Ever Fire (6 page)

Shade found herself caught off guard as the Prince stopped moving and turned towards her, finding her gawking at his outfit. She averted her eyes down to the deep purple rugs, feeling her face flushing scarlet. The last thing she had wanted was to be caught staring at a Prince.

“Do you like what you see?” Prince Lotinar watched for her reaction. She looked back up at him and studied his gleaming emerald eyes.

“Do I know you?” Shade asked. She felt hauntingly lost for a moment and would bet her life on having met him somewhere before that day. Yet he was as alien to her as most everyone in Faerie was.

He waited to answer as he let her apprehension build. A smile played on his lips as he sized her up and down. Shade felt naked under his intensive exam and could hardly stand it much longer. She stood up, feeling anxious and wanting to run out of his chambers, out of the Glass Castle, and deep into the more familiar woods. She didn’t though; she glued herself to the floor as her heart raced in her chest and her breathing quickened.

Get a grip already! There is no way you know this person. No way in hell!
Shade thought. She slowed her breathing while closing her eyes to block his face. As the panic receded, she was able to open them again and look upon him.

“Am I that repulsive?” A twinge of hurt filled his icy voice. “I thought by returning to my former appearance, I would be much more pleasurable to look at for you.” Prince Lotinar paused and watched her as realization flashed across his face. “I was hoping you would remember me. I see that you don’t, not in the least.” His lips pressed into a thin line as sadness swept across his jeweled eyes. He looked away, peering through a gap in the great curtains; a faraway look crept across his face.

Shade looked at him as her eyes widened. She knew who he reminded her of, but it did not seem possible that he could be that person. She shook her head and sank back down on the settee.

“You shake your head, but you must believe, Shade,” Prince Lotinar said. He approached her so swiftly, she gasped at his sudden closeness. He placed his hands on her arms and smiled. “It’s me, Shade. Ursad. Please remember.”

Shade squinted her eyes at him,
Ursad?

“What?” Shade’s voice quivered as she absorbed what he said.

“I’m Ursad. Don’t you remember me at all? I was hoping to find you again. You left before I could show you what happened when you kissed me. I didn’t even know what had happened myself until I walked past the mirror. I woke up and you were gone, but you broke the curse on me.”

Shade let out a sigh of relief.
Of course
. She could see it now. His jeweled eyes gleamed the exact same way Ursad’s had, even in his disfigured cursed form. She had never seen anyone else with eyes like those. Soap’s weren’t even that bright.

“Ursad, it’s really you, isn’t it? I knew it. I just knew that I had met you before. Why didn’t you say anything before, like when we arrived? Why didn’t you tell me?” Shade felt her shock lessen as they spoke. She studied his face more now that his guard was down. He was incredibly handsome. No wonder women had thrown themselves at his feet. No wonder some jealous witch had cursed him for his looks and attitude so long ago.

“I broke the curse? How do you even know it was me? I did nothing.” She said.

“You kissed me, Shade. I just know that’s what happened. You did kiss me, did you not? Before you left me behind?” His eyes darkened with the memory of abandonment floating behind them.

“Uh, yes but, how would that break any kind of curse?”

“Remember the story I told you? The witch said only a kiss from a Queen-to-be would break it. That means you are a Princess Shade, no doubt about it.” Ursad smiled, his eyes lighting up again. Shade shook her head, but his smile was contagious. She liked how happy he looked. His icy exterior had been just a show. He was the same old Ursad she had met on a cold sandy beach after barely escaping Blythe, the evil Dryad Queen.

“Ursad, you know, a few months ago I would have told you that you were insane, but so much has happened, and I have to say that I wouldn’t be surprised if I was a Princess.” Ursad laughed and launched into her for a tight embrace, holding her as if to never let go. When he finally did, he lingered to study her face and absorbed it into his memory.

“Um, Ursad, you know why I left right?” She paused, waiting to see his response. His face melted into a more serious tone as he nodded. “I won’t tolerate you using any kind of magic or Faerie tricks on me. I just can’t let anyone do that to me ever again. You do understand, right?” Shade licked her now dry lips, her mouth felt like a desert.

Ursad reached up, pushing a strand of her hair back behind her ear and nodded softly. “I promise to never hurt you again, Shade. I am indebted to you for everything.”

Shade stared at Ursad, studying his face again and wondering what it was that swirled around in his head. “Um, Ursad? I don’t want you to feel that you owe me anything. I just want to be friends and know that I can trust you. Is that alright?”

Ursad stared back at her. His face seemed to fall in disappointment.

Great, I just pushed Rylan away, and now I’m pushing another person away.

“I–I knew you would be upset to see me.” He pulled away, standing to pace the room. His agitation seemed to ripple through the air as his control on his magic wavered. It slipped out into the air around her, shooting across her like short gusts of wind. She wondered how much of his magic had been restored when the curse lifted. It had been a few months, but there probably hadn’t been too much to challenge him and cause him to lose grip on his power. She wondered even now if he would try to imprison her again with his now stronger charms.

“Ursad, I’m not upset to see you. I really don’t know what you want from me. I’m happy to see that you’re ok, cured even. What did you expect from me when we met again? That I would run into your arms like a long lost lover? I left because of your deception. You tried to trap me as your ‘pet’ in Faerie. So what if it didn’t work out because I’m also Fey. The point is that you tried to do it, more than once too! I forgive you now, but that is all you can have from me.” She continued watching him pace until he came to a stop in the middle of the room. He moved to sink onto the floor before her, looking up to meet her eyes.

“You’re right, Shade. I deserve nothing. I am still indebted to you. That has not changed. I am sorry for everything.” He bowed his head, breathing in deeply and contemplating his next words. Bringing his eyes back to hers, his face was calmer with his rage extinguished. He smiled and stood up, holding his hand out to her.

“Can I have a dance at least? Just one. Please Shade?” He implored. Shade studied his face but found no malice at all. She sighed, smiled and nodded while taking his hand and letting him pull her up. He took his stance, embracing her and peered down to her. Soft music floated into the room from some unknown source. Shade listened to the haunting melody and let him sway her around the room. Closing her eyes, she let the music drift into her like a spell. For a moment, she was floating across the room, dancing around and around with Ursad swaying her gently. It was probably the most serene moment she had had in very long time.

The music came to a stop but he continued to dance her around until they slowed and stilled. They stood in the center of the room and stared at each other. Shade’s heart fluttered just enough to make her panic. She pulled away, still looking at him.

“What just happened? Did you try the damn charms on me again?”

Ursad shook his head, his face filled with shock. “No, I didn’t do anything. I have to admit I have a hard time controlling my magic since I returned to my former appearance. It has grown tenfold since I was last able to use it so many years ago. Anything you think might have happened, I swear, I didn’t do it on purpose.” Looking defeated, he sank down into one of the sofas, leaning forward with his head in his hands and sighed.

“I didn’t want to tell you who I was at first, not in front of them. I’ve tried to appear strong, so sure in my actions and words as a Prince. Yet, inside I am in pieces, and my soul quivers with uncertainty. I’ve been able to reassume the throne of the North, but I had to fight hard for it. Once they saw that I was truly the ruthless Prince I once was, there was no longer any doubt.” He looked up and watched her face for any emotions.

“I’m not the same person anymore, Shade. I find myself emptier then when I was in exile. It’s made my world stand still. It’s a constraint and a freedom that I don’t know if I want anymore. I stay for my people. I stay to fight this evil called Aveta that tries to metastasize into my lands with her cursed armies. I hold my borders for now, but I need this alliance with Queen Zinara probably as much as she does. I have so much to make up for. I can never repay you or anyone else I’ve hurt in my life.” He sighed but never looked away from her.

Shade gave him a nod and stood from the sofa. Standing over him, she held her hand out to him.

“I forgive you. I know we both have much to learn, and the magic of Faerie grows wilder with the upset in forces that are brewing. I promise I’ll help you if you promise to help me too. Deal?” Her hand trembled as she held it out to the Prince. She felt tired and hungry, and she wanted to see what her friends were doing. She counted Ursad as not quite a friend, but they would have to figure that out all in good time.

He smiled and gripped her hand, nodding in agreement.

“Come on, don’t you have a nice dinner feast readied for your old pal? I’m starved.” Shade let out a nervous laugh as she waited for his answer.

Ursad laughed and nodded. He moved to stand right next her, offering out his arm to escort her out. “Let’s get some good food.”

Chapter Six

DINNER FLITTED BY
quickly, and Shade was thankful for it. She was exhausted. The mind struggle with Ursad had drained her so much, she wondered if his loose magic had anything to do with it. Sary had kept her company, glancing at her with concern, but not wanting to ask her about Ursad. She knew Shade would tell her if she wanted to. In the meantime, Sary’s patience was a godsend.

Dylan had not said much at all through dinner either. In fact, Shade had a nagging suspicion he was either avoiding her or wanted to give her space. Either way, she was glad not to deal with his moodiness tonight. Soap was the only one who seemed to have a bright outlook. He had attempted to lighten the mood with a constant stream of chatter and jokes. Shade had nodded and smiled when appropriate, but stayed lost in her own thoughts as she ate. She felt bad not engaging with him; especially after he had put his heart on his sleeve that afternoon, but she had just way too much on her mind to tolerate any kind of mind sparring. Retreating to her room after dinner was a relief. She had curled into the soft covers and faded away before she could even turn the lights off.

Something woke her in the dead of the night. Her head was throbbing even though she had been sleeping hard. She sat up in bed and rubbed her forehead, wondering if she was coming down with something. She hoped not, all she had was the healing potion Braelynn had given to her prior to the journey. Faeries never got ill. It was being human that had its disadvantages.

The room was dark. Sary had probably turned off the lights when she had entered after Shade was asleep. She fumbled to find the lamp next to her bed in the dim light of the moon. Finally finding the switch, she flicked it on and squeezed her eyes shut as the room flooded with light. She blinked as her eyes focused and looked around. Sary was not in the next bed. It lay smooth and untouched. Shade wondered where she could be.
Who had turned the lights off then?
She thought to herself.

She attempted to stand, but the throb filled her head with an intensity that caused her to sit right back down. Groaning, she held her head by the temples and breathed in until the pounding dulled somewhat. She reached for her pack on the floor and willed the potion to come to her. It appeared immediately and she unscrewed the top, then knocked down a sip. She recapped it and stuffed it back into the pack, letting it flop back to the floor. Tossing herself back onto her pillow, she laid her arm across her head. She had been having more frequent headaches lately. No reason but stress seemed to be the culprit.

Shade.

She sat up, swearing she had heard a voice whispering her name. She scanned the room, relieved at the same time that the throb in her head was only a small, annoying, pulsating, twinge now. Shade waited in the silence but found nothing amiss. She sighed,
I’m hearing things
. She waited another moment before lying back down on the bed. She wished Sary was there, but she had probably stayed with Stephen for the night for all Shade knew.

She pulled the blanket up to her chin and closed her eyes; leaving the light on, just in case. She was finally calming enough to almost fade back out when she heard the whisper again.

Shade.

This time she jumped out of bed and grabbed her bag. Her dagger clasped in her hand in no time. She scanned the room and found nothing, again. She checked under the beds, and then checked the bathroom that was adjacent to the room. Still nothing. She decided to check outside her door to be sure no one was around; in case someone was feeling like a prankster tonight.