Frailty: The Darkshine (17 page)

“What is happening with Gaijryc?” In her heart she didn’t want to hear what Ryce was going to tell her about him, but she knew she needed to know. Maybe it was for the best—maybe she truly didn’t belong in this new world, in a world where humans were cattle, playthings. “Maybe it’s for the best.” She looked into Ryce’s eyes. He shook his head and stood, holding his hand out to her. Glancing down at her, Helina stared at it for several suspended moments before finally placing her much smaller one into his.

“I know you don’t mean that, Helina. I can look into your face and see how much you love him, how you would do anything for him. I’m not wrong, am I?”

Wrapping her arms around herself, she thought about what he’d said. It was true, everything he said was true. Nodding, she kept her face averted as she thought about Gaijryc. She would do anything for him, do anything to keep what they had alive.

“A ball is being held for him tonight. It is a celebration that is meant for a mating, for Gaijryc to find a female to rule by his side.”

She stared at him in shock. “What? Was I nothing to him?”

Ryce shook his head, his expression serious. “It isn’t like that, Helina. He is doing this to protect you.”

“Protect me? I don’t see how you can even say that. Please, just leave.” She didn’t know how she even had the courage to tell a vampire, a creature double her size, that he needed to go. His hand landed on her shoulder and she swallowed, her courage starting to falter. His grip was gentle yet firm as he turned her around.

“He loves you, Helina. Your life was threatened and the only way he could safely protect you was to mate with Iena.”

“We could run away together. We could—”

Ryce shook his head before she even finished her sentence. “They will find you. Maybe not away, but eventually they will.” He lowered his head and lowered his hand from her shoulder. “It is forbidden to mate a human. Gaijryc is the high ranking prince and he is expected to mate a female of our kind, a female of a high ranking.”

“Because I’m a human I can’t be with one of your kind?”

“No. You can be with my kind, but not mate with them. You can be a pet.”

“A pet?” She spoke softly as she looked into his face. His jaw was clenched tightly and she could tell he touched a chord in him.

“Listen, he needs you. He needs you to show him what he’ll be losing. Only you can save what is left inside of him.”

They were both quiet for a long time, the clock on the wall ticking by the minutes as she thought about what Ryce had said. “What should I do?” She knew that she would do anything to keep Gaijryc, even if that meant standing before a whole ball full of vampires and profess her love to him. Ryce smiled, his face instantly brightening before her. He walked toward the front door, opened it, and bent down to pick up a large box from the porch. He walked back toward her, the big smile still on his face. He set the box on the counter and gestured for her to come over. She walked toward him at the same time he opened the box. When she looked inside she gasped at the dress that was inside. For the first time since her life had been destroyed by the world around her, she felt like maybe things would be okay. It didn’t have to do with the things Gaijryc gave her, but of this man letting her live her life again.

The Ball

G
aijryc looked at
himself in the mirror, the image staring back at him a humorless joke. The pressed white shirt under the equally pressed tuxedo looked wrong on him. His platinum cufflinks shone under the bright lights of his office, his black shoes equally shining under their beam. His collar seemed too tight on his neck, his airway constricted from the fabric and suffocating him. He heard a light tap on his door but didn’t bother going toward it. He knew who it was even before he saw who was on the other side. The door slowly opened and he could see his mother’s reflection in the mirror. She walked up behind him, her white silk gown moving fluidly across her body. Her pale hair was pinned up, no strand falling from the diamond clips that held them in place.

“You look stunning, Gaijryc.”

Her words were like ice across his skin, her blue eyes staring at his reflection as she picked off invisible lint from his tux.

“Do you have anyone in particular that you might like to mate, my son?”

He stared over her shoulder, not wanting to make eye contact with her. He had a feeling she already knew who he was going to pick, that she had already spoken with Iena. It was clear she didn’t know about Helina, though.

“No, Mother. I must see the females’ talents, study each one and pick one that will benefit our kind. I have to see who will make a superior queen as well as the mother of my children.” Gaijryc kept his answer as clinical as possible. His mother smiled coolly, her eyes drilling into him with precision.

“Hmm…Good answer, child. I shall see you downstairs. Don’t keep your guests waiting.”

He didn’t reply, just watched her reflection leave the room, her dress following her like a snake slithering through the dessert. The door shut with a light click, and his jaw clenched, his fists bunching tight. He dreaded going down there, had actually been so tempted to just leave and go to Helina. He was tempted to take her someplace safe, spend the rest of his days with her, just the two of them. Then he thought about what his kind would do to her, what his own mother would do to her. His stomach turned just thinking about it, the images in his mind making him sick.

He picked up the black satin mask off the small end table and placed it over his eyes. He looked at his reflection in the mirror one last time, sickened by the visage that stared back at him. He turned off the light and stood there in the dark, the shadows wrapping around him like the fabric of his tux. He closed his eyes, the image of Helina flashing through his brain.

He opened the door, stepped into the marbled hallway, and made his way toward the spiraling staircase. He stopped at the top, his hands gripping the shined dark oak—the wood feeling cool and smooth beneath his hands. Below, the foyer was filled with mingling bodies, all elegantly dressed in their finest and decorated masks covering their eyes.

As he stood at the top, he could see Iena slinking her way across the floor, her white chiffon dress flowing as if the wind blew lightly around her. Her hair was tumbling down her back, the red locks looking like flames of fire ready to burn his life to the ground. He griped the banister tighter, feeling the wood crush beneath his hands. He took a deep breath and made his way down the carpeted staircase, every male and female turning toward him. Their heads dipped down once he reached the bottom, before rising again and watching him. He inclined his head and made his way into the main ballroom, dreading the rest of the night to come.

He walked through the large entryway, the room decorated like an emperor’s home. Black silk adorned the walls, silver veins snaking up the fabric as if they were climbing the wall. The chandelier glowed brightly in the center of the filled room. The bodies beneath spoke softly, their masks covering their identity and hiding who and what they really were. Round tables were placed along the walls, black cloth covering them, crystal goblets atop the velvet. Silver pillar candles encased in cylinder glass globes sat in the center of each table. Most of the seats were filled, bodies intertwined with each other as their mouths and tongues roamed over any exposed flesh.

Each DarkShine held a champagne flute, red liquid bubbling inside. It was a mixture of champagne and blood, a drink they called Bluesha. Human servants moved around the room, silver platters in their hands filled with flutes and beluga caviar. The sea of bodies parted for him as he walked toward the podium. He walked onto the stage and over toward the five high-back chairs that were situated in the center.

“My lord, would you care for a glass?” Lucie held a glass out to him, her small voice rising over the others.

He smiled and took the glass from her. He downed half of it in the first swallow, trying to numb the pain that was pounding through his body. All his thoughts were on Helina. He finished the drink and set the glass back on her silver platter, taking a full one to replace the empty one. He downed that glass in one swallow, his intention to get good and plastered tonight. There was no way he was going to choose a female to mate with, a female he had no desire for while he was sober. Lucie stared at him with a look he couldn’t quite distinguish. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, needing another drink desperately.

“Are you all right, my lord? You seem…detached.”

“I’m fine, Lucie, just tired.” She smiled up at him, her features like a child, soft and innocent. She wore a simple dress, the plain white material falling around her and making her seem even more childlike.

He walked to the podium and sat in his chair beside his father. He was the last to arrive, his mother scowling at him, his brothers smirking. He sat, staring with empty eyes, watching the guests dance fluidly across the marble floor. He couldn’t recognize anyone since their masks hid the part of them that showed their souls… their eyes. He could tell that some of the guests had to be students from
Sagewood
, their actions more outgoing, their voices rising above the rest. Nobody’s glass was ever empty, the servants keeping the Bluesha flowing freely. Human pets clung to their masters, their bodies wrapped in the finest of fabrics, their limbs decorated with the most precious of jewels.

He heard a soft clicking noise and turned his head toward the noise. His mother held a thin crystal wand and was tapping it against the armrest of her throne. All activity in the ballroom stopped and all eyes turned towards them. The queen stood and smiled at her minions.

“I want to thank all of you for attending this joyous occasion for my dearest first born, Gaijryc. As you all may know, the high ranking prince has yet to choose a female to mate. Many of you have made your desire to be in the running very clear, but as you all know, the females that were chosen are of the highest position of the DarkShine society. Very shortly, those particular females will present us with their skills and attributes, and Gaijryc will choose which female will be your future queen.”

Gaijryc watched as his mother dismissed her audience and took her seat next to his father. The guests parted and the main doors opened wide. Gaijryc grabbed another glass that was offered and quietly told the servant to bring him a bottle of Crown. The servant looked at him, startled, his mouth opening and closing twice before he nodded and left.

A servant walked in and bowed at the waist. “Your royal highnesses, ladies and gentleman, may I please present the females chosen for the mating selection ceremony.” The servant stepped to the side and held his hand out, toward the open double doors. “May I present Shoshanna, daughter of the Bruick family. Her talent is pointe.”

Gaijryc sat back and watched as an impossibly thin female walked in, her blond hair spilling down her back and moving against her hips. Her pale blue gown touched the floor and was modestly cut, no skin showing that was unnecessary. She walked up to the podium and bent slightly at the knees. She rose and met his eyes, her blue ones almost as pale as her hair.

“My lord. It is a great honor to be chosen for this event.” She smiled and turned to stand to the side, her hands clasped in front of her, her head bent slightly in the traditional submissive position.

“May I present Ezabell, daughter to the Van Bloom family and skilled in vocals.” The servant once again held his hand out toward the door, a female walking through it with impossibly huge breasts and full hips. Her auburn hair touched her shoulders and was pin straight, her black eyes seeming darker than the night. The dress she wore was as black as her eyes and barley covered her body. Her large breasts spilled over the top of the dress and her nipples stabbed through the material.

“Good evening, my lord. I want you to know I am here for whatever you desire.”

Gaijryc raised an eyebrow at her comment, knowing it wasn’t a mere dedication of her loyalty, but more of a sexual guarantee. The very idea of this female offering herself to him made him sick. How was he going to mate a female when all he wanted was a human that was forbidden to him? How was he supposed to protect her when he was forced to be with another? The thoughts raged war inside of his head, causing his head to pound in pain.

“May I present Pressiya, daughter to the Scraughbourgh family, and talented in the violin.” She walked through the door, her hair a deep red that resembled merlot. She wore a shimmering silvery gown made up of a gauzy material that was almost transparent. She bowed before him, her breasts sliding against the fabric as she lifted only her eyes and smiled at him. It was the same smile as the one before, wicked in its intent and meaning only one thing. It held no appeal to him, made him hate his mother even more for this ridicules ball. Pressiya moved in line with the other two and he wanted nothing more than this nightmare of a night to be over with.

“For the final female, may I present Iena, daughter to the Crystile family, and talented in the art of gymnastics.”