Return to Avalon, page 21
“What happens to the bodies when they die?” I asked, not really sure if I wanted to know the answer.
“They disintegrate into nothing, becoming a part of the water and losing their soul to Emma. If it weren’t for Haden bringing him out into the clearing, I don’t think there would have been enough time for me to find them and save your boyfriend—”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” I turned to walk away down the hall once more.
It took only two quick steps for her to catch up to me. She looked at me with curiosity swimming behind her eyes. “Is that so?”
“He’s my mate.”
“Sure he is,” she said, her response sounding sarcastic. She even rolled her eyes.
What’s with her?
Before I could react, Mom appeared. She guided me down a different hallway, away from everyone. I watched Josephine follow the rest of the group downstairs.
Approaching a large set of double oak-wood doors, I asked, “How long will we have to stay here?”
“You’ll leave the morning of the third day,” my mother said. “Don’t worry, I know you’ll succeed. I’ll make sure you have the best of every potion, weapon, and spell book in Avalon. The prophecy needs to be fulfilled in order to restore the balance of good and evil that Mabeline has thrown off course by enslaving those poor people for so long. She’s gone too far this time. It was a mistake to let her live after what she did. A mistake that cannot be repeated.”
KENNA
Pushing the doors open, I was greeted by a circular lounge suite sunken into the floor in the middle of the room. Above the modern fireplace sat a variety of crystals and colorful stones—each placed neatly in small, glass boxes of various sizes.
The windows were shaded by silver blinds that my mother pulled up as soon as she entered. The last rays from the setting sun streamed into the large space.
Looking over the kingdom of Avalon, I inhaled. It was the epitome of beauty and mysticism. No matter how long I had lived within its walls before, it still took my breath away each time I saw it in its entirety.
It felt surreal to be home again—in the place I’d grown up in yet chose to forget in favor of love. Placing a hand on the window, I looked toward a large lake and its dense layer of mist, partly hiding the rows of trees and their leaves that swayed in the slight evening breeze.
Buildings dotted the horizon, reaching far into the clouds above, taller than any earthly skyscraper and stronger than any man-made building. The smaller homes close by were either nestled between trees in the pine forest surrounding the outer walls of the castle, or close to the riverbank further left of the kingdom.
My mother came to stand beside me, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.
“It’s just as breath-taking as I remember it,” I whispered. However, there was something odd that caught my attention. I turned to my mother. “Where is everyone? Usually there are people at the lake, splashing and playing in the water or making their way to the city for a night out, but I don’t see a single soul out there.”
“Well, that’s the reason I wanted to talk to you. Since we knew you’d be arriving soon, we decided to throw together a last-minute welcome-home party.” She clasped her hands together and beamed at me.
“You didn’t,” I said, horrified that I would be forced to attend a party when we didn’t even know if there was any permanent damage from the attack Jed survived.
“Of course I did! And everything is about to begin. They’re all in the ballroom and garden downstairs, waiting to welcome a dear friend home!”
I groaned at the thought of mingling with people who in fact believed that I was some family member of a very respected deceased Avalonian. Couldn’t she see that I was no longer the same person I was before I left? Although my time on the Isle of Sanctuary had a large part to play in my hesitation, I’d always hated extravagant parties. I had no idea what to say to people who asked about this family I was supposedly from.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t go. How can I be expected to attend a celebration when my mate is lying near death in the room down the hallway?” Maybe she’d finally see reason to let me stay with him instead.
“Oh calm down. You saw his wounds heal with your own two eyes. And you heard what Samantha said—he’ll be as good as new in the morning. Things are about to get very serious very quickly and honestly, just because the prophecy foretold the possibility of how events could unfold, does not mean that they will indeed follow that course of action. The messenger said we have three days, so let’s enjoy them together while we can. Every action has a reaction and if you don’t plan carefully, you may very well end up dead. Embrace the small moments with family and those who adore you. At least try to enjoy yourself—if only for one night.”
She must have seen the resignation on my face because she smiled and said, “Just wonderful! I left something for you to wear on the bed.” She gave me a light kiss on the cheek and left the room, humming to herself as she did.
I sighed, looking around the room that used to be mine. It felt so foreign to me—the large bed covered in purple and gold that I spent so many evenings dreaming in, the large, netted curtains hanging either side that always made me feel safe as a child, the wooden wardrobe that still held all of my old clothes and shoes. It was all exactly as I’d left it that day—like I’d never left at all.
I looked at the dress draped over the bottom of the bed. I had to admit, I was impressed. The front of the dress joined together with a silver chain around the neckpiece which held a single button at the back.
The open back dipped into a deep V that would reveal the dimples in my lower back, covered only by a thin, black sheet of lace before giving way to a wide mermaid-style skirt that fell like loose waves to the floor. She had coupled the dress with red heels and a red purse with golden thread laced into the edges.
Filling the tub with bubbles and the room with steam, I pinned my hair up and slid into the water, enjoying the warmth on my skin. I laid my head back, allowing myself to get lost in my thoughts. I stared at the dancing flame of the candle closest to me and thought of everything that was going on in my life at that moment. There was so much responsibility resting upon my shoulders, I was beginning to doubt whether I would be able to accomplish all that was expected.
It’s like all this time I’ve believed that my choices were my own, when in fact it seems as if it’s all been predicted already.
Everyone spoke about this prophecy and how I would be the one to save the people of Rhodes, restore balance to the supernatural world, and save the day, but what if I failed? What if the queen killed me the moment I set foot onto the island?
My thoughts were interrupted by the door clicking shut in the room adjacent to the bathroom. I sat up, peering out of the doorway. Haden appeared, his large silhouette blocking the light from my room. I crossed my arms over my chest, covering most of my skin from view as he walked in.
His hungry gaze travelled along my body. I found myself secretly enjoying the attention—not that I would ever let him know that. I cleared my throat, but he didn’t bother to look away.
“Can I help you? Surely you can see that I’m a little busy here.” I did my best to stare blankly, raising my eyebrows for effect.
His fangs became visible, peeking out from his lips. He walked closer, keeping his eyes on me. “I came to escort you downstairs. I had no idea I would find you in such a tempting position,” he said, his voice deep and seductive.
He made his way to the side of the tub and sat. Something stirred within me when his eyes traveled the length of my body. With him distracted, I secretly took time to appreciate his lean waist and broad shoulders.
Stop looking at him like that! I scolded myself, but it was almost impossible to tear my eyes away. I had no idea why I wasn’t chasing him out. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I remained silent. A part of me wanted to see just how far he would take this.
He stood and I was sure he was about to leave. I found myself feeling disappointed, but he surprised me by moving to the back of the tub. He gently began pulling at the pins in my hair, dropping each one to the floor until my hair fell to my shoulders in waves, the ends brushing the water’s surface.
He ran his fingers through my hair then placed his hands on my shoulders. “I always preferred your hair down. It reminds me a lot of your wilder side,” he whispered in my ear, his hot breath on my neck. I shivered when he ran his tongue along my skin, leaving goosebumps behind. I instinctively moved my head to the side to allow him better access. He paused just above my vein, his cool fingers trailing up and down my bare arms. “Tell me to leave and I’ll leave.”
“You need to leave,” I said, not sounding believable even to my own ears.
He brushed his lips against my neck and chuckled. “Something tells me you don’t mean that.”
“I do,” I said, although my body contradicted me. I moved to face him so that our lips were just inches apart.
“It’s been so long since I’ve tasted you,” he said, kissing the corner of my mouth.
I closed my eyes, and he covered my skin in soft kisses from my mouth to my neck until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Do it.” I sighed, the vivid memories of my time with Haden fresh in my mind. Having him this close after so long made it impossible to think about anything outside that moment between him and I.
I felt him smile against me before sinking his teeth into my skin. I let out a low moan as he took his fill before moving to my lips. He kissed me with such intensity I almost pulled him into the water with me. The taste of copper was fresh on his lips and the need to have him just one more time became stronger than ever.
Without warning he pulled away. “We can’t do this.”
He walked out of the room, leaving me gasping for air with the taste of blood and lust lingering on my tongue. I waited to hear the door close behind him, but it never came. Instead, I heard the soft sound of springs supporting his weight as he lay on my bed. I climbed out and wrapped a small towel around myself before walking into the room.
Humiliated and guilty beyond measure at what had almost happened between us, I grabbed my dress from the bed and turned away. I walked to the far side of the room where a divider provided a shielded place to change. I felt distracted with his eyes on me, and when I’d pulled the dress up, I realized that I’d forgotten the shoes. Without looking at him, I pressed my hand to my chest to keep the gown from falling and made my way to the bottom of the bed.
This time, when I turned around, he gasped and sprang up from the bed. He made his way over and I turned to tell him to back off, but his expression told me that this was about more than him wanting to play games with me.
“What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Your mark,” he whispered. “Turn around. Please.”
In the mirror’s reflection, he raised his hand and brushed his fingers along my back, his icy grey eyes studying my skin. “It’s gone silver, the same way Jed’s did the night you died in the apartment.”
“What?” I said, my heart sinking. I turned to face him. “Are you saying that Jed could be dead?”
He shook his head and opened his mouth to reply but I stormed out. Ignoring the shocked glances from the staff, I raced down the hallway half-dressed and barefoot. I didn’t care. I needed to see him. I needed to make sure he was still breathing. I didn’t realize that I’d been crying until I burst through the doors and rushed to his side.
The lights were dimmed to near darkness and my breath caught when I reached him. Samantha stood and placed herself in between Jed and I. Usually my protective instinct would kick in if someone did that, but it never came.
What’s happening?
“What is it, girl? What’s the matter?” Samantha said, taking in my appearance with wide eyes.
“Is he dead?” I sniffled and tried to look past her.
“What? No, of course not, in fact he should wake within a few hours. You saw the spell work yourself, did you not? Why on earth would you think he was dead?”
I turned around, moving my hair over my shoulder to show her my mark.
“Hmm. The witch did warn you that it could sever your bond. I guess it did exactly that. It’s the only explanation I can think of.” She shrugged and moved to sit beside his bed. “At least he’s alive.”
“I didn’t even feel it happen,” I whispered, my heart beating wildly at the thought of not officially being his mate anymore.
“I see you felt something else, though,” she said, her voice laced with judgement. Her eyes had found the fresh wound on my neck.
My cheeks heated up and my hand moved to cover the small puncture wounds, but it was too late, she’d already seen them.
She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “Better hide it before your mother sees. She’ll have a fit if she knows you’ve been with that boy.”
“What do you mean?” I thought she was fine with both of them. What could she possibly have against Haden?
“Never mind. Be off with you. The boy is in good hands. He will live, I assure you. Go get ready for supper before someone finds you running around like that.”
HADEN
The ballroom was decorated with golden lanterns and rows of tables that held crystal centerpieces with flowers lining the middle. Music floated up from beneath the staircase where an orchestra played a hypnotic melody while guests danced and drank, enjoying the special occasion.
I could have kicked myself for losing control like I had earlier with Kenna. I swore I would never go back there, never fall into the cycle I’d been trapped in for years when it came to her.
But when I walked in and saw her laying in the tub like that, her smooth, wet skin glistening in the candlelight I just couldn’t stop myself. It had been exactly as I dreamed of her, except in my dreams she belonged to nobody but me.
I knew precisely what she liked—what her darkest desires and deepest needs were. We always had something she and Jed never did—passion. We had the spark that existed between two people destined to be together.
But it didn’t work out that way back then, and it won’t work out that way now.
Movement behind one of the silver curtains beside the thrones caught my attention. I watched two staff members, dressed in black and white uniform, pause to whisper to each other. The one repeatedly glanced over his shoulder. He seemed extremely nervous for someone who must have been to hundreds of these things before. When he believed nobody was looking, he slipped a note into the other man’s hand. The man looked around before reading the note. His eyes widened and he was about to speak when his companion shook his head and pointed furiously to the note. He shut his mouth and nodded before giving it back and walking over to a nearby guest.
The other man went to a select few guests, whispering something into their ear before they turned and began discussing something feverishly amongst themselves. One male guest whispered something into his partner’s ear before they both began making their way over to a small group huddled together beside the champagne bar.
Something didn’t seem right. I hurried over to the bar before they got there, hoping to appear natural so that I could get close enough to hear what the fuss was all about. Casually, I raised my hand to get the bartender’s attention just as the couple reached the group beside me. The man leaned down and whispered something to the blonde woman seated beside me. She gasped but the man stepped back and disappeared into the crowd. I looked the other way when her friend approached with her nose wrinkled.
“Eew, who was that, and why was he speaking to you?” she said, looking at the short, middle-aged man and his pudgy partner.
The blonde woman threw her head back laughing, before reaching for her glass of champagne and motioning for her friend to come closer. “Word has it,” she whispered, “Mabeline is missing. Someone on the inside tipped off Aphrodite. Apparently, she’s planning an attack on Avalon.”
“Please!” The other woman snorted. “Like she would ever be able to show her face around here again. She would never even be able to find the entrance—never mind start another war. Even if she did, the keeper isn’t stupid enough to allow her through. She’d be dead in seconds.”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Aphrodite said through a microphone. Her and Avalloc appeared above the large staircase at the end of the ballroom.
Both were dressed like the royalty they were. Avalloc wore a black suit with a beige button-up shirt and an emerald-green tie which matched Aphrodite’s long gown. It seemed to be made up of thousands of tiny emerald jewels carved to look like ivy. They wove around her body on golden silk, showing off her elegant curves and tanned skin.
Her light hair, braided to the side, slid along her shoulder as she turned to look behind. “We’d like to welcome an old friend of ours, Kenna Rhodes. Thank you for taking the time to visit your father’s home, we look forward to having you and hope you enjoy your stay.”
Everyone but a few cheered at her appearance beside them. She looked breath-taking in a skin-tight gown that hugged her hips and thighs.
She walked down the stairs slowly, her hair falling in large curls down to her waist, bouncing slightly with each step, her head held high. Women snorted and looked away, mumbling to themselves while men unashamedly admired her beauty.
“It’s wrong that she gets a welcoming like this. I don’t even know who this stupid uncle of hers is and why he matters. She’s no princess. Why’s she even here?” One of the women beside me muttered to her friend.
“Agreed. It’s a disgrace in my opinion.” She snorted.
Their faces paled when she stared in my direction, smiling sweetly. When they realized she was coming over to me, they straightened their dresses and plastered on their fakest smiles.
“So nice to meet you!” one said.
“Absolutely,” the other agreed. “Everyone is so happy that you’ve come to visit our wonderful kingdom after so many years.”
