Chapter Twenty-Three
“Princess?”
I hadn’t spoken yet. My voice was gone, my throat suddenly dry. What was he doing in my house? He stood fully clothed, bow across his chest and dagger at his side. He looked so out of place in my house. I shook off the moment. Something had to be said. I couldn’t just stand there like an idiot.
“You know I don’t like to be called that, Declan,” I said dumbly.
I wasn’t sure why I felt guilty. I hadn’t done anything wrong. Declan wasn’t my boyfriend. I hadn’t committed myself to him or Kai. But looking into Declan’s eyes of disappointment I suddenly felt like the scum of the earth. He thought better of me, highly of me even. I’d done something very wrong in his eyes.
“I apologize,” he muttered. “I was coming to check on you. I signaled to you and got no response. It’s long past sundown. I was worried, but I obviously had no reason to be.” He was stumbling back, strangely ungraceful.
“Declan,” I pressed. But he was gone, retreating away as swiftly as he could. There was a thud and crash as I heard him escaping.
The logic clicked. It was because he was away from the forest, in a structure filled with metal. He risked his life by coming into my home to protect me. And I was making out with Cameron.
Cameron said my name.
What had I done?
“Cal,” Cam prompted once more.
I shook my head. “I can’t.” I kept my back to him and headed for the open doorway. I needed to talk to Declan, to explain or apologize or to say something—anything.
“Calliope,” Cameron pleaded.
“No, Cam.” I turned back to him. “You should be ashamed too. What about Isla? What are you going to say to her?”
His eyes focused on me with no hint of shame or regret. “That I’m sorry, but my heart belongs to you. It always has. I just never gave myself a chance to realize it.”
“No.” I shook my head, denying myself this moment—a moment that was supposed to be perfect and blissful. Cameron kissed me and confessed his love for me. I was supposed to be jumping into his arms and declaring my love back, but I couldn’t. “No,” I said more adamantly. “That should never have happened. That never happened.”
“Calliope, please.” The look of pain on Cameron’s face twisted my stomach. I’d never done anything to hurt him before. We’d gotten in fights before, sure. But never had he left me feeling this absolute shame. He looked at me as if I’d betrayed him. I had never betrayed him in my life. I had never even considered doing anything that might slightly harm him.
“I’m sorry. I can’t. I just can’t be with you,” I said, choking on the approaching tears. I couldn’t keep them at bay anymore. They came rushing like a tidal wave. “Maybe if we could turn back the clock to three months ago, I could see myself with you and we could have been happy. But things have changed, Cam. I’ve changed.” I swallowed. The realization set confidently in. “I’m sorry. This isn’t what I want anymore.” There was no future with Cameron anymore. There never could be.
The look of helplessness twisting his face was more than I could bear. I turned and bolted. I had somewhere I needed to be.
“Declan!” I ran into the darkened trees, swatting away the drooping vines and random branches. He couldn’t have gone far. “Declan?” I stumbled over the rocks and stumps cloaked in wet green, recklessly in need of reaching him. “Declan, please!”
What had I done? What must he think of me now? I wasn’t blind. I denied it in my mind, but I wasn’t an idiot. Declan cared for me and this was how I repaid him.
A figure stepped out from behind a trunk, I nearly fell trying to stop myself from slamming into him. But it wasn’t the face I was expecting, the face I hoped it would be. I was now face to face with those deep, vibrant violet-blue eyes, glowing in the dim night sky.
“Kai,” I choked.
“My Queen,” he greeted. “Looking for your Keeper?”
Though it was a new way of addressing me, I didn’t even bother scolding him. “I need to talk to Declan.”
“Well it turns out you did something pretty awful. He doesn’t want to see you.”
I took a breath. “You’re lying.”
“I’m not sure I want to talk to you either, but someone has to keep you from running into a trap.” He folded his arms and leaned his shoulder coolly against the nearest trunk as he eyed me.
I combed my fingers through my hair. “It just happened. One second we were talking and the next it just happened. I didn’t mean for it to happen like that. It just did,” I blundered.
“Wait, what? You and Declan?” Kai’s arms fell to his side as he straightened up, alert.
“What? No.” He didn’t know.
“What happened Calliope?” His tone was probing, yet hesitant as if he didn’t really want to know. He feared my answer.
I opened my mouth, but bit back the words. Did I have to apologize? I shouldn’t have to explain myself to him. I didn’t owe Kai anything. I needed to apologize to Declan. He’d always been so loyal and kind and he’d just walked into the wrong place at the wrong time.
“It’s none of your business.”
“I’m afraid your business is my business, Princess,” he said, irritatingly.
“Stop calling me that!” I spat.
“My apologies, it is Your Majesty now.” He bowed deeply, not in respect, but mocking me.
“Stop!” I screeched even higher.
“My, my, what a temper she has. She’s a feisty little one. I like it.”
I spun around and saw a dark silhouette several feet away, leaning against a large oak, his arms crossed over his chest. My eyes adjusted to the darkness to take in his appearance. His ears pointed out from the disarray of hair that stood on end; so blonde it was nearly white. A dark brown cape tied around his shoulders. He brushed it back and stepped forward. He was undeniably handsome.
Kai moved in front of me, blocking my view. “Favner,” he said.
That was Favner? But he was so… so… normal. I mean, aside from his dreadfully good looks and the fact that he was a faery; he wasn’t huge by any stretch or vicious looking. From the way he was described I half expected him to be breathing fire. But this man was lean, a couple of inches shorter than Kai, and didn’t look like he could harm a dragonfly.
I tried peering around Kai, but he shifted in front of me as if sensing my curiosity.
“Don’t underestimate him,” Kai whispered, low enough for only me to hear.
I stayed hidden, but lifted my eyes around Kai to see Favner. Kai couldn’t honestly expect me to just sit back now. Favner stepped away from the shadow of the tree followed by two large shapes. The sound of something being dragged through the leaves trailed behind him. Liam and Owen came into view, devilish sneers formed on their malicious faces as they hung back, flanking Favner’s sides.
“Liam. Owen,” Favner said shortly. That was all the instruction they needed. They came around one side of him and threw a body to the ground in between Favner and Kai. She grunted as she hit the dead leaves.
I felt guilty for heaving a sigh of relief that it wasn’t Declan.
“Thank you,” Allura snapped, but with half the bite I knew she could have dished, “for your never failing kindness.” She spit on their feet, which rewarded her with a harsh smack from Liam. She choked, spitting blood, and warily sat up, tucking her legs underneath her and glaring at him.
“Allura,” Kai said, breathless.
Allura’s beautiful face was broken and bruised. Her thin headband, once naturally circling her head like a halo was broken, spilling her dreads over her tormented amber eyes. Filthy and torn, her clothes were barely draped around her body to cover her up.
“Look what I found wandering in my woods.” Favner spoke as if he was talking about the weather and smiled as if he won a prize.
“Kai,” she wept. “I’m so sorry. He was going to hurt Violet.” The words fell rapidly from her sp
lit lips. “I couldn’t let him touch our little—”
Favner’s palm met Allura’s cheek with a crack and she fell to the ground, but this time she didn’t make an attempt to get back up. I’m not sure she could if she tried.
“Don’t touch her,” Kai fumed, stepping forward. I could practically hear the grinding of his teeth. He took another step but stopped, seeming torn. Go to his sister or protect the future of Faylinn? From behind him I could only hear his shallow breaths and feel the heat radiating from his back, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
Favner disregarded Kai’s words. “Kai, aren’t you going to properly introduce me to your young lady friend? I do believe it is the only respectful thing to do for your king. You simply can’t hide my subjects from me.”
I could feel Kai tense. He hesitated for a few moments, but thought better than to keep me hidden and begrudgingly moved to the side of me.
Favner grinned, vile. “You are beautiful aren’t you? No wonder you’ve been able to take my best guards away from me. Who wouldn’t want to protect someone as precious as you?”
My voice failed me.
“Kai,” Favner prompted once more. I wasn’t sure what more he could want from him. He’d already taken his sister, displayed her beaten body at his feet.
Kai roughly cleared his throat. “Favner, this is Calliope. Daughter of Finnian,” he introduced me with venom in his tone. It wasn’t hard to detect it, but Favner was oblivious to his disgust. Or he was unconcerned with Kai’s feelings toward him.
Favner scanned every inch of my body, inspecting me in a way that made me feel naked. He stripped me of my confidence, making me feel smaller than an ant. His eyes were different from Declan’s and Kai’s. They were different from Allura’s. The three of them had bright eyes, pleasing to look at, while Favner’s were dark yellow like oozing pus. I felt nothing but evil seething from them.
“What have they been hiding from me for all of these years?” he mused, tapping the corner of his mouth.
Kai made a growling sound in the back of his throat, something very inhuman.
“No wonder you weren’t taken care of when you should have been. I can’t say that I blame Declan now.” He licked his dark red stained lips and bit his lower lip. “You’re simply too divine to toss away. I would certainly hate to have to dispose of you now.”
I could tell it took everything for Kai to hold his ground. He wavered on his feet, debating his next move, but kept me in his sight.
Favner continued, “So let’s compromise, shall we? I have a proposition. You interested, precious?” I didn’t respond to him. I knew he was going to propose whatever he pleased no matter what I said. “Rule by my side.” He held his hand out to me, trying to entice me forward.
“And if I say no?” My voice came out confident, not at all as shaky or unsure as I felt.
“I’ll simply finish the job that should have been done years ago,” he declared my death indifferently, as if my seventeen years of life meant nothing. “No difference to me. It would just seem a terrible waste of you.” He clucked his tongue. “But the choice is yours.”
I looked up to Kai, but his eyes were set on Favner. His fists still clenched at his sides so tightly they shook. His jaw tightened as he tried to keep his composure. He never blinked as if blinking might cause him to miss something.
I looked down at Allura splayed over the soil and dead leaves, who still hadn’t moved. My fate would be hers or worse if I didn’t respond in his favor.
“If I say yes?” Favner was getting closer to me, but I kept my feet planted. I wouldn’t show fear or weakness. I wouldn’t let him see how terrified I felt inside, though my revulsion was clawing me from the inside out.
“Then my dear, we’ll ride off into the shadow of trees to reign as the King and Queen of Faylinn and live happily ever after. We’ll drink, eat and be as merry as we’d like.” He reached out to touch me and twirled a piece of my hair around his fingers. “It feels just as soft as it looks.” His metallic breath fell across my face, painfully bitter. “The things I could do to you to change your world.” His words slithered through my veins, sly as a snake waiting to strike.
That was the last straw and I was airborne, flying backward and landed in a mess of wet leaves. Kai had shoved me out of the way. I watched from the ground as he towered over Favner. But Favner was unafraid.
“Back down, Kai,” Favner ordered. But Kai stood unafraid, planting his feet more determinedly.
Favner’s face contorted. He snarled and his eyes grew more intense as he focused on Kai. A small triumphant smirk turned the corners of Kai’s mouth as if he just discovered a dirty little secret. And then he flew at Favner.
“Liam. Owen.” There were no other directions, but it was the only piece of encouragement they needed. Before Kai could reach Favner, Owen snatched up Kai’s arms, pinning them behind his back while Liam landed a blow to his face. I flinched.
“Unwise decision, my friend,” Favner said, without a hint of emotion.
Kai stared up at Liam, without a trace of fear. Liam hit him in the stomach and Kai doubled over, letting out a heaving grunt. Owen’s booming laughter rose above Kai’s muffled groans, revealing in the power they had over him.
“Please! Please, stop!” I begged.
“Is that a yes, precious?” Favner didn’t take his eyes off of Kai.
My eyes shifted between Kai and Favner. Kai met my gaze, agony contorting his face. “Don’t,” he mouthed, blood dripping from the corner of his split lip.
I shook my head at Kai absently.
“I’m running out of patience, precious. You have one minute to take me up on my offer and then the deal will no longer be an option.”
Liam’s fist met the other side of Kai’s face and landed another strike to his stomach. I winced against the sound that seeped from Kai’s lips.
Where was Declan? I needed Declan now and then my thoughts finally connected. “Declan Alastair,” I said in barely a whisper.
“What was that, my dear?”
“Yes,” I choked, trying to buy my time. What if he didn’t come?
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“Yes,” I said firmly, my eyes darting from Kai’s crumpled figure to Favner. “Yes, I will be your queen, just make them stop. Please!”
Liam slipped in another punch before Favner stopped the torment. And it was over. Kai dropped to his knees, coughing. “No, Calliope. Don’t.” He coughed up a pool of red liquid. “I’d rather die.”
I ran to be by his side and put my hands to his battered face, willing him to heal.
“Calliope, come,” Favner commanded.
I didn’t respond. I was concentrating too hard on repairing Kai’s battered face. He was just beginning to heal. His indigo eyes poured into mine, looking so conflicted. “I’m fine,” he murmured, holding his stomach.
“No, you’re not.”
“Calliope, don’t provoke him,” Kai faintly pleaded.
“I’m not,” I lied.
“Calliope,” Favner barked. “Come or Kai won’t be so fortunate the second time around.”
“Go, Calliope.” I hesitated. “Now,” Kai said firmly and grimaced.
I exhaled shakily and got to my feet, savoring one last glance at Kai who wasn’t nearly ready enough to defend himself. Glaring at Favner, I walked to stand in front of him, as close as I could force myself to be. Liam and Owen hovered by Kai, ready and waiting to act at the slightest of Favner’s commands.
“You heard her, Kai,” Favner said, all too pleased. “We’ll be a fine pair, you and I, precious.” He approached me, closing the gap and encroaching on my personal space. He took my hand in his, slowly lifting it to his mouth. I suppressed the impulse to flinch as his cold lips kissed the top of my hand. His devious eyes watched my reaction as he pressed his lips to my hand again. I took a deep breath, struggling to keep my face blank. Declan wasn’t coming. My fate was sealed.