Thornback Lover: A Dark Romance

An important Question

An important Question

Aribeth

Hours, and I mean hours later we leave the dress shop, and I am starving. As we exit the shop, I am taken back by such beauty that is Mr. Riley.

“Good afternoon, Mr and Misses Cree.” His eyes lock with mine and my heart races like it always does when I am near him, “Aribeth” he smiles, turning to my father, “I am heading to lunch and would like to ask your permission to take your daughter to lunch, with you accompanying of course.”

My father looks pleased as he slaps him on the shoulder, “Oh course my man. Where are you planning on partaking lunch this fine afternoon?” My father asks a little too enthusiastically.

“Le Rossignol,” Riley says comfortably. Oh, a nice French lunch with the man of my dreams. I don’t care about the damn dress anymore. I will wear rags as long as I am with him. Father and mother look impressed at the choice of venue, we don’t often eat at restaurants, well I don’t…well never do.

“That is a fine place, will you be taking your carriage, or would you care to ride in ours?” I hope he sides with us.

“I will ride along with you and your family if that is not too much to ask.” Yes!

“Never good sir! Never you are like family Charles, come join us.”

I am the first to hop in the carriage, and I now regret rushing my maids this morning. I hope I look okay. I hope Riley sits next to me, then our fingers or legs could brush against one another. So scandalous. No, I would miss staring at his lovely face, if we sat next to one other. The choices are hard, but my heart thrums in my chest waiting for him to enter and choose. When my mother climbs in she all but rolls her eyes at my giddy state and sits beside me. Okay, so I know he will be in front. I close my eyes, composing myself back into a lady.

I complete the look by elegantly folding my hands on my lap and looking ahead. Only to see my father plop down in front of me making the carriage rock. I don’t dare lose my demeanor because Charles sits beside him. Peeking at him I see him peeking back at me. His beautiful blue eyes lock with mine once more and I feel like I'm swimming in a magical lake. Smiling, I stare out the window as we ride, while he and my father speak of work while my mother sews.

Once we reach the restaurant I am bored to death from my father and Charles Riley speaking of work. The only saving grace is said, Charles. The few glances I dared steal always resulted in him glancing back. I am so glad he is taking notice of me; he never before looked at me this much. I believe it is because I am now in season. I will be presented to the king at his ball as all the eligible ladies are and I am regretting that most of all. I yearn to be with Riley only.

Once we are in the restaurant and seated, I am delighted when he sits across from me! Mother is at my side of course. I would much prefer it to be him, but I am happy to stare into the blues of his eyes and bask in his beautiful radiance.

“- to the king.” What?

I snap out of my daze and focus on the conversation at the table. Lunch is being served and I pick at it. It is something French of course.

“I will be able to handle our largest clients on my own for a while. Do you know if the position is permanent?” My father asks not even touching his food.

“I hope it is only a short appointment,” Charles says, glancing quickly at me. Oh, those eyes! That blond hair! I don’t care what they are saying, I just want to stare at him. In the mist of cutting some kind of fancy sausage, he glances at me, causing me to melt and my knife slips, in turn causing the sausage to fly out into the dining room. I freeze, eyes wide, staring into the table, not daring to look up. I can feel others around me startle in surprise.

That was not me, it could not have been me. That was most definitely not me. I tell myself repeatedly. I hear a few gasps nearby and my mother’s ever-present heavy sigh. She knows it was me. I turn to look at her apologetically and face her as irritation radiates from her. Her face remains impassive, but her aura doesn’t.

“My apologies Mother.” I bow my head in shame as I whisper. I made a fool out of myself in front of Charles, in public, nonetheless! I dare a glance at him to see his horrified face. I groan inwardly.

“I am full.” My mother saves the day at least, trying to blame the men for my ungodly action. “Less talk of work, you are wilting our female minds.” She says sternly.

Making my father laugh and Charles carry an emotion I have never seen before. I don’t know what to make of it, but his aura returns back to his normal feel. My first day out and in front of a man I have seen a million times and that I love, I make a mockery of myself.

“My apologies Miss. Cree.” Charles sweeps into smooth things over, a pleasant look back on his face. He turns to me. “Mrs. Cree, I hear you are planning to attend the king’s ball is that correct?” Oh, his voice sounds like honey!

Glancing at mother for approval to speak- she nods- I place my cutlery down and step into my lady role. I am good at this.

“Why yes Mr. Riley. My family and I are attending the kings’ ball. Do you plan on attending as well?”

“Yes, I will be there. I will make sure to ask for a dance with you then. As long as your father approves of course.”

“Of course.” I smile politely and scream inwardly. Yes, yes, yes! I would dance with you until the end of time! Until my feet fall off, forever! Did I say this was the best day earlier I mean now is the best day!

My father ruins Charles and I’s moments by opening his mouth. “Make sure to not dance with too many men at the ball. The king will be there, and you might catch his eye.” I redden, but only because he inferred – in front of my love – that I might dance with a lot of men. I care nothing for the king or any other man for that matter. He is known as the enshaedn, meaning enshadowed, king for his abilities. We know of realms that cracked into our own and over the recent years, pure breeding with close relatives is outlawed. The king I am told comes from some type of fae and vampire and something else, an elemental, I think. Only royals have that gene. Only one has ever come into this realm with his dark gift and a different elemental in another kingdom, so there is none like him.

My father is a pure human while my mother is a lower spiritual fae with no powers or abilities, however, somehow, I have the ability to read people’s aura and emotions. I can feel their desire and feel out good deals for father of course. That is why he never allowed me to leave or come out. I am a prize and the key to his success.

“We look forward to seeing you there.” My mother chimes in ever so lightly.

“That was the best lunch of my life,” I say throwing myself on my bed. I can’t wait to see him at the ball or even sooner if he stops by. I sigh blissfully, happily content with my life. What else could a woman want?

The next week flies by and the day of the king’s ball has finally arrived. My dress comes out better than I expected. I was worried I was going to be wearing a white rag! I would faint if Charles ever saw me in something like that. Faint I tell you! It is white of course but so much better! I am embarrassed I didn’t pay more attention at the seamstress’.

Now I am standing in awe at the beauty of it. It has an over-the-shoulder neckline exposing my collar bones. There are a few layers of tolly, making it puff out, giving me more shape.

“It looks lovely!” I beam at my lady’s maid, Bridget.

“That is because it is.” She chuckles.

“You look beautiful,” my mother says passingly. She is already dressed in a fine deep blue dress with long sleeves. Her dress also has tully overlaid, providing her shape for her skirt. She is wearing a beautiful necklace with a blue sapphire stone matching her dress. I am jealous. She will not allow me to wear jewelry tonight.

She is intent on making me look plain. Well not so plain, this dress has a simple beauty all to its own, but nothing compared to today’s fashion.

“Stop staring at yourself Aribeth, it’s time we have Theia do your hair.”

“Yes, Mother,” I say, taking a careful seat. The maids work on my hair for what seems like forever, and I do not get a choice in this as well. I would complain but I know it will only get my freedom taken away. No ball, or balls forever! Unthinkable, it is a miracle I have not yet wilted away and died from my lack of social life. Therefore, I am resigned to sit here and let others fuss over me without my say in the matter. This ball I don’t care for much because it is the king’s ball. He is so creepy, from what I hear. Truth be told I have never seen the man.

My neighbor… well the neighbor’s kid says that he can disappear and reappear wherever he likes and that he is a part dark fae, there are not as many of them in our realm either, like the elementals. I know little about them, I have never read any books on them, and my father has never done business with them either. I think what makes fae and dark fae different is the presence of evil. Therefore he is evil. She told me she saw him one-time step into a shadow and disappeared into blackness and that he can steal your soul with just a look!

I sigh inwardly, the 13-year-old has a better social life than me. I am lucky that my maids tell me what’s going on outside of my gate too. They are the miracle that kept me up to date with everyone’s lives.

“Okay done,” Bridget says brightly, handing me a mirror.

I am disappointed to see no purls or precious stones in my hair, but this too is only styled. She swept my hair up into a neat knot at the back of my head. I smile tightly, not loving it but the next ball I will say something. I tell myself. The next one. My mother comes over and looks at me waiting.

“Well stand up dear.” I do so handing back the mirror to Bridget. As she securitizes my hair and overall look as I keep my eyes ahead. I don’t want to see her face if she dislikes something. “Good. You look lovely, Aribeth.” I smile politely as a lady should, not showing my teeth, never showing my teeth. My mother says that showing one teeth in an invitation to – I stop my thoughts. I know what, my mother hasn’t told me, but I have seen the thoughts of men and they sometimes scream it at women with images or descriptions. Not Charles, never him. He is always respectful, and his aura only speaks of worry. That is why he is such a great partner for my father, his worry makes him cautious, and because I can see things, my father has become overconfident and sometimes thinks he can too. Charles keeps him in check.

Charles has saved him from some bad deals in the past. Now he tends to rely on me more and more. I have met every merchant there is and I don’t know how many captains from helping my father.

As we load into our carriage my maid stays behind. She gives me a sorrowful look and whispers good luck. I wish she could come; I will be alone there with my parents. Oh, wait Charles will be there and I am to dance with him. I let myself daydream as we ride on into the setting sun.