Horizon (10 page)

He winced, and regret sliced into me. What was I supposed to say? Our bond wasn’t strong. My mind wanted to remind me my bond with Zach was stronger than Heath and I could overcome together, but I pushed the thought away. I knew who I wanted.

“Don’t worry, Rayla,” said Jett. “We have that covered.”

Zach’s lips pinched together. “Part of the reason I’ve asked Jafan to attend us today is I needed someone I trust to guard us while we work on your training. With the council’s order for you to stay here, we are vulnerable to outside influences. Jafan will deflect any attempts to infiltrate our session.”

I gave him a face. “I’m going to pretend I understood what you just said. I’m grateful for your efforts, and I’ll do my best to be a good student, but if this isn’t safe, I need to know. If there is even the slightest chance that a certain princess could be listening…or someone worse right now, I don’t want to risk it.”

Zach’s legs ate up the distance between us before he lifted my chin until our eyes met. “She will not access your mind so long as I am breathing. You have my solemn vow. And for someone worse…that’s not going to happen.”

Jett gave a decisive nod and moved closer. “We are all devoted to keeping you safe, Rayla. Don’t ever doubt that. Even though you might feel alone, you are not.”

I smiled, trying to fight the tears that wanted to spring forth. What was with me, anyway? There was no time for tears now.

This was the time to fight.

When Zach reached for my hand, I took it. “First of all,” he said. “You need to learn where your power comes from.”

I was all over that. This whole power thing had confused me from the beginning, so I focused my whole attention on his explanation.

“We all inherit traits of our parents,” he said. “When Faine came to the realms, she was much like you, naïve and full of hope, but there was a distinct difference.”

When he hesitated too long, I prodded him. “Which was?”

“Her power was limited to one element. Upon bonding, she inherited the element of her bond mate. Until then she was a blank slate, so to speak.”

Kind of hard to forget who she ended up bonding with, yet he acted as though it was some major secret. “What does that have to do with me?”

“Your power is unlike any we have ever seen. Not only do you already possess power of your own, you are able to access every element at one time.”

“I get that part, but why is that so important?” I’d heard what Tabitha had to say about the matter, but I was curious what these two thought.

Jett spoke up. “For centuries, humans have dreamed of the magic you possess. I have never seen power used in the way you do. You not only manipulate the elements, you manipulate the very fabric of things.”

Zach jumped in. “The Altasians have led a campaign to saddle us with technology. Those of us who know where that road leads would rather use other means to better our society.”

“Okay, machines are bad, right?” I said, trying to divert the conversation from my
magic
. I wasn’t about to forget Tabitha’s warning. My training could only include elemental manipulation. Under no circumstance was I supposed to use magic.

“Machines aren’t bad,” said Zach. “But people can be. When faced with the thought of power, many of us will do whatever it takes to acquire the advantage.”

“But not you two?” I asked, glancing at both of them.

“Power runs our world, Rayla,” said Jett. “In order for us to keep things level, we always have to look for ways to enhance our powers.”

“Ha—right,” I said, shaking my head. “Got to keep up with the competition, huh?”

He gave me a scolding frown to go along with his short reply. “Yes.”

“So,” I went on, ignoring his glare. “Is there an easy way for me to control my power or what?”

“No,” answered Zach.

“Great,” I said.

Jett leaned against the tree as if settling in for a long discussion. I was ready to work not talk, but it seemed he had a different idea. “The truth is—much of what we have to teach you is how to trust in your own intuition.”

I started to protest, but Zach told me I’d learn more if I listened. Teaching me how to use my power should have been much easier if you asked me. Unfortunately, these two were most definitely not interested in what I had to say at the moment.

The rest of the afternoon consisted of me trying different techniques in manipulating space, and Zach and Jett pretty much laughing at me. We’d been at it more than three hours, and I was getting tired, which was pretty evident when my latest lightning bolt went sideways instead of vertical, nearly slamming Jett in the back in the process. Woops.

When he whirled around, glaring, I gave him a sheepish grimace. They were the ones making a big deal out of me being able to control lightning. Guess my control could use more work.

Jett just shook his head at me. “Seems we’re done for today.”

All I’d been thinking about was how much longer we were going to be at this, but now, all I could think about was having to go back to the castle with Zach.

I gave him a sidelong glance, wishing for not the first time that I could have a quick peek into his mind. The problem with attempting such a thing continued to be the same. I didn’t trust him. I couldn’t allow myself to take that sort of risk with so much at stake. When he’d shoved his memories at me, it hadn’t been a direct link. It was more like a download of information, like watching a movie play out. If I allowed him access into my mind, he’d be able to manipulate me.

As we made our way into the castle, our light conversation consisted of current political trends and how much Jett looked forward to the upcoming tournament of lords.

Since my fate had technically been decided, it was determined that a battle for power should take place. After all, it was important that the lords were the strongest in the nations. Yeah right. Who were they trying to kid? They had a huge supply of Elementals that hadn’t been controlled by the order their whole life. They didn’t need to send a party to hunt any. Something else was up, but nobody else seemed to question Valen’s command.

Not only had they stripped Heath of his title without giving him a chance to fight for it, they’d put him at the lowest rank. He’d been one of the strongest fae warriors even though he hadn’t gained much power through bonding. Not knowing how the tournament thing really worked, I asked Jett, “Who gets to fight in the tournament?”

He flashed his teeth at me, his braids swaying as he walked. “I guess there is no harm in telling you.” He patted my back. “Unless, of course, you plan on fighting yourself.”

Okay that was weird. I smiled at him because at least he was attempting to be funny. “Wouldn’t dream of it,” I said.

He gave me a hearty smirk. “Each realm holds a tournament three weeks before the main event. The five best fighters are chosen and sent to represent their kingdoms. Once here, we battle until five are left standing.”

“Sounds fun,” I said, wincing as I pictured the lords going at each other for hours.

“Well for us, it is.” I made a face at him and he laughed. “I do not expect you to understand.”

Good thing, too, because beating each other up didn’t really seem like the best way to stay out of a war, but what did I know?

I glanced over at Zach, who, once again, seemed lost in thought. My guilt for jilting him wouldn’t leave me alone, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to buddy up to him and give him the wrong impression, either.

Until I could figure out how to get Heath back, I was going to have to come up with some kind of suitable solution for our relationship. Zach had been trying to convince me that Ainessa tricked him and that she hadn’t been in his mind long. Well, from where I was standing, it had been long enough, and I didn’t want to risk giving her any opportunity to corrupt my mind.

Once we were in sight if the castle, Jett excused himself. He headed toward the stables. Of course he would have Bastion here. I hoped Zach had brought Styx so he and Bastion could spend some more time together. Styx became a little too temperamental for my liking when he didn’t get enough of her.

I glanced at Zach, determined to develop some sort of ease between us. A sigh came out of me so loud I cringed, my face suddenly heating up.

He gave me one of his crooked smiles. “Having trouble spitting it out? I can tell you want to talk to me. Even though we don’t have a direct mind link, I can still feel your general state of being.”

I chewed on my lip. “Well, it’s just that I do realize we need to work together, and I’m grateful for the training…”

“But?” he asked.

My voice sprang forward, my nerves showing in my harried tone. “How are we going to work the sleeping arrangements?”

His lips twitched. “I think I’ve already made that perfectly clear to you. Nothing has changed in that regard, as far as I am concerned. I cannot protect you without being close to you.”

My teeth sank harder into my lip, until I actually drew blood. This was just bad in so many ways. I didn’t want to be with Zach at night, but I also knew how precarious my situation really was. Valen had made that clear enough and positioning me across the hall from his suite only made it even clearer. If he caught any indication there was trouble between me and my bondmate he would appoint someone else to control me. His threat still hung over me like an acidic fog trying to eat at my mental resolve. Now that I had an idea what he had planned for me, I needed to make sure there was no reason for him to intervene between me and Zach.

Valen’s bondmate was the only thing stopping him from coming after me himself. If he could get rid of her I would be fair game as far as he was concerned. It would come as no surprise to me if Valen would be able to sway the council to let him try to bond with me on a mere technicality. There was no way I was purposely going to give him the chance to take me.

Icky ice slithered through me the minute the idea hit my mind. I’d thought him nice the first time I met him, but that was wrong. He was manipulative, like most of the council members I’d been introduced to. He just had more of a direct approach.

Zach stared at me pointedly. “Okay,” I said, “but no touching.”

He laughed. “You’re going to have to learn to trust me, Rayla.”

I cocked my head at him. “Might be easier if you didn’t keep so many secrets from me.”

His expression shifted to serious. “I’ve been alone for a long time. It’s going to take me a while to remember how to communicate.”

“Shouldn’t be that difficult; you seem to know how to use your mouth.”

He chuckled and his lilt came out when he spoke. “My mouth is capable of much more than speech, love.”

I stiffened at his innuendo. “Please don’t call me that.”

All humor fled his features. “I’ve got to try where I can. Unlike you, I see value to our bond.”

I couldn’t meet his searching eyes, so I stared at the wall behind him. “I’m sorry, Zach. I just…can’t.”

His hand snaked over to mine and he linked our fingers. His body still had the capacity to entice mine, but I wasn’t going there. I managed to pull out of his grasp, yet I was aware that he’d let me.

“I’ve really messed this up,” he said. “I understand your feelings, and as I told you before I’m going to give you time to adjust. But you can’t expect me to like it.”

Sadness settled into my face. “I don’t know how we’re ever going to make this work.”

He stopped cold and grasped my shoulders between his long fingers. “We must, or all is lost. Do you understand that?”

I shook my head. “Why should it matter if we don’t have a good relationship? We’re bound. Shouldn’t that be enough?”

“Everything within our world hinges on you, and that includes your state of mind. Something within you keeps you tied to me. Maybe you should figure out why that is instead of pining away for a man lost to you.”

I didn’t know how to respond and he didn’t say anything else, so I started walking again. Once we reached the castle steps, he took my hand. Tingles shot up my arm. I didn’t complain although inside I groaned. Despite the time I’d already spent wondering, I couldn’t figure out why I was still tied to Zach, but the last thing I wanted to do was hurt him more than I already had.

We made it halfway to our chambers before a page intercepted us. The guy completely ignored me, focusing on Zach instead. “Excuse me, Lord Ammon, Chairman Valen would like you both to join him for dinner.”

“Great,” I said.

The man gave me a curious glance, but before I could pull my foot out of my mouth, Zach chimed in. “What Rayla means to say is we would be delighted. What time should we be ready?”

“The first course will be served in one hour.” With that, he turned and marched down the hall, disappearing into a side corridor in no time.

Neither one of us spoke the rest of the way to our room. All I could think about was figuring out a way to get out of this.

Nicco stood guard at our door. Zach gave him a nod, and I waved. Somehow just having him close gave me a sense of security I probably shouldn’t have felt. Without a word spoken, he opened the door then ushered us inside.

Disappointment flooded me when he didn’t stay. Once again I was left alone with Zach.

Valen made a late appearance to his own party. The frail woman on his arm didn’t say a single word. She barely seemed capable of walking let alone conversing with people. We’d joined several couples already seated around a gilded table that would have made Louis XIV envious. In fact, the dining hall resembled pictures I’d seen of the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles with painted frescos and amazing sculpture.

The hall opened onto an open balcony. The French doors were swung wide, letting in a soft breeze that brought the sultry fragrance of Lombarda with it. I didn’t think in a thousand years I could name it. It was sort of floral but musky at the same time.

The setting was beautiful to say the least, yet I’d never been more uncomfortable in my life.

“Good evening,” Valen said, catching my attention. He made a low bow to the group. Everyone stood so suddenly, they caught me off guard. I scrambled to my feet, hoping no one noticed. Waiting for a scolding, I clenched my jaw but none came. The benefits of being seated at the far end of the table weren’t lost on me.