Frailty: The Darkshine(65)

She still couldn’t believe Lizzy had killed Lucie. Helina worried that it had affected her sister, even though she appeared all right in front of her. Lizelle seemed so different, so strong and confident. It was a vast difference from the shy and timid Lizzy Helina knew.

Today Helina was to meet with Gaijryc’s mother and father—the king and queen of the DarkShine. To say she was nervous was an understatement. She really didn’t know what was going to happen today, but Gaijryc had assured her that presenting her to them was the first step in securing their future together. Helina just wanted to have a long and happy life with him and be able to see Lizzy. She wanted both close.

Her door opened and she stood up. Her heart pounded hard against her ribs as she stared at Gaijryc. Even though she was so nervous, so fearful of today, Helina couldn’t help the joy and love that filled her at seeing him. He held his arms open and she didn’t hesitate to run into them, to let all of his love for him wash through her.

“I can smell how frightened you are. Please don’t be.” He pulled back and lifted her chin up with his finger, a smile on his full lips as he brought them down and kissed her gently.

They held hands, their fingers linking together as he led her out of the room and down the grand staircase. It was as if she was on autopilot, her body following his lead but her mind not fully catching up. By the time her brain finally caught up, they were standing at the entrance of the ballroom, chairs lined up on either side of the wall, bodies filling each and every one of them. She spotted Lizzy sitting next to Ryce, a wide smile on her face and somehow giving her a little bit more courage. They stopped in front of the stage. The king and queen were seated in extravagant thrones, both of Gaijryc’s brothers framing them.

“You have called for a presentation, my son?”

The queen’s voice held no emotion as she stared at Gaijryc, not once looking in Helina’s direction. Gaijryc said it was forbidden to turn a human into a DarkShine. To even mate one could be considered a crime. He took a step forward, his hand still linked with hers.

“I have. I want to present Helina Alges, the female I have chosen to mate, the female who I want to be the mother of my children.”

Helina expected gasps and curses from the people surrounding them, but everyone stayed silent, which in itself was scarier than anything they could have said. She looked at Lizzy again, her smile still there as she gave silent encouragement.

“If my memory serves me correctly, is this not the human female that had made a spectacle at the ball?” Castalia turned her stare at Helina, the first time since she had entered the room. Helina straightened her shoulders and stared right back at her, wanting to appear unaffected by what was transpiring.

“I am surprised with you, Gaijryc. Do you not recall the old ways? The rules our kind has lived by for thousands of years?”

“Yes, I remember them clearly, but as you can clearly see, Helina is no longer a human. She is one of us. In regards to the forbidden aspect of all of this, she was killed by a DarkShine, and therefore no longer a human once I changed her.”

Startled, Helina looked up at him and wondered if there were loopholes to their rules, because if there was, then had they just found one?

“I love her and want her to rule our kind beside me. If you choose not to accept her then I will be forced to leave and spend our life elsewhere.”

That comment made people gasp and had his mother’s eyes narrowing in anger. Helina could easily smell how much the queen hated what she was hearing. Under all that, Helina could smell a hint of defeat. Helina looked at the king, who had sat in silence. He stared Helina with confusion etched into his features. She turned back and looked at the queen, her face now a pretty shade of red as she gripped the arm rest of her chair.

“Well, it seems as if you have found a way out of this, Gaijryc. Is this what you truly want?” The king spoke as he stood, walking down the stage and standing in front of them. He looked between the two of them, a smile on his face, acceptance pouring out of him. Gaijryc nodded and pulled Helina forward.

“Rise, Castalia, and greet your new daughter.”

Helina watched as she rose, a little bit of fear still inside of her as she made her way down the stage and stood in front of them. She wasn’t much bigger than Helina, but she could detect the underlying power the queen held. The air was thick as they stared at each other, but Helina refused to back down. Eventually the queen blew out a frustrated breath and lifted her nose up.

“I congratulate you on your pick, my son. Welcome, Helina Alges, to the royal family.” Queen Catalia spoke to Gaijryc directly and gave him a hug. She spared Helina a glance and small smile, but that was the extent of it.