“Fraid so.”
Just the idea of this was giving me butterflies, causing a warm sensation to ease through me.
“I don’t know how to meditate that deep,” I stated blankly.
“Yeah, you do. I taught you that, too. Look at me.”
I did as he asked. “Can you see?”
“Not in the way that you do.”
I didn’t have to try hard to see him. Even though his own mind was somewhat vague to him, he had held on to the memories that mattered. I was even sure that I could dig deep enough and figure out what his forgotten charge was, what he needed to do once he was free from the veil. I remembered Mom telling me that helping people see their past was part of what I was meant to do. I just didn’t know she was talking about my own brother.
In his mind I could see us meditating on the den floor. We chased that meditation by listening to music, music that was within us. At first it took me by surprise to see my soul rise, but as I gazed into my own image I was able to hold that experience in my mind.
“Unreal,” I breathed.
“Natural. Every time you dream, you send your soul somewhere else. You just do this awake.”
“I swear to you, he almost killed me. I have seen dark energy pour into him in The Realm. The idea of this terrifies me.”
“That stuff is evil. No soul. And if or when it seeps into him in that place it will off-center his senses, make him very thirsty for your energy, for he knows it will cleanse him. At least his soul knows that.”
“So if this is natural, needed, then why did Bianca - the demon I’m hunting - force my light into him? Why did Britain act as if I was food?” I asked as I crossed my arms and raised my brow.
“I’m not sure who this girl is you’re hunting, but that Britain boy comes from a bad line. In that line they are born starved and pull the way you say Draven thinks he will. Something is off about that Britain guy, but I can assure you that the rest of the line he comes from has not been claimed either. Their master has left them on their own. They are like a pack of wild dogs. They have no idea what their heritage is, and at this point they wouldn’t care. They have been groomed to be as lethal as you say they are.”
“I watched them force my light into Draven and he screamed in agony.”
Cashton tapped his temple. “It’s in his head. He thought he would be like them if he did. I’m sure. If his scent carried the aroma of almost any other line I would still tell you to do this - but with caution, like just touching souls, so you could wean him off his addiction. But his line is regal. The master of it must believe that he is strong, that you will protect him.”
If this were even the slightest bit true, then Cashton just took the weight of the world off my shoulders.
“We need to wait until Silas is over his temper tantrum before we do this. I can’t put Aden at an even greater risk.”
“I can get to Silas, make sure he’s legit while you do what you need to do. That boy is putting a wall up between you. Knock it down. You need him just as much as he needs you,” he said as he glanced to my necklace, then into my eyes.
At that moment, the back door opened and a redhead stepped out. I was confused because the images in my mind were telling me that it was Olivia, but it didn’t look like her. The color of red was deep, almost plum, and her eyes were dark as night, not green.
“There you are. Come on. You have to leave in, like, an hour and a half,” the girl said.
“Olivia?” I asked, squinting my eyes as I walked closer to her.
She blushed slightly, raising her hands to her hair. “Like it? I figured there were enough green-eyed brunettes around here,” she said, winking at me, surely thinking of Madison and Willow. “Besides, I want to make sure I’m at your side tonight. Me and Chrispin had to alter our appearances for that fact alone.”
“I like it,” I said, daring to smile. “Original.”
“Come on. It’s time to bring out your royal side.”
“Where is Madison?”
“Felicity is already working on her.”
“I’m going to have a chat with Draven,” Cashton said as he vanished from my side.
I sucked in a deep breath and made my way to the porch. When Olivia opened the back door I heard a screaming guitar.
“I...um...sorry about that,” I said over it, apologizing for the sound Draven was obviously making. At home it would be fitting, but here I wasn’t sure how much they cared for it.
Olivia smirked. “Are you kidding? Please. Make him mad more often. It’s very entertaining.”
“Don’t worry. I’m good at that.”
“Not tonight, you’re not. Tonight you are his counterpart, and you are madly in love.”
“Every night,” I said under my breath as I followed her through the house.
Just before we went up the stairs, I spotted Draven and Brady, along with Chrispin, in the den that was in the front of the house. Draven’s back was to me. I decided to just let him play for now. Hopefully, Cashton could figure out how to get through to him. If Draven figured out that half of my soul was his maybe he would stop thinking of doing foolish things.
The upstairs room I had been in for three days had been invaded. The gowns were across the bed. The bathroom’s long vanity was covered with curling irons and cosmetics. I cringed at the sight of it.
Felicity was in there working on Madison’s hair. Madison looked less than thrilled about the experience. Olivia sat me down in the vanity chair and went to work on me. I just closed my eyes and thought deeply about all that had happened to me today.
I kept reflecting on a past with Cashton. I felt so guilty to notice this, but I knew in a few hours’ time he had become closer to me than Kara. I could see that he was my first best friend. A protective older brother no doubt, but still my first best friend. I just liked how clear he was, how he was able to sum up everything and take away my worries. I really hoped he was right about the energy thing. I loved Draven to my core, but I didn’t know how many more times I could take his silent rejections, the guard he always had up. It wasn’t supposed to be like that.
A tight pull on my hair caused my eyes to fly open.
“Sorry,” Olivia said.
“You’re fine. I’m thick-headed,” I assured her.
“Oh, I meant the meditation. I pulled you out of it. I thought you were going to step out of your body for a second.”
I smirked. I guess that was a common thing.
“What are we supposed to do tonight? How many people are going to be there? Do I have to talk to anyone?” I asked, realizing that my hair was now done and my makeup was almost done. This night was coming faster than I wanted it to.
With the mention of tonight, Madison went rigid. I’d never seen her so nervous. I unfocused my eyes, then thought of a peaceful energy and eased it toward her. She sighed when it reached her and nodded once at me.
“Details,” Olivia said, stepping out of her jeans and into an extremely elegant black gown that highlighted her small, lean figure. “At least six hundred people. But half of them will be from Chara. In Esterious, the women always walk before the men, so when we leave the boat you and Madison will be side by side, Draven just behind you.”
“So the women are human shields?” Madison asked sarcastically.
“No,” Olivia said with a smile. “That dimension may not have much respect for women, but they do realize that women are life and that without us they would not have a heartbeat to begin with. We are the symbol of power and beauty.”
I pushed more of the calm energy toward Madison, but she was choosing to be miserable instead. Typical.
“We’ll be greeted by Drake, Alamos, and Perodine at the palace entrance. The greeting you will give anyone is a slight bow, followed by ‘Your Grace.’ Perodine will guide you through the open hall and the members of the court will line up to meet you. Then you will be taken to a formal dinner table. Dancing will come during and around dinner.”
Olivia wa
lked over to where Madison was and began to undo her hair.
“After dinner, Drake, out of custom, will ask Draven if he can have dessert and a private conference with his sister. Draven will say yes, then Madison will be escorted to a balcony table. Once their dessert is over, we will be led to our rooms.”
“We’re staying there?!” I asked.
“A private dessert?!” Madison said at the same time.
They laughed at us.
“No, Charlie, and yes, Madison,” Olivia answered. “Don’t worry, Madison. If you have no emotions for him it won’t be a big deal. And you get cake. What could be wrong with that?” There was an obvious sarcasm in her tone. She must have figured out that was the one language Madison spoke well.
“I’ll look like an idiot because I’ll be so mad I’ll be nervous,” Madison complained.
“I think we are counting on that. Nervousness looks a lot like new love,” assured Olivia.
“Let me set you straight,” Madison said, standing up. “I am not a puppet, and I’ve had a pretty bad day. If this is some kind of twisted ploy on his part to get me alone - or on your part to set me up - I’m not going through with this.”
“Are you done?” Olivia asked. Then with a nod her energy pushed Madison back into her chair. “You’re the one that volunteered. They announced Donalt’s death. We have no choice but to move forward now.”
“I kinda like you as a redhead,” I teased Olivia, trying to change the subject and point out that Madison had to stick to her word.
If anyone knew Madison, it was me – she could act like she was mad about this all she wanted – but she wasn’t mad. She was nervous, like the kind of nervousness you would have around your crush. I dare say she was looking forward to it.
“Me and my big mouth,” Madison said through gritted teeth.
A few minutes later the elaborate makeovers were done and I was now in my plum dress. It fit every curve of my body with the exception of a silk train that met my heels. Within the fabric there were what looked like diamonds. It fell into a V-neck that enhanced my new necklace. The back was lace with plum flower prints here and there. My hair was up in a French twist, and my long bangs were pinned behind my ear. Long curls were lingering here and there. Though Olivia had put a gallon of makeup on my face, it didn’t look like I had any on. The overall look of my image was older, mature, refined. I didn’t like it.
Madison was enchanting. Her hair was left down, enhanced with luscious curls that made her look younger, more innocent than me. Her dress was ivory with lace covering the silk near her body. A black belt was just beneath her chest. It encircled her and fell into a train that reached to her heels. The neckline was squared off with only thin straps over her shoulders.
We both stared at each other’s reflections. For first time I was nervous about tonight. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this. I was starting to think the universe had a twisted sense of humor. I’d avoided all my proms and dances like the plague, having purposely planned trips or concerts on the same weekends. And now here I am having to play a part in this masquerade.
Madison and I slid on our short black gloves - which conveniently covered our tattoos - as Felicity explained to Olivia how to use the lace and pins she gave her to carry in her purse. Apparently, she’d made these dresses. If the lace became snagged she wanted Olivia to be able to fix it.
As we followed them to the door of the room, Madison whispered into my ear, “Can you put a lid on that anxiety? I may puke if you don’t turn it down.”
I took in a deep breath, pushing my fears down. I didn’t want her to puke, and I was embarrassed at the thought that the others could see that emotion in my energy. It made me feel vulnerable.
Felicity had gone down before us. Madison went next. Just before I went down, Olivia squeezed my arm and said, “When you see red in your aura, it’s not always bad. There’s a good red, too.”
I furrowed my brow at her, then carefully descended the stairs in the heels I was forced to wear.
Draven was talking to Brady about something, not looking in my direction. He was now wearing a black jacket and tie over the outfit he had on before. The sight of him took my breath away. He reeked of raw power, of the role he was meant to play tonight.
Brady’s eyes grew wide when I reached the halfway point on the stairs and he saw me. Slowly, Draven followed his gaze. When our stares collided I couldn’t make myself move anymore. His gaze made me feel beautiful and loved. It was as if he were seeing me with new eyes. He swallowed nervously and smiled shyly as he stepped forward and held out a black cover up.
Olivia must have walked to the point of the stairs on which I stood. I heard her say, “That’s the good kind of red,” as the others laughed.
Cashton appeared in the doorway and gave me a quick nod and a wink, a sign that told me that he felt confident that he had gotten through to Draven and that I looked the part I was meant to play tonight.
I let my eyes shift out of focus and saw that the color of red was all around Draven and me. Not crimson, but the color of a rose. I could almost swear I could smell the aroma of roses coming off him. I put my emotions under wraps, not wanting to be so revealing, but Draven had never been a shy one.
I walked the few steps to him and turned so he could put my coat on. Against my ear, he whispered, “How lucky can one guy get?”
I smiled shyly, then turned to him. “I’m still mad at you.”
He leaned in and let his lips gently touch mine, sending a humming sensation through me before asking, “Still?”
“Still,” I whispered back.
He moved his head from side to side as he held his arm out. “We’ll have to work on that later.”
I really turned red then, which made him grin widely and Cashton chuckle under his breath. I was sure that I was overanalyzing Draven’s words; had to have been. He was too thick-headed for Cashton to have convinced him of anything in that short amount of time.
Draven guided us out to where the Jeeps were waiting. Once in the string, near where the gray passages began, I saw at least fifty people lined up to walk into a passage that was laced in an ominous haze of gray. Willow and Landen were at the front of it, helping them through.
“Where does that lead?” I asked, squeezing Draven’s arm.
“The boat, I think.”
“Is that Willow with Landen?” Cashton asked. He was on my other side. I felt invincible between him and Draven.
I nodded to confirm.
Chrispin, who was on the other side of Draven, confirmed my question. “Nature makes the best passages. It took Landen forever to line the boat up with this one. Don’t worry, you guys won’t get wet. A few others did,” he said with his familiar innocent charm.
He’d changed his image, too. His blue eyes were masked with dark contacts, like Olivia’s. His blond curls were cut short and dyed a dark brown. I doubt I would have recognized him or Olivia without my ability to see.
I felt a tense sensation in the air and noticed it was coming from Madison. She had some kind of shield of energy around her. One that I was sure was in place because we had reached the point of no return. She was going to see Drake very soon.
Landen and Willow both grinned and bowed slightly when we approached them.
“Why, Charlie, is that you?” Landen asked as Willow elbowed him.
“You guys look awesome,” Willow said, stepping forward to let her hands rest on me. I felt a calm ease through me. “Thank you for this. I owe you one.”
I just smiled politely back, knowing this was easy for me, but not so much for my best friend.
Olivia and Chrispin stepped through the gray passage. As Madison went to step through, Willow reached for her arm. Madison smiled vaguely then pushed through the gray haze.
I held my breath as I gripped Draven’s arm and followed Madison’s lead.
Chapter Eleven
The smell of salt was in the air immediately. I found myself on the bow of a massive sh
ip. Draven gripped me tight and slowly walked me to the center.
The sky was gray and ominous. I tried not to take that as a sign as Madison paced beside me. Chrispin, along with others, continued to coach Draven on his role. Apparently, he had more speaking parts than we did. Olivia instructed Madison and me on how to walk, where to stand, and such. It all seemed insignificant to me, but the way she was stressing it made me focus on her. I got the idea that their hand was forced when it came to tonight. They had planned to wait months before announcing the fall of the horrible ruler that Donalt was, but someone had let the cat out of the bag. I kept hearing the name ‘Xavier,’ but my seeing ability had yet to show me his image. Cashton seemed to tense a little each time his name was said, but I couldn’t ask him why - and he clearly wasn’t offering answers freely.
A few minutes later, the sun broke free from the clouds and shined directly on the ship. It was a setting sun, but somehow it seemed to shine a spotlight on us.
I could see the shores of Delen on the horizon. A force of energy compelled the boat in that direction. When the shore looked like it was only a few feet away, a smaller, yet elegant boat was lowered and we were guided onto it. It led us to the dock where men in black cloaks were waiting, at least twenty of them.
Gothic horse-drawn carriages were lined up, anticipating all those within our entourage. We climbed in the front carriage with Olivia and Chrispin and an older man. It was my understanding that the older man was playing the part of Draven’s master priest and advisor. Chrispin and Olivia were some kind of guards or servants. I didn’t really care for the ‘servant’ title. It made me even more uncomfortable.
Cashton took a seat next to the driver of the coach, surveying the crowd.
Every step of our journey, the sun followed us, making us look like saints. We were almost to the palace before it dawned on me that it was probably Willow doing that. I raised one eyebrow, thinking that was a clever way to use her power.
People had lined the streets to watch us arrive. I’m sure sixty carriages were a sight to see in any dimension, especially one that was forced to live a virtually non-existent life. There was literally no creativity or color in anything or anyone. These people looked so sad, out of place, like my shadows - only they were still alive.