The Shadow Prince (3 page)

Marcus held his arms open, smiling slyly. “Now I'm ready for my hug.”

I chuckled, pushing his shoulders with my fists. “Yeah, whatever.”

His eyes settled on the mountain of cheese and crackers. “Why don't you send some of those goodies my way? I'm starved.”

I rolled my eyes, sliding the tray across the bed. “When are you
not
hungry?”

He stuffed a fist full of cheese cubes in his mouth. “Hey, it's hard work chasing after you,” he responded, voice muffled.

Marcus continued to scarf down food while my thoughts lingered toward tonight's ball. If all the leaders of the courts would be there, I couldn't help wondering if my future betrothed would be one of them. All the high-ranking elementals had their partners chosen for them. It had nothing to do with love or attraction. For us, it was all about forming alliances and gaining more power. My mother hadn't chosen my bride, as far as I knew, but I was sure my opinions had no bearing on her decision.

“Looking forward to seeing anyone special tonight?” I asked.

Marcus swallowed what was puffing out his cheeks in one large gulp. “Well, there could be one person, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to talk to her.”

He had never shown any interest toward a female elemental before. They must have met during the months I hadn't seen him. “Why?”

“Ariel is an air elemental.”

It wasn't uncommon for elementals to date outside their court. But for some reason, hounds only mated with other hounds. “So, what does that matter?”

He stared down at the small crumbles of food left on the tray. “My father would never approve. Plus, Ariel's parents have already arranged for her to marry a high-ranking knight in her court. You know it's all about moving up the popularity ladder.”

“Well, you can at least tell me what she looks like. Is she hot?”

He glanced up, eyes widened with excitement. “She's gorgeous. Long blond hair and lavender eyes just like the other purebred air elementals.”

Something came over him as he spoke about her. It was like he was injected with joy juice. “Damn, maybe I should introduce myself.”

He scowled. “You're not her type.”

I smirked, patting my hand on his shoulder. “I'm everyone's type.”

He threw a cracker. It bounced off my cheek, landing in my lap. “I know there's at least one girl out there capable of seeing through your bullshit and I can't wait to meet her.”

I picked up the cracker and ate it. It would be nice to have to work for it for once. I would enjoy the chase. “No way. I'm too loveable.”

Marcus coughed. “I think I just threw up in my mouth.”

I grabbed the bottle of wine, removed the stopper, and poured two glasses. “You can wash it down with this.”

He took one of the glasses. “What are we toasting?”

I shrugged. “Being awesome?”

“To our continued awesomeness,” he replied, tapping our glasses together with a clink.

Damn, I look good.

My normally unkempt hair was slicked back, my face cleanly shaven. I checked out all the rest of my angles in the mirror. Somehow, without ever being measured, the all black suit in my closet fit perfectly. The matching shoes were a bit snug, so I decided to wear my leather boots. I'd rather be comfortable anyway. No telling how long this party would run. They've been known to last for days.

Marcus left a while ago to get changed. He said someone would come to escort me. I had been pacing for hours. At the ball, it would be easy for me to pull my mother aside and get to the bottom of her decision. There was a small part of me holding onto a shred of hope that her offer might be genuine. But the rest of me knew there was much more to her decision.

I had learned not to trust her a long time ago. She would turn on anyone if it benefited her.

As soon as one of the knights showed up at my door, we made our way down the long hallway. The walls vibrated with the sounds of sensual, rhythmic music. The noise level escaladed the closer we approached. My nerves tingled with anticipation. I had never been invited to one of these events. But if it was anything close to the rumors I'd heard, it would be a wild night.

A gust of wind whipped against my face as the doors opened to the ballroom. The room was flooded with black feathered elementals elegantly dressed in a cascade of colors. Candlelit silver chandeliers illuminated the dimmed dance floor. Bodies clung to one another, moving to the beat of the erotic song. Wooden tables lined the walls where groups sat, laughing and drinking from crystal flutes. My eyes roamed the room for Marcus but I didn't see him anywhere.

The music stopped, and a single trumpet wailed.

The crowd turned to face me. I swallowed hard. “Prince Rowan of the House of Djin,” an unfamiliar male voice announced. Whistles and claps rang from every corner.

I waved, keeping proper protocol.

The tuxedoed knight was leading me toward my mother's table when my siblings stepped into our path. Valac’s appearance never changes. His clothing always was pristine, like it was on a mannequin. Tonight, he wore a suit eerily similar to mine. As always, his slicked back black hair was perfect; not a single piece out of place. His face reminded me of cold stone because he very rarely expressed any emotion. His twin sister Selene stood at his side. Her red, floor-length gown looked like it might have just come from a fashion house in Milan. She glanced at me quickly, smiled, and then returned her attention to her brother.

“Congratulations on your upcoming coronation, brother.” Valac said, his voice monotone. “I'm sure you'll make an excellent king.”

“Thanks, buddy. It almost sounded like you meant it.” I patted him on the shoulder. “Seriously though, I appreciate your effort.”

“He does mean it, Rowan.” Selene interjected, playing the mediator as usual. “We both do.”

If she didn't worry so much about Valac's opinion, she probably would have been happy for me. Selene has never given me the impression she wanted the throne. She relished in all of the spoils a royal life offered. Mother made sure she had the best of everything. She has always favored my siblings, adopting them both centuries ago after they were abandoned.

Mother told me I was conceived after she was raped. I didn’t see how that was even possible considering she was the strongest of all the fire elementals, but even to this day, I have no idea who my father is. From birth, she has treated me like an inconvenience—a pebble in her shoe. Which was why Mother’s decision to pass the crown on to me didn't make sense.

I need to speak with her immediately.

“Well, this was uncomfortable. We should do it again sometime in the never future.” I circled around them before either had a chance to respond. I spotted Mother’s table in the far corner of the room. Her red gown was so tight I couldn't even imagine how she was breathing. Several council members surrounded her. The members were wearing suits with a red shawl hanging loosely over their shoulders to alert every one of their positions. They carried on by themselves, not yet noticing I stood there.

I came to stand directly in front of Mother. “Great party. When do the strippers get here?”

Her eyes examined me from head to toe. It was like I was having a physical without being naked. “You look ridiculous with that metal pierced into your eyebrow.”

Score one for me. “I was wondering when you'd notice. I hope you don't mind, Your Majesty.” It took everything I had to hold back the smirk paining to grow across my lips.

“It will be removed before your coronation,” she said, eyes squinting. Her tone was all statement, zero request. Man, she seemed even more pissed than I envisioned. I gave myself a second point.

“If it pleases you, I'll take it out.” I bowed.
It will go back in the moment I'm crowned.

“The royal families have arrived. Each has their own table,” she said, pointing to the other side of the room. “Go greet each member accordingly.” Wow, the love coming from her was deep.

“Do you think we could talk first?” There was a reason she'd chosen to pass on her crown. She never made a move unless it benefited her in some way. I had to find out her motivation.

“There will be plenty of time once you've properly greeted our guests.” She shooed me away with her hand.

I could feel her scowl searing the back of my head as I sauntered toward the other regal tables. Without question, I knew where I was heading first. I wanted to meet the air elemental that Marcus had fallen for, Ariel. On my way there, three barely dressed females attempted to wave me over. They clung to one another, swaying to the thumping beat of the music. My body ached to join them, but I didn't have time for any of that.

The air elementals long, rectangular table sat empty. The group stood in a circle in front of it, talking amongst themselves. Their knights kept watch over them, lined up a short distance away. The air court was the most modest of the four. Nothing about their attire was ever lavish or embellished. For the most part they kept to themselves. Preferring to spend their time in the mountains. The beautiful young female refilling their wine glasses caught my attention. Her blond hair was so light, it was almost white. She had to be Ariel.

I was about to say hello to her when King Taron noticed me. I hadn't seen him since I was seven or eight. It had been one of the few times I had been invited to visit with my mother. After a council meeting, he had found me hiding from Marcus during one of our games. He seemed huge to me back then. I must have looked scared because he bent down each time he spoke to me. That day, he had spent an hour showing me some tricks with his wind magic, even letting me throw fireballs at him. I remember wishing I had a father like him. Or any father for that matter.

King Taron held out his arms and gave me a hug. “Rowan, you've grown up quite a bit since I last saw you.” Squeezing my bicep, he said, “I'm impressed.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I bowed. “It’s been almost ten years since I last saw you. How are things in the skies?”

“Always changing.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “Speaking of change, congratulations on your upcoming coronation. I have to admit, Prisma’s announcement was unexpected. I didn't think she planned to abdicate her throne.”

So she never talked to the council about her decision? I wondered if anyone knew about it, or if this was something she decided recently. “It came as a surprise to me as well.”

“I've thought about stepping down myself. My daughter will be joining me here in another year. Once Kalin is fully trained, I may abdicate.”

His daughter was a mystery to most elementals. All I knew was that she was a halfling, living with her mortal Mother. “You must have a lot of faith in her.”

“She's a very special girl.”

Orion, king of the woodland court, patted Taron on the shoulder. The two elementals embraced. They had been close friends for centuries. “We all look forward to getting to know Kalin.” He said.

“Thank you for coming, King Orion.” I bowed. Although the woodland faeries were known to be playfully carefree, they made the best weapons and were widely considered masters of war. But, since the decrees—the laws we lived by—were accepted centuries ago, there has been no major conflict between the courts.

“We're all happy to be here for such a special occasion.” Orion waved over one of the male faeries from his court. “Speaking of special, I had this made for you by our greatest blacksmith.” The faerie held out a sheathed sword attached to a leather shoulder strap. “I heard you've become quite the accomplished sword fighter,” he said, handing me the gift. “This is a weapon made for a king.”

I gripped the handle, releasing the blade from its sheath. Taking a closer look, I realized the curved sword was made of iron—the only metal all elementals were allergic to. Many of the weaker ones couldn't be in its presence without feeling an immense, burning pain. However, the stronger elementals used them as weapons. I stepped backwards a few paces to swing it a few times without endangering anyone. It felt light in my hand. “This is an incredible gift. Thank you very much.”

Orion put the sword back in the sheath, then slid the leather strap over my shoulder. “Let's hope you never have to put it to good use.”

After introductions to a few other woodland faeries, I excused myself so I could greet the members of the water court. Although they had never given me a reason, I always approached them with caution. Most were still seated at their table, taking in the room. They were likely speaking to each other telepathically, which made me nervous. I'd been told the water queen, Britta, could read the thoughts of other elementals. I didn't want her poking into my head, so I cleared my mind as I approached. Britta was hard to miss. Her wings were made of scales rather than feathers. I especially liked the white henna-styled tattoos on the sides of her face.

I opened my mouth to speak and Britta jolted. The color of her blue eyes faded until there was nothing more than white showing. I’d seen this once before as a child. She was having a vision.

“Thank you for coming, Queen Britta.” I said, not sure if she could hear me.

From inside my head, I heard,
“I see trouble for you, young prince. Two possible paths lay at your feet. At the end of both paths, your hands are covered in blood.”

“What do you mean covered in blood? Are you saying someone will die?” My eyebrows furrowed. “You have to tell me more.”

“I cannot. The future is always changing. Outcomes are never certain.”

“Can you see who the blood belongs to?”

“No.”

My head swirled from all the possibilities of her words. Was I about to hurt or kill someone? Was I going to find someone hurt or killed? Was it
my
blood? I couldn't think straight. And at some point, I had unknowingly walked away from her. I stood alone in the corner of the room with no idea of how long I'd been there.

After my disturbing conversation with Queen Britta, I returned to my mother's table. She sat in the same place, talking amongst some of the high-ranking air court members. When she didn't acknowledge my presence once again, I reached my breaking point. I was done waiting for answers. “Excuse your council, we need to talk.”