The Amber Shift

Thirty-Two

Noelle

I meant what I said to Asher; I would take his input into consideration, but I want to hear the rest of the guys' opinions, especially Elijah's. But I wouldn't dare say that to Asher. Not after the two butted heads and Asher had confessed his love for me.

Love. It was a shock to say the least, and I have no idea what I'm going to do about it, but the issue of my father is more pressing, so I push Asher to the back of my mind as we trudge back toward the shore, the cold waves hitting our shins.

Asher takes my hand as we approach our friends, and when Elijah's gaze lands on us, I drop Asher's hand and plop down on my towel. My heart is so split right now, and I have so many things I want to say to Elijah, but now isn't the time. So I look up at Corbin and say, "Asher told me."

Corbin almost looks relieved that he doesn't have to break the news, his breath making his lips rattle. He sits down next to me and takes my hand in his. I squeeze his to assure him that I'm all right.

"So, what do you think, Noelle? Do you want to see him?"

I swallow and glance at Elijah, who is watching me intently, like my words are the most important, most weighted thing he'll hear all day.

"I don't know," I admit. "I'm scared to meet him, but I wonder if I should let it happen on my own terms rather than being forced to do it his way."

"I won't make you do anything you don't want to," Corbin says.

I believe my uncle. Until he learned of my power, he had never forced me to do something I didn't want to do. He was the one who talked my mother into letting me ride my first roller coaster and took me skiing on the expert slope the moment I told him I was ready. Corbin gave me a safe place to grow and take on challenges when I felt I was prepared. That wouldn't change now.

I flash him a weak smile. "I know you won't, but he will. You can't deny the king."

"But I would for you."

"What if it's a trap?" Elijah asks, pacing the sand. "We know how Dante's mind works when it comes to humans. He won't take it well when he learns his power was passed down to his half-human daughter."

My eyes snap up to Elijah. "What difference does that make?"

He sits down next to me on my towel and rests his elbows on his bent knees. "Dante is a complete bigot when it comes to humans. He thinks they're all useless, low-class, and dirty-blooded." He leans toward me and pushes a loose piece of hair out of my face. "He's clearly never met you." My heart skips as I inhale a sharp breath. "But when he finds out who you really are, he's going to go out of his way to hurt you. He won't allow his kingdom to be handed over to anyone with human blood. But the Goddess chose you as his heir."

I am appalled by my father's view of humans. Hasn't he benefited from them? Doesn't he move in and out of their circles, pretending to be one of them? The men around me do, or we wouldn't be at the beach today. It would be strange to show up with five massive dogs.

"But he fucked my mother and knocked her up. I guess he doesn't consider us that dirty," I say, not bothering to hide my contempt.

"He viewed her as something taboo—a plaything." Corbin says. "It is rare that humans are brought into our world, but Liz's mother, your grandmother, was an exception. Our mother had an eye for fine, tailored clothing, and your grandmother was a phenomenal seamstress. My mother commissioned her for decades to make her dresses. Liz became a fixture around our home. She and I became close friends, and Dante enjoyed the way she fawned over him. It only took one time. The night he took her virginity, she ended up pregnant with you. I knew if my parents and Dante found out, they would force your mother to abort the pregnancy. She wanted you, so I found a way to keep you both safe."