Fire and Ice (16 page)

Hours later, I gazed up at an indoor night sky, lit with thousands of tiny white stars. Soft buttery lights threaded through heavy fruit vines were draped around the great hall. The ballroom was aglow with flickering candles. On a stage, a band blew into exotic instruments playing enchanting melodies.

Nerves fluttered in my stomach, watching couples sway and gyrate in the center of the room under a shower of iridescent glitter. It made me regret I'd insisted on meeting Adrius here, instead of letting him pick me up in my chamber like he wanted to. That was enough to put me in a surly mood. What was I doing here? I didn't belong here… I never would. Escaping to my room suddenly seemed like a very good plan until the wizard Hawthrin spotted me. “Lorelei, good for you. You decided to join us.”

I smiled. “Never turn down a party. It's my motto.” Catching myself biting my nails, I dropped my hands and locked them behind my back.

“Good, good. It's healthy to indulge in lighthearted festivities before the darkness of war descends. Although, a word to the wise, Lorelei. While you're in this realm it would be best for all concerned if you didn't wander too far. Of course, not all who wander are lost.”

I squinted at him with a slight shake of my head.

“And steer clear of the Faery wine.” He took a swig from an etched silver mug, swiping his whiskers with the back of his hand. “Vile stuff.” The wizard's dark skin shone under the lights, highlighting the fine creases around his eyes from centuries of grinning. Puffing on his carved pipe he exhaled a mouthful of lavender smoke, which formed three perfectly shaped birds before dissipating. “Worry not for the future. For life belongs to this night.” And then he was gone, leaving me to search for another familiar face.

Clear bottles filled with vibrant liquids lined a bar on the far side of the hall, where several good-looking Elven knights and a few not so good-looking trolls were downing drinks, laughing hysterically, and slapping each other on the back. Buffet tables shimmered under mismatched chandeliers, laden with everything from simmering soups to fantasy desserts. The air rippled with the ripe aroma of fire grilled meat, jasmine, and herbs. If it wasn't for the fact everything looked and smelled so good, I might have bolted. But I was famished, despite having eaten the equivalent of six meals already. Plus, I couldn't disappoint Adrius.

A russet-bearded dwarf offered a tray of food, and I took a spinach leaf stuffed with a rice mixture and a glass of something fuchsia pink, nibbling and sipping as I circulated the room. My intention was to blend, remain invisible, but it became impossible
not
to notice the heads turning in my direction. Their whispers, stolen glances, and open gawking added to my nerves since the center of attention is my least favorite place to be. Of course, in this gown it was probably inevitable. Everyone had to take notice of the way the soft colors shifted with each movement. It sort of felt more like the dress was wearing me than the other way around.

“Lorelei, right? My, you are lovely for a human.” Startled, I gazed into the face of a goddess. At least she could have convincingly passed for one. Alabaster skin, soft round curves, silky waist-length blonde hair. When I nodded mutely, she held out her hand.

“I'm Taryn… Daughter to Lord Ederon.”

“Hi,” I said, still star-struck.

“Such a divine gown,” she rasped, sizing me up with sapphire eyes. “Wherever did you get it?”

“Thanks. I'm not sure where it came from. Julien delivered it, but said it wasn't from him.” I seriously hoped it wasn't. When he'd dropped off the silver-leafed package which housed the ethereal number I was wearing, he was annoyingly non-committal about who it was from.

“My, my, both Thanduir brothers, it appears, have fallen under your spell. You must share your secret powers with me,” she pouted.

I flushed, swallowing a gulp of pink liquid from my glass. It tasted like wine mixed with strawberry lemonade. “You are way off. Adrius and I… we're friends, and as for Julien, well…” I wasn't sure Julien and I would ever be friends. “It's not like that,” I finished, quickly taking another sip.

“We shall see…” she sang. She ran a long finger along the embroidered neckline of my gown making me shiver.

In the time it took me to swallow and blink she'd disappeared.

“There's no need to be shy about it. It's quite an accomplishment to win the attention of an Elven Prince.”

I jumped. Her exquisite Elven face was suddenly right behind me. “You scared me.” Seriously, would it kill them to make a sound when they moved at the speed of light?

She offered a slightly apologetic smile, her long flaxen hair reflecting the light in a most unnatural way. “Don't change the subject,” she insisted. Her voice was aloof, but a hint of envy hid behind eyes like a cresting wave. “You must be pleased.”

I stared at her for a moment, trying to wrap my head around what she was saying.

“Pleased— Um… what are you talking about?” I had no clue, and not because this pink stuff was making my head fuzzy.

She glided around me with the lithe grace of a ballerina, her crystal eyes focused intently. The speed of her motion caught the layers of my dress and they floated in the quake of her breeze. I smoothed them down, watching out of the corner of my eye as she hailed a server for a drink.

“I have heard all about Prince Adrius and his feelings for you,” she said wistfully. “And Prince Julien never hides his interest in a female.” Her blonde hair fanned around her face like a golden halo.

I stopped smoothing and looked at her as though she had grown another head. My face felt warm and I'm sure was blushing. Still, I didn't believe any of it could be true.

“I'm not sure where you got your information,” I said. “But I'd get a new source. Julien's only interest is himself. And Adrius…” I felt my cheeks flush again. “Well, we're… friends,” I finished, desperately wanting to change the subject.

Taryn offered a patient smile. “Yes, so you've said. Twice now. You know, it's funny really. No one would have ever guessed he would be interested in someone like you… No offense.”

“None taken,” I mumbled, glancing down. That was exactly why it was so preposterous. Why would he fall for someone like me when this place was overflowing with someones like her? I was ordinary, utterly plain in comparison. There was no way I could compete with their perfection. It was a long shot back home in Drearyton Cove, but here — in the realm of the supernatural beauty — pretty much impossible.

She laughed suddenly, with wide incredulous eyes. “You truly do not believe it, do you? You don't see it?” Her laughter continued, and I frowned, not really getting the joke. Exactly what did she find so funny?

“I am sorry,” she sputtered, between giggles, when she saw my expression. “It's just that, well, humans are known for not seeing what is right in front of them. I had no idea it would be so true.” She shook her head, still laughing to herself.

“Well, apparently, I'm
half
human.” I'm not sure what kind of a come-back that was supposed to be, but it was all I could come up with in defense.

“Yes, that is true,” she said, thoughtful for a moment. “So you should be able to see it, if you know what to look for.”

“Taryn…” I was getting impatient.

“No, no, just hear me out. Tomorrow Prince Adrius will be in the smithery, forging a new sword.”

I was puzzled. He forges his own swords? “Aren't there, I don't know…
others
to do that for him?”

“Of course.” She smiled. “But he likes to make his own. And the Prince does as he pleases, most of the time. A sword of fire is best forged at the hand of its wielder.”

“Right. Go on,” I urged. In spite of myself, her proposal peaked my curiosity. Probably not a good thing.

“There is a small recess, where you can watch, undetected. I will go in and converse with him, and if you are at all perceptive, his feelings for you will be as apparent as yours are for him.”

I sighed. I was right, it wasn't a good thing. The last time Adrius caught me spying, things did not go well. And that time I wasn't spying on him. “I don't know…” I said slowly, not sold on the idea, but not totally against it either. “He can read my thoughts, won't he know I‘m watching him?”

“Seers can only access thoughts through eye contact,” she said, as if that was something everyone should know.

“Good to know,” I mumbled, filing it away for future reference. More than anything I was sure any revelation I discovered would prove Taryn wrong, and I wasn't sure my ego needed the added disappointment of confirming the obvious. But there was also the chance I might discover a little more about him, about whatever it was he kept so carefully concealed behind those beautiful brooding eyes. The idea of unraveling some of that mystery was tempting… too tempting. My mouth answered before my better judgment could intervene. “Fine,” I blurted. “I'll go.”

She smiled, genuinely pleased with herself.

“Why are you telling me this, Taryn?” I asked, again, curious. Very few people did something for nothing, especially here. It wasn't like we were friends. She didn't even know me.

She flashed a gorgeous, devious grin. “Because, if Prince Adrius is interested in you, that leaves Julien available for me.” Not even slightly contrite about her ulterior motive.

“Ahh.” I nodded.

She exhaled slowly, and her shoulders dropped.

“What is it, Taryn?”

“There is something more I should tell you. I promised I wouldn't, but you're so… well, naive, I feel it's only fair to warn you.” She paused, as though rethinking her decision.

“I'm listening,”, I urged, hoping she wouldn't change her mind.

“Once you see I'm correct about his feelings for you, do trust me when I say becoming involved with the Prince would be a terrible idea.”

I froze, wrestling with the suddenly unmanageable thoughts swirling in my head. What did she mean a terrible idea? “Why?” I stammered. It was the only coherent word I could squeeze out of the jumble.

“That is a question for the girls who made that mistake.” She spoke softly, almost to herself. “Unfortunately, none of them are alive to answer.” Her gaze lifted and she stared for such a long time I finally realized it was the only answer I was going to get.

“Oh, there's Astriel.” Taryn's voice perked up showing no sign of the gloom and doom she had just foreshadowed. “I must see who she is with! Lovely meeting you, Lorelei.” She waved, her attention already on Astriel's attractive Faerie companion. She glided away, her hips and pale hair swaying to the pumping music.

“Hello, human.” A high pitched voice greeted me. I assumed she was talking to me, being the only human around. Fauna, the green Faerie, beamed at me from her perch on a log. I stiffened, clenching my jaw, steeling against any possible assault. I didn't know what this Faerie wanted, but she had already taken my singing voice, who knew what else she was capable of.

I swallowed another mouthful of my drink before I noticed the lights starting to leave sparkly trails when I moved. Setting it down on a nearby table, I offered her a wary smile.

“Enjoying the party?” she asked, pirouetting down from her perch. Did she ever walk anywhere?

“It's great,” I muttered, squeezing my eyes shut trying to refocus. Green girl giggled. “Ooooh, drinking Faerie wine… you
are
brave, human.”

“Well, I think I need to switch to water,” I said, slightly staggering toward the bar as the room began to spin. A satyr, filled a goblet with water, pouring from a floating fountain, and handed it to me, flashing a yellow toothy grin. I took it, swallowing several large gulps. Almost immediately, I felt the dizziness ease up. I'd never been tipsy before, but getting drunk on Faerie wine in a place like
this
seemed like a bad idea.

Green girl followed me on her tip toes. “It's okay to get drunk tonight. It's Beltane after all.”

I shrugged, taking another mouthful of water. I assumed it was another excuse to party, not that they needed any here. Revelry was a way of life it seemed in Mythlandria. Always some celebration going on for something.

“It's a time of fertility and merrymaking, silly, when young and old spend the night making love in the Greenwood.” She giggled. “Will you be spending the night with Lord Adrius?”

I stared at her in disbelief. “Pretty sure I'm spending the night alone, thanks.”

She frowned. “But why? You like him, don't you, human? I can smell that you do.”

Whatever
that
means.

“Sooooo…” She twirled around me, nearly knocking the glass from my hand. “If you like him, and he likes you, then if you spend the night under the Beltane stars, you'll be united as the marriage of earth and sun.”

“Yeah, we barely know each other.”

“What difference does it make?” She wrinkled her nose in a frown. “It's prophecy. Just tell him he's the one you choose.”

"I don't really think it works that way," I replied.

"Of course it works that way, human," green girl scolded. "How else would it work?"

Finishing my water, I spied Adrius across the room at the same time he spotted me. Our eyes met, sending an electric jolt through me. As if on cue the lights dimmed. The music slowed to a ballad that was both haunting and beautiful, sung in what I assumed was some form of Elvish.

I excused myself from the green Faerie's deranged version of a mating ritual. Adrius tried to politely extract himself from the conversation he was involved in, and I tried to make my way through the thickening crowd in his direction. Three quarters of the way there, Julien stepped in my path.
Seriously. The worst timing.