Eternal Sacrifice (Mortal Enchantment Book 4) (11 page)

“It feels like a dream,” she gushed. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening.”

“Oh, it’s definitely happening.” I thought about the workers and all that everyone had accomplished thus far. “You should see what they’ve done downstairs. It’s amazing.”

Her eyes rounded with excitement. “I think I’m going to wait until the wedding. I want to see it for the first time when I walk down the aisle.”

That made sense. If it were me, I’d probably want to wait too. “I promise, you’ll love it.”

Placing her hand over her heart, she said, “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.”

“Are you kidding? I should be the one thanking you.” I made my way over to her. She stood on a block of wood that made her a foot taller than me. “I would’ve never survived without you. You’ve been my protector and best friend through all of this.”

“I could say the same to you. Without you, I’d be married to someone I’d never love.” She motioned her hand around the room. “You made all this possible.”

I’d told her that she shouldn’t let her parents make such an important decision for her. I even offered to give a royal order which commanded that she marry Marcus. Her parents couldn’t intervene in that case. But she took care of the matter on her own. “I convinced you to fight for what you wanted. The rest was all you.”

“I love you so much.” She bent down and hugged me around the shoulders. “You know that, right?”

Tears welled in my eyes. “Okay, we'd better stop before you get your makeup messed up.”

Sniffling, she released me and dabbed the bottom of her eyes with the tip of her fingers. “Yeah, I am looking pretty hot.”

I laughed. “The hottest.”

She nudged me. “Speaking of hotness, it’s about time we get you ready.”

I glanced down at my black tank top and cutoff jean shorts. “I’m going to have to agree with you. This definitely isn’t screaming 'formal wear.'”

Ariel bit her lip. “Actually, I have a surprise for you.”

“What kind of surprise?” I grinned.

“Turn around.” She pointed toward the left corner of the room.

I did as she asked. That’s when I saw it. Two seamstresses held up a floor-length lavender gown. “Insanely gorgeous” didn’t begin to describe this dress. It was a strapless mermaid-style with a heart-shaped neckline and tiny lace short sleeves that draped over the shoulders. When they flipped the dress over, the entire back was made out of the same lace. Looked like I’d be going braless in this garment. That wouldn’t be a problem since I didn’t require much support in that department.

“It’s perfect,” I gushed.

“Why don’t you try it on?” she asked, waving the seamstresses over. “I gave them your measurements, but you never know.”

They handed me the dress, and I went inside her bathroom. It wasn’t as large as mine. The design was pretty simple. The sink and toilet were made of white porcelain, and tiles of the same color lined the walls and flooring. I removed my clothes, neatly folded them, set the pile in the corner, and slipped on the gown. Once it was pulled up, I clasped the back together and rejoined the group. I was only a few steps into the room when someone came behind me and zipped the back.

“You look gorgeous, Kalin,” she called out. “How does it fit?”

I rubbed my hand over the silky skirt. “Feels good to me.”

“Good.” She pointed to her silver vanity mirror and chair. “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll get started on your hair and makeup.”

“No way.” I put my hands on my hips. “This is your day. I can do my own.”

“I’ve seen you do your own,” she replied, raising an eyebrow. “But I want you styled in something other than a ponytail and lip gloss.”

I smiled. “I resent that.”

“Only because it’s true.” She grinned.

“I swear I can,” I said, laughing. “I used to do more with myself when I was in the mortal world. I even dressed up when I went to school.”

She playfully rolled her eyes. “Which makes tons of sense since your boyfriend lives here.”

I dismissively waved my hand as I sat down in the chair. “Rowan couldn’t care less about my clothes. He’d be happy if I wore—”

“Nothing?” she suggested.

I chuckled. “You’re probably right.”

She removed the ponytail band, and my long fiery-red hair fell over my shoulders. I watched her in the mirror as she brushed through the wavy mess. “How are things going between you two?”

I wasn’t sure. “Good, I guess?”

“You guess?” She repeated, eyebrows furrowed. “You say that like you don’t know.”

We haven’t had much time together since I’d become the akasha. He had his duties in the fire court, and I was here doing the same. The moments we had were usually short and rushed. It made me wish that we were a normal mortal couple, even if it was for just one day. “It just seems like we’re always getting pulled in different directions.”

“I wish I could tell you it gets better, but it doesn’t.” As she twisted my hair in an up-do, a look of sadness fell over her face. “I’ve had to fight for every minute with Marcus. Our responsibilities always seem to get in the way.”

I let out an exaggerated sigh. “That’s exactly how I feel.”

“Then you have to make an extra effort to make time for one another.” I gazed into the mirror, and her eyes met mine. “I know it may seem difficult considering everything that’s going on, but it can be done. I promise you.”

Ariel had no idea just how limited my time really was. If I told her what I’d planned, she’d never let me do it. She’d try to convince me there was another way. But I knew the reality of our situation. And the outcome. An ache formed in the pit of my chest. I wished I had more time with Rowan. I wished I had more time with all of them. Unfortunately, that wasn’t meant to be. “Do you have any suggestions?”

She smiled like she’d come up with an idea. “My wedding.”

I shook my head. “Do you really think I’d miss your wedding?”

“No, of course not.” She chuckled, as she added pins into my hair to hold the strands in place. “But you could skip out early during the reception. Maybe you could take Rowan somewhere quiet. Somewhere clothing optional.”

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what she was implying. “We haven’t reached the clothing optional portion of our relationship.”

Bending down, she put her arms around my neck. “Is that something you want?”

Under different circumstances we would’ve dated for years before I was ready. But I didn’t have much time left. And I wanted to experience that intimacy with him. I wanted him to be the one that took my virginity. I wanted him to know me in that way. Even if it only happened once. “I do.”

“Okay, then.” She spun my chair around. “Why don’t you let me help you plan something? Tomorrow night can be a special night for both of us.”

Rowan

“You can’t be my father.”

I shook my head in total disbelief. It was impossible. Merlin was a famous elemental. He was known throughout the mortal world in books and mythology. No one had ever mentioned he had children. Not once. A baby doesn’t go unnoticed in Avalon, especially if a queen was involved. News like that would’ve been announced and celebrated. Everyone would’ve known. I was sure I would’ve been told of it at some point.

Secrets never stayed hidden for long.

He crossed his arms. “Aren’t you wondering why Prisma never killed me? It would’ve been a lot easier than keeping me locked away.”

Before I took in what he’d said, he strode inside the portal. My mouth hung open. He couldn’t walk away. Not after that life-altering reveal. As I let out an aggravated growl, I rushed in after him. When I reached the other end of the pathway, he waited for me with a smug expression on his face.

It was time I put an end to this.

“She said my father raped her.” I paused to scrutinize his reaction. The corner of his lip curled into a half smile. Not expecting an amused response, I continued. “She said she killed him.”

“Is that what she said?” He chuckled. “Think about it, Rowan. Prisma was one of the first elementals. More powerful than any other I’d ever known. Do you really think she was overpowered and forced into sex against her will? Come on.”

His words were like a slap in the face.

I don’t know why I’d never questioned it before. He made sense. I’d never seen mother challenged, much less overpowered. My shoulders slumped, dropping my hands to my sides. I’d always known mother had a talent for lying, but I’d never imagined she’d make up a story like that. I thought even she had limitations. Once again, I was proven wrong. “Are you saying you two had a secret relationship?”

Merlin stared at the volcano about a half mile away. The ash-covered land all around us was flat and lifeless. Not a shred of greenery for miles. Only burnt trees with no leaves and broken branches. He stood in one place, breathing deeply. This close to the eternal flame, he’d begun to recharge his power. The energy moved through my body as well. Sore muscles regained their strength. And power surged from my core once more. I stretched out my wings, letting the warm breeze flow through my black feathers.

“We had no other choice,” he finally said, as he headed toward the hidden castle. “Prisma was expected to marry a high-born or someone with royal blood. My mother was a mortal seduced by an incubus, which made me a cambion. Certainly not a fitting match for a queen.”

“How can that be true?” I replied, still not sure if I believed him. “Mother hated halflings.”

By the time we neared the castle, his regeneration could be physically seen. His strides were longer, and had more power behind them. “Halflings weren’t popular in any court. Prisma went along with it for appearances. If she’d been honest about her feelings, others might’ve suspected our relationship had gone beyond friendship.”

I could barely comprehend what he was saying. Was I really speaking to my father? After all these years of believing he was dead, the moment seemed unreal. My head swam with a list of questions. Trying not to show how engrossed I’d been, I kept my tone at a relaxed level. “What was your position in the court?”

“I was a healer,” he replied, glancing over at me. “That’s why the mortals thought I was some kind of wizard.”

I scrutinized his answers with more questions. “You never corrected them?”

He let out a harsh breath. “What could I say without revealing our kind?”

I snickered.

“What?” he asked, throwing his hands in the air?

“Sorry.” I wasn’t trying to be rude. Everything that he’d said just seemed impossible. It was so foreign to me, it was like he was talking about someone else. I dug my hands into the pockets of my jeans. “It’s hard for me to imagine anyone wanted to be in a relationship with my mother.”

He stopped and pivoted. “She was much more than you remember.”

“That’s what Britta said, but honestly, it’s hard to believe.” I raised an eyebrow. “I have vivid memories of her as a dark and merciless queen. Nothing more.”

“That was only one side of her,” he replied, putting his hand on my shoulder. “During the centuries I was with her, she was a good queen and loved by her court.”

Good and loving didn’t fit into a sentence that described my mother. I pushed his hand off my shoulder, and kept striding toward the castle. “Those aren’t the stories I’ve heard.”

He remained by my side as we walked. “Stories passed down through the generations tend to lose their credibility.”

I understood better than anyone. I’d heard plenty of rumors that had been spread about me. Most had to do with the circumstances surrounding mother’s death, and why I’d refused the throne. Few had been there to witness what truly happened. But there were hundreds of versions of the event. “I’ve learned not to trust most of the members of our court.”

“We definitely have an interesting collection of creatures.” He added, “Some, as you know, have violent traditions. Prisma had to make difficult decisions where they were concerned. At times, she overlooked bad deeds in order to keep peace. Not all her choices were met with cheers. That’s not the nature of this court.”

The last forty-eight hours had been a roller coaster of emotions. I learned I had a father who tried to kill me and had been imprisoned since I was an infant. My mother was a lot more complicated than I’d known. She’d even risked her life to save me. And, to top it all off, I supposedly caused the world to end. My life had unraveled in front of me. I stopped. “If she was all you just described, what caused her to become the mother I knew?”

“After she found out about Britta’s premonition, everything changed. She felt betrayed by Britta and me.” He stared at the dust covered ground. “And a darkness fell over her.”

The circumstances were rough, and there was a part of me that felt sympathy for her. But what she’d done since then was unjustifiable. Thousands upon thousands were hurt, or worse, by her rage. “That doesn’t excuse the decades of torture she inflicted.”

“I’m not saying what she did was right.” He paused as if he were weighing his words. “All I’m doing is trying to show things from her perspective. She’d lost everything and was left to raise you on her own. The loneliness made her bitter.”

“That’s the thing. She wasn’t alone. I was there.” My throat swelled and I swallowed hard. No way was I going to allow myself to get emotional. “All I ever wanted was her love, and she pushed me away. Acted like she despised me. I never once felt anything from her other than disgust.”

“You were destined to destroy us all, Rowan.” There was a pained expression on his face like the words hurt to say aloud. “She loved you as her son, but hated you at the same time.”

This was too much for anyone to handle. I was moments away from an explosion. Fire tipped my fingers. All I had to do was let go. “She could’ve tried talking to me. Maybe if I’d known this was supposed to happen, I would’ve had more time to find a solution.”

“Prisma thought she’d found the solution when she sent you away.” His forehead creased. “She assumed this was where you’d meet the akasha. No one knew Taron was hiding her away in the mortal world. When she found out, she was enraged. It killed her to not be part of your life.”