Candescent (The Opalescent Collection Book 1) (7 page)

“Fitzray intended to give this to you.” He handed me a glass of water that was only half-full, wet at its sides as though it had spilled. I tried to wrap my mind around what he meant by
intended
. When he came closer to hand me the glass, I sank back. The left side of his face suffered an ugly bruise. I sat up, nearly dropped the glass onto the nightstand, but managed to set it down.

“What did you do to him?”

              He gave me a deep chuckle, leaving the room. I clutched the covers and Rasha came into the room.

“It’s ok Rallen, she’s in here. She looks all right.” She called back. She came over to me, helped me up and led me to the stairs. The Allies were crowded around a body lying on the floor. I rushed down the stairs to kneel beside Fitzray.

              He coughed harshly. “He tried to drown me in the plumeberry juice,” he explained. I glanced at Pete and turned back to him.

“Can’t you just behave at one social gathering?”

“He gave you the plumeberry juice and it made you sick. He knew what it could do.”

              Before Pete could contradict his brother, Rasha glared at him and looked down at Fitzray. “So you punched him?” She turned to Pete. “And you nearly drowned him?”

              Pete’s fists tightened at his sides. “I can take a punch.”

“You’re lucky he switched his rings to his left hand or he would’ve given you more than just a bruise.”

“It’s those rings that started it,” he hissed. He knelt beside me reaching to grab Fitzray’s hand to show us the rings. I quickly grabbed Fitzray’s hand to shield it from the aimed attack.

“What about the rings?”

“It’s just that one, the silver band. It’s called a Ceremony Ring or Ceremonial Ring.” I recalled I only formally performed the Ceremony with Lucian and hardly performed it with Fitzray, but I never recalled any rings. “He was going to present it to you tonight. He waited until you came back from reincarnation and vowed that when you did, he would perform the Ceremony with you due to my unworthiness.”

His voice grew louder and he let out a growl as Fitzray sat up.

“What makes you think I would have performed the Ceremony with him?”I felt Fitzray’s shocked expression come over me, but I knew he would understand. All I wanted to do was cool Pete’s temper before he became uncontrollable. I couldn’t risk that. He turned away from me without much rage, turned to Fitzray, and left. I touched his face, still wet from the juice. The Allies disbursed back to their meal. Rasha stayed behind to talk with us.

“Is it true?”

              Fitzray nodded his head. I was glad they all knew what Ceremonies were and that they didn’t need to be explained. “I’ll leave you two alone then. I’ll be right down here in the dining room if you need anything.”

              We watched her go when Fitzray was suddenly on his feet, pulling me up to his room. He shut the door and stared at me for a short while. He then picked up the glass of water. “You should have had this.” I shrugged my shoulders and he poured it on his face to wash the juice away. He sat me down, took off his silver band and pressed it into my hand.

“This is a Ceremony Ring. I’m sure you’ve never seen one before. Lucian didn’t need one because he was a half- mortal.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Don’t you want be free? Don’t you want to be free from Pete’s control and be my Eternal Mate, like how it was supposed to be?”

I looked down at the ring. I did like that.

“I just hate how he talks about you,” he continued.

“How is it possible?” I whispered, afraid that Pete would hear.

“You were reincarnated and so was I. You only performed the Ceremony once with Lucian and he is gone. It’s my turn now.”

“But Pete is my Eternal Mate, Ceremony or not, you know that.”

“We can have a Ceremonial Trial. I can argue that I was to be your Eternal Mate from the very beginning. And all you have to do is say you’re unhappy being his Eternal Mate.”

“Why didn’t we do this before?”

              He laughed. “How could we? I was killed before I could do anything. And I had to remember my old life and grow from my reincarnation back to who I am. But during my growing process, it forced Pete and I closer since he had to care for me. When I was almost finished with growing up, I told him and promised myself that as soon as you came back I’d ask you to perform the Ceremony. He grieved so bad he despised himself and regretted everything he’d done to you so he agreed to this. He never would have thought that you would return anyway. It hit him recently…that he remembered what he’d said and he regrets it I’m sure. He knows he’s going to lose you.” He paused to gaze down at my hand clutching the ring. His voice faded to a whisper. “As long as you say yes.” I could hear it, the desperation, the pleading. I knew how much he loved me.

“And I will never lose you again? I will never have to relive that night on the Bridge-,” he covered my mouth with his fingers.

“No, never again.” He dropped his hand awaiting my answer. Pete was in the doorway; the door had been quietly opened and he’d heard everything. Fitzray saw him and was bracing himself even before I realized he was there.

“You don’t have to listen to him.” Pete’s voice was firm.

“I already have.” I said, still looking down at my closed hand. I heard him walk away and I looked up to meet Fitzray’s warm green eyes. I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn’t form my answer. He held my face for a moment, closing his eyes and brushed his face against me, still waiting for a response.

“Tell me.
Tell me
.”

His hands held onto me and embraced me. It was only when he moved away to look into my eyes again that I found my voice.

“Yes Fitzray.”

N
o sooner than I had said the word, plans were being made for the Ceremonial Trial. Fitzray was hoping we would have it by the time we returned home. But for now he told me to sit tight and wait to hear what our Allies had to say. Tonight they would tell us why we were called here and hopefully we could resolve any problems. Fitzray told me to stay clear of Pete, which wasn’t a problem at all. He wasn’t talking to anyone and hadn’t shown his face since the night before. I didn’t even think he would attend the meeting, but I couldn’t be sure. It was only noon.

I sat down on the bed brushing my hair. Fitzray promised me a walk around Averous and that was just what I needed.

“The Ceremonial Trial is going to work for us.”

“I hope so.”

“All I really want is to see Pete on his knees begging for mercy for all he’s done to you.”

“You don’t have to be so harsh on him. He could have done worse.”

“That’s my point. I can’t standby and hope he won’t do anything else.”

“What he did shouldn’t lock him up.”

“You’re right. It should be a worse punishment than that.”

“I know he’s done wrong, but he’s still your brother.”

“And my brother took what was dear to me. I deserve to have you as my Eternal Mate. I deserve to be King. Haven’t I proven myself enough to have that?”

I put my brush down surprised at how he said
King
as if it was his title of power. “You being King has nothing to do with this.”

“I know,” he said, buttoning his cuffs. He shrugged on his jacket and I walked up to him. “But I will make a good king.” I adjusted his collar, remaining silent. He tilted my chin up to face him. “I’ve been waiting for too long.”

“I know you have.”

He smiled, hugged me. “Do you want to skip our walk?”

“Why?”

              He didn’t respond. He only brushed my hair away to kiss my neck.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m protecting you.” He kissed my forehead.

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s called the pre-ceremonial kiss. No one can have physical contact with you until after the Ceremony and my phases are over. It will protect you.”

“What happens if I come in contact with someone?”

“I will feel it and I will instinctually come.”

I touched my forehead. “And that’s it?” He nodded.

“But the Ceremony is sooner than you think. Tomorrow we’re heading home.”

“But we just got here!”

“There will be other meetings. They’re annual anyway.”

“You just want to get home and get the Ceremony underway.”

“Is that a crime?”

“No.”

“It was expected we’d only stay a couple of days anyway. The Allies need to get back home too.” I looked down and started to take my shoes off. “What’s wrong?”

“You said we weren’t going for a walk.” I remarked, disappointed. He stopped me and pulled me to my feet.

“I had other plans in mind.”

“What kind of plans?”

“I have a surprise for you.”

              When he saw my expression brighten, he took my hand and ran with me outside. It was there among the flowers and tall grass where my dragon stood. He looked down at me. I hoped he remembered me. His eyes instantly softened, his soft lips parted, nostrils flaring.

              He launched, took flight, and when he landed before me he bent his head low to smell me. In disbelief, he gathered me in one of his claws and blew his smoky breath over me. When he placed me down, he wrapped his neck around me, pressing me to his warm body as if to hug me. I placed my hands on his large face, tracing over his marvelous scales and rested my head against his nose. He didn’t say anything to me, but he didn’t have to. I was also lost for words.

              I saw Fitzray stopping himself from instinctively launching at my dragon. He held onto a wing of the dragon beside him. I turned to face the dragon, squinted my eyes, unsure of whom this dragon really was. It
was
Citrus. Her brilliant orange scales were darker and she seemed different. She looked upset, almost angry. I was sure she was just reacting to Fitzray’s emotions.

“I’m going to talk with Minx.”

He lifted his hand off his dragon’s wing to show his approval. I walked with Minx to the back of the building where the heated pool was. There I sat beside my dragon. He arched his neck over me and nuzzled my chest. With one talon, he felt for the chain around my neck until he reached my Dragon’s Soul.

“You still have it. You kept it.”

“Why wouldn’t I still have it Minx?”

“I wasn’t sure if Pete took it from you.”

“No, I still have it. I’m just surprised Fitzray didn’t take you for himself and care for you.”

“No, he would never do that. He knew you would come back. He did take Citrus under his wing only because she was still very young and she grew with him.”

“Fitzray is going to perform the Ceremony with me when we get back.”

“Is that so? Lucky he sent for us. You’ll be home even sooner now that Citrus and I will fly the two of you back.”

“Yeah, he wants to get back as soon as possible.”

“You’re not nervous?”

“No, not yet.”

              He lifted his head boldly. “I’m glad you’re finally performing the Ceremony with Fitzray. Pete was so dangerous. Even
I
felt uneasy around him.”

“I just hope the Trial goes well.”

“You worry too much.” He stood up and took a leap into the pool. “Coming Mistress?” I followed him. He swam after me, his body nearly taking up the whole pool. I grabbed onto his neck and swam onto his back where I rested.

“What ever happened to Jasper?”

“Jasper? No one has heard from him.”

              I dived back into the water. Minx joined me. Jasper was probably filled with shame and refused to return. When I popped up from the surface, Minx was attentive. His focus was on Fitzray who waded up to his knees in the pool.

“Come on Chenille. We have to get ready.”                          

“Ready for what?”

“The time for the meeting was changed. We have to go.” He put out a hand to me. I looked at Minx.

“I’ll still be here when you get back.”

              I took Fitzray’s hand and he escorted me back to my room.

“Did you catch up with Minx?”

              I smiled. “I told him about our plans.”

              When we reached my room, he waited for me as I got ready. When I was done, he looked me up and down and commented how I looked.

“I have to get ready too. You can go to the dining room and I’ll meet you there.”

              I did as I was told. The Allies were silent around the table. There was a sense of formality tonight. When Pete and Fitzray entered, our Allies rose to their feet and when Pete sat so did the rest. After everyone said their greetings, the reason for our travel had been brought up and so was the issue we had to address.

“There have been rumors that the public knows about our system.” Rasha said.

“There has been information spoken of, spreading through Catastrophe. This information was of what we spoke of at our last meeting. Our systems of ruling and the way things were handled after Chenille’s death were spoken of and for months the public criticized how we handled it.” Olend said.

“Let’s get to the point,” Pete hissed.

“Such information was only spoken of here in this building, meaning that the information leaked. The servants and attendants of the building have all been questioned, but we find them all innocent. It was someone else.”

“This is what I came across the sea to hear?” Pete stood up and I was convinced he was about to leave.

“This is dangerous,” Tassie protested.

“If anyone finds out about this Ceremony thing between Fitzray and Chenille,” Rasha started quietly, “think of how you’ll be affected. For people to find out before anything is even done, could spell chaos. You will be shunned and pitied even before your plans are made to escape and hide before it all happens.”

              Pete looked down. He didn’t like what he heard. He looked as though he actually believed that what Rasha told him was true.

“What do we do then?”

“We find the person responsible. From now on we will have to be more cautious of what we say…and what we do.”

“Now from various parts of Catastrophe we can all listen for anymore leaking information. It will be reported back to the rest of the Allies if anything is heard.” Rallen said.

              Pete stood up again. “Now that the main issue has been addressed, I will be leaving.”

              I looked after him astonished. It was unlike him to leave a meeting. It was as if he was giving up his title as King already. Fitzray turned to me.

“You can go too if you don’t want to stay.” Frankly, I did not want to hear any more. I should have felt joy to see Pete being stripped of his pride and dignity from one of our own Allies, but I didn’t. We were in no way equals anymore, not that we ever really were. I stood up and went to my room. He wasn’t there, though I didn’t expect him. I dressed into my night robe and laid my head onto the pillow.

              We would be going home tomorrow. When we got there the vampire that turned me into who I am would be further stripped of what he had, and according to Fitzray, on his knees begging for mercy. Fitzray told me this would be getting back at him for the way he treated me, but I knew he only wanted to protect me and was just over-possessive of me. He was to be brutally penalized for
that
? 

              I wanted to tell Fitzray, but I couldn’t be sure how he would handle it. He would either convince me that this was what must be done and remind me of all the wrong Pete did, or he would call the Ceremony off, call me insane, and leave me with Pete. I pressed my face to my pillow in silence.

              Pete walked into the room and threw himself over me. He kissed me and laid his head against me, his breathing turning to weeping. He stayed that way for only a couple of minutes and then returned to kiss my face. I could see through the dancing candlelight, the defenselessness in his face.

“For all this time I caused you distress and pain. After I killed you, you still returned after I promised change that was not possible. And now you will never belong with me unless you perform the Ceremony with me. But I know that will never happen. I have lost you.”

              He looked down at me, touched my face, noticing that it was wet. “I’m sorry Chenille. I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”

“Fitzray will be coming.”

“Have I ever told you the story of when I turned you into a vampress?” he whispered. “Did I ever tell you about that cold night, when I had to wrap you in my jacket just to keep you alive? Did I tell you that when I had to leave, I vowed never to leave you alone again?”

“Don’t tell me this, not now.”

“Do you know what they’ll do to me? This Ceremonial Trial will torture me. They’re going to kill me and I might not come back,” he said through clenched teeth. The footsteps became louder and he knew Fitzray was coming for him. “Until then I’m still in the next room over if you need me.”

              The door flew open, but he was already gone. Fitzray was there and Pete’s scent filled the air. I pretended to be asleep as he looked me over and touched my face, still wet. I heard him let out a sigh. I opened my eyes a crack and saw him with his hands behind his head, pacing the floor before the bed, silently cursing Pete’s name.