Page 24 of One Last Wish (The Elder World)

A s I came back to the present, I realised that the flashback felt different this time. The real me seemed to have led the vision. If I had stretched out, I might have found the dream version of my hand reaching for me. The Alora Darce loved had been in that memory. I could see the push and pull of our relationship, the stubbornness and impatience that I had to this very day.

Learning I was yet to be deflowered made me wonder if Darce had done it in the end. Was his comment earlier meant to trick me? Or was that part of the link that I hadn't worked out yet? Had us connecting that way bonded us somehow? How pure were my race if we weren't even allowed to touch ourselves? Right now, I would have rather been a Noxlin. Dylin seemed too prudish for my liking!

Having most of the day to myself, I decided to take a trip to my dad’s grave in Bridgewater. I took a bus and the subway to get there. Using my new headphones from Evelyn, I listened to some classical music on the bus while I gently twisted the pendant from Darce around my fingers subconsciously. This pendant had been from my past, and he had kept it safe for me, knowing that one day I might need its protection again. But from what? Or was it who? Was this all to do with Charna? Clearly, we had been running from something .

Deep inside, I could feel myself cracking from all the emotions that were trickling into my veins. I had never felt so fragile, as if I were made of glass and could shatter at any moment.

The journey took about an hour. As I wandered into the graveyard, I looked around, expecting to see Darce there. He must have known I needed some space, though. Visiting my father had always been a private thing.

“Hey, Dad,” I sighed, touching his gravestone. “I’m sorry it’s been so long. I should have visited you sooner.” A gust of wind swept my hair over my face. “I never was a great daughter, was I? I’m sorry I let you down so much.” I never really gave him much while he was alive—a smile here, a thank you there—but I never really told him what he had meant to me. “You would never believe me if you were still alive, but I’m not what you think I am. Honestly, hear me out, I haven’t gone crazy. I’ve met this guy . Well, he’s kind of a guy, but he can manipulate shadows. We have this weird past that I haven’t quite worked out, and well, I have my own power, too, I think. My arms and hands shine . I mean, they full-on glow . My silver hair and golden eyes might actually mean something. I’m not a freak like those boys at school used to call me. Darce...” I stopped, smiling at the thought of him and how much he had shown me in the short time I’d known him. “He thinks I’m beautiful. I feel beautiful around him. He makes me feel emotions , too. Strong ones.”

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, knowing I had to confess my heart to someone. “I’m in love with him, Dad. I have a feeling I’ve been in love with him for a long time.” Saying the words out loud felt liberating. “But I have this deep rooted fear that we’re not meant to be in love, and that’s why we’re in this position. That maybe we’ve been damned or are forbidden to be together.” A sudden gust of wind howled against my ear. Wrapping my scarf tighter around my neck, I looked out into the distance. Was that a figure on the other side of the graveyard? As quickly as I saw it, the figure disappeared. Maybe I had imagined it. “I think you’d really like him. I wish you could have met him.” I brushed the side of his grave, and whispered, “I miss you, and I love you, Dad. I always did, I simply couldn't feel it until now.” Touching my chest, I allowed all my childhood memories to fill my mind. All the adventures with my father, the books he used to read me before bedtime, the times he held me when I came home from being bullied all day. I had been truly blessed to have had a father like him. “I’ll visit you again soon. Merry Christmas.” Placing a kiss on his headstone, I made my way back to the subway. I was pleased that I had finally made the effort to pay my respects to the first man that had never given up on me.

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“H OW WAS YOUR brEAK ?” Daisy beamed from behind the cashier’s desk. She was pure sunshine now that her and Ned were officially a couple. “Did you see much of Darce?”

“We spent Christmas Day together,” I muttered, watching the door and wondering why he wasn’t at work yet. It was unlike Darce to be late.

Theo was already in and talking with Malcolm in the fantasy section. We had a lot to plan today with the fae ball only being a few weeks away. Why wasn’t Darce here yet? It wasn’t like he had an excuse to be late. The guy could shadow himself from anywhere . Frustrated, I set up the tills, hardly listening to Daisy babbling about her Christmas break. Hours went by and there was still no sign of him. I was starting to worry. Our last encounter had been really intimate with his shadows. What if something had happened to him?

“Malcolm,” I called as he walked past the cashier’s desk. “Have you heard from Darce?”

“Oh, yes. He’s come down with a nasty stomach bug and will be off for a few days.” A few days! Why hadn’t he gotten in touch?

“What’s eating you?” Theo asked after a mad rush of shoppers taking advantage of our sale prices. We’d only reduced the books by thirty percent, but it was enough that they had flocked to Bookends today. “Did you and Darce have a fight?”

“No. He didn’t tell me that he was ill, though, and I’m worried about him.”

“He’s a big boy. I’m sure he can take care of himself.” Theo was so neutral with me these days. It was refreshing not to have him watching me lovingly. Whatever spell Darce had put on him, it had worked. “Don’t sweat it. I’m sure he’ll get in touch when he can. Maybe he’s sleeping it off?”

“I hope so,” I sighed, looking towards the door again, hoping he’d appear. Darce! Where the fuck are you?

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I T HAD BEEN two days since I’d heard from Darce. Trying to plan the fae ball was hard when I was constantly worrying about him. I had no way of knowing what was going on, or if he was even still alive. It was disheartening to realise that after all this time, I knew very little about him. It didn’t matter how many times he kept telling me that I would remember in time. Right now, I felt completely out of control and hated it!

“Have you tried messaging him?” Evelyn asked at our apartment later that night.

“Countless times. The messages don’t even go through.”

“That is weird.” She sipped her white wine and tried to give me a reassuring smile. “I’m sure he’ll be back tomorrow and have the perfect reason for why he’s been MIA.”

“He better,” I sighed, feeling a crushing pain in my chest. What if he’d left? What if I wasn’t worth the fight? How would I move on after Darce? I couldn’t, I already knew the answer.

“How is the ball planning going? Do you need any help with anything?” Evelyn asked, changing the subject.

“No. I have it all under control, but thanks.” Everything was ready for the event. I couldn't believe it was only nine days away. Darce had found a wonderful string quartet for the dance. They played classics, as well as twists on modern songs. I had finally found the perfect black and gold dress yesterday at a thrift store. It was mostly black, with a long slit that showed off my entire left leg. The bodice fit me perfectly, hugging all my curves, and had a beautiful swirl of gold that sparkled under the light. Malcom had arranged most of the equipment and hired someone to decorate the space. With the author being there, Bookends had spared no expense. All four hundred tickets were sold, and Malcolm had promised me a bonus at the end of the month. I only hoped I pulled the whole thing off. If Darce wasn’t by my side, though, I’m not sure I would.

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O NCE EVELYN AND I FINISHED the bottle of wine, I was ready for bed. It had been an exhausting few days worrying about everything. What if I came into my powers while Darce was away? How would I control them? Would I suddenly remember what Darce and I were to each other? That familiar pull told me deep down the first time we met, that somehow we had been destined. For what, I had no idea, but my light and his darkness must have something to do with it. I was caught up in his web now, and I couldn’t escape even if I wanted to. I loved him. I was in love with Darce Undergrove. It was etched into my very being. Whether this human form was my real form or not, I’d take my last breath if it meant saving him. If we were cursed and I could save him, I would, just as I knew he would for me.

When I opened my bedroom door, I jumped at the sight of Darce lying on my bed. Had he been waiting for me all evening? I was with Evelyn stressing about him, and he was here the entire time! He watched me warily. I didn’t know what I wanted to do more: slap the asshole for disappearing for a few days, or launch myself at that fine body of his. As I closed the door, shadows surrounded the room.

“You can shout or scream at me, now. Evelyn won’t hear you,” Darce muttered, sitting up. “I know you’re angry with me.”

“Where the fuck have you been?” I seethed, crossing the room. “I’ve been going out of my mind .”

“I’m sorry. I had to take care of some matters. It’s nothing that concerns you, and no , I can’t tell you about it.” I didn’t believe him. Everything Darce did seemed to be about me ! “Alora, your hands.” I looked down as he spoke. My fingertips were lit up, and the brightest I’d ever seen. “If you want to lash out, go ahead. Let’s see what power you have in those fingertips.”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I whispered, reaching for his face. He gave me a broad, egotistical smile.

“I can take whatever you throw at me.” Looking at his beautiful features, it was difficult to stay angry with him. As my hand caressed his face, I noticed the light was fading on my fingertips. “Once you remember everything, I won’t have to keep secrets from you.”

“The only thing I care about is that you’re safe .” Understanding registered on his face a moment before his lips pressed softly against mine. Everything else faded away, and I was surrounded by soft, caressing darkness.

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I WOKE UP EARLY TO the feeling of Darce wrapped around me. Whatever had sent him away for a few days was playing on his mind. His need to feel me close was evident by the way his arms held me tightly against his firm body.

“You’re afraid of losing me again, aren’t you?” I whispered, knowing he was awake by the way his breath hitched.

“Fear is one word for it,” he sighed, inhaling my hair. “You are the only phobia I have, Alora. I’m fearless, except when it comes to you.”

“I feel the same way about you. You know that, right?” He stilled behind me, so I turned to face him. I traced his jawline before running my fingertips over his bottom lip. “I might not know what or who I am—Shit! I don’t even know if I’m human —but one thing I am sure of is how I feel about you. How I’ve always felt about you.” I pressed my lips against his. Darce deepened the kiss, rolling us so I was underneath him.

“In all this madness, this is the only thing that makes sense to me.” Darce began to trail kisses down my neck as his hands made quick work of the top and panties I was wearing. “I’m a slave for you, Alora. I always will be.” His tongue moved lower, flicking over my waiting nipples.

“Please...” I groaned, feeling his fingers touch my core and igniting that familiar desire within me. “Please, don’t stop. Claim me!” I’d never been so desperate to have him inside me as right now. “Darce, please!” Clawing at his back, I tried to pull him closer. I needed to find a way to make him lose control.

“Not yet, Alora,” he cooed between my breasts. “We’re getting closer, though. I can feel your binds beginning to break.” Binds? “I want to get lost in you. Can you give me that?” Of course, I’d give him anything.

“You have me, Darce. Do with me as you wish.” He gave in with a groan, and darkness surrounded us as he took me to heights I didn’t know existed.

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I BLINKED, AND IT WAS a day before the ball. I was a heaping pile of nerves, hoping all my planning had worked. Daisy, Theo and Darce had tried their best to calm me, but as panic set in, I could hardly breathe.

“Alora,” Darce took my face in his hands, “everything is going to be fine. You’re only freaking out because you care. These feelings , they are all new to you.”

“What if I’ve forgotten to do something?”

“Then we will sort it together . You’ve covered all the bases, though. You have nothing to worry about.”

There was still so much to do tomorrow. I was thankful Malcolm had agreed to close Bookends a little early to give everyone the chance to get everything ready.

“So much is resting on this for future events,” I muttered, looking around at the beautiful bookshop. “I don’t want to let anyone down.”

“Stop stressing.” Darce took my hand in his. We were alone, making our way back to my apartment. I had wondered why he hadn’t portaled us back, but now I understood. The walk was meant to calm me. “I’m looking forward to dancing with you tomorrow.”

“Oh, I can’t dance.” I snorted. “I have two left feet. Sorry to disappoint you.”

“You probably need a better lead. Dancing is an art that not many have mastered. You have to maintain a certain amount of connection, no matter the dance. There has to be trust between the lead and the follower, too.”

“Are you telling me you can dance?”

“I’ve been to a few balls in my time.”

“A low foot soldier at a ball?” Instantly, I regretted my choice of words.

“How do you...” Darce gave me an alarmed look.

“I dreamt about it a few weeks ago. I have no idea what army you served or what era the dream was, but you referred to yourself as a foot soldier.”

“Mmmm...it seems you might know more than I realised.” I studied his face. Was he amused? “What else do you know that you haven’t told me?”

“You know most of it, but I know you’re over three thousand years old, and that you are destined for a Noxlin female named Charna. The one that tried to kill me in my dream.”

“Ah...” I left Darce pretty speechless. “You already mentioned that you knew about Charna.”

“I also know I’m half your age, which would make me over fifteen hundred years old.” My arms began to glow, and within a second, Darce had transported us back to the safety of my bedroom.

“I happen to think we both look remarkably amazing for our ages.”

“I need honesty, not jokes right now. What are we?” I pleaded with his dark, universe-flecked eyes. “Am I even human ? You have no idea how exhausting it is to second guess everything. Is any of this real? Was my father even my father? Did I steal this body? Am I some dangerous God that might set about the end of the world? What. Am. I!”

“You’ve had fourteen lives in this veil. Earth Veil .” My mouth fell to the floor at the fact that Darce was opening up, telling me what he could. I knelt in front of him as he slumped on my bed, taking in every word he spoke. “The first few lives I barely checked in. It was difficult for me to watch you build a life without me. By life number six, I was constantly watching. My need for you overruled any logical thought. I convinced myself that you needed protecting. It was the worst form of persecution, though. You were untouchable. I wasn’t allowed to interfere out of fear that our enemies would discover you. Watching you love, build a life, and grow old over and over again...it was unlike any torture I had ever endured before.”

“Darce, I...I had no idea....” Tears trickled down my cheeks as I watched the pain ebb on his face. “Why would you put yourself through that?”

“Alora, I would endure a thousand lifetimes of that to keep your immortal soul safe and protected. Do you have any idea what you mean to me?”

“I’m starting to understand,” I whispered, taking his hand in mine. “What’s so different this time? Why did you show yourself to me in this life?”

“I couldn’t fight it any longer. You were becoming more isolated with each reincarnation. When you explained that your powers were manifesting, it all made sense.”

“What did?”

“You were breaking your bonds.” Darce caressed my face. “We will only have a small fraction of time once your binds break. Our enemies will sense you and...” Darce fumbled with his words, which was unlike him. “Alora, I have no idea how this will end for us.”

“Hey,” I soothed, realising Darce had done all of this to save me. Whatever we were, our races would never allow us to be together. That was why I had somehow been reincarnated into human form for the last... fourteen lifetimes. That had to be what...a thousand years at least? Had Darce been waiting for me that long? My chest ached at the pain he’d had to endure because of me. “Whatever happens, we’re in this together. I might not remember, but I know you’re endgame for me. Okay?”

“ Endgame? ” Darce huffed. “All these present day adjectives get really tiresome.”

“Hey, I’m in a twenty-four year old body with no memories from my past. I’m doing the best I can.” That got a chuckle from his beautiful lips.

“We should change the subject for a little while. I’ve probably told you more than I should.” A playful smirk crossed his face. “How about some dancing lessons?” Ugh! This was going to be embarrassing.