“I’ll join for an extra five silvers,” the other woman with the low-cut red frock added, her hand sliding into the front of Aric’s pants.
Despite the ale’s clouding of his mind, Aric took her by the wrist and gave a firm push away. “No, thank you.”
“Suit yourself, bastard,” she said before turning to the next man that entered the pub.
Aric closed his eyes, steadying himself on his feet. He knew that the next step would be wobbly, so he took a few deep breaths.
Tomorrow would be his last battle in the arena. He feared for the safety of whoever he was matched against.
Aric feared there was too much of his father’s rage within him. The memories of his mother hiding her bruises and tears saddened him.
No. He wasn’t like his father.
Aric would never hurt a woman.
Nonetheless, the Seer, the one he’d come to call his Seer when he daydreamed about her each day deserved more.
How could he tell her that he killed a man?
Chapter 25
A NEW DAY brought hope, but Raina wasn’t certain what the future would bring. She hadn’t slept the night before. Maybe an hour of nightmares broke her from the worries of what they would soon face.
She wished that Errison was there to give them guidance.
Or Desi.
A glance at the gray sky hinted that it might rain, but Raina didn’t smell any trace of it. She hoped the sun would show so that Princess Arela’s grand garden party wouldn’t be ruined.
With the annual festivals occurring at the same time, all of Rhene was in a frenzy of joy and excitement.
Ambassadors and royalty from the nine kingdoms were assembled, all with their champions set to compete and bring honor and glory to their homelands.
“Is this the one you wanted?” Prince Eryon held up a beautiful mask.
The sun’s rays caught on the tiny crystals, making it glitter.
“It is,” Raina said.
Raina, Prince Eryon, and Allan stood before a cart filled with rolls of exotic silks and masks made specifically for Arela’s birthday celebration.
The princess declared that everyone must wear costumes and masks. Not because she was particularly keen on dressing up in disguise, but she wanted to make sure Raina and Allan could attend her party without defying their oaths to conceal their looks.
Raina touched the smooth texture of the silver and crystals on the mask.
“Look, your gray eyes are almost silver. They will match the jewels perfectly,” the shopkeeper said.
Standing little more than four feet tall, the woman smiled at Raina. “You would be the most beautiful maiden at the princess’ party this evening.”
Allan nudged Raina, grinning. “The most beautiful maiden indeed,” he said with a smirk.
Raina returned the grin. Somehow smiling wasn’t as easy after Aric’s apparent rejection of her. Apparently, humans didn’t hold up to their vows the way gods did.
When a god said that they would do something, they did it.
Simple.
The idea of attending the party as didn’t bring her as much joy as she’d originally thought. She imagined blending in with the elite in the beautiful silk gown Arela commissioned Olia to make for her. She imagined disappearing.
What was there to stay in the Abyss for now?
In only months, she would return home.
Raina could not wait.
Her little pupil was growing up. She’d grown to love Arela like a sister and a close friend. The princess would be greatly missed.
The shopkeeper held up the mask in both hands. “Three gold coins and it’s all yours.”
Raina looked to Eryon. “Thank you for this,” she said.
She knew that three gold coins were a high price for something she’d only wear once. Attending without one was unacceptable, and she wanted to pick out her own.
Eryon didn’t flinch at the price. He handed the shopkeeper the three gold coins from his waist purse. At a year older than Raina and Allan, Eryon was also a close friend, one that related to Allan more than she. They shared a love for knowledge that Raina couldn’t comprehend.
A faint smile on her lips, Raina watched as her new mask was wrapped and placed in a pretty purple box. She took Eryon’s hand into her own gloved hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Thank you,” she said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
A quick nod was all he gave her. He cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact but not letting her hand go.
“Let’s go. I don’t want to miss Aric’s appearance at the coliseum today,” Eryon said.
Raina winced at the mention of Aric.
It was apparent that Prince Eryon looked up to his older brother, trying to emulate him in all that he did. He’d even grown out his auburn hair the same length as Aric’s, and wore it styled the same way.
“Thank you,” Raina said to the shopkeeper as they walked away. She glanced up at Eryon, pulling her hand away as they stepped along the stone walkway along the side of the road.
Seers don’t show affection in public. She recited Errison’s words to herself.
Allan walked a little ahead of them. “I wish I could have seen more of the world.”
“You can,” Eryon said. “Won’t you have a chance to change stations soon?”
Allan shrugged, glancing at Raina. “I suppose.”
Going back home was the only change they foresaw for themselves. Standing up to Litha and reclaiming their rightful place as rulers awaited them.
Somehow, neither option seemed as appealing as when they’d first started their time in the human world.
Raina looked at the shop fronts they passed along their right, wishing they could linger awhile longer and browse the beautiful things that were sold. She had visited one of the shops earlier; one that sold more than jewels and garments.
Parties and festivities weren’t the only things on her mind.
Prince Aric was returning to Rhene after three years abroad.
There had to be more than just passing looks between them. Even though she was leaving for Aden soon, Raina had to be sure.
Her heart deserved it.
She had a plan that would definitely get his attention.
“I will meet you at the palace at sunset, and we can all go to Arela’s party together,” Raina said before turning to walk the other direction.
Allan frowned. “Where are you going?”
Raina avoided his eyes. “I need to make sure my dress is ready. I won’t bother you men with such silly lady tasks.”
Allan watched her hurry away. She was sure he didn’t believe a word she said, so she didn’t linger and give him the chance to stop her.
She bit back a smile as she heading toward the shop.
They held something for her.
Something that would help her reconnect with the power she suppressed, the power that begged to be set free.
Be careful, Raina.
Raina clutched her necklace. “Desi? I’ve missed you!”
Be careful. Litha watches. Do not show your true power.
“I know what I’m doing, Desi. Trust me.”
I really hope you do.
Chapter 26
FULL ARMOR SHIELDED Raina from the eyes of the crowd. So far everything went according to plan. No one knew who she was. Her helmet covered her face, only revealing her eyes.
No one suspected a thing.
Except Prince Aric.
She could see the doubt in his eyes. He knew that something wasn’t right.
He stood in the coliseum across from her, sword and shield in hand. Loose strands of his blond hair were caught with the swift breeze, whipping around his face as he stared at her.
When their eyes met, Raina almost turned the other way and left. Something about them made her feel torn between getting lost in his gaze or hiding from it.
“Who are you?”
Raina swallowed as he searched her eyes. Something w
as missing from his gaze. That energy that made her swoon on their first encounter was missing.
What was he hiding?
Too late to back out now. She gave him a wink and drew two swords that crisscrossed behind her.
The crowd roared when she ran the steel of one along the other, sending sparks into the air.
Aric eyed her swords.
“Come now, Prince. You aren’t afraid of a woman, are you?”
Raina swung both swords, making the air swish with the blades.
His jaw clenched. “Of course not. I’m just thinking of how much I don’t want to hurt you.”
Raina grinned and readied herself. “Funny. I was just wondering the same thing.”
He straightened his shoulders at her words.
“Begin,” King Lavi said, his voice echoing along the entire coliseum.
Raina didn’t waste a second. She charged at Aric with every ounce of energy and strength that had been bottled up for far too long.
Aric’s eyes widened at her skill as she spun and swung her swords in ways the humans had never seen.
“Show me, Aric,” she said in between strikes. “Show me the power you’ve inherited.”
“What? What are you doing?”
Raina closed her eyes. “Practicing,” she said and kicked him in the chest with one long powerful leg. She sent him crashing into the floor.
Queen Nevah shot to her feet. “Show the crowd your power, Aric. Do not hold back!”
Raina grinned. The queen did not sound pleased with her son’s performance.
To her surprise, Aric didn’t hesitate to heighten the intensity. His body vanished before her eyes.
For a moment, Raina had to straighten up and focus on finding him. It didn’t take long. Her senses did the work. She heard him, felt his presence, and soon she saw the outline of his body against the air.
She stretched her neck, and with a surge of power, she crashed into him, sending him flying across the coliseum and into one of the walls. She pressed her breastplate to his and looked him in the eyes.
“Thank you,” she said.
Breathless, and stunned that she had beaten him, he looked down at her with widened eyes.
“For what?”
Raina closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. She still felt that intense attraction to him, but showing him that she was more than his equal, and not just a silly girl gave her such satisfaction that she felt tears well in her eyes.
“Thank you for reminding me of who I am.”
Chapter 27
NINE MEN HAD been defeated by Raina and her specially crafted swords.
The satisfaction of a successful day was apparent on her face but mistaken for excitement for Arela’s grand party.
Raina, Eryon, and Allan headed to Olia’s dress shop. Allan led the way, already dressed for the party. He kept his cloak secured over his fancy suit.
Eryon did the same. They didn’t want it known that the prince was out in the city without a guard.
“You really didn’t have to come all the way to the Lower City with us, Prince Eryon,” Allan said.
“It’s fine. I wanted to make sure you made it safely. This part of the city can be quite dangerous.”
Raina smiled up at him. “I’m lucky to have such a charming prince to protect me,” she said.
He gave her a sidelong glance, the corner of his mouth lifting into a half smile. “You are lucky.”
Eryon scanned the crowds with his eyes.
“In just an hour’s time we will be dancing the night away with royalty from all over the world,” Raina said, her mind only on Prince Aric.
Her eyes looked upward at the Upper City. She liked to call it the silver city because it seemed to glisten under the sun’s light. The palace was prominent toward the back of the enclosed stone circle, seeming to look down on them from its spot on the raised plateau.
Soldiers patrolled the roads but the crime was more prominent in Olia’s part of town. Raina didn’t care. She wanted her dress to be made by the best, and to her Olia’s gowns seemed to be spun from pure magic.
The path to Olia’s dress shop was crowded with excited young folk as they headed from their studies in the trade school at the end of the alley. Raina smiled at them as they passed her by, missing a time when she and Allan could go about their lives without worry.
Past the groups of students, Raina saw someone watching her. She tensed when their eyes met. He was tall and wore a black cloak that matched the same shade of his long hair. His eyes studied her, unashamed that he’d been caught staring.
She didn’t say anything to the others as they walked past him. She looked away, feeling that something was wrong, but unsure of what exactly bothered about him.
Once they reached Olia’s shop door, she figured the stranger was just another citizen of the Lower City. That was until she glanced over her shoulder to see him standing right behind her.
Raina stopped and turned to him.
Her eyes narrowed as they stood face to face.
Eryon stopped beside her, looking at the stranger to Raina. He put his hand on the hilt of the sword that rested on his hip. “Is something wrong?”
The stranger didn’t break his gaze with Raina, but a thin-lipped smirk came to his face.
Raina’s body went cold as she looked into his blue eyes. They were so blue that they mocked the sky on a bright summer day.
He took in a breath as if smelling her, and his smirk widened. His eyes flickered up to Eryon.
“No, Prince Eryon. Everything is entirely right,” he said and walked away as if nothing odd had just happened.
Raina stood there, a sick feeling entering her stomach as she watched him walk away and blend into the crowd.
She folded her arms and rubbed them against the sudden cold she felt.
“What was that?” Seeing that she was cold, Eryon risked being recognized and took his cloak off. He wrapped it around Raina and smoothed it over her arms to warm her.
“That was odd,” Allan said, his eyes following Raina’s gaze. “Do you know him?”
Raina still shivered despite wearing Eryon’s cloak. She looked to Allan and Eryon.
“No,” she said. “But I have a feeling we will.”
Chapter 28
OLIA LOOKED UP from her scrolls when they entered her shop. The store was empty of customers. Bookshelves filled with scrolls, pots of herbs, flower petals, and various spools of fabric, thread, and needles were everywhere.
Olia’s grin faded when she saw the looks on their faces.
“What is it?” Her thin blue eyes looked behind them. “Has something happened?”
Raina closed the door behind them, glancing out the window that looked out to the alley where she’d encountered the stranger.
“I’m not quite sure what just happened,” Allan said, sniffing the various herbs Olia had on her work table.
Eryon still had his hand on the hilt of his sword. “I’m not either. Maybe we should hurry to the party. I didn’t like the look of that man.”
Olia looked alarmed. “What man is he talking about, Allan?”
Raina turned to her. “No need to worry,” she said, shaking her head. “We are fine. Everything is fine.”
“Are you sure?” Olia’s eyes questioned Raina about more than she could say in front of Eryon.
“Yes,” Raina assured her. “But Prince Eryon is right. I need to hurry and get dressed so we aren’t late.”
Olia smoothed her brown hair down. “I’m already ready,” she said, giving a twirl of her maroon gown. “Do you like it? I made it this morning.”
Raina smiled.
“It’s beautiful,” Allan said.
“Thank you,” she said to him. “Your dress awaits you upstairs, Raina.”
“Great.” Raina grabbed Olia by the hand pulling her toward the stairs that led up to Olia’s bed chambers.
Upstairs Olia quickly changed out of her Seer’s uniform. Olia helped her s
lip into the gown. The fabric was softer than Raina remembered from when she picked it out.
She glanced in the mirror that stood in the corner of Olia’s room.
Raina paused at her reflection. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at herself.
It had been a long time since Raina had worn a gown that beautiful. She’d have to thank Arela again for buying it for her. The high waist of the lavender dress had a shimmering black bow that Olia tied for her. It rested on her full bosom that was hinted at by the draped bodice. With long sleeves to cover her tattoos, and the hem brushing the tops of her black shoes, no one would suspect that she was anything but an average human girl.
“You look fabulous,” Olia said as she stood beside her. “Prince Aric won’t know what to do with himself when he sees you.”
Raina blushed. “You weren’t supposed to know about that.”
“I see more than you think,” Olia said.
Raina turned and winked at her. “I do too,” she said, pointing to a pair of Allan’s socks on the floor beside her bed.
Olia’s face turned beet red. “Raina. Please don’t tell anyone.”
Laughing, Raina rubbed Olia’s arm. “Who would I tell? Your secret is safe with me. You’ve kept Allan’s and mine for so long. I would never betray you.”
Olia hugged her tightly, her face pressed to Raina’s chest.
“Thank you, Raina.”
When she pulled away, Raina saw tears in Olia’s eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
Olia sniffled. “I love him…and soon the two of you will leave us all behind and never return.”
Raina’s smile faded. She lowered her voice. “It’s okay, Olia. Who says we can never return?”
The thought had come to her many times, and each time she felt the pain of the truth. Olia was right. Soon they would have to leave, and all of their friends and loved ones would be forever gone to them.
Raina turned and used one of Olia’s combs to break through the tangles in her waist-length black hair.
“Do you really mean it, Raina?”
Nodding, Raina pursed her lips. She couldn’t bring herself to voice the lie once again.