"Would you?”

The surprise in her mother's eyes hurt. Ellie blinked back tears. Had the last few days torn such a rift between them? "Of course I will." She took her mother's hand and knelt beside the bed. Devotions were the one thing Ellie had always been able to share with her mother no matter what, the times when she'd always felt her mother's love the strongest. She bent her head and closed her eyes and murmured the familiar words. "Holy Adelis, Lord of Light, shine your brightness upon me. Glorious Father, Sun of my Soul, grant me strength to stand against darkness. Adelis, Bright One, Lord of my Heart, bless me and keep me always in the Light." She gave the fanning wave of the Lord of Light.

"Blessed be," Lauriana murmured. When they rose to their feet, Lauriana had tears in her eyes, and she clasped her daughter to her in a tight hug. "I love you, kitling.”

"I love you, too, Mama. You're my beacon.”

Mama stepped back, wiping her eyes with the heels of her palms. "Go on, then," she said gruffly. "I won't follow you down. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself by turning watering pot in front of the Fey."

Rain was waiting when Ellysetta descended the stairs. He was once again dressed in magnificent black, red, and purple, with the chain of large gold disks and Tairen's Eye crystals around his neck. The six-pointed crown rested on his brow, and he looked imposing and kingly.

He was scowling.

The knot in Ellie's stomach tightened.

His gaze raked over her in one critical sweep. "You won't need that necklace tonight. Bel, bring her jewels.”

Ellie lowered her eyes to hide a sudden flare of hurt and reached behind her head to undo the clasp of her necklace. What had she expected? That he would be dazzled just because she was wearing a gorgeous dress and had done her hair?

Bel approached, carrying a silk-covered box. You are lovely, Ellysetta Baristani.’

She gave him a tremulous smile.

Beside her, Rain gave a quiet grunt, as if someone had just hit him. His scowl deepened, and he flashed a dark look at Bel. Then he returned his attention to Ellie, and warm approval touched her senses, mingled with faint apology. "You bring pride to this Fey, Ellysetta.”

She nodded, not looking at him.

She heard him draw a breath as if he were about to speak, heard him let it back out again on a sigh. "Open the box, Bel," he said.

Bel drew back the lid of the silk-covered box, and Ellysetta caught her breath in awe. Against the rich velvet lining gleamed a stunning golden tiara set with pearls and precious jewels and three large, shimmering Tairen's Eye crystals. Two equally stunning crystals adorned a pair of magnificent matching golden bracelets.

"These jewels are a gift for tonight only," Rain said. "The Tairen's Eye crystals are the sorreisu kiyr, the Soul Quest crystals, of your quintet. They requested the honor of having you wear them as we present you to Celieria as our queen.”

Ellysetta glanced around the room, meeting the shining eyes of each warrior in her quintet. "The honor is mine. Thank you all.”

She stood still as Rain settled the tiara in place and clasped the bracelets on her wrists. Her skin tingled where the jewels touched her flesh, as if the sorreisu kiyr hummed with warm, living energy. And Rain's emotions seemed clearer, sharper. She could feel his coiled tension and the sparks of anger flashing through his veins.

"Rain?" She touched his hand.

"We should go.”

"Just a moment." Sol stepped forward. "I need to kiss this pretty young woman before she leaves." Warm, loving arms wrapped around her. The familiar scent of fresh wood shavings and pipe smoke filled her nostrils. "I love you, Ellie- girl," Sol whispered.

Fresh tears sprang to Ellie's eyes. She blinked them back before anyone saw them and returned her father's hug. "I love you, too, Papa.”

"Enjoy yourself tonight.”

"I will," she lied.

A royal carriage was waiting outside. The bewigged footman standing attendance beside the carriage door helped Ellie into the vehicle. She took her seat on the blue velvet cushions, folded her hands in her lap, and stared out the far window at the throng of people surrounding her family's home. A strange, disturbing sense of darkness brushed her mind, and the hair at the back of her neck rose. Troubled, she scanned the crowd. Den Brodson's face stared back at her from a distance, his eyes filled with malevolence and thwarted desire.

Black leather moved at the corner of her eye, and Ellie turned her head to watch Rain take his seat opposite her. When she glanced back out the window, Den was gone.

"Ellysetta?" She felt Rain's concern even before she heard it in his voice. "Something frightens you?" The carriage lurched forward and began to roll through the parting crowds.

"No, I'm fine." Den was no threat to her or her family. The Fey had seen to that.

Rain's lips tightened in a faint grimace. "I did not mean to hurt your feelings a moment ago. Bel tells me I am an insensitive rultshart for not telling you how lovely you look.”

"It's all right.”

"Nei. It is not." His hands fisted, then opened with obvious effort and pressed flat against his thighs. "I do not wish to attend this dinner. I do not wish to take you there. Not"—he added quickly, holding up a hand to forestall any misunderstanding—"because I am unhappy to take you, but because I do not want to expose you to their darkness. Or my anger.”