Like the Dawn (Lark #3) (6 page)

              Alberico is the one who answers. “Lord Odin has suggested that we invite King Valdar and Queen Isla as well as King Magnus and their councils to meet you officially.”
              “Okay. That doesn't sound too bad.”
              “We are relying on you to, in a matter of speaking, win them over,” Alberico continues.
              “How?”
              “Charm them of course—show them a good time,” Henrik answers this time and I suspect he has his own ideas about how I should 'charm' them.
              “Charm them?” I say in disbelief. “The Dark Elves are attacking humans, and it's probably only a matter of time before they attack our kingdom--”
              “Actually that is impossible,” Adele interrupts.              “What is impossible?”I ask.
              “They can't transport into Álfheimr. Sól's curse preventing those of darkness from entering the kingdom of Light is still in effect.”
              “Are you sure?” I can't help but feel skeptical.
              “Positive. If they could come here, trust me, they would have attacked us already. We're safe in Álfheimr.”
              “Well no wonder," I scoff, unable hide my frustration. "This explains why you're in no hurry to act—why would you? You're all safe and sound here in Álfheimr. Nevermind the fact that the mortal world is in danger—including my friends and family."
              “You know that we are doing everything in our power to keep your family safe.”
              “Well, that's something—and I appreciate it, really I do. But it doesn't change the fact that the Dark Elves are free to hurt innocent people and you want me to 'show them a good time' in order to persuade them to help us. Doesn't that seem wrong to any of you?” I address the council.
              Blaise smirks. “Unless you don't think you are capable of it?”
              “I don't think anyone here could question the charms of the Princess.” Grey speaks up before I have a chance to smart off to Blaise. “I think the Princess just fears that this might be a waste of our time since there is a chance that they still might not want to risk their own kingdoms.”
              “Which is why I suggested that we form the alliance the old-fashioned way,” Odin mutters.
              “Which is how?' I ask him.
              “And as I told you before Lord Odin, it is too early to be discussing that,” Alberico states before Odin can answer my question.
              “But—” Odin starts to contradict Alberico.
              “I said it is too early. I will
not
agree to t
hat.”
He ends the possibility before it can be discussed. It only makes me that much more curious, but it's obvious no one is going to tell me.
              “I know that you think it's frivolous Mia,” Alberico says. “But are you at least willing to go along with this plan? The council is not willing to go forth with an attack on the Dark Elves unless we have the strength of another kingdom. The alliance is imperative.”
              “Isobel, what do you think?” I ask her.
              She's been noticeably quiet throughout the entire meeting but I value her opinion more than any of the other council members, with the exception of Grey and my father, most of the time anyway.
              “I think it is a good idea. I think it would be an olive branch of sorts. We normally don't engage the other kingdoms or involve ourselves in their affairs. Obviously that is what is causing us grief right now. Why would they want to help a kingdom who has never helped them before? Or worse, they may suspect that this is just a ploy to regain control of their kingdoms.”
              “Which, of course, is not something I would even consider,” Alberico interjects.              
              “Okay,” I reluctantly agree. “If you think it will work.”
              “I hope it does. Obviously no one can know for certain,” she answers honestly. “But I agree that it is worth a try.”
              I let out a heavy sigh. This feels so wrong, but it doesn't appear that I have much of a choice.
              “If you think it's our best shot,” I mutter with little confidence, “I'll do my best.”             
              Alberico adjourns the disastrous council meeting a few minutes later and Grey walks me back to my room. Okay, so it wasn't exactly disastrous, it was just frustrating. This whole thing is frustrating.
              “Are you okay?”
              “Why does everyone keep asking me if I'm okay? Of course I'm not okay.”
              “That was foolish of me. My apologies,” he says sincerely, then I just feel guilty.
              “Sorry. It's not your fault. I'm just a little—on edge, that's all.”
              “Do you want to do something with me tonight?” he asks suddenly.
              “Really?”
              “Yes. I think it would do you some good.”              “Like what?”
              “I might have something in mind.” He gives me a sly smirk that has me curious.
              “Okay. Sure.”
              “Meet me in the front entrance hall tonight at seven.”
              “Alright.”
              “And wear something casual.”
              “Thank Sól!” I say with a dramatic sigh that causes him to chuckle.
              “I'll see you later,” he says, still obviously amused as he walks away. 
 

Chapter Six

             
I
'm standing in the middle of my oversized cavern of a closet trying to figure out what exactly would be appropriate since I have absolutely no idea what Grey has up his sleeves.  I finally settle on a pale blue skirt that flows gracefully and falls right below my knee and a white blouse with delicate ruffles down the front. I pair it with some nude open-toe flats. After a quick look at the ensemble in the full length mirror, I head down the spiral staircase to meet Grey in the great room. 
              He looks unbelievably dashing—of course he always does. I'm not sure how many other guys could pull off the typical style of dress of the male elves but Grey pulls it off naturally. He's paired a dark blue tunic that brings out his eyes brilliantly with soft charcoal pants and boots.
              “Shall we?” he asks, offering me his arm.
              “What exactly are we doing?” 
              “It's a surprise.”
              His enthusiasm is a little contagious and I find myself anxious with excitement as he leads me out of the castle where we come face to face with the most beautiful horses I have ever seen. One is chestnut in color with a flaxen mane and tail and a white diamond between his eyes. The other horse is a solid, glossy black.
              “Um, Grey?” I say to him as he leads me over to the horses. “I've never ridden before.”
              He shouldn't have been surprised by my lack of equestrian training—after all he's been around my whole life. It's not like I could have snuck in some horse-back riding lessons behind his back.
              “I know.” He gives me a crooked smile. “I just thought you might like to pick which one.”
              “Oh,” I say lamely. “It doesn't matter. They're both beautiful.”
              “Apple here is my favorite,” he  says patting the chestnut colored one. “But don't tell Midnight.”
              He nods over toward the black horse, Midnight, and she whinnies as though she's offended.
              “Apple likes to run though so maybe we should start you off on Midnight.”
              Grey mounts the black horse and then offers his hand to me, pulling me up behind him. He rides us through the forest surrounding the castle until we reach a small clearing.
              He helps me dismount and as I look around, inhaling the sweetness only nature can create, I notice he's busy digging out a white and pale yellow checkered blanket and a wicker picnic basket.
              The scene is all too familiar but completely different at the same time. The last picnic I went on was with Jacoby the night he asked me to go to prom with him. It's one of my most favorite memories of our time together because it was one of the few times in the last several months that I felt completely normal. I didn't feel like the Ljósálfar princess—that night I was simply a normal teenage girl being asked to go to prom with her boyfriend. The memory is bittersweet because I know that never again will I be just Mia Carrington. I will forever be Princess Mia of Álfheimr.
              I catch him eying me curiously and for a second it's almost like I can read his mind.  I know that he is wondering the cause of my sudden change in disposition.
              I force myself to smile.
              “A picnic? Greyson St. Claire's idea of a fun time is having a picnic in the middle of a forest? How quaint.”  I tease him in an attempt to disguise my sudden sullenness.
              “Actually, the picnic isn't the fun part. Just sort of the necessary part since I am sure you will be hungry soon and the surprise won't start until after dark.”
              “Do I get a clue?”
              He slowly shakes his head “no” teasingly, his mouth forming a tight line as he tries not to smile. He's enjoying my agony a little too much. He knows I hate surprises.
              “That's just mean.”
              “Trust me, it's worth the wait.” He continues readying our little picnic. “But I do have something for you that will hopefully earn forgiveness for torturing you with the promise of a surprise.”
              “It's going to take a lot to get me to forgive you,” I laugh.
              He pulls out a package wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine. “Happy birthday.”
              “It's not my birthday,” I say stupidly.
              “Obviously. I do know when your birthday is.” He smiles fondly. “Think of it as a belated gift.”
              “You didn't have to get me anything.”
              “It's your birthday, of course I did.”
              “But—”
              “No 'buts'. You didn't really think I was going to forget your birthday, did you?”
              “No, I know but—”
              “Mia,” he replies firmly. “No 'buts'. Just open your present already.”
              I gently tear open the package and find a picture of my family from last summer displayed in a gorgeous ornate wooden frame.
              My mom is obsessed with taking pictures herself, but once a year she forces us to dress up all matchy-matchy and spend an entire Saturday morning with a professional photographer posing awkwardly for family pictures. It was always really annoying but now, the thought that I'd never get to do it again makes me sad. I touch the faces of my mom, Paul, and Maddie and start to cry.
              “I didn't mean to make you cry,” he worries. “I just thought you might want to have it for your room.”
              “Thank you. I love it,” I assure him and give him a quick peck on the cheek. “This is really thoughtful.”
              His eyes brighten momentarily as a light blush warms his cheeks and he suddenly appears embarrassed.
              “I'm glad you like it. I'm sorry it wasn't finished in time for your actual birthday. It took me longer than I expected to carve the frame.”
              “You made this?” I ask, surprised.
              “Yes.” He shrugs like it isn't a big deal. “I wanted to do it myself without the help of the elemental powers.”
              I can't believe he did this by hand. The etching is perfectly symmetrical and painstakingly intricate.  It must have taken him forever to carve. I can't believe he would do that for me.
              “That makes me love it even more,” I murmur, my voice betraying the fact that I'm choking back tears.
              We talk in that quiet meadow well into evening.
              “It could be like this all the time, you know,” he whispers. “I mean, it could be once the war is over. I think you'll be happier here in Álfheimr than you think.”
              “I know I could be. It's just—I can't help but miss my old life. I miss my mom and my sister and Paul and Hannah—” I stop myself. Just thinking about my best friend makes me angry.
              I still can't believe that we saw her chumming around with the Dark Elves in the Underworld when we were searching for the
Noctis vigeo
to save Isobel. My first instinct was that she was being held captive, but it became pretty obvious that she was there of her own accord.
              “How could she do that to me, Grey? She was supposed to be my best friend. She should have trusted me.”
              “I don't know. On one hand it would almost be better if she was under a spell—at least then we would know it wasn't her fault. But if that was the case, she would have no idea what she was doing and when you think about it like that—”
              “It almost seems worse.”
              “I am sorry, Mia. I feel like this is all my fault.”
              “How can you think that? Of course it's not,” I assure him, shocked that he could even think that.
              “If I would have just done my job instead of letting my feelings for you cloud my judgment—none of this would have happened in the first place. You'd still be a normal high school girl instead of the Ljósálfar princess.”
              “That's not exactly true,” I tell him. “I'd still be the princess, I'd just be unaware of that fact.”
              “True.” He smiles. “But I can't regret you knowing the truth. I hated having to lie to you.”
              We continue to lay on the soft blanket talking
about everything and anything until darkness falls. I begin to wonder if my surprise is ever going to show up when all of a sudden a burst of bright, white light shoots across the sky. Followed by another, and another, until there are hundreds of shooting stars cascading through the sky like fireworks.              
              The astounding beauty of it all leaves me breathless. I have never seen anything like it—I mean, I've seen a meteor shower before but it's different here. The stars seem closer and brighter and more vibrant. I glance over at Grey who's staring at me with sparkling eyes.
              “Is this my surprise?” I ask him softly.
              He doesn't say anything. Nothing at all. But his eyes are warm and intense with longing. He closes the distance between the two of us before I even have time to think about what he is doing.
              “Mia, there's something else I want you to know. I know that I've tried to defend my motives before but I was blinded by my own frustration and I don't think I explained myself well,” he starts.               “You see, before, we had to be just friends. It seemed like the right thing to do. I wanted you to know me...the way I know you—everything inside and out—before I declared my undying affection for you.” I can see the sincerity plain on his face as he continues, “And then everything happened with Jacoby and I feared I had lost my chance and in a way, I was grateful. I knew that it just wouldn't make sense for us to be together.  But now, everything has changed again.”
              His thumb caresses the mark of immortality on my wrist and I realize what he means by everything has changed again.
              After everything—even after I chose Jacoby—he still wants to be with me. He's been so patient with me—he does know me almost as well as I know myself. I feel almost guilty that, even after all of this time, I hardly know anything about him at all.
              Before I can say anything, he's speaking again.               “I want you to know that I thought I was acting in your best interest—your happiness is the only thing that matters to me. It's the only thing that I've ever wanted. I kept my walls up around you before because I knew that a relationship with you could end in only two ways; your heartbreak—or mine. I couldn't let myself get close to you because you could get hurt. And I never wanted that. I never wanted to be the one who hurt you, though I fear that in my effort to protect your heart, I hurt you anyway.”
              What he is telling me is something that I already figured out after I made myself tell Jacoby good-bye—but hearing him say the words causes something to stir inside of me.
              “Well, there is just one thing left to do then...” I trail off giving him a mischievous look.
              “And that would be?” he responds uncertainly.
              “You have to tell me your whole life story. Right now. Everything. I want to know you, the way you so obviously know me.”
              “That could take a while, you know. I have been around for quite a while.”
              I sat back down on the blanket and made a show of making myself comfortable. “Well, it's a good thing we have all night.”
              He smiles as though he's humoring me but I can tell he wants this. He wants to open himself up to me. And the more he talks, the easier it is to picture it—my life with him. He's good and kind and he loves me. I know that he would do anything for me, but I fear he may be right—because as easy as it is to picture being happy with him, I know that it's just as likely to end in heartbreak. Especially now that my heart has been changed and I'm not really sure where Grey fits any more. I don't think there's enough duct tape in the world to piece back together the part of me that broke when I told Jacoby goodbye.
              But it is still nice, being here with him right now under the stars.