"Yes." She replies.
Feeling the need to lighten the mood, I change the subject. "Umm...so I'm assuming you live underwater?" My question comes out a bit awkward.
Eleanor gives me a reassuring smile and pats my hand. "I know all of this is very difficult for you right now. It won't beeasy becoming a leader to those who know more of this world than you do, but don’t doubt yourself. You can do this, Arabella Grace St. James. You have the strength of the Pyralis and the wisdom of the Lux burning deep within you. All you have to do is believe."?
My smile is genuine because not only have her words given me strength but have also calmed me. "Thank you, Eleanor," I say quietly.
She nods her head. "As for your question, we do live underwater for the most part. However, we do have the capability to live on land if we so choose. Most of us prefer the water."
I sit still for a minute, trying to let that sink in. "Of course, I’ve heard of Maritime before, but I know so little about your kind. How many of you are there? Why do you prefer to live mostly underwater?"
"My tribe is twenty thousand strong. As a whole, around the world, the last number I heard pushed around had us just below a million." She slightly hesitates before she answers my next question. "Most of my kin do not trust humans. I don’t share in their ignorance."
"Why do they not trust us?" My curiosity not caring about the audacity of the question.
"It stems from an argument between our leaders many years ago. My father, the Governor, believes that given a chance, you Landers, that’s the name they call you, will destroy us all." Eleanor rolls her eyes.
I want to ask more questions, but I sense she doesn't want to divulge specific details. I'll have to gain her complete trust first. "It was probably hard being best friends with my Mama," I gently squeeze her hand.
"My tribe has long ago learned that I will not be bullied into doing what they wish of me. So, my father made me an ambassador of sorts, and now I trade information back and forth between our palaces. I believe your King is a good man, Arabella." She says with a quirk of her eyebrow.
"I'm so glad we got to finally meet. It may be months before we get the chance to see each other again. In a few weeks, I’ll be traveling to Dragoncrest City for their Trials. My new journey will soon begin." I’m not ready to say goodbye, but Merrie-Beth will alert my family any minute.
Eleanor gets up and motions for me to do the same. "The hour is late, and you must be getting back soon. Arabella, this will be a most difficult journey, but you are stronger than you think. I’ll help you along the way and protect you with my life if need be. You will discover many new friends, but remember, enemies will often wear a disguise of a friendly face, those are but wolves in sheep's clothing. Keep your heart closed, and your eyes and ears must remain alert at all times. Most of Pyralis and the Lux will fight to the death for you, but the Kori’s waters have grown dark as of late. We are not allowed to enter there anymore. Trouble is brewing, and they are a society divided, and a kingdom divided will not stand for long. Their true King was overthrown sixteen years ago, and another one now rules in his stead. His heart is cold and wicked. Do not trust him, Arabella. I will not be able to protect you there."
I embrace her with a long hug. "Thank you, Eleanor. Until we meet again." I don't know what else to say, and I turn to walk away before tears stain my cheeks again.?She puts her hand on my shoulder to stop me. As I turn, she takes something out of one of her pockets. Eleanor lifts a heart-shaped locket over to me. Trimmed in white gold, it glows in the moonlight.
"I almost forgot. You must never take this off. It is a light that will protect you in your darkest hours."?
Putting the necklace around my neck, I tuck it in my shirt.? "Thank you. It's beautiful."
?"See you soon, Arabella. I'll be watching over you. It's nice to have a piece of your mother and father back in this place. Now, I must get back to the Governor's ball." She starts walking toward the water. My face remains impassive as I watch her descend into the blue depths. It's nice to have another piece of my mother and father with me, also. As I turn around, my chin crashes into a hard, muscular chest.
Chapter 9
The Shadow Kissed
He is infuriatingly wicked.?
-Arabella
A massive set of hands gravitate to my shoulders to steady me. Lifting my head, I find the Prince of the Lux staring down with a menacing snarl that makes me shiver and back away slowly. Much like Ethan's first touch on my tawny skin, electric shockwaves spread throughout my body. The veins in my arm contract as it sizzles down, feeling like static electricity. Sparks fly from his fingers, and black fingertip marks are left on the curve of my shoulder. It feels almost violent in a way and a direct contrast to the gentle way Ethan's surged through me.
The way his jaw tightens, he clearly saw and felt the same intense shock. However, that's the only sign he gives. The prince grabs me by my arm, and with a yank, we begin our trek back toward the palace. My temper flares, because not only is he “manhandling” me, but he does this without saying a solitary word. No, hello, who are you, or kiss my ass given. Who does this jackass think he is? Being the motherfucking Chosen trumps being an asshole Prince. Pissed off me is already soundingentitled, but I’ll work on that later. "Excuse me, Prince Asshole, but I've got it from here."
Three times, I try to pull my arm out of his firm grasp, but that only makes him tighten his grip. My temper reaches the inferno setting. If Sebastian doesn't voluntarily let me go, then me stomping my size nines on his even bigger ass foot should. The prince howls in pain, and I smirk, but not before making a run for the palace. I'd bet he didn't see that coming. I'm not some child who can be dragged around. Why would he care if I'm outside of my room anyway? We are nothing to each other. My feet tread faster knowing with his long muscular legs, it won't take him long to catch up to me. The sound of my heart thumping is so loud in my ears that I can't hear anything else. My mind tries to shut out the fear threatening to radiate its ugly head. I don't know what will happen if he catches up to me. Little is known about the shadow kissed, but they aren't known for having good temperaments. That’s bound to happen when you’ve walked among the dead and lived to tell the tale.
Wariness seeps into my bones, and my body craves rest. I'm physically, emotionally, and mentally drained. Arguing with an asshat can wait for another day. Tonight, I'm still Arabella Grace St. James, an average girl from Savannah, Georgia. Tomorrow starts my new life as The Chosen, and I just don't feel like being a boss bitch right now.?
The exertion of this run is kicking my ass. Glancing behind me, I check on his location. A gasp escapes me because there is no sign of him. Where the hell did he go? Before my mind can react or even scream, a movement in my peripheral momentarily catches my attention before my feet go out from under me. This fucker has tripped me! I close my eyes as the scene plays out in slow motion, bracing myself for falling to the hard ground that never comes. The prince lifts me instead intohis muscle-filled tattooed arms. Shadowed wings flutter behind him, keeping us afloat.
My gaze wanders up into his beautiful lime green eyes, and I am tempted to forget his earlier asshole behavior. The prince looks back intently into the depths of mine, and it'll be mere seconds until I am lost. That can't happen. Before he can cast a spell on my senses, I break out of his warm embrace and fall onto my ass.
"Who do you think you are?" Recovering quickly, I poke him in his beautiful…solid, I mean, ugly solid chest.?
He stands up to his full height, towering over me. The scowl once again spreads across his handsome, scarred face. The prince says nothing, and I have to give credit where it's due, he’s intimidating.?
"Cat got your tongue, jackass?" I taunt him with a roll of my eyes.It’s infuriating when someone gives you the silent treatment. Why won't he talk to me? "You're not going to answer?" I ask.
