“Sorry,” I said. “I guess they forgot.” Wondering if I should try to manifest some rose petals real quick so I could spread them about and make him feel better, then quickly decided against it.
It was better not to coddle him. Better for him to face the facts, no matter how brutal. Facing the truth was an important part of the process. It would help him move on, something he desperately needed to do—sooner rather than later if I had any say in it.
“They have turned against me.” His eyes grew wide, frantic, as the reality of his situation sank in. “I have lost their adoration—their favor!” He gazed around wildly as though searching for a way to remedy it. “I am their champion—their Pillar of Doom—how dare they forget that?”
His voice cracked as he jumped to his feet. Retrieving his helmet he waved it at the crowd in an effort to get their attention, before he jammed it back onto his head.
“I will win them back! I will regain their favor! If it is the last thing I do, I will hear the roar of their approval—I will bask in the thunder of their applause once again!”
Oh boy.
I got to my feet and stood alongside him, saying, “Uh, Theocoles, seriously, you really need to rethink this.” I reached toward him, my hand grasping, reaching, only to watch in astonishment as he moved right past me, kicked a cloud of sand right into my face as he reached for his sword, and slumped into a crouching position.
“Okay, you know what?” I scowled, clearing my face and dress of disgusting, bloody, squishy chunks of I-don’t-want-to-know-what. “That’s enough! I mean it. I don’t care who you think you are—I don’t care if you’re the champion of this arena—I don’t care if you’re the champion of the whole entire world—you cannot spit at me! You cannot kick chunked-up sand in my face! Really, I am so not joking. I don’t care what time you come from, I don’t care that you’re used to living like a barbarian, it is absolutely, positively, not okay to disregard me like that! Do you hear me?” I placed my hands on my hips, and waited for a reply. Directing the question at him once again when I shouted, “I said: Do. You. Hear. Me?”
His eyes met mine, and in that moment I knew I’d connected. I knew I’d finally broken through to him.
Theocoles had heard me.
He’d seen me.
I’d just accomplished what no other Soul Catcher before me was able to do.
I’d broken him free of his trance.
I moved toward him, my palm open in offering, reaching for his. Knowing it was just a matter of time before I made that glistening golden veil that would lead him to the bridge, to where he belonged.
My voice choked with the thrill of victory, I gazed into his eyes and said, “Theocoles, come. It is time for you to move on.”
13
Theocoles leaned forward, his fingers flexing, straining, moving toward … his sword.
First he grabbed his sword.
Then he reached for his shield.
I stood there, gaping in a mixture of confused outraged indignation when Messalina appeared.
“We’ve been over this, Riley. Theocoles hears only what he chooses to hear. And, just so you know, when he finally does break out of his spell, it won’t be because of you. It will be because of me.”
She moved toward me, a vision in pink with a feral smile that widened her cheeks, as a savage gleam shone in her eye.
And all I could think was: Run! Resist! Do not let her touch you! Do not let her enchant you again!
But it was no use.
Well before I could move, well before I could get my body in cahoots with my head, she leaned toward me, her long, cool fingers sweeping the space just north of my brow, once again pretending to tame a stray curl that had fallen out of place.
And the next thing I knew I was standing in the middle of a loud and crowded room. My cheeks flushed, my gaze shyly avoiding that of a very cute boy who grasped hold of my hand.
A boy who introduced himself as Dacian.
A boy who seemed to think my name was Aurelia.
And maybe it was. I couldn’t be sure, when there was no one around to dispute it.
“Why have I not seen you before?” he asked, his eyes shining with unrestrained interest.
I ducked my head, gazed up at him through my tangle of lashes, my voice bearing the full extent of my confusion when I said, “But you have.” Only to watch him shake his head and immediately discard what I said.
“Trust me, I would not have forgotten such a thing. There is no way such a beauty as yours would ever escape me.”
Me? A beauty?
I gazed down at myself, smoothed my palms down the front of my gown, shocked to see I possessed the kind of body that I once only dreamed of. And if the heft and weight of the blond curls that bounced on my shoulders was anything to go by, then chances were I just might be as beautiful and radiant as the lavender dress that I wore.
I leaned over, peering into the elaborate, tiered fountain beside me, greedily searching for a trace of my own reflection, and relaxing when I found my face beaming back in a series of ripples. The image unsteady, wavering, but still confirming Dacian’s words to be true.
And yet, if what Dacian said was true—if my name really was Aurelia—if I really was a beautiful, teenaged girl—then why did it all feel so strange?
Why did it all seem so unreal, like some kind of dream? The boy—the body—the face—the dress—the strange-sounding name which he called me—it all seemed as unstable as the image I’d seen in the fountain.
It must be the party. It must be the large crowd of people and all of the noise that went with it. I wasn’t used to such things. I wasn’t used to feeling so cramped, and hemmed in. I needed air, needed the night sky, along with the stars, and the moon, and all that went with it.
“I trust I can leave you in Dacian’s care?” Messalina smiled, her gaze dancing between us.
I blinked. Wondering where she had come from. I didn’t remember seeing her arrive. It was as though she’d appeared out of nowhere.
“I trust that I can count on Dacian to be on his very best behavior when I leave my dearest friend in his care?”
Messalina and I were friends. Right. It was all becoming clear. We were good friends. Best friends. She lent me the dress, along with the jewelry I wore. She even fixed my hair, pinned it with jewels—the two of us such close friends we were almost like sisters.
“Don’t go!” I said. Or at least I tried to say it, but the words refused to cooperate, and were instantly replaced with, “I assure you I will be fine. If Dacian dares to get the slightest bit out of hand, I will summon one of the gladiators to take care of him.” I smiled flirtatiously, my eyes shining with laughter as I glanced between them. “In fact”—I made a point of pouting prettily—“I will do one better than that. I will choose that giant, hulking gladiator right over there.” I pointed toward the opposite side of the room, where the tallest, most fierce, most handsome gladiator stood with his hands and legs shackled to those who stood alongside him, ensuring they wouldn’t do anything reckless, ensuring the partygoers, the finest of Roman nobility, did not experience a repeat of the legendary revolt that was once led by Spartacus. “I will elicit the help of the one they call the Pillar of Doom. I think the threat alone is likely to keep Dacian subdued, no?” I shot him an inviting smile, eager to hear his reply.
“You would sic Theocoles on me?” Dacian said, his face a mask of mock horror as Messalina giggled beside him.
Theocoles.
What was it about that name that made me feel so odd inside?
I glanced at Messalina, my friend, my dearest friend, then shaking my head, I rid myself of any lingering doubts as I grasped her hand in mine and said, “Go! Go check in with your aunt, please. I am sure that with the threat of Theocoles hanging over him—” I paused on the name, had to force myself to move on. “Well, I’m sure Dacian can be counted on to behave now, can’t he?”
Dacian laughed in a way that made his eyes shine, as Messalina
leaned between us, trailing a finger first along Dacian’s brow and then mine. “Actually,” she said, her face gone suddenly serious. “I’m counting on both of you to be on your best behavior, and I’m sure you will not disappoint me.” Then she turned on her heel, and left us alone
14
“Shall we?” Dacian gestured toward a large platter of sweets a servant was offering.
But I just shook my head. I was in no mood for sweets. Not when I longed for fresh air, night sky, and escape.
“I think I’d rather go outside for a bit,” I said, my voice light and girlish but serious all the same. “I think I’d like some fresh air.”
Dacian nodded, offered his arm, and when I crooked my own around it, he led me through a series of crowded rooms until we found ourselves standing on a balcony that overlooked the arena where the gladiators trained during the day.
“Look at all the stars!” I leaned my head back, my complicated arrangement of curls and twists cascading to my waist as I took in the magnificent expanse of black sky.
“Do you know the constellations?” Dacian asked.
I smiled, admitting that while I did indeed know most of them, I still wanted him to show me.
“Well, let’s see then …” He squinted into the dark. “Right there is Cassiopeia.” He pointed, then moving his finger he said, “And that over there is Draco, of course. And, if I’m not mistaken, that one right there would be Aurelia Major.” He turned to me, his hair falling over one eye.
“Aurelia Major?” I shook my head and laughed. “And just when exactly was that one discovered? It’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
“Oh, it’s quite real, I assure you.” He smiled, exposing teeth so white, dimples so deep, and a face so cute, I felt as though a bubble of butterflies had just burst in my chest. “How shall I prove it?”
The question hung between us, a flirtatious challenge that I had no idea how to respond to. All I knew is that if I didn’t do something, if I didn’t speak up, if I didn’t look away, perhaps even move away, then Dacian would soon kiss me.
And while I wasn’t entirely sure that I wanted him to kiss me—I also wasn’t entirely sure that I was willing to miss out on what may be my one and only chance at him kissing me.
He rubbed his lips together, steadied his shaky fingers on my arm, then closed his eyes and leaned toward me, as I stood there before him, body rigid, mind busily taking note of every tiny detail, knowing that later, I’d want to review them.
Noting the distant sounds of laughter drifting behind us—the swishy sound of my dress when Dacian moved his hand from my arm to my waist and pulled me closer to him. And then, before I could note anything further, his lips had found mine—pressing briefly—once—twice—and then he pulled away again.
Dacian grinned, slid his arm around me, and returned to stargazing—the silence unfolding between us until it felt as wide as the sky. But instead of rushing to fill it, I let it unfurl. Words would be said eventually, but for the moment, I was determined to savor the quiet for as long as it stood.
“Look!” Dacian’s voice was edged with excitement as his finger pointed toward the sky. “There’s Aurelia Minor! Right there—right next to Aurelia Major! Now do you believe me?” His gaze met mine, and I saw in his eyes the same thing that I felt deep inside.
We liked each other. There was no way to hide it.
I averted my gaze, suddenly overcome by shyness, having no clue what to say. Wondering if I should maybe tease him about failing to act on his best behavior—that the brief kiss we shared was more than enough to make good on my threat to summon a gladiator. Though I quickly decided against it, worried that he might take me seriously—that it might give him reason not to kiss me again—something I was not willing to risk.
“Are you cold?” He smoothed a hand over my bare arm in an effort to warm me.
“A little.” I shrugged, unaware that I’d shivered until he’d just mentioned it.
He looked at me, his gaze gone all fuzzy like he might try to kiss me again. But just as he started, I glimpsed something shiny, something dazzling, something spectacular and fleeting, shooting clear across the sky.
And as I turned my head to get a better look, Dacian moved in for the kiss, resulting in two noses that smacked hard together as I said, “Look, a shooting … star …”
We stepped away from each other, gasping in shock and embarrassment that soon gave way to an uncontrollable fit of giggles. The two of us falling all over each other, falling all over ourselves, hands carefully cupped to our faces, checking for damage, the sight of which only fueled a whole new set of giggles that completely consumed us.
Our laughter halted by the sound of someone saying, “Hi. Uh, sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you might be able to help me?”
I turned, my hand instantly dropping from my nose to my side as I took in the stranger before me. My eyes grazing over his longish flop of brown hair that swooped over his brow before falling into a remarkable pair of green eyes framed by a thick set of lashes. Working my way all the way down a set of very strange, entirely unfamiliar clothes that clearly marked him as a foreigner—including a pair of shoes that were big and clumsy and miles away from the strappy leather sandals all the other males wore. And when I worked my way back up, I saw that he chewed some sort of odd green object lodged in the side of his mouth, which just made him look even more strange than he already did. Everything about him was weird—and yet, somehow I found that I couldn’t turn away no matter how hard I tried.
Dacian moved before me, as though to protect me—a move I found rather sweet, if not also a tad bit unnecessary. “And just what is it you need help with?” He gave the stranger a once-over almost as thorough as mine.
“I’m trying to locate a … friend.” The stranger’s voice was cautious, careful. “I’m afraid I’m responsible for her, and I’m wondering if either of you might’ve seen her. She’s blond, blue-eyed, and at twelve years old she’s a bit on the small side. Goes by the name of—”
I slipped back to Dacian’s side, my eyes meeting the stranger’s, unsure what to make of the unmistakable way he was looking at me.
With shock.
And disbelief.
As though he wasn’t just looking at me, but also through me, beyond me—and while I had no idea what he saw, there was no denying his interest was piqued.
“Riley?” His voice croaked as the straw fell from his mouth and landed at his feet. He stepped forward, his gait tentative, a bit shaky, stopping when Dacian raised a hand between them, flashing his palm in warning.
“I’m going to have to stop you right there,” Dacian said, the threat implied in his tone. “Clearly you have the wrong party, so it’s best you move on.”
If the stranger heard, he chose to ignore it. And though he made no further move in my direction, that didn’t stop him from staring in complete and utter fascination when he said, “Riley? Riley Bloom? Tell me, does that name mean anything to you?”
Heat rose to my cheeks, as a familiar feeling blossomed inside me—and though I knew I should look away, I just couldn’t, I was frozen in place
“It’s like I said.” Dacian took another step toward him. “You have the wrong party. There is no … Riley Bloom here.” He stumbled over the name. “It’s time for you to move on.”
The stranger glanced between us, his gaze landing on mine, holding the look for so long I couldn’t help but squirm under the weight of it.
Aware of Dacian’s body tensing, his fingers curling into fists, refusing to relax even after the stranger said, “No worries, I’m leaving.” He turned, stepped away, glancing over his shoulder to add, “At least for now anyway.”
15
Messalina and I stayed up late into the night, picking at a tray of leftover sweets, braiding each other’s hair, and swapping tales that we swore into the strictest confidence, requiring a solemn vow of secrecy before they were told. And after I’d listened to her gush on and on about he
r top secret romance with Theocoles, it was my turn to relate every last detail of the moment Dacian kissed me.
“He did not!” Messalina plopped a sweet into her mouth and leaned toward me as her eyes grew wide with surprise.
“He did, indeed.” I smiled at the memory. “Not much of a gentleman to be sure, but still, I decided not to call him on it. In fact, I even let him do it again!”
“No!” Messalina laughed and shook her head, lounging on a large pile of pillows she’d arranged at her back.
“Oh yes.” I nodded. “Though, to be honest, it didn’t quite go as planned. Rather than actually kissing, we had a little accident and ended up smacking noses instead!” I covered my face with my hands, seeing the embarrassing moment so clearly it was as though it was happening all over again. “And before we could give it another try, a stranger interrupted us … and … well, the moment was lost.” I shrugged. “But then later, by the fountain, he—”
“Stranger? What stranger?” Messalina bolted upright, her voice so edgy, face so alarmed, I immediately regretted having mentioned it.
“It’s nothing,” I told her, quick to wave it away, wanting to get back to my story—the second brief kiss Dacian had given me. “He left fairly quickly, it is nothing for you to worry about.”
“But he must’ve wanted something—won’t you tell me what that is?” She leaned toward me, her fingers reaching for my brow, pushing my hair away from my face.
“He was looking for someone named Riley.” My gaze locked on hers. “Riley Bloom, I think he said.”
“And what did you tell him?” She leaned closer, staring intently.