was she going to throw me over the edge? My heart beat wildly as she tugged me closer to my doom. Her fingers dug into my shoulders, and she stepped behind me.

  “Take a good look, Rayla. This is what you could rule.” Her voice drifted to wistful. “I could teach you how. None of the lords spend more than a few weeks at court. They don’t even know what is happening within their lands. You need someone to guide you.”

  She turned me around and gave me a hug. “We could be sisters. The women here need you. This madness has gone on long enough.” She pulled back, a pleading look on her face. “Help us.”

  “I…”

  She shook her head. “You needn’t decide now. Just think about it. I would not control you like a lord. You could have anyone you want, anytime you want. You wouldn’t be stuck with one of them.” When I raised a quiz
zical brow at her, she said, “Yes that is what I am saying. You could have them all.”

  Was that really supposed to be appealing? I had never understood that sort of desire, but what if I didn’t have to choose between Zach and Luke? It sounded nice on the surface, but I couldn’t be that way. One man was all I wanted.

  She must have read my resolve. “What I meant was that your options with me are limitless. With my brothers, you will be consumed once the bond has been made. Look at what happened to your friend. Elementals never fully recover from that sort of connection.” She started for the door, turning back with a smile. “Think about it. We could start a revolution.”

  Without another word, she glided out the door. I slunk to the bench and buried my head in my hands. I didn’t want this sort of responsibility. I could imagine being overshadowed if I bonded with Jett, but Zach or Luke? Neither man would do that to me. They had both proven that.

  Zach had succeeded in getting me to fall for him in a big way. Even though I didn’t like to admit it, he could have taken me anytime he wanted.

  Luke was sweet and vulnerable. His turbulent emotions didn’t disturb me now that I knew why he felt that way. I had to stop thinking about them.

  Hurried footsteps clanked on the crystal floor. I spun around. Zach rushed into the room and pulled me to my feet. His gaze slid over me briefly before he crushed me in his arms and stroked my back. I could feel the tension leave him with each pass of his hand.

  He sighed, pushing away from me, and studied my face. “I would have sent her to the blackest hell of outer darkness if she had harmed you. I’m so sorry. I was only distracted for a moment. Did she threaten you?”

  I smirked, shrugging. “She wanted to be sisters.”

  He laughed, a higher pitch than usual, but worry furrowed lines into his forehead. I reached up to straighten the crease between his brows.

  He closed his eyes the moment my fingers touched his sweat glistening skin. With timid fingers, I traced the line of his strong jaw. He leaned into my hand, covering it with his.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said.

  His touch was so familiar, his presence comforting. Not having him in my life would be unbearable. “Me too.” I smiled at him, loving being close to him like this.

  “So.” A grin spread slowly along his lips. “Are you over being mad at me yet?”

  Was I? Mad was not the right word. I was disappointed. I had believed Zach could help me ditch a life I didn’t want. “I guess.”

  He scrunched up his face. “That’s reassuring.”

  Luke charged into the room. Zach didn’t step away from me. He placed his arm possessively across my shoulders.

  I didn’t know what to do, so I gave Luke a small smile.

  Luke glanced at me briefly, emotionless. “The assembly is waiting.”

  Zach turned me to face him. His expression was as serious as I had ever seen it. “No matter what you decide, I will always be here for you. I love you.”

  I glanced over to the door. Luke was already gone.

  Zach pulled me into him and covered my lips with his. His kiss was sweet, barely a hint of passion at all in the beginning. That didn’t last long. I was soon being devoured, but I could have happily gone on like that for hours. I took whatever he was willing to give me. Pulling him closer, I ran my hands up his chest and slid them around his neck. I didn’t want it to end, yet he stepped away from me too soon. He gave me a once over, smiled wolfishly, and walked out of the room.

  I placed my hand over my pounding heart and took a deep breath before I followed him down the hall. He led me to the base of a grand staircase. Motioning for me to take the steps to the left, he took the right.

  I glanced over at him several times, but he climbed formally. What was he thinking? Was he as nervous as I was?

  He met me at the top and offered his arm. I gratefully accepted, feeling a bit overwhelmed. I had no idea what was about to happen, but it seemed more bearable with him next to me.

  Trumpeters sounded our arrival. This was it: The beginning of my new life.

  Zach ushered me onto a glowing terrace. A crowd cheered as I entered the space. I was so close to covering my ears, but I didn’t want any of them to see how freaked out I was.

  Zach guided me to the center of the terrace. The fivefold symbol was inlayed in gold, ruby, sapphire, garnet, and emerald. The precious gems sparkled in the sunlight. The glowing floor and sky lent a celestial feel to the rooftop. He gave me a reassuring nod.

  I wished it could repair my shredded nerves. I scanned the sea of unfamiliar faces. The weight of expectation was clear in every gaze.

  Drum beats rang out, primitive, basic and surprisingly seductive. A group of veiled dancers circled around me wearing brightly colored dresses, moving deftly to the hypnotic rhythm. I found myself swaying to the music.

  The women closed the circle. My head swam so I closed my eyes for only a second. When soft fingers brushed my skin, I gasped. They hoisted me into the air, and then carried me forward. I tried to see where we were going, but the light coming from every surface blinded me.

  They placed me gently on my slippered feet. The music stopped and the sea of people parted.

  Tabitha stood in front of me. Her pale eyes were eerily fixed to mine. It was as though she could see me, but couldn’t. Was she blind?

  I stayed where I was. She laughed the wild sound I had heard once before. Chills ran down my spine.

  She danced around me, a feral thing disguised as a woman. Her white hair was piled haphazardly around her head. Dried leaves and twigs clung to the matted locks. Tendrils snaked down to her ankles. So I hadn’t been dreaming.

  She inched unnervingly closer every time she circled me. I was tempted to follow her movements, but fear cemented me to the spot. I kept my face forward. She touched my hair, bringing it with her in front of me. She sniffed and released it. Her gaze shifted to mine.

  Her dove gray pupils didn’t fix on anything. I was sure she was blind now.

  “Is that so, Elemental? You know so much about me, do you?” She laughed her high pitched trill and snaked around me again, running her hand across my shoulders. “Poor Elemental. So far from a home that should have never been hers.”

  What did she know about how or where I was raised?

  A conspiratorial look crossed her delicate features. “More than you think, young one.”

  Could she read my thoughts? I hoped not.

  “Now you’re catching on.” She took my hand.

  I yanked it away as though burned. Her gaze was like looking into a mirror, but instead of seeing a reflection, every buried secret within me came to life, reminding me of how inadequate I was.

  “These are the things that define you.”

  I didn’t want to be defined by my failures.

  She stood in front of me. Her gaze trained on the ground. “Short-sighted. You cannot succeed without failing first.”

  She snatched my hands into hers. Her grip dug into my skin. I yelped, trying to rip my fingers away. She wouldn’t let go.

  “Needs a strong hand, I think.”

  What was she doing?

  “Too close to tell for sure.” With her eyes closed she swung her head around. “Jafan of Eldrea, come forward.”

  Jett strode toward us. I trembled at his approach. No. This could not be happening. Anyone but him. I’d even take Finn at this point. Where was he anyway?

  I threw myself onto the floor writhing to get away from her death-grip. I screamed at her to let go of me. I pleaded for help. No one moved. I fell silent after a few minutes, feeling foolish. The people looked at me as though I were insane.

  I found Zach in the crowd. “Come get me,” I mouthed. The moment he moved forward, a group of burly men blocked his path. He stepped back but kept his gaze trained to me. Was he afraid of these men? Were they the royal guard?

  Luke shouted, “She should get to choose.”

  Tabitha held up her hand. Silence. Even the bird
s stopped chirping.

  “Alithea of Eldrea, step forward,” Tabitha commanded.

  A woman only a few years older than me glided nearer. I would know her anywhere. I sobbed out a silent, “Mom.” She hadn’t aged at all.

  This was why she had left me with Aunt Grace. She shouldn’t be here now. How could she have had me and be here? Wasn’t that the opposite of how this was supposed to work? I had so many questions, but I didn’t dare even think any more of them. I had already revealed way too much from the look on Tabitha’s face.

  The woman Tabitha had called Alithea stood by Jett, or, rather, Jafan. Her eyes scanned over me without so much as a hint of recognition.

  My heart shattered. Couldn’t she see who I was? She couldn’t have missed the resemblance.

  Tabitha reached out a hand toward Alithea who graciously accepted. “Jafan claims this Elemental to be your offspring. What have you to say?”

  My mother bowed low then stood stoically. “That is impossible, Majesty. I have been bound these past fifty years.”

  “You were absent from court during the time this child would have been born.”

  “I do not deny that, All Mother. I ask you, in all reverence, how can an Elemental conceive when she is bonded? All progression is stopped.”

  Tabitha seemed to consider this. She nodded. “You may leave.”

  I watched my mom fade into the crowd without a backward glance. To keep from crying, I bit the inside of my cheek. I would not betray my own mother by being weak.

  Tabitha turned toward Jafan. “This woman has made a compact with you?”

  “Yes,” Jafan stated calmly. His deep brown eyes roamed over my body. “I was promised her first born in exchange for assistance. She comes from a long line of Earth Elementals, majesty.”

  “What sort of assistance did you provide her?” Tabitha asked, her face serene.

  Jafan shifted his weight. Could it be possible that he was nervous?

  “I made a solemn pact to never disclose what was done.”

  “I see,” said Tabitha. She held out her hand to Jafan. He greedily accepted.

  “And you believe this girl to be that firstborn?”

  “The likeness speaks for itself,” he said. His gaze and stance did not waver in the slightest.

  A surge of power shot up my arm. I thought Tabitha didn’t have control over the elements? More power shot through me. I doubled over. What was happening? I groaned in pain.

  “It would be a good match,” Tabitha proclaimed.

  Jafan smiled. His gaze was full of smug possession.

  “No!” I screeched. “I will not be bound to him.”

  Tabitha twisted a wry expression at me. She squeezed my fingers until I let out a cry as my pain intensified.

  When I finally wrenched my fingers from her grasp, she turned a scowl on me. “You cannot hide any longer from your fate.” She snatched my hands again quicker than I could get away.

  I pleaded for the elements to aid me. Particles in every color shone all around me in that impossible cosmic storm. I felt their strength as they surged through my body. My palm glowed bright white. I yanked free of Tabitha’s grip. “I make my own fate. Not you!”

  The crowd gasped. Luke looked proud. I gave him a slight nod.

  “Your highness!” came an urgent cry. “Your highness, please stop this.”

  I wrenched my neck around to see who it was. The movement took more effort than it should have. I was on the brink of collapsing again. I was too weak for this fight, but I wasn’t about to let anyone else know that.

  Finn raced toward us, the crowd parting like the Red Sea. Cassie was on his heels. He held her hand.

  Tabitha laughed. “Feandan of Ignis. I thought not to see you this go around. Am I mistaken, or have you not released your claim on this Elemental?”

  Finn bowed low. He still had a hold of Cassie’s hand. I couldn’t believe she was actually here.

  I ran to her and threw my arms around her. She laughed, hugging me back. Her leg was healed. It had only been a few days, hadn’t it? Tears streamed down my cheeks.

  “I have, your highness,” said Finn. “It is only a formality now, but I am here for an urgent matter.”

  Tabitha growled low in her throat. “Why have you brought this human amongst us? You know it is forbidden.”

  Finn went pale. “I have grave news, Majesty, that requires immediate action.”

  “It will keep, lord of fire. We are in the middle of the bonding ritual.”

  “But—”

  “I will not hear another word until this task is done.” Tabitha gave Finn a look of exasperation. “You should know how important this girl is to our race. I have seen what has happened. We need her power to fight this plague.”

  Tabitha looked over at me. Her gaze was too much to handle. She started scolding Finn. But I didn’t hear much of it because Cassie leaned into me. I wasn’t about to miss what she had to say.

  “Great company you’re keeping these days.”

  I shook my head. “As if I had a choice.”

  “If I were you, I would stay here. Home hasn’t been a blast, either.”

  I hadn’t expected that. “What happened?”

  Her eyes held a suppressed pain that had never been there before. “Too much to explain now. Let’s just say that Roger Wayne has his grubby hands in a lot of things. They’re all gone, Rayla.”

  “Who?”

  She grimaced. “Your whole family. Castlerock has been deserted. It was the pig farm.”

  “What?” I didn’t understand a thing she was saying.

  “They were hiding hundreds of Elementals in the pig farm.”

  “Why?”

  “Exactly,” she whispered.

  Tabitha had stopped berating Finn. She tapped my shoulder. I inhaled deeply, trying to control my temper.

  I had to remember not to do that here. My head swam again.

  Then again…I breathed in as much as I could. If I was unconscious, she couldn’t make me bond with Jafan.

  “Think again, little girl,” Tabatha said, taking my arm and yanking me over to where Jafan stood.

  He smirked at me. I kicked his shin. I’d forgotten I was wearing flimsy slippers. I gritted my teeth. I wasn’t about to let him see I had hurt myself far worse than him.

  “Luthais, Ammon, come,” called Tabitha.

  Luke and Zach stood in front of me. Neither one of them would look me in the eye. Were they really going to let this woman decide which of them could have me? Why weren’t they fighting her?

  Tabitha shot me a warning look. She grabbed my hand again and reached out for Zach. As soon as his fingers touched hers, my insides exploded with pain. Tabitha laughed wildly. Was she enjoying this?

  Luke was next. The same thing happened. I would die if she tested our compatibility again, which was exactly what she looked like she was about to do.

  “Stop,” I pleaded. “I can’t take anymore.”

  Tabitha let go of Luke and put her hands on my shoulders. “Do you have a preference, child?”