Gaia's Secret (46 page)

“Alex.”

I nodded. “So…you talked to Alex?”

“Last night over dinner. I was dying to hear
the details of your journey.”

Left out again. A prisoner in my own room.
Scowling, I walked towards my taunting freedom called the
window.

Stefan meandered to my side.

Just go away.

Unfortunately for me, he didn’t hear my
silent plea. “Daria, I came here because…I wanted to ask you
something.”

I waited.

“What…is that horrible smell?”

I looked at him then, his face winced in
disgust. “It’s not me. I had a bath,” I said.

“No.” He looked down at the goblet in my
hands. “It’s that. What
is
that?”

I tried to keep from laughing but I couldn’t,
not completely. “Coffee.”

“Coffee? I’ve never heard of it before.”

And I thought I’d been sheltered. “Um, it’s—”
What should I say? “—something to help wake me up. We drink it back
home.”

He looked intrigued. “Where did you get
it?”

Mr. Goody Two Shoes couldn’t be trusted with
that information. “Rhea…managed to find me some.”

“Is it good?” he asked.

“It’s better than that Pom Ale of yours.”

Stefan looked a little offended. “You didn’t
like it?”

I eyed him a moment. “Did you send it for
me?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. Well, thanks. But, no, I didn’t like
it.”

He eyed my coffee. “May I?”

I handed him the cup. “Careful, it’s
hot.”

He was slow to lift it to his lips, and he
almost immediately handed it back. “How can you drink that
stuff?”

I took a huge gulp. “So you came here to ask
me about my diet?”

“No,” he started, clasping his hands. And
then he began pacing. “What I…wanted to ask you was…” He stopped
walking and looked up at me. “I need your patience.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well.” He folded his hands again. “You
see…you’re different.”

I arched a brow. I wasn’t sure I liked where
this was going. “Different.”

“Yes, different. You’re outspoken and
self-sufficient and opinionated and…why do you look so angry?“

I realized my face was burning. “Hm, I don’t
know, maybe because you came all the way up here just to throw
insults?”

He looked curiously at me a moment. “Daria, I
meant them as compliments.”

I opened my mouth to argue but I couldn’t
think of anything to say. I had never thought of being outspoken
and opinionated as a good thing—in fact they usually got me in
trouble—but Stefan was serious. And now he was starting to look
confused.

“Oh,” I said. “I just thought…well, those
things usually irritate most people.”

“I didn’t say they weren’t irritating.”

I folded my arms. “You can leave now.”

“I’m sorry, that’s not at all what I meant.”
He grinned awkwardly and looked down again.

“Then you better explain before I grab a
fistful of that golden hair and drag you out of here.”

He looked startled. “I just…what I meant was,
you speak your mind and there’s nothing duplicitous about you. And
you’re independent and you’re…not afraid.” He took a step towards
me and lowered his voice. “I’m not used to that and I find it
refreshing.”

I searched his face for any sign of
amusement, but there was none. He was being completely honest, if
not a little frightened that I might actually follow through with
my earlier threat. I grinned and he grinned back, his posture
relaxing a bit.

“But…” he started.

“But? I should’ve—“

He grabbed my hand. “No, listen to me.” His
eyes were even bluer than my dad’s. “As refreshing as you are,
it’ll take me some getting used to. People don’t…refute
Grandfather. Not even Father. My upbringing tells me it’s wrong,
but my heart knows you’re right.” He squeezed my hand. “Daria, what
I mean to say is…I’m so glad you’re here. I think we can learn a
lot from each other—at least I have much to learn from you.”

Of all the things I had expected him to say,
these words weren’t even on my radar. My brother might be a little
goody-goody, but he was sincere and his heart was good. I smiled at
him and he smiled back, letting go of my hand.

“Between the two of us, I’ve got the steepest
learning curve,” I sighed.

“And I’ll do anything I can to help you,”
Stefan said. “Actually, that’s the other reason I came.”

“Oh?”

“Well, it was actually Father’s idea, but I
wanted to help you pick your attire for your…announcement.” He said
the last word in an ominous whisper.

“Is it really that horrific?”

“No, just all the great lords, the entire
Council, the Guild…basically anyone of importance. They’ve been
discussing a course of action all morning after what happened to
you in the south, but since you destroyed all evidence, Father and
the Del Contes are having a difficult time convincing everyone
exactly what happened. But the one thing they can all agree on is
wanting to meet the famously returned Lady Daria Regius.
Immediately.”

I was supposed to meet everyone? Right now?
All at once? My limbs started feeling weak and I had a difficult
time filling my lungs with air.

Stefan grabbed my arm. “It’s not terribly
bad.” He looked worried. “Really. It’s just a bunch of powerful
lords and…”

“You’re not helping.” I took a deep
breath.

He scratched his neck. “Right.”

He looked lost. Like he wanted to reassure me
but didn’t know what language I spoke. “You’ll be fine,” he finally
said. “Grandfather is the most powerful human in our realm. Plus,
Father will be there, and I’ll be there…”

I laughed. “Great. I feel better
already.”

He grinned, but looked relieved. I took my
arm back.

“So.” I raised a brow. “You’re here to help
me pick out a dress?”

He started to respond, and his face turned
red. “Father was worried you might show up in jeans and a
t-shirt.”

“Wait, are there any?”

Stefan shook his head and grinned a curious
grin, and turned his attention to my wardrobe. I wondered if we’d
ever really understand each other. He flung the doors open and I
was afraid. It was filled to the brim with all sorts of colors and
fabrics, and lots and lots of pink.

“Father thought I should pick out your dress
because—” Stefan searched inside “—he thinks—” he strained,
reaching deep into the pile of clothes “—you don’t have any idea
how to flatter yourself.”

In his hands was a wad of shimmering emerald
green, and there wasn’t nearly enough fabric to make a shirt—let
alone a dress.

I eyed him with suspicion. “Dad wants me to
wear that?”

“The king wants you to look appealing, and
you need to make a good first impression at Court. Whatever you do
after that is on your head. Here.” He smiled, holding the dress
before me, letting the bottom part fall to the ground, and I
stared.

It looked like an emerald dressed in
diamonds. There was a single piece of green silk, contoured to the
shape of a woman with a neckline lower than I was comfortable with.
A sheer overlay of silver hung from the waist down to the floor,
covered in tiny sparkling jewels, and trailing behind like a
glittering river beneath the moonlight. “I’m going to wear
that?”

He smiled. “The silver will bring out the
grey in your eyes. You’ll look stunning, trust me.”

He held it out to me, but I was afraid to
touch it.

“It won’t bite. Here.” He draped it over my
arm. “I’ll get Rhea to help you and I’ll be back with Father. Rhea
can pick out your shoes. This is as far as I’ll ever go with
women’s fashion.”

I glanced skeptically at him as he laughed
and walked out the door. I might like my brother after all. There
was an innocence to him that a life of luxury and propriety had
somehow managed to leave unadulterated.

Rhea entered right after, smiling as she
observed the gown. It didn’t take long to put it on. She fiddled
with my hair, held brushes and powders to my face, grabbed a pair
of satin black slippers, and I was soon standing in front of the
mirror.

At first I thought I was staring at another
woman. A crown of glossy dark hair was gently pulled back, spilling
about her slender neck and strong collarbone in large rich curls.
Thick dark lashes framed her large grey eyes and splashes of pink
warmed her lips and cheeks. The emerald gown hugged her slim frame
in all the right places and the silver sparkled as she moved. She
looked…ethereal.

And I realized it really was me. I tried to
find myself in the reflection, but around every angle and every
exposed piece of skin, all I could find was a woman. Someone
confident, someone that belonged here, like she’d lived here all
her life, knew how to act, speak—even think. And I didn’t have a
clue.

Stefan peeked his head in, and I noticed just
in time to see his jaw hanging open.

I smiled, feeling my cheeks burn. “I feel
like an imposter in this dress.”

He walked towards me. “But you look
dazzling.”

My face burned hotter.

“Good, keep blushing. It gives you a sort of
innocence and vulnerability that is very attractive. It’ll do
wonders to your merit, at least until you open your mouth.”

I punched him in the shoulder and he
laughed.

There was a quick knock and Dad stepped into
the room.

My father looked like a prince. He was
dressed in fitted black with a silver and black waistcoat, and a
sword was strapped to his waist. A rich green cape slung over one
shoulder, attached by a large silver clasp.

Despite the luxurious costume, his person was
unmasked and his features glowed with pride and love.

“What do you think?” He beamed.

“I think you’d better never leave me locked
up in this tower again,” I said.

“Princess.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m so
sorry. Your grandfather kept me occupied well into the morning,
which, I’m sure, was intentional. By then it was too late and there
were many curious eyes watching me. I didn’t dare risk your
safety.”

Of course he wouldn’t. “Then after this
morning, you’ll have no more excuses,” I said.

“And I don’t intend to create them—not after
a lifetime of making excuses from telling you the truth.” He
sighed, and then took a step back, appraising me. “You look
absolutely stunning. On second thought, maybe I should keep you
locked up here.” He grinned.

“If you want me to behave myself today, don’t
even dream of it.”

“Something tells me she’d find a way out
anyway,” Stefan said.

My dad chuckled. “I brought something for
you.” He reached into the breast of his jacket and pulled out a
delicate silver chain. From it hung a beautiful clear crystal. It
caught the light, splattering it in fragments upon the walls. There
was an energy radiating from it, like it held life inside.

“This belonged to your mother,” he said. “It
was a Pandor family heirloom. I thought now might be a good time
for you to have it.”

I touched the smooth crystal. From leathers
to elegance.

My mom seemed just as confused about her
identity as I am.

I smiled to myself.

“Here, I’ll help you put it on.” He clasped
it around my neck; the crystal felt cool upon my skin. He smiled
and extended his arm. “Shall we?”

He led us down the wide stairway, Stefan
following behind. Our footsteps echoed along the empty halls as we
passed portrait after portrait of grumpy men. We finally came to a
stop before a pair of enormous doors, guarded on either side by men
in elaborate black and silver uniform. They didn’t move and they
didn’t speak, but this time they stared right at me.

I liked them better when they stared at the
wall.

“You’ll be just fine,” my dad whispered in my
ear.

My hand sweated as I gripped his arm,
thankful he was right beside me.

The doors opened.

A swell of anger and indignation wrapped
around me and loud voices filled my ears.

The noise ceased. The silence hit so fast I
wondered if I’d lost my hearing, but then someone coughed.

One by one they all turned to peer at the
doors. There were so many faces, and all of them craned their necks
to catch a glimpse of us.

I was slammed with their curiosity and wonder
and some hostility. Taking in a deep breath, I pushed their
emotions away so I didn’t rip free of Dad’s hand and run right out
the door.

Dad led me into the room and the sea of faces
slowly parted to the sides. All of them stared, many of them
whispered, none of them I recognized. Candles hovered in the air
overhead, casting a soft glow upon their faces.

There was one, lifting his head from a short
bow. I hadn’t recognized him at first, veiled in a heavy crimson
cloak. That dark face and permanent scowl. Master Durus stood near
a group of men dressed like he was, all of their faces fixed stern,
their eyes narrowed as we passed—including the man my grandfather
had addressed earlier as Headmaster Ambrose. A surge of power
pulsed through me and then it clicked. This was the Guild. Master
Durus was a Guild member.

We walked past more men and women, all of
them bowing, dressed in lavish velvets and leathers, some wide-eyed
in wonder, others glaring, angry that I existed. These were people
of influence and power and their minds were already working,
devising avaricious plans for me—me, the spark that ignited
them.

Out of the sea of curiosity, I was touched by
two fine points of tenderness. I caught Sonya’s gaze, Cicero right
beside her. Their faces were bright beacons in the night. Thad was
nearby, wearing all black, standing with a group of similarly
dressed younger people. Students of the Academia.

And then one point of emotion stole
everything. I saw his dark hair first, then his eyes as they
trailed up the length of my frame. Alex looked striking, all
dressed in black with his thick dark hair messed perfectly around
his face. My heart beat fast as I felt a surge of his love and
desire, and he met my gaze. His green eyes were so piercing I
forgot where I was.