Crescent (Old Version)

+ Part 10 +

"I can't say I'm surprised to find you here."

I knew his voice before I even opened my eyes, but that alone jolted me awake. I lifted my head from where it had fallen on the table and stood from the spot I'd been drooling. I now found Moira gone and the kitchen was full of staff on their own war path to make breakfast. There was indeed more than just magic behind the food that appeared at snap of his finger.

Ceth grinned as I stared at him half-asleep.

At least he's fully clothed again.

He held out a hand toward me, and I stood without taking it. "Come. This is no place for a lady."

I was awake enough to at least retort to that. "If I accept your preposition, that is."

Those green eyes flashed darkly, but his hand didn't drop. "Yes... More on that later. Join me for breakfast."

I begrudgingly took his hand and he whisked us away from the smell of deliciously buttered breads to what I recognized as the third-floor library. The pungent smell of iron lingered behind. My stomach fell out from under me and I stook a step to steady myself.

A lavish setting was spread out across the table overlooking the snowy mountainside and two plush seats sat at either side of it for us. Steaming tea in cups and saucers, finger biscuits with jam, and sandwiches with delicate meats decorated our plates, and I was famished enough that I sat immediately to eat.

He snapped, the chair pulling out for him on a magical whim, and he sat. "It's like I don't feed you enough," he chuckled as I scarfed down a few scones, and I tried not to glare at him as he casually leaned back in his chair and toyed with a thick chain necklace round his neck.

I was famished. I didn't give a shit if it bothered him- only that I knew he wouldn't continue with whatever it was that he brought me here for.

I slowed nonetheless as he yanked a book up from the tower of volumes at the table next to his spot and lazily flipped through it.

"As for your family," he started, piquing my interest. He tossed the book somewhere behind him, and it landed with a thud. My back straightened, my food dropping to my plate. "I've given you some time to think it over. And, I believe you requested proof."

My heart jumped. He continued and pulled a metal object from the inside of his coat. A phone, I realized. It seemed so out of place here. In fact, it was the first thing that relatively even reminded me of being back home- the human realms.

He pressed a button and a call rang out over the line. He said to me, "When you chose to accept my offer, there will be a lot more of this." He spoke into the phone: "Send it now."

The person on the line promptly hung up. His phone dinged as he held it up to me. And, there they were: My mom, Dad, and sweet Rosie in what looked like any old doctor's office. Rosie was a giant in my mother's arms, and she was rocking her. My father stood with his back to them, pacing back in forth, in and out of the frame of the camera. They were talking, but whatever camera was watching them must not have had a microphone. It was silent, but they were safe.

Safe. Whatever little that word meant, they didn't look hurt. My voice felt caught in my throat as I saw them.

I heard Moira's voice in my head as I felt my control slacken: "If they see you at your worst, they'll never let it go."

I took a deep breath, composed myself, my eyes never leaving the screen. "I know it's pointless to ask you where they are. But, I need to know what I'm getting into."

He gave a cocky smile as the screen went dark, and he tucked the phone back into one of his pockets as I watched him. Ceth sniffed his cup and sipped his tea slowly. "It's simple really. Be my lady until the Embassy Gala. Play by my rules, sell the act for my guests and... you'll see your family again. Alive and in the flesh."

"What happens at the gala? Why until then?"

Another sip of from his cup and it clanged as he set it back on its saucer. "After the gala, I won't need you for appearances. The Embassy Ball is the most important event in the six realms. I would be a fool not to have a lady by my side until then."

My hands clenched and unclenched in my lap uneasily as I considered.

It wasn't much of a choice. Play by his rules and I get to see my family again. Deny him, and I wouldn't be alive to find out where they even were. "Nine months is a long time. What am I supposed to do until then?"

"Well..." Ceth rubbed his chin, the ring on his finger flashing in the light as he looked out over the snowy terrain. "Your upbringing is an issue. You will spend the months leading up until the gala learning our customs and traditions. You'll learn our history. Your history."

At least it would give me something to fill my time with.

"If I'm going to help you, I want them well-taken care of." I stared hard at him, all humor I may have had gone from my face. "I want them to be comfortable. Protected. I want proof of it too."

His green eyes glimmered as he crossed his hands lazily over his chest. "That can be arranged."

"I want to see them," I furthered. "I need-"

"Don't push your luck, love. After your latest attempt... I may need you, but you don't have that much leverage."

I bit my tongue because I knew he was right. I had no leverage. Nothing of value really. "Comfortable, protected. I want them safe, Ceth."

He leaned toward me, resting his arms against the table as he met my eyes directly. I caught a strong scent of pine wafting from his tunic. "Not so much as a hair on their little heads will be out of place."

I knew, somehow, I'd come to regret this decision entirely. Something told me, as I reached across the table and shook his hand, that Ceth Shawcross was not a man to be trifled with.

His canines sharpened and gleamed as he stood, tugging me upwards by my hand that was still locked in his. "Wonderful. We'll announce it to the court at my name day party." He went to kiss my hand, brushing his lips across my knuckles. "I'm sure Moira could use help planning the event until then."

Right. Time was all starting to blur together. But, I had other questions for him. I started- and he didn't look opposed to listening: "About the woods yesterday."

He cleared his throat, dropped my hand, and adjusted the lapels of his coat. "Yes, I realize that was probably pretty unsettling for you."

Of all the things that had been done to my family and me so far.

"The bodies have been disposed of and the problem is quickly being taken care of." He stood and straightened his suit before sauntering towards the library doors. I knew that it was the only answer I was getting. "I look forward to seeing you at the party, Lady Brenna. We'll have to make that title more formal soon." He did a quick mocking bow and then mist carried him into oblivion.

A stack of parchment fluttered down on a phantom wind and plopped into the seat he'd previously been in. Ribbon and stationary replaced breakfast on the coffee table, and a black feathered quill with a full inkwell appeared by my hand. Moira would probably be up soon, but I took a look at everything myself.

Silver wax seals with a silver stag pressed into them already decorated envelopes and in gorgeous silver script, Lord Christian Shawcross was written across the middle of letters soon to be sent off to the neighboring estates. I hadn't realized that was his full name.

The thick stack of parchment itself had a selection of richly colored flowers and different collections of drapery and décor- all things anyone could expect at a party that looked to be as large as this one. There were probably close to three hundred invitations.

I don't know what Moira had planned. But, with Ceth's and my newfound agreement, I knew it wasn't going to be a night to forget.