Page 15 of One Last Wish (The Elder World)

“K eep your arm straight ,” Darce ordered. I have an argument and hate this man so much it makes my blood boil, yet I’m still dreaming about him.

“My arm is straight!”

“Do you want me to help you or not? If you want to be a great Dallethas warrior, you need to keep your arm straight.”

“You know, if I had another way to learn to fight, I would have taken it.”

“I’m fully aware that you think an Eallarim foot soldier isn’t a good choice of teacher. You’re wrong, though. You forget, I’ve seen plenty more action in battle than that leader of yours or your general, for that matter.”

“Do not bring my leader into this! Neither of us talk about our kind. That was the deal!” I seethed, trying to pull out of his hold. Darce was too strong, though, and held me in place. “Never forget that I’m using you to train me. Once I’m satisfied, we’ll never see each other again. This is all for my benefit.”

“And I’m only doing it for the gold,” Darce snarled, gripping my waist tighter. “Now! KEEP. YOUR. DAMN. ARM. STRAIGHT!”

“Prick!” I glared, trying to keep my arm straight.

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I T’S THE MIDDLE OF the night when I wake up. Dallethas ...which book was that from? Eallarim sounded familiar, too, but I couldn’t place why . Moving to grab my phone so I could make a note of those places before I forgot them again, I noticed my hands. Fuck! I hadn’t glowed for almost a week. As I studied my fingertips, I realised that the light was brighter than before. When I switched my lamp on to see if it would shatter the illusion, I gasped. My fingertips seemed to be drawing the light from the lamp. It was making my hands glow so bright it was dazzling me. Heat coursed through my hands, but it wasn’t painful. I felt in control as a small circle of light appeared in my palm. Power surged down my arms. I could have sworn golden tattoos lit up on the inside of my wrist. This power craved to be released, I could feel it. I had to fire it somewhere.

This had to be a dream. My fucked up head couldn’t manifest this. Rushing to the window and opening it, I spotted a trash can and fired my light bolt at it. Before I could even blink, there was a very small, silent explosion, mostly of light. Slamming my window shut, I rushed to the bathroom to cool my fingers under the cold water.

My body shuddered and fear took over. What if this was it? My mind had collapsed and there was no sane thought left.

I inspected my hands once I was back in my bedroom. They were back to my normal, icy white colour, and had cooled down. If this was the start of my breakdown, perhaps Darce was right. I had to live whatever life I had left. That meant going on a date with Theo so I could say I’d had a date, and going out clubbing with Evelyn and dancing until my feet hurt. And Darce...I needed as much time with him as I could possibly get. He was the only person that made me wish I could feel.

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T HE ORCHESTRA CONCERT grounded me, or was that Darce? Listening to the brass, woodwinds, percussion and my personal favourite, string instruments, calmed my head more than I thought it would.

“How’s your head?” Darce asked once the concert finished. I’d blamed my quietness the last few days on a migraine that I was struggling to get rid of. Telling Darce the truth—that my mind had made my fingertips shoot a ball of fire into a trash can—yeah, that would have ended in a trip to the asylum for me. I hadn’t gone to visit that trash can, either. I didn’t want to see more evidence that I was insane. I was already worried enough. This could be the downward spiral I had been dreading all my life.

“It’s a little better,” I lied, not meeting his gaze.

“I’ve noticed you haven’t agreed to go on a date with Theo yet.” Why did he keep bringing this up?

“I will, but it’s one date. To prove you wrong. Theo isn’t the kind of guy I would fall for...if I could fall. I’ve been busy starting to plan this grand ball for next year, anyway. I have to make that a priority right now.” It was also a good topic to use to change the subject.

“Oh, yes, the Fairy Ball. Will I have to wear tights?”

“You’re going to come?” I gasped. I’d been sure a fae ball wouldn't have been his kind of thing.

“We all are. Even Ned is in.” I didn’t know what to say. “Daisy really wants to help you plan, but she’s too scared to ask you. Of course, I’ll help whenever you need it.”

“Your painting skills are very good,” I mused. “I’m sure I can put them to work.”

“And Daisy?” he questioned.

“She can help me a little.”

“Wow! Look at you being sociable,” Darce chuckled, nudging me. Something in the distance caught his eye as we walked through Bryant Park and he stilled. My eyes focused on the most beautiful, petite, dark haired woman I’d ever seen. The long, black fitted coat she was wearing showed her curves off well. She was heading straight for Darce with a wicked smile on her face. “What are you doing here?” Darce snarled as she reached us.

“I got bored.” The striking, dark brunette shrugged, casting her eyes over me. Up close, she was heart-stoppingly beautiful with high cheekbones, full red lips, and her eyes were the colour of melted chocolate. Fuck! This must be her . The woman Darce loved. She wasn’t dead, it would seem! As I looked between them, I realised that they were well matched. They both had the power to steal someone's breath with one look.

“Nyx, we spoke about this!” Darce cautioned her. “You can’t just show up here!”

“I wanted to see her.” She turned her gaze to me. “Hello, Alora.” Oh, she knew who I was. Awkward!

“You’ll have to excuse Nyx. She has no manners,” Darce commented, moving closer to me. I found it a little odd if this was really the woman he was in love with. “She doesn’t get out much.”

“And who’s fault is that?” Nyx crossed her arms, looking around at all the Christmas stalls with the twinkle lights on them. “This place is strange . How do you cope staying here?”

“New York is a lot of things,” I replied, looking up at Darce. His eyes were burning into Nyx in a reprimanding way.

“Don’t you have somewhere else you need to be, Nyx?” Darce’s tone was threatening.

“Not that I recall,” Nyx responded, tapping her chin with her finger.

“Excuse us for a moment, Alora,” Darce muttered softly to me before grabbing Nyx’s arm and dragging her away roughly.

I tried not to watch their body language while they were deep in discussion in the distance. Darce clearly wasn’t happy that she had bumped into us, but I didn’t understand why. The anger radiating off him as he chastised her made me wonder what was going on with them. Their relationship was painful. That was what Darce had told me. What had Nyx done to him?

Nyx stormed off in a different direction once Darce had finished yelling at her. He turned back towards me, his eyes softening as he strode my way.

“I’m sorry about that,” he apologised. “Nyx has a mind of her own.”

“I’m guessing she’s the painful problem?”

“ What? ” He generally looked amused with me. “Nyx is a lot of things, but she’s not a problem.”

“Okay, I get it. You don’t want to talk about it.” Nyx seemed like a handful...the type of woman that would put a man through hell. It made sense that Darce wouldn't want to talk about it, so I didn’t press the matter.

“Did you want a drink?” Darce motioned toward the hot chocolate stand. There was quite a chill in the air tonight, and a warm drink would help.

We found a table to sit at once we’d gotten our cocoas. “Do you live alone?” I questioned, realising, after all this time, that I still knew nothing about him.

“I live with... friends .”

“Is Nyx one of those?”

“Yes, along with others .” Giving me a quizzical look, Darce sat back in his chair. “Nyx bothered you, didn’t she?”

“She was fucking stunning ! Of course she bothered me. I get it now.”

“You get what?”

“Your type. I can’t ever compete with that . You might find me attractive, but I understand why your heart would be elsewhere.”

“Let’s not talk about my heart, Alora. Who it belongs to was decided long ago.” That confirmed it. Nyx.

“I’m glad you get to experience it. Love. It must feel wonderful when it’s returned.”

“It’s a blessing and a curse,” Darce whispered, leaning towards me. He searched my face for some reason. “It’s getting late. We better get to the subway. I can walk you home from there.” I didn’t know why, but with Darce I always felt safe and protected. Nothing could touch me when he was by my side.

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“W HAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE not sure if she’s his girlfriend or not? Did you ask him?” Evelyn questioned while we were drinking in Clover Bar. She met me after work.

“I didn’t need to. Evelyn, she was stunning . The pair of them were made for each other. I can’t compete with that.”

“Was there any sexual tension between them?”

“There was a lot of anger. That’s kind of the same thing.”

“No, it’s not! You can be angry with a friend .”

“I know what I saw! It’s pointless chasing him. This friend of yours, Charlie, do you think he’d come out clubbing with us on Saturday?”

“Oh, you do want to make Darce jealous.” Everyone at Bookends was going out on Saturday for our Christmas get together. Evelyn was tagging along. I didn’t want to purposely make Darce jealous with Charlie, but I was running out of options. Watching him with Nyx had left me pretty deflated. I had no idea what to do.

“I’m keeping my options open. This Charlie sounds like he might be my type.”

“Mmm...I still think this is about Darce.”

“I’m sexually frustrated and need to get laid. It’s getting to the point where any dick will do!” The sexual build up with Darce had practically turned me feral. Knowing it was all one sided, I had to find release from some one.

“You’re really giving up on Darce?”

“I have no choice. He might find me attractive, but he’s never going to fully act on it. Not when he’s wrapped up in Nyx.”

“Nyx is a weird name, but...so is Darce. Do you think those are their real names?”

“I don’t care,” I sighed, looking over at the bar. It had thinned out since we first arrived. Now was probably a good time to get another drink. “Do you want another?” Evelyn nodded.

It was the regular barman that had been trying to get my number for months that served me.

“Well, hello, dream girl. When am I going to get your number?” he teased, leaning across the bar. This guy wasn’t completely my type, but he was bulky, with tattoos and dirty blonde hair.

“You don’t need my number. I’m here every week.”

“What are you doing later?”

“After this drink, I’m going back home with my roommate.”

“Did you want some company?” He winked, grabbing the empty glasses I’d brought with me.

“You ask me that every week,” I snorted.

“Say yes and I’ll stop.” For a second, I contemplated it. A quick hook up was probably what I needed right now, but something stopped me. “Same again?” The barman sighed, watching me shake my head.

“Was the barman trying to get your number again?” Evelyn asked when I came back with our drinks.

“Yeah. I considered it for a second, too. Ugh! I’m too horny! This is ridiculous.”

“Wait until Saturday. You’ll get a release one way or another. Charlie is meant to be incredible with his tongue.” Nope, didn’t work. I still thought about Darce.

“You mean to tell me you haven’t been there?”

“Bitch, I’m not a total whore. I have to leave a few guys in my class out.”

“Just a few?” I giggled, sipping my drink. “Well, at least I’ll know I won’t be getting your sloppy seconds.” Evelyn choked, laughing into her drink.

This weekend was going to be eventful, that was for sure.

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“T HANK YOU FOR AGREEING to let me help you,” Daisy beamed while I was showing her my ideas for the Fae Ball. “I love your forest theme.”

“There are a lot of things we’ll need to make. Malcolm is waiting for the budget we can spend, but with the author being in attendance, it should be a decent amount of money.”

“I’ve never been to a ball before! I can’t wait to get a dress. Ned has already said he’ll be my date.”

“We’ll all be working ,” I pointed out. “I don’t think there will be much time for dancing.”

“Darce ensured us there would be. Is it true that you’re trying to get a string quartet?”

“I’m looking into it. What else has Darce told you?”

“That you’re amazing and this ball will be spectacular.” It was Darce’s day off today. I couldn’t stop the pangs of jealousy, imagining him and Nyx spending the time together. He’d said that he lived with others, but it was only the two of them I kept picturing. “Who are you going to the ball with? Theo or Darce?”

“I’m not going with either of them. It’s a work day!”

“Theo is going to ask you out today. Darce has been bigging him up to do it.” Of course Darce has! “Don’t tell them I told you! Darce told me that you’re warming to Theo a little.”

“I wouldn't quite put it that way. I’m agreeing to go on a date to prove a point.”

“Theo is smitten with you. He has been for the last few years. Don’t hurt him.”

“I’m not planning on hurting him, Daisy. I need to make him understand something, that’s all.”

“So you’re really going to say yes when he asks?”

“Yeah, I’ll go on one date with Theo.”

Once Daisy left me, I noticed that Theo was watching me from the display stand that he was tidying up. The guy looked pale, like he might throw up. How could he be nervous when he already knew that I was going to say yes.

“Hi, Alora,” he finally greeted me, walking over to the cashier’s desk. “I...So...I...umm...What are your plans next week?”

“Other than working here for six days?” I frowned, wishing he'd get on with it.

“Oh, I...I...meant after work. I...I...was...”

“Theo, if you’re trying to ask me out, fucking get on with it!” This was difficult to watch.

“I mean...would...you want to go out with me one night next week? I know it’s a week before Christmas, but we could have a walk around the stalls and stuff in Central Park after work.”

“Yes.”

“ Yes? ” Theo swallowed hard. “As in, yes , you’ll go on a date with me ?”

“Yes! You get one date, Theo. After that, your obsession with me has to end, okay?”

“It’s going to be the best date! How about Thursday?”

“Okay.” I forced a smile, looking at the hopefulness in his eyes.

Oh, Darce, what have you gotten me into?