Between Dawn and Dusk Page 7

  Soon, we’re dancing as a unit, shifting one place clockwise every time we’ve completed the steps. We repeat that until we end up in the same spot we started in.

  When it’s done, I clap, and so does everyone else. “That’s it. Who else wants to try?”

  Many others are eager to join in, and I decide to let them have the dance floor. Keryth and I walk back to our seats, and he sends me a wink of approval.

  At least people are smiling at me now. I feel like I’m one step closer to winning over the hearts of my people.

  As we sit, Silas leans toward Keryth and whispers, “You still haven’t filled me in on what went down. I need to know.”

  “My sweet.” Keryth draws me near to place a kiss on my temple. “I hate to leave your side so soon, but he’s right. We need to talk privately about what happened. I’ll leave you in the company of Tehya.”

  Moving to stand next to me, Tehya smiles warmly at me as the men leave. They disappear through a door under the staircase, and I have no idea where it leads. Probably somewhere no one will overhear their conversation.

  “I guess we’re sisters now,” I say, feeling a stab of homesickness when I think of Zephina.

  “Yes, we are,” Tehya agrees. “I’ve never had a sister. I’m an only child.”

  Not a bad start. I’ve always considered myself a decent conversationalist, so I decide to go for the topic she’s probably most interested in. “So, how did you and Silas meet?”

  “Coincidence, really.” She shrugs. “He was visiting the Dream Realm—that’s where I’m from—when he saw me walking along the road. I was just a commoner. A peasant girl. But our eyes met, and the rest is history.”

  “That’s all it takes.” I smile, remembering my own moment of love at first sight.

  “Have you ever had honeysuckle wine?” Tehya asks as an attendant walks by with a tray of champagne glasses.

  I brighten, because I love the stuff. “Yes, many times.”

  “You must try the latest batch.” She raises two fingers at the man, and before I know it, we both have glasses of something that’s supposed to be forbidden here.

  “How did you get the ingredients for this?” Honeysuckle only grows in Dawn and Dusk territory, and it belongs to the Day Realm.

  “The flowers aren’t from Valora. They grow in a completely different world called Earth.”

  “The human realm,” I say, and she nods.

  “We have someone who travels by portal just to get it.” She lowers her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “But guzzle as much as you can tonight. The supply is very low.”

  I haven’t known Tehya long, but I already like her.

  I take a sip, and a sound of satisfaction comes from my throat after I swallow. “This is much sweeter than the version I’m used to.”

  She smiles proudly. “Our winery is amazing. I’d love to show you sometime.”

  “That would be fun.” Feeling at ease with Tehya, I gaze outside the windows lining the walls. The night sky is lit with so many stars and one of the crescent moons is visible over what looks like a garden in the distance. “I love how light the décor is here, despite the darkness outside.” I wave a hand at the white walls and floors. “Dark interior colors are popular in the Day Realm. It helps to give our eyes a break from the constant light.”

  Nodding, Tehya beams. “The marble pillars in here were my idea. They’re mined from the mountains in the Dream Realm. If you look closely, you’ll see stardust crystalized in the design.”

  “They’re beautiful,” I reply honestly, going back to drinking my beverage.

  There’s a moment of silence between us as we watch people dance. It’s a bit awkward, but I’m too overwhelmed by my beautiful surroundings to think of something clever or funny to say.

  Fortunately, Tehya continues the conversation. “You’re probably wondering why Silas and I don’t have children yet.” There’s a hint of sadness and, if I’m not mistaken, shame in her words. “We’d hoped it would happen by now. It was probably silly for me to expect it right away.”

  The fact that she feels the need to explain herself breaks my heart. Fertility is a sensitive subject.

  Reaching out, I touch her wrist in a comforting gesture. “It’ll happen. You’re fated. I’ve rarely heard of a destined pair not being able to conceive.”

  “Thank you.” Heaving out a sigh, it’s almost as if she’s been dying to confide in someone about that, and now she feels better.

  “Any time you want to talk, I’m here.”

  “I’ll take you up on that.” She smiles. “Silas was wrong about you. My mate is a brute at times, but he means well.” Affection is evident in her tone. “He’s naturally skeptical and he can hold a grudge like no other. I apologize on his behalf if he wasn’t welcoming to you.”

  “The tension between our kingdoms has been high,” I input diplomatically. “It’s natural for him to be suspicious of my motives.”

  “Well, I think it’s great that you’re with Keryth. What better way to right past wrongs than to unify the two kingdoms?” With the glass in her hand, she sweeps her arm over the ballroom. “In time, they’ll all forgive you.”

  What?

  “Forgive me?” I tilt my head. “For what? What past wrongs are you referring to?”

  “The attack on King Kallum and Queen Veena. You were just an infant then. You had nothing to do with it.”

  It feels like my heart stops for a second, then starts up double time. Blood is rushing to my head when I ask, “Are you saying the Day Realm ordered their deaths?”

  Tehya blinks at me. “You… didn’t know?”

  Of course I didn’t know. If I had, I probably never would’ve ridden along for the trade deal in the first place. I would’ve been too scared, thought it to be too dangerous.

  “My parents killed Keryth’s parents?” I’m dizzy. The room suddenly spins, and the judgmental faces become a blur.

  No wonder everyone hates me. Here I thought it was just a rivalry thing. This is way more than that.

  It’s murder.

  Gently supporting me by my elbow, Tehya’s expression is apologetic. “I’m so sorry. I thought you knew.”

  “Are you—are you sure?” I rasp out the question.

  She swallows hard. “Afterward… it’s rumored that a spy saw a letter ordering the ambush, but he never made it back to tell King Keryth. He managed to send a messenger sprite instead, but he’d been tortured badly, and his words were difficult to make out.”

  Suddenly losing my appetite for wine, I walk over to a nearby table and set the glass down.

  All the times Keryth talked about how much he missed his family and how sad he was… The devastating conversations merge together in my head. The entire time he was confiding in me, he knew I was to blame. I feel foolish and a little betrayed. Keryth kept this from me. On purpose. Never once did he mention the Day Realm’s involvement.

  And he allowed me to walk into this ballroom blind. Unprepared for the loathing these people feel for me.

  I feel sick. I press a hand to my roiling stomach when I remember my own parents. Growing up, I knew Father had a ruthless side, but Mother was his opposite. Sweet and gentle. She balanced him out.

  It’s hard for me to imagine her being okay with an ambush of the late king and queen, but Father wouldn’t have done it without her permission.

  I rub my temple. This makes me question everything I’ve ever known—my happy childhood and the perception of my parents. The way my mother used to sing to me at bedtime. The mornings I spent practicing archery with my father. Back then, I thought they could do no wrong. I thought they were endless sources of wisdom, patience, and love.

  Now, I question their integrity.

  Worst of all, I question Keryth. How could he possibly love me? After knowing my family took his?

  I glance up, and my gaze lands on a group of women across the room. Their eyes are hard and fixed on me. One of them whispers something behind her hand,
and they all nod solemnly.

  They really do hate me.

  And I can’t blame them. No amount of Day Realm dances will change their minds.

  I’ve never felt so out of place.

  “I have to get out of here,” I say, half to myself and partly to Tehya.

  “Wait,” she calls after me. “Keryth wouldn’t want you wandering by yourself.”

  “Too bad,” I bite out.

  Walking through the open double doors to the outside, I take a deep breath.

  Crisp night air kisses my skin, and I soak in the scent of midnight roses. The floral smell is clean and heady. I go down the steps and walk toward the courtyard and gardens. There’s a fountain, countless rose bushes, and a maze made from ivy-covered hedges.

  Wanting to get lost, I enter the labyrinth.

  “It isn’t safe to be out here.” Catching up to me, Tehya throws a concerned look back at the great hall far behind us.

  Probably trying to see if anyone’s following.

  I don’t care.

  I need a second to digest this new information without everyone glaring at me. And if someone decides to come after me? Well, my firepower is still high from the new bond. I can protect myself.

  Keryth

  Something doesn’t feel right.

  I stop mid-sentence when a burst of anger and confusion come at me.

  Zella.

  Pushing past Silas, I bolt from the secret office.

  “Uh, you weren’t finished yet,” he protests, chasing me through the corridor.

  “You’ve heard enough.”

  And it’s true. He knows the details of King Zed’s death—how Zarid took him out to gain the throne. I also told him of Zarid’s no-interference request. Silas didn’t agree with allowing the kidnappings to continue, but the only alternative is war, which we don’t want.

  The only part I didn’t get to is how devastated Zella was on the way back, but her sorrow is personal. It’s none of his business.

  Silas still doesn’t trust her, but he’s going to have to get over it. In time, he will. He’ll get to know her.

  When I get to the great hall, I search the ballroom for the light hair and violet eyes I know and love.

  But I don’t see her. Tehya’s nowhere to be found either.

  “Where’s my mate?” Silas growls quietly, on my heels as we head outside. “If Zella did anything to her—”

  “Would you just shut up?” I snap. “You’re being ridiculous.”

  Taking off my suit jacket, I let my wings out. It’ll be easier to find her from above. I can tell she’s near from the tingling in my body, and I’ll follow the sensation until it grows stronger.

  Silas is right behind me as we soar over the gardens.

  The stars cast a silver glow over everything, and my heart gives a happy thump when I see the top of a light-haired head in the center of the maze. I swoop down to the cobblestone clearing.

  Zella and Tehya are sitting on a bench by a large fountain. Although they’re side by side, they don’t appear to be speaking to each other.

  At first, I think they simply went exploring, but then I see the tears on my mate’s cheeks.

  “What happened?” I ask as my feet touch the ground.

  Zella looks up at me, her eyes shimmering with remorse. And somehow, I just know she knows. I can see the guilt. A silent apology and an urgent question.

  “Who told you?” Anger simmers in my veins. Someone did this to hurt her. “Tell me who it is and I’ll—”

  “It was me,” Tehya bursts out, before I can issue any dire threats.

  My eyes narrow. “You’re trying to turn my mate against me?”

  “No.” She shakes her head. “It slipped.”

  “Slipped?” I roar. “How does that come out in casual conversation?”

  Silas steps in front of me, blocking my view of Tehya. “Don’t you dare yell at her. She’s only telling Zella the truth. Which, apparently, you decided not to do.”

  He’s right, and I hate that.

  I look to my mate. “Zella, I—”

  “Were you ever planning to tell me?” she cuts me off.

  “No,” I admit quietly.

  It was foolish of me to think she wouldn’t find out. Although the facts were never released to the public, the rumors were enough. If Tehya hadn’t told her, someone else would’ve.

  I just wanted to avoid what’s happening now. I can practically see the wheels turning in Zella’s pretty little head. She’s rethinking every moment she had growing up. Viewing her parents in a different light. Seeing them for who they really were.

  “This doesn’t change anything,” I tell her passionately, slashing my hand through the air. “Not with the way you loved them. You can still love their memory.”

  “Can I?” Her voice is shaky as she stands. “They’re strangers. I never even knew them.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Tell me, Keryth.” She crosses her arms. “Were you disappointed when you realized I was your mate?”

  I jerk back. “Of course not.”

  Was I surprised? Yes. Who would’ve thought my soul mate would be the daughter of the man I hated most? But I was never disappointed.

  With slow steps, I stalk toward her. “I would trade you for no one. You are mine, and I’m proud to say so.”

  She accepts my embrace, melting into my arms. “But how am I to ever fit in here?”

  “Time,” I answer. “Just give it time, and please forgive me.”

  With tortured eyes, she looks up at my face. “What my father said… about you causing the plague as revenge. Is it true?”

  “No.”

  “You can tell me if it is. It’s better to get it out in the open now. I’ll understand—”

  “No.” Grasping her shoulders, I give her a little shake to emphasize how much I mean it. “Believe me, that’s never something I wanted.”

  “I think it’s clear what needs to happen.” Silas plants his hands on his hips, a pompous air of authority surrounding him. “You two have issues to work out. Until then, you’re not fit to rule. Pass the crown to me.”

  Here we go again. Over the years, he’s used every excuse to gain control. I don’t think he’d be bad at it, but the position is rightfully mine.

  “Absolutely not,” I refuse.

  “This kingdom needs a stable leader.”

  I bark out a laugh. “Oh, and you think I’m not stable?”

  “Your relationship isn’t.”

  My mood darkens. Insulting my marriage is the quickest way to piss me off. “Don’t say that.”

  “It’s true. The people don’t approve of this. You’re losing their respect.”

  He’s trying to back me into a corner, using my loyalty to the kingdom as a weapon. I can’t give Zella up and he knows it. So he’s implying that by stepping down, I would be making the right move.

  However, there’s another option: the people can adjust to the change, like it or not.

  “I’m the king, and that’s the way it’ll stay,” I state flatly.

  “I thought you might say that,” Silas drawls, holding his palms out. “Which is why I issue a challenge.”

  Two swords appear in his hands, and Zella stiffens against me. She’s probably never seen someone pull an object from thin air, but Silas can import any object from anywhere in Valora as long as he’s touched it before.

  He tosses my sword to me, and I step away from Zella to catch it.

  I can’t refuse the challenge. If I do, I’d be willingly giving up my title. I glance at Zella and there’s fear in her eyes as she looks at the sharp weapons.

  Fury ripples through my system. Of course my brother would choose to do this on the night of Zella’s coronation. It’s supposed to be a special time for her, but yet again, he’s making it about him.

  “No powers,” he states, circling me. “Hand to hand combat and weapons only.”

  “Agreed,” I grit out through clenched teeth, and
I feel the flutter of our vow in my chest. At least my powers won’t make an unwanted appearance. They’re bound to the promise just as I am.

  “Keryth.” Zella wrings her hands, worried, and I know she’s thinking about a time not too long ago when she saw two family members hurt each other.

  It adds fuel to my rage. This isn’t fair to her, but I don’t have a choice. “It’ll be fine, my sweet. You and Tehya stand back. This’ll be over soon.”

  Well, soonish. Hopefully.

  Silas has been known to put up quite a fight before. As twins, we’re evenly matched in height, weight, and skill. The only way to end the fight is for one of us to subdue the other.

  Without my powers, it isn’t going to be pretty. There will be blood. Which is why I’m ten times more motivated to end it quickly. For Zella’s sake.

  I don’t hesitate to swing, and Silas blocks my sword with his. I repeat the action a few times, pushing him to the other side of the fountain, farther from the women.

  Once we’re a safe distance away, we unleash on each other.

  Blades slice through the air. Metal clashes against metal. I dodge and duck.

  The first cut lands on Silas’s thigh. The gash isn’t deep, but I hear Tehya whimper. If their bond is as strong as mine, then I know she can feel it. I feel bad about that, but this is her mate’s doing.

  Silas is temporarily distracted by her, and I take advantage of the moment. I jab the tip of my sword at his gut, but he jumps out of the way just in time.

  “Zella,” he calls without looking away from me. “Your father was right about the plague.”

  “What?” She sucks in a breath.

  Ah, a different strategy—he’s trying to cloud my judgment with rage. And it’s working.

  “Now isn’t the time to joke about that.” Clang. Clang. Spin.

  “I’m not kidding.” He grins. “I paid the witches well for their labor. A sickness like that isn’t easy to produce.”

  If he’s saying what I think he’s saying… “You caused the plague?”

  “I did.”

  He uses my shock to stab my torso. His blade slides between two ribs, only an inch or so. Zella cries out, and I retaliate by hitting him in the eye with the hilt of my sword.

  “Why?” My chest heaves. Suddenly, this fight has become about so much more than a simple challenge. Silas committed a crime. He killed Zella’s mother and so many others. “How could you do something so cruel? Innocent people died, Silas.”