Daughter of Alvar (Redemption Saga, Book 2)

Chapter 16

Rift's mother is the Sorceress, which means I officially have terrible taste in men. Still, I can't help but believe there is something genuinely good residing in Rift.

"My father said a mage created a weapon that can kill me," I say, unsure of myself after the words fall out.

"That title would suggest I actively worked to acquire my magical abilities, but I suppose 'mage' would be what people might call me," Rift says thoughtfully, "As for knowing how to create a weapon capable of killing you? Sorry, I haven't figured it out yet. Far as I know, my mother doesn't have such a weapon either. She's not powerful enough to do it. Her power is quite diminished from what it once was."

"I didn't know she could have children," I say. "I didn't even realize she was human enough to do that."

"Ah, a common misconception about magical beings. But think of it like this, your father was able to create children, and he is magical. Now I was the first one she had that she didn't eat," Rift says darkly.

My eyes widen, and my gut wrenches at the thought. "Wha--why?"

"She kept having normal children until me. I was born with dark magic innate to my essence, so she kept me."

I'm struck speechless. What a woman to be raised by! Why am I still here knowing what I know? I'm not taking my beast form and tearing Rift to pieces or calling in an army to hunt him down so he'll spill everything he knows about the Sorceress. Compassion for his situation is all I feel, and silence settles between us. I walk over and sit down next to Rift on the rocks again. Instinctively I rest my head on his shoulder. Mmm... how can something that feels so good be so bad?

"I should probably get back," I whisper.

Rift's gaze rests on me, and he kisses the top of my head. "Don't go yet."

"Are you a bad person?" I ask.

"Yes, I was born to cause chaos," Rift states without hesitation.

"I don't believe it."

"And you are entitled to your beliefs," Rift whispers playfully back at me.

I lift my head from his shoulder and lean forward, studying his face. I search for the darkness he speaks of. While I had no trouble noticing that darkness while he was torturing Hassan, I cannot see it now.

"Evil has a handsome face," I tell him before my lips find his. Rift returns my kiss, and my body responds to the heady sensation of it with tendrils of adrenaline and arousal.

My inner beast stirs to life.

Mate, she purrs.

I part from Rift quickly at that thought.

What the--? My inner beast needs a reality check!

"I'm sorry," my voice is husky.

"I'm not," Rift murmurs. "I'd do it again and again."

"Rift, you and I can't be," I stutter. Getting up and away from him. "This isn't right."

"If it's so wrong, then why don't you just go?" Rift states. He rises from his seat. "But know this... I'm pretty sure you want some wrong in your life, or you'd have left as soon as you'd learned my mother is your family's greatest enemy."

"I have to get back to my brother. His betrothed arrived and--"

"Then what are you waiting for?" Rift says, shrugging. "Oh, and Princess, I'm going to need my shirt back."

"Cad," I snort. I turn around, so my wings cover my backside. I slip it over my shoulders and toss it to him.

"Look what you did? It landed in the water," Rift says innocently. "You'd better turn around and help me fish it out."

"Goodbye, Rift." My body shudders back into its beast form and takes off from the pool.

I realize, aside from everything I learned about Rift, there could also be unpleasant repercussions for what happened with Maybelle. Stress looms over me like a dark cloud.

"Stress will be your enemy," Father always said, "Do not let it gain a foothold. If things seem overwhelming, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and visualize something that brings you peace."

As soon as I land on the roof above my quarters, I close my eyes and breathe deeply. I rack my mind for something that brings me peace.

Okay, Mother, my brother and I playing as children, Elle and I sharing giggling secrets, dancing with Rift, cards with Rift... and then all I can think of is the kiss Rift and I shared, and then my beast telling me, Mate.

That definitely won't work! Change the thought subject.

But my monster's body surprises me by releasing me to my human form.

I hurry through my window and pick some clothes out to wear for meeting Princess Sylvia.

I wear a black dress, which covers my wings. I then slip on twin black steel bracelets and a crown made of black crystals.

I'm tired of pretending I'm not a freak, I muse. I can't help a smile as I wonder if Rift might be influencing me after all.

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