I glance in the mirror and see she’s right. There’s a shimmer to my skin now, but no matter how much of the stuff she applied to my face, my freckles are still distinct as ever.
Sighing, I shrug. “At least you tried.”
“Well, let’s get you into your gown.” She grins as she clasps her hands. “You wouldn’t want to be late for your own party.”
Kirian
I feel her approaching before she enters the grand hall. Such an odd sensation. It’s like there’s a thousand water spiders darting about in my veins, and it’s both unnerving and thrilling. Quinn’s presence has always affected me, but not like this.
This is new.
The buzzing intensifies, and somehow I know she’s twenty feet from the entryway on the second floor. She’s passing by the hallway of portraits, probably looking at all the paintings of past and current royals.
Now she’s ten feet away, approaching the pearlescent double doors. They open to a platform with a balcony overlooking the ballroom. The curved staircase is unoccupied as it waits for our next guest.
My special guest.
Five feet.
She’s here.
The room goes quiet, then I hear gasps and whispers.
Who is that?
She smells like a human.
What’s wrong with her face?
“Silence.” My command bounces off the high ceiling as I stand from the throne.
Everyone freezes. You could hear a pin drop in here. Good.
I give a nod to the announcer standing at the balcony. His fingers are trembling, the paper crinkling in his hand as he reads what I ordered him to write.
“His Majesty presents to you, Quinn Prescott, his mate and future queen of Valora.”
The ballroom erupts. Everyone’s talking at once. There are some guffaws of outrage, and a few are reluctantly clapping while muttering behind their hands.
Really, though. What happened to her face?
Does it matter? He’s blind. He doesn’t have to look at it.
But what if she’s his fated mate? Once they consummate the bond, he’ll get his sight back. Then he’ll be stuck with that.
She’s not his soul mate. Destiny wouldn’t be that cruel.
Quinn can’t hear the rude murmurs, but I can.
“Enough!” The uproar dies down. “You will treat your future queen as you treat me—with the utmost respect. Anything less, and you’ll be banished to the Shadowlands.”
Several partygoers gulp.
I’m known as a kind and fair ruler. It’s been ages since I made such a threat against my own people, but I won’t tolerate less than the best for Quinn. I couldn’t protect her in her world, but sure as hell can do it here.
The Shadowlands isn’t a place anyone wants to end up. It’s unclaimed territory—a vast enchanted cavern in the mountains on the way to the Dream Realm—and it’s pitch black. Lights don’t work there. My cousin Damon and myself are the only ones who can navigate it without injury or death. After all, complete darkness is what we’re accustomed to.
The announcer clears his throat. “Next, I present, Her Majesty Queen Zella.”
Applause helps diffuse the tension in the air.
“Well, dear,” my mother whispers to Quinn as she comes to her side. “I haven’t seen an entrance like this since my own introduction to the Night Realm.”
“Really?” Quinn sounds hopeful.
“At least you won’t light the royal gardens on fire.”
“Huh?”
“Oh, nothing.” Mother laughs lightly. “Long story. Let’s just say I didn’t make any friends that night.”
They start descending the stairs together, and I’m glad Quinn has an ally. Their time together must’ve gone well.
Father stands next to me as we wait for our women.
“The curse is final, isn’t it?” he asks low, barely even a whisper.
I give him a curt nod.
I know Quinn holds out hope that I won’t be blind for eternity because of our kiss, but I’ve come to terms with it. I’ve chosen my fate.
“I’m happy for you,” Father tells me. “I’m actually… relieved.”
That surprises me. “Yeah?”
He lets out a long exhale. “Yes. It’s time for you to live.”
“Thank you.” I reach out and grasp his shoulder, feeling the midnight-blue velvet under my fingers. He’s wearing the same outfit I am. The suit is customary for special events, and I’m glad Quinn will get to see me in something formal for once.
As Quinn and my mother walk toward us, my father quietly gives me the rundown of what my bride-to-be looks like tonight. He’s used to being my eyes when I need a description, and from the sounds of it, Quinn is breathtaking.
When she gets close, I hold my hand out to her. “May I have this dance?”
“Of course.” I can hear the smile in her voice as she fits her fingers against mine, just like all the other times we’ve done this in her field. It’s familiar and comforting for us both.
Spinning her, I tuck her against my side, keeping our fingers intertwined as we make our way to the middle of the vacant dance floor. I flex my hand over hers, digging into the softness of her waist. I love the way her body feels pressed against mine, and nothing can stop me from touching her like this ever again.
“You look beautiful.” I lean down to murmur the compliment in her ear. “My father tells me so, and he doesn’t lie.”
“I don’t think everyone else shares his opinion.” Insecurity bleeds through her words as we come to a stop.
Unwilling to let go of her hand, I turn her again until she’s facing me. Like a proper king, I bow, though I have reasons other than manners. When I lower my head, I let the tips of our noses brush. Quinn sucks in a breath at my nearness, but she doesn’t move away.
While I’m down there, I slide my cheek against hers and whisper, “Ask me how much I care about what other people think?”
She sways slightly, and I don’t miss the way she sniffs my hair. “H-how much?”
“Frankly, they can all go fuck themselves.”
She loves it when I use the humans’ dirty language, and it makes her snicker. The puff of her warm breath against my jaw is almost too much to bear. I’ve gone my entire life—my very long life—without intimacy. Now that I’m getting a taste of it, I want more.
So much more.
Overwhelmed by the sexual tension crackling between us, I straighten and clear my throat.
I’m resisting the urge to adjust the front of my pants when Quinn observes, “You said there’s no electricity.” The slippers on her feet make quiet scuffling sounds against the floor as she shifts around to marvel at the wall sconces and the over-sized crystal chandeliers. “How do the lights work?”
“Stardust. About twenty thousand years ago there was a meteor shower. Some of the stars fell and landed in the mountains surrounding the Dream Realm. When the rocks are ground to a fine powder and mixed with water from the Day Realm, it can glow for years.”
“Star power,” she whispers, chuckling. “You’ve been holding out on me. I thought I had a good idea of what your home is like, but it’s unlike anything I’ve ever imagined.”
Music starts up, and her hand spasms in mine, showing her nerves.
“It’ll be fine,” I reassure her.
“What dance are we supposed to do?”
She has nothing to worry about. She could do these steps in her sleep. “Remember the second one I taught you?”
“You mean the one with all the elbow touching and circling each other?”
I laugh. “Exactly.”
“Well.” She shrugs. “I guess this is my chance to impress everyone with my skills. If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to cut up a fae dance floor.”
A harpist plucks out the beginning of the song, and a flute joins in. As we begin to move, I can feel the anxious energy running off Quinn, but I couldn’t be more content.
Gracefu
lly orbiting around each other, I murmur, “Tonight will be the first time I ever actually enjoy one of these ridiculous events.”
“Yeah, what’s up with that? Earlier, you said you don’t celebrate birthdays, but this sure looks like a party to me.”
I grunt. “Since the curse, every evening of my birthday we’ve had a ball under the guise that it’s an annual celebration. Really, it’s a ploy my parents put together. An attempt to find my mate. They invite all the nobles, thinking surely my destined partner will be amongst the females.”
I’ve always despised it. The women who dance with me either pity me or want me for the crown. Enduring their tittering, fawning, and fake laughs is torture. I’d rather be getting poked with iron needles.
But with Quinn here to claim me, I won’t have to go through that.
Thank the constellations.
“Oh, I see.” Quinn’s mood suddenly takes a dive. “I’m getting some pretty dirty looks right now. I don’t think the women are very happy that I’m stealing you.”
“Are you jealous, young one?”
“Yes,” she says, straightforward and a little sad. “Every day, when you left me, you got to have your own dance. Without me. It shouldn’t bother me, but it does. After hanging out with me, you came here and searched for your mate.”
“You’re wrong about two things—first, yes, it should bother you. If you were okay with me being with someone else, I’d be insulted. I’m yours and you’re mine. Period. Second, I didn’t search for anyone. The only reason I went along with it was to appease my parents and make the people happy. Look around. Do you see the smiling faces? The laughter? They’re not here for me. They never were. They come for the drinks and the music.”
“I can’t believe that’s true. I know it’s been a long time since you were able to look in a mirror, but, Kirian… you’re so handsome it hurts.”
Male pride swells within me. I don’t know if what she says is true, but her opinion is all that matters. “Fae females are extremely vain. They don’t want to be with someone who can’t appreciate their outer beauty.”
“They are gorgeous,” Quinn agrees, smoothly moving through a twirl. “I mean, all of them could be models. It’s intimidating for someone like me.”
“Quinn, your heart is a thousand times more beautiful than they could ever be.”
“In the human world, that’s exactly the kind of thing someone says when you’re ugly,” she says wryly. “But thank you.”
I halt, messing up the steps of the dance to press her hand to my chest. “I hope to own your beautiful heart, your sweet lips, your perfect face, your soft hair, and your body.”
She blushes so violently warmth emanates from her face. “People heard you.”
“Good. I’m not giving up until I have every part of you, and after tonight, everyone will know it.”
Stepping close, she grabs the lapels of my jacket to tug me down so she can whisper, “Wanna hear a secret?” Her sweet scent makes me dizzy, and I sway forward until my nose is buried in her hair. “I don’t think I could ever belong with someone else, even if I tried.”
Her unwavering feelings for me are a welcome reminder. She’s never been touched by another man, just as I’ve never experienced physical intimacy with another woman.
When it comes to Quinn, I’m selfish. I want her all to myself. It’s why I kept her a secret for so long.
A single slow clap interrupts the end of the song, and the musicians go quiet. The women of the room suddenly giggle and sigh—even the mated ones are reacting like smitten schoolgirls.
Several whisper, “Pretty boy.”
They’re not talking about me.
There’s only one person who could elicit that kind of reaction in my kingdom.
Separating from Quinn, I turn to the source of excitement. “King Damon. I wasn’t sure if you’d show up.”
“Well, I wasn’t going to, but I had a visit with a witch a few days ago, and she told me I’d want to be here for your party.” He saunters toward us, his footsteps a distinct lazy drag. “She was right.”
He holds out his arm. I accept the handshake, gripping his forearm while he squeezes mine.
“I’ve missed you, cousin,” I say, pulling him in for a manly hug, complete with a few slaps on the back.
Our fathers might not get along, but Damon is one of my closest friends, even if we don’t see each other often.
“Congratulations are in order,” he says. “When I heard you’d be taking a mate, I didn’t believe it.”
“Hang on,” Quinn cuts in. “A witch told you the future?”
“In exchange for a few secrets,” Damon responds slyly.
“That’s perfect timing.” Excited, Quinn yanks on my arm as she bounces. “Can you take us to her?”
Oh, my relentless mate. For someone who despises the idea of me with another woman, she sure is determined to follow through with this pointless mission.
I put an arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t we forget about witches tonight. Let’s just have fun.”
“But if she can tell the future, maybe she could help us.”
“Are you staying tonight?” Changing the subject, I direct the question to Damon.
“I’d planned on it. The wine’s calling my name. Although, before I get shnockered, I’d like to speak with you in private.”
There’s an edge to his voice that has me concerned. Damon’s a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. It takes a lot to upset him, and even more to scare him.
“Quinn, why don’t you join my mother at the buffet table? There’s butterscotch pudding. You won’t want to miss it.”
She sighs, getting the hint that she’s not invited to this discussion. “You know I can’t turn down a good pudding. See you soon?”
Every other time she’s asked me that question, I’ve had to wait a year to be with her again. Not now.
I grin. “Very soon.”
As Damon and I walk to a door underneath the staircase, we’re careful not to say anything beyond basic pleasantries. Other faeries can’t hear as well as we can, but I don’t want to risk anyone eavesdropping. Which is why we’re headed to a secret office.
If I were to take a right, it would lead to one of the kitchens. We go left, slipping through a door camouflaged in the stone patter on the walls.
“Your chosen mate is beautiful, by the way,” Damon says as we walk side by side. “Don’t listen to the uppity nobles. Their standards are skewed.”
“Chosen mate? How do you know Quinn’s not my fated?”
“A human, Kirian?” he deadpans. “Really?”
He has a point. “And how do you know what she looks like?”
“I may or may not have followed you to the portal one year.”
“What?” I bark.
“Don’t throw a hissy fit. I didn’t cross over to her world.”
“You spied on me.”
“Not on you, per say. I was just curious about where you always went.” He pauses guiltily. “But I did go into Quinn’s dreams once.”
“How were you able to do that,” I demand, “when you didn’t have an object that belongs to her?”
“She was putting flowers in your hair that day. You two are really cute together, by the way.” When I growl, he rushes to explain, “When you got back and flew away, a couple of the flowers fell off your head. What was I supposed to do? Not use them?”
“Yes,” I grit out. “Does privacy mean nothing to you?”
He just shrugs.
Damon’s ability is one I’d trade mine for a thousand times over. He’s a dream walker. As long as he possesses something a person used to own, he can enter their dream and see what they see. He’s a silent observer, undetected by the dreamer themselves. Although he can’t interfere or manipulate the outcome, he can find out personal information. Secrets and the inner workings of their minds.
Most importantly, he can see anytime he wants.
It’s good for him, though.
He wasn’t born yet when the curse happened. My uncle Silas thought they were in the clear because his mate got pregnant after shit went down, but Damon was born blind. At least I had almost eleven years of getting to know the world before my sight was taken away. Darkness is all Damon knows, except through someone else’s perspective.
“What was she dreaming about?” I ask, hating how Damon might know something about Quinn that I don’t.
He shakes his head. “It was one of those frustrating looping dreams. She was trying to finish a school assignment, but every time she was almost done, the paper would go blank. Her parents were there, though. Did you ever meet her family?”
“No,” I respond grumpily.
On days when Quinn didn’t show up for our meetings, I usually lingered in the woods, listening to whatever was going on inside her house. Sometimes I heard her parents’ voices, but I always kept my distance.
Even though he can’t see it, I flip Damon the middle finger Quinn’s so fond of. “Stay out of Quinn’s head from now on. She’s mine.”
“Whoa, there. Calm down. You know I’m saving myself for my soul mate.”
I’m well aware of his feelings on the subject. Damon isn’t like me—he isn’t okay with being blind forever. His clues aren’t any better than mine, though, and he’s never come close to finding his mate.
When we get to the office, I shut the heavy wooden door behind us. Circling the room, I trail my fingertips over the built-in bookcases, the window, and the fireplace. I sniff as I go, wanting to make sure we’re alone. I smell nothing but the wood polish the maid uses and the scent of old books.
“What’s going on?” I lean my ass against the windowsill.
“Although I’m happy to meet your mate, there’s another reason I’m here.” Damon paces around the desk before coming to a stop in front of me. “I came to warn you.”
“About?”
“Something the witch said about Quinn.”
My heart starts to pound. “I’m listening.”
“She’s in danger here. Someone you trust will betray you.”
Quinn
Since coming back from chatting with Damon, Kirian’s been quiet, serious, and broody.
The Fae King's Curse Page 8