Hidden Hope (Hidden Saga Book 3) (4 page)

The nighttime breeze lifted my hair, providing a respite from the warm, humid evening. Actually, the temperature out on the restaurant’s covered balcony wasn’t uncomfortable—it was the man seated across the table who made me sweat.

Davis Hart reminded me of a middle-aged soap star or one of those actors who played the heroic good-dad character in a prime-time family drama. Too good to be real. Thick, brown hair framed his handsome face. Perfect white teeth gleamed against his clear, barely lined skin.

I’d seen him on the news, but up close, his Elven-ness was undeniable. More disturbing—I could see a distinct resemblance between us. Throughout my life, people had always said I looked just like my mom, though I’d never seen it. Now I knew they said it because I didn’t look at all like my dad, Michael.

“It’s absolutely delightful to meet you in person, Ryann,” Davis said. “Although your mother has told me so much about you, I feel like I’ve been present for your whole life.”

“But you haven’t,” I said sharply, compelled to point out the obvious.

Mom’s face colored at my rudeness. “Ryann,” she chided in her mind-your-manners-young-lady voice.

She looked mortified. And
tired
. I hadn’t really noticed it before now. All the back and forth trips to see Davis in Atlanta were taking their toll.

“No, I mean, no offense, but you can’t really know someone just from hearing about them,” I said.

“I couldn’t agree more.” Davis raised one eyebrow significantly. “That’s why I’m so happy we’re finally getting the chance to meet.” 

Ah. He was hinting that I couldn’t necessarily believe everything I’d heard about
him
. Well, I suspected I should believe what
he
said even less. 

I looked out across Oxford’s town square, with its historic white courthouse, the quaint shops and busy restaurants forming a lively town center. Couples and families strolled the sidewalks hand-in-hand. One daddy held a small girl on his shoulders, the big yellow bow topping her hair bobbing as he walked.

We would never be a family—the three of us—Mom, Davis, and me. I was probably a traitor to Daddy for even being here, but I couldn’t put it off forever. And Lad was right. For Mom’s sake, I needed to have some idea what kind of guy she was engaged to. From what I already knew, I wanted him out of her life. 

“Ryann, why don’t you tell Davis about your college visit out in L.A.?”

“Yes, I heard you made a rather sudden decision to visit the West Coast,” Davis prompted.

My heart seized. How much did he know? Was he really unaware of my interactions with the fan pods out there? Did he have any idea of my rescue mission to bring Emmy back home?

“Well, UCLA was amazing.” No doubt the school
was
amazing, but I hadn’t actually visited the campus. Then I added a few truths to my lie. “And I got to see a gorgeous beach, went to a couple of cool clubs.”

“Meet any celebrities?” Davis asked with a wink.

My heart stopped in my chest. Why would he ask that? Strike that—I knew why—or thought I did.

What should I say? I had, in fact, met several celebrities, including Vallon Foster the movie star and NFL quarterback Reggie Dillon. But I hadn’t mentioned them to Mom, so I certainly couldn’t own up to it now.

“Not really. I thought I saw Ian Somerholder from a distance, but I wasn’t sure.” And of course I’d been at a Fae mansion party with Nox at the time, so I hadn’t been able to go check him out. Probably best not to admit that part in present company.

“Think you’d like to live out there?” Davis asked with a level of interest that disturbed me. Los Angeles was the center of Dark Elven power. Did he want his newfound “daughter” to
want
to live there?

“Um, I’m not sure. I still have some time to decide about college.”

My whole life felt so up in the air. If things settled down and Nox needed to live in LA. for his music career, I’d certainly be interested in going to school out there to be near him, though the thought of living so far away from my home and family
permanently
wasn’t very appealing. I’d miss this place too much.

As it stood right now, I didn’t have to worry about it. Nox had forbidden me to even
visit
the city.

“Well you should go ahead and apply just in case. And let me know if you need a letter of recommendation. UCLA admissions are very competitive.”

“Oh honey, what a sweet offer,” Mom gushed and kissed Davis’s cheek. “Ryann, isn’t that nice?”

“Yes. Thank you. That would be great,” I muttered into my menu because what could I do? Scream,
No
at him?

A phone rang, and Davis reached into his pocket, “Excuse me, ladies. I have to take this.” He smiled as he stood then walked away from the table.

Mom turned to me when he was out of earshot. Her eyebrows were drawn together. Her mouth formed a tense line. “You’re not being very friendly. Davis has been so looking forward to meeting you. And he’s really so incredible, if you’ll just give him a chance.”

I sighed. There was so much I wanted to say to Mom, but it wasn’t allowed. “It’s just—it’s awkward. And it’s not like I’m meeting just ‘some guy’ you’re dating. It’s a much bigger deal. I feel pressured, like you’re both expecting something from me. I know you love him, but you can’t expect me to just love him instantly because we share DNA. I already
had
a father, you know. I never bargained for another one. Don’t you ever miss Daddy?”

There was a spark of response in her eyes, but it was gone so quickly I wondered if I’d only seen what I wanted to see. 

She reached over and patted my hand. “I’m sorry you feel strange, baby. But I promise you, once you get to know Davis, you
will
love him. Everyone does.”

No, everyone’s glamoured by him. Including you.
That’s what I wanted to say. What I did say was, “Are you sure about him, Mom? You’re not with him just because you think you should be, are you? You know, because of your past... because of me?”

She blinked several times and sat up straighter. “For heaven’s sake... no. I love him.”

“Why?”

Her stare went on for a few seconds. “Well... he’s...” Her tone was decidedly flustered. “I don’t know. It’s hard to describe. I’ve never met anyone like him. He’s handsome, charming. And he’s impossible to say no to.”

Check, check, and check. All the Elven qualities responsible for the proliferation of fan pods all over the world.

“I just don’t understand how you can trust him again after what happened between you in the past.”

She readjusted her napkin in her lap and sat up straighter, laying her hand atop mine. “I read a famous quote the other day online—it was by George Addair. It goes, ‘Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.’ I don’t want to live in fear anymore, Ryann. I want to be happy. I want love. There were extenuating circumstances back then. I was too immature to accept them at the time. I’ve grown up. Davis has explained himself. He felt terrible about what happened. He stayed alone all these years, you know.

“And true love makes up for a lot, Ryann. I’m in love with him. I want to do everything for him,” she gushed. “I want to spend all my time with him, take care of him, make him the happiest man on earth.”

She held her hands out to the side in a what-are-you-gonna-do gesture. “Can’t you understand? Haven’t you ever lost your mind over someone?”

A vision of Nox onstage filled my eyes. His hypnotic, beautiful voice filled my ears. The comparison troubled me, actually.

“Just… make sure you’re sure, okay? Because, you know, if you do marry him—that’s forever.”

She didn’t know I meant that literally. But it was possible. She was half Elven. She might be immortal. I assumed once they were married and Mom was fully under his control, Davis would have to let her in on the secret.

Maybe
I
should go ahead and tell her a little early. It was against the rules, but this was a special situation. Would knowing he wasn’t human make a difference? Make her back out of the wedding? Or would it drive her toward him even more? Would she even believe me?

Maybe I could drop hints, help her figure it out on her own. “Mom... when you say you’ve never met anyone like him...”

“Ah. I apologize again. My assistant. Sometimes I wonder who’s the boss.” Davis laughed at his own joke as he took his seat. “My ears are burning. Were you two talking about me?” he teased.

Mom giggled like a tween. “Maybe. Wouldn’t you like to know?”

He grinned back at her. “Holding out on me, huh? Well... I’ll get it out of you later.” He winked at her before his eyes cut in my direction and stayed on me a beat too long. 

Yikes. It was true. He
would
get it out of her later. Whatever I said to Mom, she’d be powerless to keep from him. If his glamour was as strong as Nox said it was, he could glamour her into telling him everything. Doing a quick mental rewind of our conversation, I was grateful I’d only said what any concerned daughter would say.

Mom stood. “Now it’s my turn to excuse myself. I’m going to the ladies room. Ryann, would you order for me if the waiter comes while I’m gone? I’ll have the shrimp po-boy sandwich and fries.”

“That’s too much bread and fried food. You don’t want that,” Davis said. “You’d prefer the grilled salmon and house salad—far fewer calories.”

I gawked at him, my jaw hanging open. Was he serious?

“I’ll take care of it,” he assured her with a blinding smile. “Go on now. Take your time.”

My entire body got hot in an instant, my blood boiling at his insinuation that Mom should watch her weight. She had a great figure, especially for a woman her age. Any man should be
thrilled
to be with her, exactly as she was.

When she was out of earshot, I said, “So you’re choosing her food now?”

He blinked and gave me a look that blended surprise and amusement. “Well, you speak your mind, don’t you? Your mother didn’t mention the fiery temper. I quite like it. I know exactly whom you got it from.”

His implication that I might be
anything
like him burned me even further. “What do you
want
?” I growled.

He laughed, his smile stretching wider. “Not much for small talk, I see. What do I want? Well… what does everyone want? Love and family. Peace and happiness.” He lifted his water glass to take a drink.

“Peace, huh? Not world domination? Not Elven rule and human servitude?” It was risky, revealing my knowledge that he wasn’t human. But he needed to understand that
someone
was onto him—that he didn’t have total carte blanche to do whatever he wanted with my mother.

The glass paused in mid-air, then continued to his lips. He took a sip and set it down gently. “I see you’ve been listening to my bad press. That’s all you’ll get from the Light Elves like your grandmother, you know.”

Obviously he assumed that was how I knew about his Elven nature, and I didn’t contradict him.

His smile returned, more artificial than before. “I’m glad we can speak freely—that’s the good thing about family. As I was saying, the
Lightweights
never mention the other side of the story.”

“Which is?”

“My concern for our
entire
race—Dark and Light. We’ve become an endangered species. There is power and safety in numbers. But with our reproductive limitations we have to seek another form of power.”

“Lording it over the humans, you mean.”

“Royal families are always a small group, but they enjoy safety and security because they maintain control over the masses. And humans are born with a built-in desire to be ruled. They have always worshipped gods in some form or another. My plan will give them gods they can see and touch. They’ll be happier for it, and our people will be protected and free. We won’t be forced to hide any longer. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I only want what’s best for
all
of us.”

“So… I’m partially human—why tell
me
all of this?”

“You’re
my
child. The human part of you is miniscule, inconsequential. I want there to be honesty and trust between us. That’s the only way we’ll ever have a real relationship. I’ve already missed your childhood. I don’t want to waste any more time. I want you to know me. And I want to know you.”

I stared at my plate and pulled the pre-dinner bread into tiny bits. He had all the right words. But they didn’t match up to what I knew of his actions. “You
really
didn’t know about me all these years? Even with all your... special powers or whatever?”

“I have my talents, but I’m not omniscient, Ryann. Your mother left me. She never told me there was a baby.”