Horizon (11 page)

Valen gave a courteous smile, his steady blue eyes shimmering as he scanned the crowd. His arm swept out sideways before he said, “Please sit. Enjoy your dinner.”

Just like that conversation ensued. We were closest to the king and queen of Altasia, which was a huge problem considering I’d spurned her entire nation by refusing Luke.

What was I supposed to say to this woman now? She’d made it clear to me that she wanted me bound to him, and here I sat with Zach.

“Lord Ammon,” she said, in that condescending way of hers. Her fingers slid over her bouffant before she placed both hands delicately in her lap. “I have it on good authority you traipsed into the dark realms to recover our dear, Rayla.” She patted his arm. “Tell me it is not so.”

Zach gave her a conspiratorial glance, leaning in as if he had the secrets of the world on the tip of his tongue. “I’m afraid it’s too true, your majesty.”

She gasped, raising a dainty hand to her mouth. “How horrible for you.” She turned to me, stretching her other hand out to clasp mine. “And for you, dear. We were so worried about you. I do wish you had chosen to stay in Altasia.”

As she spoke I tipped my glass back for a drink so I could respond in gestures instead of words. Unfortunately when I computed what she’d said, I nearly sprayed her with the bright pink liquid. As it was, I coughed so loud the entire entourage looked my way.

I recovered quickly and pressed my napkin to the sides of my mouth before replacing it into my lap. “Forgive me, your highness. I don’t know what came over me.” She narrowed her eyes a bit, so I pushed forward, determined to not let her intimidate me. “I really do appreciate your concern.”

“Yes, well,” she said, eyeing me dubiously. “Those vile creatures who roam the dark realms are not to be trusted. We are lucky our dear Ammon had the sense to follow you when he recovered from the attack.”

She thought the creatures of the dark realms attacked Zach? I whipped my head toward him, searching his eyes for some sort of answer to my unspoken question.

“Yes,” he said. “We are fortunate I recovered so quickly.”

How long was it? There were so many things I still needed to know yet had no good way of finding out. The two of them started talking, exchanging horror stories about the borderland creatures and the dark realms. I was sure it was for my benefit, but little did they know I would gladly leave right now to sup with the Alp-lauchra than sit here and listen to a bunch of fake people babble. If this was court life, we were going to have problems.

Zach shifted his attention to me. Taking my hand into his, he gave a little squeeze. The draw of someone watching us pulled my gaze down the line of the table. Valen had a glass in his hand, swirling the contents around, but his eyes were on me.

I’d thought Jett had been bad at first, but Valen had an ick factor that permeated the air. That being said, I gave him a slight smile, glanced at his bondmate, then set out to make sure he knew I was with Zach—who didn’t seem to mind my casual touches.

I was on edge the rest of the evening; in fact, I hardly noticed the food come and go. Hunger had gone from me the moment I entered the room anyway, but I tried to not pick at my meal. I didn’t want Valen thinking anything was wrong with me. He had to believe I was happy with Zach.

The problem was I caught myself stiffening every time Zach leaned closer or brushed my hand with tender fingers. When we finally left for the evening, I bolted toward the bedroom, intent on getting my blasted gown off.

Zach followed me, though not as quickly. I made it to the closet before he could say a word and shut myself in. All at once, my emotions flooded me, covering me with despair. My body shook as tears spilled down my cheeks. I clamped a hand over my mouth to keep my sobs from escaping.

The more time I spent here, the more I understood what I had agreed to do when I told Tabitha I would see this through. If I wasn’t careful I would ruin any chance I had of being with Heath again, but worse, I might just end up with the vilest man alive as my bondmate.

The days came and went; all a repeat of the previous one. Zach had given me space, as promised, but every night I had to put on a show of affection for him. I hadn’t gathered enough nerve to ask him if he’d heard anything about Heath and Lacey.

No one accused me of anything where my friend was concerned. In fact, no one said a word about the Elemental gone missing, as if it didn’t really matter, as if the Elemental supply would go on forever.

Had Lacey’s promised bondmate actually come to collect her? When he didn’t find her, had he simply shrugged and gone home? I just couldn’t believe they weren’t making more of a fuss about it, but I had a feeling more was happening within the courts than I was privy to.

My progress as far as my powers were concerned was decent. Jett really had a way of helping me understand the finer workings of control. It wasn’t so much about strangling my powers like I’d thought; it was more about keep a conscious leash on them.

One afternoon, after about a month of training, Jett approached me once we finished our session. He seemed off center about something, but I couldn’t figure out what his problem was.

“Rayla,” he blurted. “I must soon leave.”

I’d come to rely on him as a visible barrier between Zach and I, and now I was going to lose him? “Why?” I asked, my throat tightening.

His smile held a sad edge. “I must prepare for the tournament. As it is, I have neglected my skills.”

“Because of training me?” I asked, giving him no chance to explain further.

He grunted, but I got his unspoken meaning…he’d given up his future prospects as lord of earth to teach me. Guilt hit me full force. “Are you worried you’ll lose?”

He chuckled. “It is not about winning and losing. We fight to ensure the safety of our people. If I have become too weak to lead my nation, I should be replaced.”

I nodded, although, I couldn’t imagine anyone more adept at earth manipulation than he was. I stepped closer to him unable to process what his absence would mean for me. I’d become used to Jett’s steady nature. For some reason he calmed me, and now I was going to have to figure out how to manage my emotions without his help. My fingers brushed his upper arm, but what I really wanted to do was clamp myself onto his leg like I did to Uncle John when I was little to keep him home. “When do you leave?”

“I should have already gone, but I wanted to make sure you were situated before I left.”

I gave him a half smile. “I’ll miss you.”

“And I you.” He glanced around us as if looking for onlookers before he offered me his arm.

I gratefully accepted, wanting more time with my friend. “Thanks for everything,” I said when the words I should have been saying wouldn’t come.

He patted my hand. “It was my pleasure. I am proud of the progress you have made. It usually takes an Elemental more than a century to be of much use where power is concerned. But it seems as if you were born to wield the elements. You shall make a fine queen.”

I diverted my eyes because I couldn’t take his stare. Was he trying to get me to fess up about Zach? It wasn’t as if I had anything new to say on the matter. I still wanted Heath.

When we neared the path to the stables, he stopped. I didn’t want to say goodbye to him. I wanted to keep him with me, to protect me, but I had to let him go; and I wasn’t about to try to make him feel guilty.

“Rayla,” he said. “Would you mind accompanying me to the stables?”

I shrugged. “Of course not.” My curiosity churned my thoughts before long, and I couldn’t take the silence between us. “What’s up?”

He ignored me, but turned to Zach. “I will not have her for too long.”

Zach nodded, hardly breaking stride to answer. Something was going on with him, and I was going to find out exactly what it was. But not right now.

Anticipation filled my belly with fluttering butterflies. I wondered so many things. Did Jett have a message for me from Heath or Tabitha? Had they found Travis?

He kept quiet as we walked, yet the stiff set of his shoulders told me whatever he had to tell me wasn’t good news.

My muscles clamped up in response, as if they knew something I didn’t. He opened a side door and escorted me through the musty space. By this time my mind raced with so many possibilities I was ready to scream at him.

Then I noticed Bastion hanging out two stalls down. Her light blue eyes were trained on me. Sort of creepy how she watched me, but I tried not to let it bother me.

Jett cleared his throat. “I’m not really sure how to tell you this,” he began. “It’s been on my mind since our last visit, and I’ve thought it over…” A bead of sweat trickled down his hairline, following the line of his chin toward his neck.

“What is it?” I asked, placing my hand on his arm. “You can tell me anything.”

He walked over to Bastion and rubbed her head between the ears. She nuzzled his hand in return. When he spoke, his voice came out quiet yet unyielding. “I’ve had her a very long time.”

I didn’t like the hard edge in his tone but had no clue where he was going with this. “Jett, would you please just tell me what’s wrong? I can take it.”

He laughed. “Nothing is wrong. I am merely having trouble letting go.”

Letting go? I glanced at him then Bastion, and it hit me. He was leaving her behind.

She reared back, kicking her front legs at the gate as if in response to my thoughts. I put three stall’s length between us.

“You can’t do it,” I said. “Look at her. She hates me.”

They seemed to share a moment. “She knows what she must do.”

I huffed. “Well, that makes one of us.”

He blinked a few times as if trying to focus. “She’s yours—my bonding gift to you.”

“Wh—what?” My voice wouldn’t work. Of all the things I expected him to say, that was not it. “I can’t take her from you!” I’d thought he was just going to leave her here until he came back for the tournament.

His strong fingers gave a light squeeze to my shoulder. “I’ve made my decision.”

I shook my head at him, trying to read his expression. “But just a few weeks ago you were going on and on about how much she means to you. This is too weird, Jett. I can’t.”

He waived a dismissive hand. “It’s done. She will stay with her mate, as will you.”

That last bit was definitely a command. Was he actually threatening me? My first instinct was to tell him where to shove his demands. I was not part of his army, not his to boss around, but I held my temper on a miniscule leash. “Although I totally appreciate the gesture,” I said. “I can’t accept.”

“I’m not asking you to. She’s staying, and she’s yours. I had hoped you would cherish her, but she is no longer my worry.”

I inched closer to him, bristling. “Just because you’ve given me your glorified horse doesn’t mean I’m going to stay here, and it doesn’t mean I’m staying with Z—”

He grabbed my shoulders and shook me. “You will not speak such things. It’s bad enough you think them. He is your bondmate. You need to deal with it.”

I gave a pointed look at his hand. “And you need to back up.”

He laughed. “Little girl, you don’t know the first thing about what you’re messing with here.”

“Bring it on, Neanderthal.”

This time there was no laughing. He let go of me and strode toward the door without once looking back. Every muscle in my body screamed at me to run after him. Part of me wanted to make him see he wasn’t going to push me around, but part of me wanted to remove this wedge between us. I’d come to care for him, to even rely on him, yet I couldn’t make myself go after him. In the end I stayed where I was. When Jett reached the door, Bastion snorted, blowing snot all over my hair.

I whirled around. “
What
is your problem?”

Silence.

I glared at her. “Fine. You don’t want to talk to me; I’m good with that, but you’d better get one thing straight. I didn’t ask for the
pleasure
of owning you, and the only reason I’m not shipping your uppity butt back to Eldrea is because Styx needs you.”

With that, I huffed out of the stables. Her whinnies echoed around the castle grounds, following me like a haunted dream.

I marched my way back to my room, trying to figure out why Jett had changed his mind, all the while trying not to feel abandoned once again. What could he possibly think he was doing? It was clear to me that Bastion couldn’t stand me, and the worst part about it was I had no idea why.

As usual, Nicco stood at the ready to let me into my prison. I didn’t even have the heart to look at him this time, and he thankfully didn’t say a word.

The first thing I saw was Zach pacing in front of the window. Seemed as though our moods were synced, which offered no comfort. Like it or not, I needed to talk to him. The only problem was I had no idea what to say.

He glanced at me, but continued his trek along the outward wall. “There is much I need to explain to you,” he said. “Please have a seat, lo—um, would you please sit down, Rayla?”

I hoped he didn’t see my cringe at his almost use of his pet name for me: Love. The term didn’t apply to us anymore. I glided onto the cushion closest to the door, keeping my options open.

The uncomfortable silence hovered around me, highlighting just how much I needed to find a way to get out of here. Now that I didn’t want Zach in a romantic way, I found it difficult to do nearly anything around him because he’d made no qualms in letting me know his feelings hadn’t changed. If anything they’d gotten stronger.

After a few more moments of pacing, he faced me. “The first thing you need to understand is I am the only person who has ever successfully evicted Ainessa from a mind forge. The second thing is she had not forged a real connection to my mind when she took my body over.”

I stared at him, attempting to understand. Even if what he was saying was true, how did that matter? “She still made you do things you wouldn’t have done otherwise.” As I said the words, they rang false. Taylor had told me no one could be compelled to do something they wouldn’t ever do which meant Zach had the capability to attempt to control me through force.

He clasped his hands behind his back. “She did, but it isn’t how you are thinking.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?” I snapped at him, partly because I was worried he’d found a way into my mind, and partly because I was sick of his secrets. Why didn’t he just come out with it? If he had a good explanation for what happened, why not bypass the fluff?

He cocked his head at me. “Words don’t matter all that much. I’ve studied humans long enough to tell you a few things about yourself right now.” I huffed but he pushed forward. “For instance, you’ve chosen the farthest seat from me to indicate how uncomfortable you are. You are also leaning away from me, giving me the sign you are not available. You’re tone is edgy, signifying a need for escape. Your heart rate is abnormally high, indicating either you are turned on by me or afraid.” He smiled. “I’ll assume the latter.”

I smirked at him. “You done yet, Sherlock?”

He grinned. “Not quite. Even though you have not told me, I know you have had sexual relations with Heath.”

My eyes bulged. What, did I smell different? Every muscle inside me hardened. “How is that any concern of yours? For that matter, where do you get off? I only agreed to bond with you because I thought it was the only way to save my world and yours, by the way.” When he tried to interrupt, I cut him off. “I used to have feelings for you, but those have dried up.” I pointed between the two of us. “This is a business arrangement, nothing more. You need to accept that.”

His features might as well have been made of marble from the stare he unleashed on me. “Business,” he spat in the hardest tone I’d ever heard from him. “I’ve sacrificed everything I stand for to have you here with me. And I’ll be damned if I’ll let any man, underlord or chairman, have you.” His eyes honed in on mine, making me shiver from the intensity. “You belong to me.”

I stood up. “We’re done here.” As quick as I could, I marched toward the bedroom.

Zach zipped up to me and caught my arm, turning me to face him. “That’s where you are wrong.
We
are just beginning. All other relationships you’ve had do not matter. That’s what I was trying to tell you. What matters is us.”

I yanked on my arm, but he wouldn’t let go. “You’re delusional,” I said. “You have access to my power, but you’re not getting any other part of me. Got it?”

He raised a brow. “We shall see.”

I shook my head at him. “Don’t make me hate you.”

“Hate is it? Not too long ago you begged me to bond with you.”

I cringed. “I was stupid back then. I didn’t know what I was doing, and I didn’t know what that meant.” I tugged on my arm again. My voice came out feral. “Now, let go of me.”

“Never,” he said, his eyes wild.

“I don’t want you.”

“I don’t care. This isn’t about what you want.”

My chest constricted with my labored breaths. I’d never considered that Zach could be a bully, but here I was facing his wrath. “You may have gotten Faine to warm up to you over time, but that’s not happening here.” Instead of getting angry at me, his odd blue eyes grew distant at the mere mention of his previous bondmate.

“Things change.” He shrugged. “I’ll change your mind.”

He wasn’t getting it. How was I going to make him get it? “What if you could have her back? What if she was out there somewhere that you could access her? What would you do to get to her?”

His voice dipped low. “That isn’t possible.”

“But what if it was?” I prodded.

He locked his eyes onto mine. “I’d rearrange the earth.”

I nodded. In the past, his declaration would have devastated me. Now, it was exactly what I needed. “So how can you expect me to just give up on the man I love, when, if you had the chance, you would do anything to have the woman you still long for?”

He let go of me so fast I stumbled backward. “I don’t want to hear those words from you.”

“I don’t care what you want. It’s the truth. I love Heath. It’s real, not some compulsion. It’s love, and I’m going to do anything in my power to get him back. Do you understand now? I’m not going to change my mind, no matter how many times you try to charm me, influence me, even compel me; I’ve had the real thing, and your efforts won’t work.”