Easy Bake Coven (17 page)

Before I let him take me anywhere, I gave each of them a hug, not knowing when or if I’d see them again. Leslie and Devin cried. Katrina sniffled but told me she’d see me soon, and Jessica told me to hurry back.

Cheney finally pulled me away. “Selene, you have to go. That was way too much magic not to draw attention.”

I didn’t resist and rested against him, watching my friends fade away. A moment later I stood in the beautiful house that wasn’t home.

“I’ll be back. Try not to fall asleep before I return,” Cheney told me. He waited for me to nod before he disappeared.

I wandered around the house because if I sat down it would be lights out. The refrigerator was fully stocked, as were the cabinets. The sofa was made from the softest leather I’d ever felt. A long, narrow, glass fireplace lit one end of the living room. The flames flickered in a mesmerizing dance that made me want to curl up on the soft couch and watch them. Instead, I slowly shuffled to the bedrooms to see which one I would claim as my own. They were all pretty much the same. The only real distinction was the view from the window. I chose the one with the acres of dark forest. I stared out the window, trying to decide if I was seeing better in the dark or if the moon was just that much brighter tonight.

“Is this the room you would like?” Cheney’s voice came from behind me.

“Is that all right?” I asked, not turning around.

“Of course, whatever you want.” His hands were heavy on my shoulders as he turned me toward him.

“All I really want is sleep,” I said, ready to launch into a tired speech about how I still didn’t know how I felt about him.

Cheney gave me an amused grin. “My intentions are nothing but honorable.”

“Then why exactly did I have to stay awake?”

“What do you see when you look at me?”

“I see you.” I yawned, sick of this game.

“No. Do you see me as blending in me or as elf me?”

“I see you exactly as I have seen you.”

Cheney frowned. “Focus and look at me. You should be able to see through the glamour.”

I brushed his hands away. “You kept me awake to run tests on me?”

Cheney didn’t respond, but that was obviously the case.

“Tomorrow you can run all the tests you like—well, until you annoy me and we get into a fight—but tonight, I’m going to bed.”

I patted him on the arm and crawled under the covers. “Get the light and door on your way out.”

Cheney sighed loudly but did as I asked.

Blessed, blessed sleep.

The sound of voices woke me up. Cheney and someone I didn’t recognize were talking softly, but when I focused on just listening, I could make out most of what they were saying.

“It’s not going well, Cheney. They’re recruiting. Rumors are they’re trying to entice the vampires now.”

“They’re not even fae. What concern is it of theirs who rules?” Cheney sounded annoyed.

“They’re offering the vampires a place where they’ll be accepted. Somewhere they’ll fit in. I personally believe they’re underestimating the vampires—perhaps it’s their youth. I’ve never known a vampire who wanted to be accepted into any society or one to show loyalty to anyone but their own.” The stranger paused. “What drives vampires is to be a part of the hunt. You could offer that. They would be a powerful ally, which we sorely need right now.”

“The king would never let them in the hunt.”

“That’s why I’m bringing this to you.” There was a heavy silence. “Cheney, I know you don’t want to hear this, but perhaps your father’s time has ended. People are siding with the bloody half elves over us. We’d be foolish to think the fae aren’t unhappy. If it were only intimidation, we would’ve eliminated this problem long ago, but there’s a general sense of dissatisfaction in the air. However, I believe they would rally behind you. You have always been more open-minded and have had a better rapport—even more so since her.”

It was so quiet I thought maybe they left the room, but then the same voice said, “Hell, Cheney, look at what you’ve done.”

“This has nothing to do with that.”

“It has everything to do with it. When people find out, and they will, you will have drawn a line in the sand. Talk to your father. Convince him this is the only way. We must unite.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking of me.”

“I’m asking you to do what’s necessary to win. Nothing more.”

Cheney sighed. “I’ll consider it.”

“Decide fast, my friend. We lose ground every day.”

When it was clear they weren’t going to say anything further, I climbed out of bed, smoothing the wrinkles from my clothes. I went into my bathroom and splashed water across my face before patting it dry with a towel. The face in the mirror looked pretty much the same, a little smoother perhaps and my skin a tad brighter, but all in all not bad. I took a closer look at my ears. They were pointed but nothing to send children running in fear. I could totally handle this. My stomach rumbled.

Breakfast before anything else.

I walked toward the kitchen where Cheney and the stranger stood, watching me approach. Cheney gave me a relaxed smile, and the stranger sized me up with concerned appraisal.

“You must be Sebastian,” I said, extending my hand. “I hear we used to be friends.”

A small smile tugged at Sebastian’s mouth. “That we were, Selene.”

He made no effort to hide the fact he was an elf. His close-cropped brown hair displayed his ears prominently, and he had strongly defined cheekbones and eyes that seemed to be made to worry. He wasn’t particularly tall, but he held himself with a rigid posture. His slight but agile build managed to appear deadly. His skin glowed with a silver hue.

“So, was I all sunshine and rainbows back then?” I asked, hoping my tone sounded joking.

“Not at all. You were ornery, opinionated, and always looking for trouble,” he said seriously.

Laughter spilled from me. I liked honest people. We were going to get along just fine. “How on earth did I ever become friends with a straight-laced nail-biter like you?”

“You remember me,” he said with wide eyes, looking over to Cheney.

“No. You just look like a worrier, and there’s something rather military about the way you stand.”

He nodded. “Not bad, half-elf.”

“I prefer half-human.” Cheney and Sebastian laughed and I grinned at them. Maybe this new life could work out.

“I swear some things never change. She meets me and immediately her claws are out and there’s fighting. She meets you and she’s joking within minutes,” Cheney grumbled while pouring a bowl of cereal.

“Well, he hasn’t followed me around or tried to scare me to death.”

Cheney shrugged and held out the full bowl. I lifted myself to sit on the counter and accepted the bowl.

Sebastian’s gaze darted back and forth between us but settled on Cheney. “It’s like no time has passed.” I couldn’t tell if he thought that was good or bad.

Cheney glared at Sebastian, all smiles and relaxation gone. The stare down lasted well past the point of comfort; obviously it was a bad thing.

“Well, we just took a detour to awkward,” I said lightly.

Sebastian gave Cheney an abrupt nod and looked away first. “My apologies, Selene. We’ll begin training downstairs in thirty minutes if that is acceptable. “

I nodded though I had no idea what he meant by training.

“Prince Cheney.” Sebastian gave a slight bow and disappeared from the room.

“What was that all about?”

“A difference of opinion.”

“That’s all you’re going to tell me?” I shook my head at this man and his partial information. “So what’s the deal with the prince thing?”

“What prince thing?”

“When I called you prince in my memory, it sounded like an insult. But when Sebastian said it just now, it was different, like he was deferring to your rank. But not everyone calls you prince.”

“It
is
my official title, but I have never cared much for titles so I rarely use it. Sebastian was making a point.
You
have only ever used it as a weapon in arguments.”

“So I had a hang up about it?”

“You could say that.”

“Why? After all, it’s who you are.”

Cheney moved closer to me. “It’s not who I am. It’s just my title.” The glint in his eye told me we’d had this conversation before and it didn’t go well.

I shook my head. “You’re wrong. It’s part of what makes you, you. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The title gives you power, authority—I can tell because you’re always bossing me around. To ignore it is to ignore part of yourself.”

Cheney’s mouth twisted. “Selene . . .” he said with a warning tone, obviously thinking I was trying to start an argument.

I held back my smile. The sun reflected off of Cheney’s golden eyes and his mouth parted in a too inviting way. Arguing was the last thing on my mind. I rather liked the Cheney who wasn’t certain of every move I was going to make. I reached out, grabbed a handful of his shirt, and tugged him close. “Prince Cheney,” I said with no mocking whatsoever.

He licked his lips as he looked back at me. “You had good reasons for hating my title.”

“But to hate that is to hate part of you. As your friend I should accept you, Prince Cheney.”

“Why does it feel like I’m never on solid ground with you?”

“Would you prefer I call you Mr. Hunt?” I asked innocently. Cheney chuckled. “Well then, my prince, are you going to kiss me or should we continue discussing names?”

“You’re going to be the death of me.” His mouth covered mine. Sparks and heat rolled through me instantly. “You can call me whatever you like, princess.”

Regardless of what my mind remembered, my body knew him and responded without hesitation. I slid off the counter and pressed up against him before jerking my head away with every last drop of willpower I had. “I have training.”

“Sebastian will wait.” Cheney pulled me back to him roughly. His mouth demanded my utmost attention and stole my breath, making my knees weak. My hands snaked beneath his shirt, wanting to feel his skin against mine. His mouth trailed to my jaw and neck, allowing me to breathe.

“I should really go to training. What type of training am I doing? Do I need to change my clothes?”

Cheney lifted up from my neck. “Selene,” he gave me a quick kiss on the mouth, “stop talking.”

I twisted out of his arms, feeling playful.

He made a growling noise and grabbed at me, but I deftly avoided him using the counter as a barrier. “Need I remind you, you started this?” Cheney said thickly.

I smiled. “I did start it, but I’m not finishing it. Not yet anyway.” The color in his eyes swirled as if it were liquid and his ears began to point. “You’re losing your disguise.”

Cheney stopped and smiled. “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. Your ears are pointed.”

“Selene, my disguise is perfectly in check. You’re seeing through it.” He peered at me intently. “The elf is waking up.” He looked so pleased I wanted to kick him in the shins.

I pulled away, unable to stop my frown. “I have to change.” I turned for the bedroom.

“You’re not happy.” Cheney sounded amazed.

“Not particularly,” I said over my shoulder.

“Why?”

Where could I even start? I paused in the doorway and glanced back at him. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I prefer half-human.”

His mouth fell open slightly. “Selene—”

“Don’t. You aren’t going to change my mind. I accept that the elf part is here and part of me, but I’m not going to be happy about it. And the human side will not be taking a backseat to it.”

Green mixed back in with the gold in Cheney’s eyes.

I closed the door and rummaged through my suitcase until I found my yoga pants, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes. I pulled my hair into a ponytail, frowning at the points on my ears. When I came out of the bedroom, Cheney was waiting for me by the door, his face expressionless. “Selene, we should talk about this.”

“Why? Look, I’m going to learn what I need to learn to protect myself. But nothing is going to change who I am. I don’t see why it has to.” A nagging feeling that I was being a hypocrite came into my mind. Didn’t I just tell Cheney that being a prince was part of who he was? How was this any different?

“There are things you do not understand. What you just said would upset a great number of people and put your life in further danger. You cannot talk like that, not being who you are.”

“Exactly who am I?”

His jaw flexed. “My wife.”