Page 1 of The Light Falls
CHAPTERONE
MERI
Doubt and fear creep into the silence to press against me, their wicked mouths whispering the cruel truth of my inadequacy for this role.Pretender.Imposter. The words hit home. Solandis should be standing here. As Princess of the Light Fae, she grew up in this world. It’s hers by birthright. Too bad she doesn’t want it.
A harsh laugh escapes. Technically, I wasn’t even born. A sadistic sorceress seeking revenge created me out of essence and the darkest of magics. Yet here I stand instead of my aunt, the princess, all because I am her sister Nyssa’s “daughter.” Fate has a nasty sense of humor.
Without the chatter of others, the negative voices in my head grow louder every minute I’m alone. My neck becomes clammy. Desperate to escape, I cross the bedroom to the mirror, hoping the image I saw earlier will silence my insecurities.
The reflection wears my features, but not the ones I’m used to seeing. Magic has transformed average into stylish perfection. Familiar platinum hair falls perfectly and softly around my face and down my back while turquoise eyes, framed by impossibly long dark lashes, sparkle and look almost otherworldly. A wry smile twists my mouth. Too bad the glamour can’t hide the fear and uncertainty swirling in their depths.
Maybe this dress will draw their eyes away from the emotional chaos bubbling beneath the surface. It’s certainly a statement in itself. Custom made by the royal seamstress, my coronation gown is a masterpiece of Fae magic and talent. The plunging strapless neckline and semi-sheer bodice skims my body in a way that defies gravity until it meets the full skirt at my waist. Made of a beautiful champagne-gold silk, the voluminous fabric is heavily embroidered with platinum roses, the exact shade of my hair, that bloom when faery light shines on them. It should be heavy, but magic has made it so airy and light, it feels like I’m not wearing anything at all. The true wow factor, though, is the matching cape with its over-the-top poofy half-sleeves and billowing fabric that cascades behind me as if a gentle breeze is moving through its folds.
The woman in the mirror looks like a queen, but she is a beautiful fraud. A nobody playing dress up. All my life, I lived in the Underworld with very little power to call my own. Yet here I am, full of magic, in the Light Fae Kingdom, about to accept the crown and vow to be their queen. This is a fairytale dream, right? Why does it feel like it’s not? Panic engulfs me, and my trembling hands clench the delicate fabric.
“Scared?” a sarcastic voice mocks, then Cormal appears beside me in the mirror, looking devastatingly handsome as usual. His tall, dark frame the perfect complement to my petite fairness. A fairytale couple like Cinderella and her prince, except neither of us could convincingly play the role.
The scent of his masculinity, along with a hint of the Underworld, fills the air, making me ache… for him and my home. One sniff and a familiar longing fills me, sliding low, until I’m craving the unattainable. Unfortunately, it’s been like this since the moment we met, but it’s one-sided and pointless, and I’m so tired of it.
Angry, I grind my teeth and glare at him. “Nobody invited you.”
Bright blue eyes sweep down my dress before returning to stare at me in challenge. His mouth quirks up. “Admit it. You missed me.”
Looking away from eyes that see too much, I shift my attention to the formal suit he’s wearing and raise an eyebrow. Custom made, the black tailcoat jacket, embroidered with the same platinum pattern of my dress on the chest and sleeves, falls elegantly from his broad shoulders to his knees. The full-bloom roses should look ultra-feminine, but if anything, they only emphasize his masculinity. As does the all-black ensemble underneath. A seemingly effortless look, but everything Cormal does is intentional.
My gaze lingers on the pattern sewn into his clothes and a part of me is thrilled he went to so much trouble to match my dress. But I can’t help but wonder why? Ever since I stabbed him with the knife and told him to get out of my life, he’s been unpredictable and moody. Almost like he cares.
Damn him.The thought just pisses me off.
I return my gaze to the mirror and give him my most haughty look. “Outsiders are not allowed to attend the coronation ceremony. Don’t you have a criminal kingdom to run?” With now-steady hands, I smooth the tiny wrinkles I’d made in the delicate skirt.
The air between us is thick with unspoken words and needs that never get fulfilled. We stand so close, yet we’ve never been further apart. I pause. The thought is terrifying. Maybe this is the beginning of the end. The point in time when I save myself instead of wishing he would step up and do it.
His voice is raspy when he finally replies. “Rules rarely apply to me.”
True. He sets his own rules. I’d ask how he got in here, but I’ve yet to discover a place he couldn’t enter.
“What do you want?”
The smallest of smirks appears. “It isn’t what I want. I’m here to help you—escape, of course. I figured you would lose your resolve… right about now.” He turns toward me. “I don’t think you have time to change, but honestly, I quite like this look on you. Beautiful. Sophisticated. Almost a queen.” A blunt finger glides across the tops of my breasts, making me inhale sharply. “Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to get your things later.”
For a split second, hurt blooms, stealing my breath, but blinding fury soon eclipses it. My magic flares in response, and I jab a finger into his chest. “All my life I’ve looked for you to save me, but not anymore. I have my own magic now, and once I’m queen, I’ll have true power.” Sparks fly from the tip, piercing his skin, and his mouth twists in a wince. “Now, get out of my way so I can go get my crown.”
A gleam appears in his eyes as he tilts his head in consideration. After a second, he extends his elbow. “Allow me to escort you.”
I stare at the muscular, elegantly clad arm. Even angry, I’m tempted to take it and draw on his strength, but I can’t. I won’t.
Gathering up my dress, I sweep past him and stride into the hall, only to stop abruptly when I see it’s empty. The guards Solandis tasked with escorting me to the coronation are gone.
Furious, I pivot to face Cormal. “Where are the guards?”
He steps to my side and smoothly places my hand in the crook of his arm. “I dismissed them.” Without waiting for my consent, he moves forward.
The hall is a blur of white marble and delicate gold accents as we walk. Confusion joins my anger. I’m never standing on solid ground with him.
Does he believe I can do this or not?
I heave a disgusted sigh. This habit of examining his every word and expression will be tough to break. All my life I’ve looked to him for… everything. Approval, security, confidence, and even love. No more. Determined to move on, I take a step away from him.
