Jewel of Darkness by Quinn Loftis
“No, we will have a chaperone as I promised.”
She relaxed a little. “Who?”
“Who do you think happily offered?” Dalton practically growled.
Knowledge danced in her pale green eyes. “A certain high fae?”
He gave a single nod. He was only allowing Perizada to be the one to chaperone them because he knew without a doubt she had the power to keep Jewel safe, not only from enemies but from Dalton as well. It irked him, but it wasn’t something he could change so he figured he could at least use it to his advantage. Keeping Jewel safe was his highest priority and he would do whatever it took, even accept help from a fae that would kill him and never bat an eye.
“She said we could go on our date as soon as you are done eating and she will go check on the others after. Gustavo and Adam are with them so she feels they are as safe as they can be.”
Just then Peri walked into the kitchen. Speak of the devil, Dalton thought.
“Are you two love birds ready?” she asked them giving Jewel a bright smile. She didn’t glance his way. She was still angry with him and, perhaps, rightfully so.
Jewel stood and took her bowl to the sink, quickly washing it and setting it on the counter to dry. She turned to face them and returned Peri’s smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Oh, good grief,” Peri spouted. “You look as though I’m taking you to the gallows, Jewel. Surely he’s not that bad to be around. I mean, he might have fleas, and the wet dog smell can be a bit of a turn off, but surely you can put on a better front than that.”
Dalton rolled his eyes at the fae’s attempt to annoy him. Now that Jewel was here, he couldn’t care less about anything else, especially the opinion of Perizada.
Jewel leaned her hip against the counter, making no move to leave. She stared at the fae as though thinking very hard on what she wanted to say. “Did you know,” she began, “that when you get angry, your body has the same chemical response as the fight or flight urge. The adrenal glands dump adrenaline and cortisol into the body preparing your muscles for some form of physical exertion.”
“I’m going to assume you have a point in this health lesson,” Peri said dryly.
Jewel just kept going. “While those things are good for the fight or flight response, and only for limited amounts of time, they are not good things when the anger draws out the adrenal response. Staying angry can physically hurt your body. It can cause insomnia, high blood pressure, stroke, skin rashes, depression, and even heart attacks. It’s not worth the consequences.”
“While I appreciate your concern,” Peri said matter-of-factly. “All of those symptoms you just listed are already a part of my assortment of ongoing issues caused by stubborn, uncontrolled, foolish werewolves. Seeing as how there is no way in the foreseeable future that I will be rid of these parasitic hosts, being angry is the least of my concerns.” Peri clapped her hands as though that problem was solved and said, “Now, am I taking you two on a date or are we going to continue to discuss all of the things that are bad for me, which in all honesty don’t matter because I’m more likely to die at the hands of a deranged fae than from any health complications. Besides who said my species even has those kinds of health problems?”
Dalton bit back the laugh that threatened to emerge. It was clear that Jewel’s little speech had affected Peri more than she wanted to admit.
Jewel turned her eyes upon him and smiled. “Where are we headed?”
Dalton reached out his hand to her but she took a step back. He dropped the offered hand and stared at her for several seconds before motioning her to follow him.
He led her down a large hallway. When Peri had offered to be the chaperone, he’d laughed in her face. But then she’d extended an olive branch and told him that they were much better off as allies than enemies. He’d tested her by asking her to prepare something special for his little dove. The fae had agreed but had made it abundantly clear that she was helping for Jewel’s sake, not his.
When they reached the door that held his surprise, he had a moment of apprehension. What if she didn’t like it? What if she thought him silly? Dalton’s wolf snarled at him, making him feel ridiculous for being insecure. If this was what human males had to go through over and over again to find their mate, he wondered why they didn’t just remain single.
Peri cleared her throat and Dalton finally twisted the knob and pushed the door open. He stepped to the side so Jewel could walk past him and the look on her face alleviated all of his self-doubt.
Jewel stood motionless, starring in awe at the nostalgic room around her. It was reminiscent of one of the posh movie theaters from the 1940s and 50s. There was a huge screen with red velvet curtains draped around it. Plush chairs sat inclined in rows. The walls were draped in heavy gold and red fabric. Along the wall, every fifteen feet or so, the fabric was parted revealing a line of framed classic movie posters. The posters were from films long before Jewel’s era, but she recognized a few of the titles simply because of the popularity they maintained over time. There was a huge gleaming chandelier hanging proudly from the ceiling. The amount of crystals glittering against the light demanded the room’s attention. The gold chains attaching the crystals to the frame shimmered in their own right, as though fighting the crystal’s for the viewer’s attention. There was a popcorn cart at the front of the room just to the right of the screen. Red and white striped containers were stacked next to it. Next to the popcorn stand was a small Coca Cola brand coke machine bearing a metal plate above the coin slot that read “10¢.” It was marvelous. She looked over at Dalton and started to reach for him but caught herself before they could embrace. Instead, she looked up at him and said as sincerely as she could, “Thank you. I love it.”
She didn’t miss the flash of hurt when she’d stopped their near hug, but he smiled back at her words and shrugged, causing him to look boyish. “I can’t take all the credit.” He glanced toward Peri who was leaning against a wall staring at her nails looking as though she’d rather be watching paint dry than be there with them.
“You did all of this?” she asked the fae. “How?”
Peri sighed. “When will you people learn? Yes, I did it and the how is simply, I’m me. It’s not rocket science.”
“If it was, I would totally understand,” Jewel pointed out.
Peri smirked. “Humble much?”
She grinned at the fae. “Just stating the facts, like I always do.”
Jewel nearly jumped when she felt Dalton’s hand on her lower back. She whipped her head around to look at him but he ignored her response to his touch.
“Shall we?” he motioned to the seats.
They sat in the middle of the theater. Dalton growled when Peri took the seat between them.
“Cozy,” Peri cooed.
Jewel decided ignoring the jibes would be best, “So what are we watching?”
“Well, since I am stuck here, I mean, since I have the privilege of watching the two of you grow closer. Gag me. I wasn’t about to watch a movie in black and white, without sound or without a little hanky panky. Thus, we are watching Dirty Dancing. I’ve heard this is a classic.”
Jewel laughed. “I suppose to some it is considered as one. It has great music.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I was worried since the title isn’t Dirty Music. I felt certain that the soundtrack would probably suck eggs.”
“Perizada, could you please get us some popcorn,” Dalton growled.
“Sure thing.” The fae snapped her fingers and a bag of popcorn appeared in each of their laps.
Jewel heard Dalton sigh. He’d been trying to get Peri to leave them for just a minute. She leaned forward to look around their chaperone. “Have you ever seen this movie?” she asked him.
Dalton shook his head. “I’ve been a little preoccupied over the decades.”
The lights suddenly dimmed and the curtains parted. Jewel leaned back in her seat and looked up at the screen. She felt oddly excited, thou
The movie started and she was immediately drawn in. It wasn’t until the main character ‘Baby’ paid Johnny a visit that the tension in the room began to grow. As the two characters lost themselves in one another, with all the kissing and touching, it was as though Jewel was being slapped in the face. That was what she couldn’t have, not with the man she loved. As she watched Swayze’s character kiss ‘Baby’, she was reminded of kisses Dalton had given her. Her hand trembled as she reached up and touched her own lips. Jewel didn’t know how it was possible for lips to ache for one’s touch, but hers did. They ached for Dalton.
“Okay folks, the onscreen sexual tension doesn’t hold a candle to the sexual tension that I am sitting in between. And you two aren’t even breathing the same air!” Peri said looking from Dalton to Jewel. “Either do the whole bonding ceremony ― and I’m guessing since you’re human you want to get married so do that too and then boink like bunnies ― or get it under control.”
Jewel’s face was hot with embarrassment. She couldn’t even glance in Dalton’s direction. She heard Dalton whisper something to Peri but couldn’t hear the exact words over the movie. Whatever it was he’d said had Peri folding her arms across her chest and ignoring them for the rest of the movie.
When it was over Peri agreed to let them have some time alone only if they kept two seats between them. “And by two seats I mean two seats between rows,” she’d said as she was walking out. “I will pop in on you at any given moment. Please don’t make me have to have my eyeballs scrubbed.”
So there they sat, Dalton two rows below Jewel turned sideways in the seat so he could see her.
“Did you like the movie?” she asked him and tried very hard not to blush.
Dalton gave her a crooked smile. “It was,” he paused, “interesting.”
“Interesting?”
“Yeah.”
“Explain,” Jewel prompted.
“They made a movie about dancing and some people’s passion for dancing. But then they used it to justify the type of dancing that allows a man to put his hands all over his partner’s body. It’s no wonder the lead characters ended up in bed. They were practically doing the deed with their clothes on when they danced.”
“So you didn’t like it,” Jewel said slowly.
“Perhaps, it’s because I once lived in a time when it was scandalous for a woman to wear pants because they framed one of her many assets.”
Jewel’s mouth dropped open which only caused Dalton to laugh. He had a great laugh, she thought. “And how do you feel about women wearing pants?”
“There is only one woman that concerns me, and when she’s with me she can wear pants or, once we’re bonded, not wear pants, all she wants.”
Jewel covered her face with her hands, unable to believe he was being so blunt with her. Then again, she had been the one to ask the questions. Why ask questions if you don’t really want the answers?
“Little Dove,” he crooned to her. “Have I scared you?”
Jewel let out a snort of laughter as she lifted her head from her hands. “No. I’m not scared ― intrigued, a little embarrassed, unsure of myself, but most of all worried that we won’t ever get to have that time.”
“Do you trust me?” he asked her his playfulness suddenly gone.
Jewel nodded without hesitation.
“Then believe me, Jewel Stone, that one day soon, you will be Jewel Black. You will be my mate, my bride, my lover, and my friend. You will have all of me. And I most certainly plan to have all of you. Don’t count us out just yet.”
“Did you know they did a study on cancer patients and those who thought positively and visualized themselves getting better had a higher survival rate?” Jewel couldn’t stop the information from spewing forth. She slapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. There you were saying something incredibly emotional, and I have to ruin it with one of my factoids.”
Dalton was grinning at her. “You didn’t ruin it. You were simply pointing out that statistically speaking, if we have a positive outlook on our relationship, we are more likely to see it come to fruition. Besides, I love your factoids.”
“Do I even want to know what that means?” Peri said as she suddenly appeared in the first row that separated them. “I see that you two are behaving. Good for you. I, myself ― after that hefty display of dancing ― did not behave when I went to see my mate.”
“Peri,” Dalton said shaking his head as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’ve seen us. We’re not touching. Can you please come back in a little while?”
Jewel knew it took a lot of control for Dalton to say please. Whatever had happened while Jewel had been gone, there was no love lost between her wolf and the high fae.
“Fine. I’m going to visit our pixie crew. I’ll be back. I’ve made sure your fingers were coated in an ultraviolet light powder so I will know if your grubby, grabby, paws have been on her.”
“How?” Jewel asked as she looked down at her seemingly clean hands.
“Popcorn,” Peri sang out the word. “Peace out, suckers.” And then she was gone.
“I think she’s a little mad,” Jewel said as her brow creased together.
“Perhaps,” Dalton agreed. “But she cares about you and the other girls. She wants to protect you and keep you safe, and that is reason enough for me to tolerate her.”
They spent the remainder of their date talking about anything and everything. Dalton had requested that they not talk about anything dealing with Volcan. “Today and tonight, we are just a guy and a girl on a date,” he told her.
And that’s exactly what it felt like as he focused his undivided attention on her.
By the time Dalton was walking Jewel to her room, night was beginning to fall in Farie. Perizada had not been back to check on them, but they’d kept their distance from one another simply talking and learning about each other. They’d eaten dinner with Sally and Costin, and afterward, while they’d just been sitting and talking with the other couple, Dalton had noticed Jewel rubbing her forehead. She’d said it was just a headache but it quickly got worse until she finally asked to be excused.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked her as they stood outside her bedroom door.
“I’ll be fine. I think I just need to sleep it off.”
Her head was down and her eyebrows were drawn together. Dalton gently placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her head until she was looking up at him. Her eyes were watery with unshed tears and the wetness against the pale green reminded him of a lake that had become a place of sanctuary for him when he was at his darkest. Though her eyes were beautiful like that, he hated to see her cry.
“What can I do?” Dalton whispered.
Jewel just gently pulled his hand from her face and gave it a pat before stepping back from him. “I will be fine, Dalton. It’s a migraine. I’ve had one before. If I can just sleep, when I wake up it will be gone.”
He stared at her, willing her to tell him what else was bothering her. Yes, she had a headache and was in pain, but there was something more his little dove wasn’t telling him. Finally, he relented. She would tell him when she was ready. Dalton leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead. He didn’t miss the way she tensed up. How he longed for the day when he could touch her and not have her cringe away nor have to worry about darkness destroying him.
“Goodnight, Jewel Stone,” he told her gently.
Her lips turned up ever so slightly. “I had fun, Dalton Black. Thank you for a great date.”
She entered her room and shut the door without looking back at him. Dalton stood there staring at the door still wondering what was going on in her mind. She’d been telling the truth when she’d said she’d had fun
She didn’t do it when she told half-truths, but when it was a full on lie, his little dove suddenly had nothing to add to the conversation.
“What are you hiding?” he whispered to the door and to himself he added, and when are you going to learn that we are team? You don’t have to do this alone.
Peri stood glaring at the veil that refused to give her entrance. She’d spent hours attempting to flash into the pixie realm, and more hours attempting to force open the veil. And after all of it, there she stood, still in the human realm, staring at the stubborn veil. She could swear it was laughing at her.
“Do you feel any dark magic from it?” Lucian asked from where he stood, leaning against a tall tree.
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “I feel nothing. That is what’s so aggravating. I feel absolutely nothing! If Volcan did this, he’s figured out a way to mask the signature his magic leaves.”
“He’s grown more powerful than we realized at a much faster pace than we thought he could,” her mate pointed out.
“Makes you feel all warm inside, doesn’t it? To have been played the fool?” Peri snapped. Her skin was crawling with all of the pent up energy filling her. She’d been calling on her own magic and each time she called it, her anger rose. It had left her a tad testy.
“He hasn’t won, beloved,” Lucian told her calmly.
“Maybe not but it sure as hell feels like he’s got more points than us. He obviously knows that the healers are in the pixie realm. What I want to know is how he found out? Who took their little pixie butt to the dark fae and spilled their little pixie guts?”