Hidden Darkness (Hidden Saga Book 4) (3 page)

              I walked in on the object of their adoration stripping off the shirt he’d been wearing for the shoot.

              “Oh, sorry,” I blurted, stumbling back out of the dressing room and closing the door, nearly blinded by the sight of an unreal set of abs and beautiful, well-muscled arms.

              The door opened again immediately. Culley stood there, bare-chested and smiling. And definitely not mocha or any shade close to it.

              I leaned a little closer and inspected his eyes once more. Yep—the bluest blue irises I’d ever seen, with dark gray rims and the kind of eyelashes that made all the female models hate him.

              He chuckled at my scrutiny. “I realize it’s impossible to get enough of me, but is there something specific I can do for you, love?” Culley asked. Opening the door wide, he swept one of those sculpted arms in an invitation for me to enter.

              I didn’t relish the idea of being in the small space alone with him—especially as he was partially undressed, but I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. I had something to ask him. I needed to know before I traveled with him.

              “Culley… can I ask you a question? What is your glamour—some kind of hypnosis?”

              “Oh,
now
she’s curious about me.”

              “Well, we are supposed to get to know each other,” I began, then I decided to just go with the truth. “I heard some of the crew talking about you—about your eye color actually… and your hair…”

              Understanding spread across his face, and he nodded. “Heard that, did you?” He walked to the clothing rack and took a shirt from its hanger, dragging it on in no particular hurry. “It’s not hypnosis. It’s sort of a visual thing—an illusion if you will.”

              “Illusion? What do you mean? Like a magician?”

              He stopped dressing to study me, cataloguing my eyes, my lips, my skin, my hair. “You are fair-skinned, a few adorable freckles. Your eyes are a lovely shade of brown, your lips are full, and from the looks of them, quite delicious.”

              My face heated in a flash of embarrassment. I blinked several times, shaking my head. “What are you—”

              He held up a finger. “Let me finish. I’d estimate that you’re about five-foot-ten, and your hair is my favorite shade—a lovely dark ginger with golden highlights around your pretty face. Have I got it about right?”

              I was so flustered I could barely manage to respond. “I… uh… I
am
five-ten, and my hair is red.”

              “Yes. And what do I look like?”

              Lifting my hands, I twisted to gesture around us. “There are about twenty mirrors in here, and you’ve had thousands of photos taken of you. You know what you look like.”

              He buttoned his shirt—thank God—and stepped closer to me. “No. What do I look like
to you
?”

              If he wanted me to return his ridiculous over-the-top compliments, he was out of luck. He could step right outside and find plenty of willing humans if he wanted to be worshipped.

              Culley smiled, reading my reluctance to play his game. “Humor me, Ava.”

              I huffed an impatient breath. “Fine. Your hair is platinum blond, nearly white. Your eyes are blue. Your skin is like mine—fair. But no freckles.”

              “Really?” he said, sounding for all the world as if he was truly intrigued by my bland, perfunctory description. “And do you
like
the way I look?”

              Ugh. I was done with this stupid conversation. And this arrogant guy. I spun toward the door. “I have to go. Mother is waiting.”                 

              His hand on my shoulder stopped me. “Wait. Please. I’m
trying
to answer your question.”

              Turning to face him again, I blinked up into those blue eyes, which now seemed impossibly to have brightened in color. I
did
like the way he looked—too much.

              “My glamour,” he started, then stopped and licked his lips. Lips that were—as he’d said of mine—full and delicious-looking. “I do have blond hair and blue eyes and fair skin. I also have dark brown eyes and mocha skin. And violet eyes and straight, sandy brown hair. And vivid green eyes with black curly hair.”

              “What are you talking about? You’re not making any sense.”

              “Ever heard the saying ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder?’”

              “Yes.”

              “That’s my glamour. I look like whatever a person
wants
me to look like. When they look at me, they see what they want to see. In each person’s eyes, I am their ideal.”

              “Wow, that is…” I shrank away from him, my back coming up against the door as he continued to prowl toward me.

              “I have
never
been passed over for a modeling job—ever. I’m chosen by every casting director, no matter which ‘type’ they’re searching for. Because I always look ‘right for the part.’”

              I let out a long, shuddering breath, reeling in astonishment. “So that explains it then.”

              “Yeah. The humans can’t help but react to me as they do. Male or female, as far as they can see—in person or in photographs—I’m the perfect man. And as you know, our glamour works on most Elves as well, though not as strongly.”

              “Right. Because, of course, you’re not perfect—nobody is.”

              He grinned, clearly amused at my diss. “Of course not—as my father likes to remind me on a regular basis. I’m no more important than anyone else in the Dark Court—just another cog in the wheel.”

              At the mention of his father, I shivered. My mom might have been demanding and over-involved, but his father Audun was downright scary. His dedication to the Dark Court knew no bounds, and I was all
too
familiar with how far he was willing to go to protect it. 

              That’s why I’d been so determined to hate his son when we’d met for the first time today. The hatred was a little hard to hold onto now that I realized Culley was just as much a pawn as I was.   

              “I have to go,” I whispered and fled the room.

              His lilting voice followed me down the hall. “Be seeing you soon, Angel.”

              Mother met me in front of the studio, and we climbed into the back of a waiting Range Rover. I couldn’t wait to get home to my cozy apartment and dive into a new book on my e-reader—it was the closest thing to freedom I experienced in my life. Or maybe my roommate Brenna would be home, and we could veg out and watch a marathon of some trashy TV series.

              But instead of making the turn that would take us to Venice Beach, the driver pulled onto the highway.

              I leaned toward the front seat, trying to catch his eye in the rearview mirror. “Wait—where are we going?”

              When he didn’t answer, I turned to look at Mother. “Where are we going?”

              “Audun has summoned you. We’re going to his office.”

              “Why? What’s this about?”

              Her eyes didn’t meet mine. Instead, she kept them on her hands and adjusted her rings. “I don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me. But it doesn’t matter. Whatever it is—say yes.”

              Watching her run her thumb repeatedly over the band on her left ring finger, the familiar weight of guilt settled over me like a heavy old blanket steeped in that musty attic smell.

              “I always do.” Outside my window, the other cars passed in a blur. I slumped in my seat, letting out a long breath. “What choice do I have?”

Altum was a flurry of activity as I made my way from the royal residence to my family’s quarters in another part of the cavernous underground kingdom. It was Saturday, and as I had no school today, I’d spent last night in my private suite in the palace.

              Even outside of Lad’s home, there was a palpable feeling of excitement. For the first time in centuries, an ambassador from the Dark Court would be in residence. It was supposed to cement the peace between the tribes and create more cooperation, more openness between them.

              Elves rushed along the paths, carrying items toward the palace in preparation for today’s welcoming ceremonies. Many were more finely dressed than usual. I would be too, after Grandma Neena helped me get ready. She’d offered to let me wear one of her own vintage Elven-made dresses for the occasion.

              I ascended one of the stone staircases built into the cavern wall. The residential areas were set up something like high rises, with families occupying entire floors in multi-room dwellings. Arriving at my Amma and Afi’s door, I opened it and walked in without knocking. I was family now.

              Grandma greeted me just inside.
Good morning,
Ryann. Have you seen your great-grandparents today?
Having grown up in Altum, she was entirely comfortable with silent communication and had easily fallen back into using it now that she spent most of her time here.

              Amma and Afi were the names I used for her parents Dierk and Else, who appeared about thirty years younger than her, but seemed like grandparents in every other way. Their other daughter Katrien, my great-aunt, had never had children, so I was the only grandchild. Once they’d gotten past the fact I was part human and met me, they doted on me to a ridiculous degree. 

             
I walked through the marketplace but didn’t see them. Maybe they’ve gone to the palace already? They are attending the ceremony today, right?

              Yes, but they’ll come back here first. Amma is supposed to be bringing the flowers for you to present to Ava.

             
Beyond the new
emissary’s name and profession, Lad said he knew little about her. One thing was for sure, as a Dark Elf she’d have a lot of experience interacting with humans and the ability to communicate aloud. For that reason, I was anticipating Ava Morten’s arrival as much as everyone else here. Though I could now communicate in the Elven way, I really missed spoken language when I spent time in Altum. I had started giving English lessons to a few Elves who’d expressed interest in learning, but the number was small.

              I followed Grandma to her room to get dressed. I liked it here, surrounded by things from her childhood—a doll she’d loved, her beautiful Elven clothing, detailed bronze miniatures lined up on her dressing table, each representing a famous historical figure from Elven lore.

              I usually enjoyed staying here myself, but tradition held that the royal bride be assigned her own suite of rooms in the palace, and Lad and I had stayed up late last night. It had been easier to just tiptoe down the hallway than trek across the kingdom in a wee hours walk of shame.

              Probably no one would have criticized my staying overnight in Lad’s room—I was his betrothed, and he
was
the king. But he insisted he couldn’t have me sleeping so close by if he were going to keep to his vow of pre-marital chastity.

              Grandma pulled the dress from a large wooden wardrobe.
Well, what do you think?

             
“Oh, it’s so beautiful. Do you think it’ll fit?” I took the delicate dress from her and held it up. Like all Elven-made clothing, it felt so light, it was like holding a tissue rather than a garment. They felt wonderful on, like being naked—but warmer.

              Slipping it over my head, I went to stand in front of the mirror above her dressing table.

              “It fits,” she said, slipping back into verbal communication as she often did when I was around. She came up behind me and fastened the back buttons then planted a kiss on my cheek.

              “You look like the princess you are.” Pride shone in her eyes as she smiled at me in the mirror, and warmth rushed through my heart.

              If I wasn’t so selfish, I’d say the best thing that had come of my meeting Lad was that Grandma Neena had been reunited with her family after forty years of estrangement. She was the happiest I’d ever seen her. Though her hair was white, as it had been since her twenties, she appeared younger and healthier, too.

              “Well, I hope I can look the part,” I told her, feeling a simmer of nerves in my belly.
“Because I guess that’s my future—receiving emissaries, being the royal hostess. Today’s just the start.”

              I would never have an actual leadership role here. For one thing, I was female, and that wasn’t how Light Elven hierarchy worked. For another, I wasn’t fully Elven. I was only accepted because of Lad. But I was happy just to be allowed to be with him in his kingdom. It was enough. And he wasn’t the least bit ashamed of me, making sure we were seen together as often as possible.

              For today’s event, we’d be seated side by side in the front of the great hall. I was a bit nervous about that, unsure of how his people would see it, since we weren’t married yet, and I wasn’t actual royalty until that day.

              The hall was already nearly full when we got to the small room adjoining it, and I peeked through the door.

             
You’ll be fine.
Grandma squeezed my hand, obviously reading my anxiety.
When in doubt, just smile and pretend you’ve seen it all before.

              I grabbed her hand tighter.
I don’t know if I’m ready for this.

              Sure you are, darlin’. And ready or not, that boy needs you.

             
I nodded rapidly.
Yes. Okay.
Lad needed me. I could do it for him.
I’d just pretend I’d seen it all before. And that I
wasn’t
about to throw up.

              Grandma went to sit with her sister and parents while I waited for Lad. A few minutes later, he swept in with a rush of energy and fresh, woodsy-scented air. His gaze fell on me, and his eyes sparked with pleasure.

              “Good morning.” His greeting was punctuated with a vigorous kiss.

              The nerves in my belly were replaced with a pleasant tingle as if I’d bitten into the most decadent frosted cupcake. Yes, this was where I was meant to be—wherever he was—no matter what that entailed. “Good morning yourself. You’ve been outside.”

              “I went for a little walk before having to spend the day cooped up doing business.”

              “A walk in the treetops, no doubt.” I laughed. “Did you get a look at her?”

              He knew I meant Ava, who was rumored to be exceptionally beautiful in person. When Lad told me she was a model, of course I looked her up online. And yes, she was stunning, but you never knew—sometimes people looked different up close.

              “No. Not yet,” he said. “She hasn’t arrived, though I’m assured she’s close. Come on, let’s take our places in the hall.”

              With my hand on his arm, we proceeded through the enormous ornately carved wooden doors into the great hall, escorted by two brawny Elven guards. They were more of an accessory than a necessity at a gathering like this, but I guessed it was important to demonstrate that Lad—and his future queen—were well-guarded.

              We took our seats, and I looked out over the hall, over the other-worldly collection of beautiful faces and flawless figures, fighting to make myself accept it all as my new reality. I’d almost gotten used to Lad’s physical perfection. Almost. But to see so many of his people gathered together in one place—there was no question that I was not in Kansas anymore, so to speak.

              Spotting Grandma in the front row, I lifted a hand to wave to her and Katrien and my Amma and Afi beside her. Amma lifted a bouquet of assorted fall flowers to show me she had them for later.

              Lad’s assistant Rikard stepped up behind him and touched him lightly on the shoulder. Lad turned toward the young man, listening to his silent message.

              Then he leaned close to me. “She’s here.”

              The doors at the back of the hall opened, and my heart fluttered. Most of the Dark Elves I’d met had been intimidating, if not downright mean. Would this woman be like Amalia, who’d been assigned to supervise the fan pod at Nox’s house, or Ingrid who’d served as Reggie Dillon’s warden-slash-pimp?

              For a moment, we all waited, staring at the open doorway. In walked a stunning redhead—not a grown woman, but a girl, maybe a couple years older than me. Her pictures made her look more mature. She was long-legged and slim with huge dark eyes and a serious expression. She wore a white floor-length skirt with a deep slit and a colorful, beaded halter top.

              She looked every bit the Hollywood fashion model, striding confidently down the hall’s central aisle toward us. Ava’s beauty lived up to her photographs and then some.

              But my eyes were drawn to her companion. He was one of the most striking guys I’d ever seen—not as handsome as Lad, but nearly so—and that was saying something. In fact, he looked a lot like him, big-framed and blond, with piercing green eyes.

              I tore my gaze away and glanced over the crowd. All eyes were locked on the beautiful pair. Together they approached the throne, walking at a measured pace, not seeming the least bit anxious about being at the center of such focused public attention. Dark Elves through and through.

              “Your Highness,” the girl said. “I am Ava Morten. I’m most grateful for your warm hospitality and look forward to serving you in your kingdom. Reports of your leadership glamour are well-founded.” She dipped her head in a respectful bow, showing the top of her glistening red hair. The guy beside her bowed deeply as well.

              Lad addressed her aloud, I assumed because that’s how she’d spoken to him. “It’s
our
kingdom, now. You are most welcome, Ava. I’m sure your own glamour and your presence will be of great benefit to both our Courts. And I see you have a travel escort. He is welcome to stay and refresh himself before the journey back to California.”

              Ava took a step forward, raising her palms in an imploring gesture. “If it is possible and pleasing to Your Highness, I ask that he be allowed to stay. This is Culley Rune.” There was a pause. “He is my betrothed.”

              Lad’s head snapped back. “Oh. I wasn’t informed that you were betrothed—or planning to bring him along.”

              “There was no time. It just happened. And we cannot bear to be apart. You must understand.”

              Now she cut her eyes over to me, acknowledging me for the first time since entering the hall. Lad noticed it, too. He glanced between the two of us. Of course he understood. If she and this Culley person felt about each other the way Lad and I felt, then this ambassadorship would be a misery for the both of them if they were forced to live apart.

              I could tell Lad wanted to be compassionate. But he was understandably concerned about the surprising alteration in plans. It bothered me, too. Sure, long-distance communication was a bit of a challenge for the technology-phobic Light Elves, but there must be some kind of information exchange going on between the two Courts. And this was a big change.

              We’d essentially have two emissaries from the Dark Court. Two outsiders living among us. Two Dark Elves with glamours we didn’t yet know and intentions we couldn’t be entirely certain of.

              Feeling protective of Lad, I extended my glamour toward the girl. Hmmm… despite her confident facade, she was nervous—afraid even—maybe that Lad would say no to her request? The guy was harder to read.

              As I studied him, he gave me a quick side glance, and I could have sworn he winked. One corner of his mouth edged up in a hint of a smile. Good God, he was cocky. Though he looked nothing like him, he reminded me a little of Nox. All I could read from him was sardonic amusement—and a pretty hefty sense of self-confidence. Whatever he was here to do—he had no doubt he’d get the job done.

              The two of them waited patiently before Lad. Finally, a smile spread across my fiancé’s face. “Of course. Congratulations to you both. And welcome to you, Culley. Please communicate my best wishes to your father. I hope you’ll soon feel at home here.”

              Culley bowed again, keeping his remarkable eyes trained on the throne. “Thank you, Your Highness. I’m certain I will.”