Mortal Enchantment (6 page)

Rowan was done with his workout by the time I made it outside. He was bent over a massive stone fountain. Leaning into a cascade of water, he let the liquid wash over his face and neck. The sun glistened on his back, revealing lengthy thin white scars sliced haphazardly across his shoulder blades and down toward his lower back. Besides their faint appearance, they resembled claw marks. What was he hiding?

He collected water inside his cupped hands. “You’re making a habit of this,” he said, curling around. As he sat on the rim of the fountain, he ran his fingers through his damp hair. “Should I pose or do you prefer watching me in action?”

I rolled my eyes, but who was I kidding? He was the definition of swoon. The worst part was, he knew that I knew it too. “Over-confident much?”

Desperately needing an aversion, I turned my attention to three female air elementals sitting on the opposite side of the fountain. They could have been triplets with their identical Botticelli
faces, wheat-blond hair and ivory skin. Each wore the yellow strapless garments I had seen when I first arrived at the castle. They scooted closer together, diverting their eyes. I stepped nearer and realized they were all staring at Rowan with a very distinct expression on their faces—fear.

I scratched the back of my head while glancing back at Rowan who was busy slipping on a hunter green t-shirt. “Let’s get started with your training.” He slid the leather sheath over his shoulder, inserting the sword inside.

What was the deal with the scars? Why were those elementals afraid of him? “Okay, where do we go?” I asked.

He surprised me by reaching out for my hand as if he were asking me to dance. Curious, I accepted. Our fingers clasped and my skin hummed with excitement. Before I could ask another question, I was being led toward the castle gates. I tried to relax, hoping he didn’t notice the goosebumps peppered across my forearm.

“Somewhere we won’t be interrupted.”

He loved vague answers. We made our way toward a group of air court elementals practicing what most people would assume was tai chi, but really it was weather magic. In unison, they moved from cloud hands into a single whip. The skies crackled in response. It would take their combined power to try to ease the thunderous eruptions. They each had a small portion of power compared to Dad's power. Judging by my unintended lightning display, mine will be strong as well. Assuming I ever learn to harness it.

Although the elementals seemed focused, every pair of eyes followed us as we passed. I was about to shrug it off, but then I glanced in the opposite direction. I saw several other male elementals sitting in a tight corner whispering, fingers pointed directly at us. Either Rowan hadn’t noticed or simply did not care. I, on the other hand, squirmed.

“Are you really that oblivious?” I asked. He didn’t respond and I squeezed his palm.  “Did you happen to notice everyone staring at us?”

“I’ve gotten used to it.” He met my gaze with a wolfish grin.

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t think that’s why they’re staring.”

He took a quick look for himself, then turned to face forward. “You sound like you have a theory. By all means, let’s hear it.”

“Those elementals by the fountain were staring at you—”

“Now when you say
staring
, are you including yourself in this assessment? I recall you taking in the view on several different occasions.”

“For the last time, I was
not
staring at you.” I was a terrible liar. “Now, if you’re done, I'd like to finish asking my question.”

He let go of my hand, moving toward a white oak tree. Leaning against the trunk, he crossed his arms. “You’ve got my undivided attention, Princess.”

My hands clenched at my sides. He could be such a cocky little prick when he wanted to be. “Fine, whatevs.” I took a deep breath. “What I was saying was the elementals by the fountain looked like they were afraid of you. I want to know why.” I put my hand up. “And no more elusive answers. I want the truth.”

In an obvious attempt to impersonate Jack Nicholson, he replied, “You can’t handle the truth.”

“Oh my God. You did not just quote A Few Good Men.” I was ready to strangle him.

“It’s a great movie. One of the best scenes ever.” He ignored my death stare and continued enjoying himself. “Okay, okay. I’ll tell you what, if you admit that you
were
watching me, then I’ll answer your question.”

“This is ridiculous. You can’t answer a simple question?” He leaned his head back against the bark, humming the final question tune from Jeopardy. My arms flailed in the air. “Yes, okay? I was watching you, but it doesn’t mean anything.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t.” He chuckled under his breath, and I wanted to jump on his back like a little spider monkey. “The truth is, I can’t answer your question.” He shrugged. “The elementals could be uncomfortable because they know I’m not part of your court. Most of us stick with our own kind.”

He was hiding something. It had to be big, considering all the effort he was putting out. I moved closer. “No, it was more than that and you know it.”

“Kalin.” His tone turned serious. “I’m trying to help you, but you have to trust me.”

My eyes widened. “How can you ask me to do that when you refuse to answer a simple question?”

I blinked and he was peering down at me. His face was only a few inches from mine. My heart pounded like a drummer on speed. “You ask too many questions,” he said.

“Only because you avoid answering most of them.” I held my ground. No way was I letting him think he could intimidate me.

He pressed him lips together, then turned and walked away. A pathway materialized a few feet in front of him. Instead of a wind tunnel, it was a swirling ring of fire. “You’re kidding, right?” Then it hit me like a slap across the face. “You’re a member of the fire court, aren’t you?”

“Nope.”

My eyebrows knitted together. “That’s impossible.” I pointed to the portal. “Only fire elementals use those pathways.” He didn’t answer. My tone sharpened. “Are you a member of the fire court, Rowan?”

He sighed. “I’m a solitary elemental.” The sudden fear I felt must have been displayed across my face because he kept going with his explanation. “I was once part of the fire court, which is why I can open their portals. Are we done here?” He waved his arm toward the portal as if he was inviting me to enter.

As a solitary, he wasn’t tied to any of the elemental courts. Dad once told me those kind of elementals were the most dangerous because they didn’t follow any court rules. “If you’re solitary, why are you helping me?”

Rowan squared his shoulders. “I owe your father a debt. If he’s alive, I will do whatever I can to find him. That’s why I’m helping you.” For some reason my heart ached. His explanation for being here had nothing to do with me. I immediately pushed those thoughts away. It didn’t matter what his reasons were.

Rowan choosing to leave the fire court must be why Liana called him a deserter. I wanted to ask him why he left, but the burning glare he shot me signaled that our little Q and A session had ended. “Fine,” I said, sliding my arm inside his. I pulled him toward the gateway while my head filled with more questions. I wanted to know about his debt to my father. Was it part of the reason he left his court? Solitary life seemed so lonely. Why had he chosen complete isolation?

The circulating flames loomed as we approached. I bit my lip as I stepped inside. The darkness was the same as the last portal. Instead of cold, the intense heat pushed against my skin. I was covered in sweat. The farther we walked, the more powerful it became. My mouth was dry and a migraine was forming at my temples. The heat penetrated in waves, as if I was walking into the sun. I shielded my arm over my face out of instinct. Rowan put his arm around me, protecting me from some of the heat. I clung to his chest, my fingers digging into his shirt.

Even with my face covered, I squinted when a bright light flashed. The temperature dropped by what seemed like a thousand degrees. I let out an exaggerated breath as I made a mental note to never, under any circumstances, travel through another fire portal.

After I was done complaining, I took in the new scenery. It was like I was standing inside a post card. Miles of empty white sand beaches surrounded us. The only noise was the intermittent sound of waves crashing into the shore. Salty air floated into my nostrils. A sparkling mist lingered over the ocean, appearing to rise into the sky. It was the magical veil hiding Avalon from the rest of the world. The misty green forest stood at least a half-mile in the distance. Under normal mortal circumstances, it would have been heavenly. But this was Avalon, the land of ‘crazy-shit-can-happen-at-any-moment.’

Rowan cleared his throat.

Glancing down, I realized I was still holding on to him. I let out an odd, anxiety-filled laugh. Perfect, considering I just admitted to staring at him. I was sure he was appreciating this, which only made the moment much more cringe-worthy. I released my grip on his shirt, wishing I was invisible. And there it was, more humiliation for his enjoyment. I scrunched my face with no idea what I should say. “This is awkward.”

He tried to smooth the creases that my tightly gripped fists had made on his shirt with very little success. “Try to be gentler the next time you're in the mood for a cuddle.” He winked.

“Yeah,” I huffed. “That's exactly what I was trying to do.” Why was I letting him get me so crazed? I’d dated guys at my school. Hell, I even had a few PG-13 moments. But I had to admit, something about being with Rowan felt different. My body reacted to him. And as annoying as he was, I wanted to be close to him.

I stared at him, staring at me—waiting for a response. “You owe me some answers.”

Rowan laughed. “What I
owe you
is the training I promised.”

I crossed my arms. “You said you would answer my questions.”

“I never told you that I would answer more questions. You need to focus on what’s ahead of you, which won’t be easy.” He playfully tapped his fist against my shoulder. “Besides, there will be lots of time for you to fantasize about me later.”

I let out a frustrated growl. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re wasting time.”

The nerves climbed on top of one another in the pit of my stomach. Rowan was not like any of the elementals I was used to. Throughout my life, Dad had sent plenty to watch over me, but they barely spoke to me. It was like I was being guarded by the secret service. But Rowan was so relaxed, even flirty. Was he really flirting with me or was he just toying with me? Okay, I needed to stop thinking about him, like immediately.

Finding Dad was my focus. The thought that he might be somewhere hurt or dying made my chest ache. If the situation were reversed, he’d do whatever was necessary to find me. If I had any hope of rescuing him, I had to learn how to use my power. But if I couldn’t find him before the Ball, I had to protect his crown. There wasn’t room for failure. “You’re right, let’s get started.”

He reached behind his back, gripping the handle of his blade and released it from its sheath. Pointing the weapon in my direction, he said, “It's called a khopesh sword. This one in particular is made of solid iron.”

“Why even have iron weapons in Avalon if so many are allergic to them?” I asked.

“Knights of each court are required to carry them as a display of their power. For the most part, it keeps the other elementals from challenging the courts.”

The sun's luster danced across the silver sheen. “Does that mean you’re a court knight?” My eyes moved from the sword to his lips, which were now arched in the corners, then to his eyes.

“It means I'm strong enough to carry it,” Rowan replied, staring at me in a way that made my knees feel like wet noodles. “I am curious to know its effects on you.” Taking a few steps in my direction, he held the curved blade out horizontally, only inches from my stomach. I felt nothing. “I was right. Your mortal blood protects you from the irons’ presence. In a lot of ways, it gives you the edge against a pure elemental. This knowledge could be important should you ever need to defend yourself.”

My confidence had built. Feeling cocky, I slid my finger across the blade. A searing heat instantly radiated from my finger. I looked down and saw layers of charcoal colored skin had peeled away from the tip. My finger smoked like meat on a grill. “Little problem here.” I wiggled my hand violently. The pain sped up my arm.

Rowan's eyes widened. “What in the world would possess you to do that?”

“Bad time for scolding, don’t you think?” I shrieked.

“Try to summon your healing powers.”

It was as if I had stuck my finger in a pot of boiling water. “It’s too much…the burning, I can’t—”

Rowan growled. Dropping his sword, he pulled me down to the water's edge. “The veil gives the water medicinal qualities. It may be able to heal your wound.” He raised his eyebrows. “What are you waiting for?”

Panicked, I ran in and plunged my hand in and out of the salty coolness. When that didn’t seem to be enough, I dove into the waves. Below the surface, the water twinkled with tiny white illuminations reminding me of Christmas tree lights. I reached out for one of the tiny glowing droplets. A hand connected with mine. I screamed. Bubbles erupted out of my mouth.

A siren song whispered in my head. I relaxed completely. A child-size merman with a green tail and short blue hair smiled at me. It was impossible to be afraid while staring at his cherub face. He wrapped seaweed around my finger. The burning sensation was gone in moments. Perhaps it wasn’t the water with medicinal qualities after all? I reached out for him with my other hand, but he jolted as if he had heard something I hadn’t. In an instant, he was gone.

My lungs burned for air. I rushed toward the surface. After a few seconds of paddling, I was back on the shore. The only ache left rested in my bruised ego.

My clothes were soaked. With my hair dripping into my face, I must have resembled a wet poodle. I climbed up on the sand to where Rowan stood shaking his head. “Do you have no sense of self-preservation?” he asked.