by G. Bailey
Oh no, buddy. My plate is literally full. And everyone on my plate would eat him alive.
The guard thankfully turns and heads down the corridor, the other guards covering me at every angle as we move. We reach the fourth door down the long corridor and the guard knocks twice before stepping aside. A very pretty man with curly locks of red hair, expressive gold dragon eyes, and smooth ivory skin answers, instantly bowing. His eyes go to the dresses and a brief smile slides over his lips. He quickly tries to hide it.
“Why did you just smile?” I question, genuinely curious.
“My name is Gia, Your Highness, and I smiled because I was right. I knew you would hate the dresses.”
There’s a faint nervous quiver behind his words and I don’t blame him. He likely thinks I’m as crazy as my mother.
I laugh and hand them to him before stepping into his room. On every surface lies dresses in every colour, shape, and fabric, and countless shelves are filled with various bits and bobs. I have no idea how he finds anything in this place. Organised chaos, I believe Sage calls it.
“Did you come up with a backup plan?” I ask curiously, knowing this dragon fae is not silly. He wouldn’t have just made two outfits.
“I made seven dresses for you and I can magically change the dress to any colour,” he informs me. “I was sent here as a present from your uncle, the dragon King Cyrus, and my only job is to dress the royals in nothing but sheer perfection.”
Uncle? Gods, this family tree just gets bigger and bigger.
I slide my fingers over deep red silk hanging from a pole near the wall. “Can you change hair colour?”
“Your Highness, I can change anything you wish with but a drop of water,” he explains and I look back as he clicks his fingers. Water flies out of one of the many pots in the room and swims into his hair. It changes from red to purple in a heartbeat and I grin, crossing my arms. He smiles right back and the tension in his shoulders goes away.
“We have a lot of work to do, Gia.”
“It will be my honour, Princess Corvina. Let’s make you a dress a queen will be jealous of.”
Taking a deep breath for courage, I hold my head high as I enter a small corridor full of mirrors on either side of the silver path. The blisteringly busy ball awaits me at the end of it. I can’t help but glance at myself in the mirror, wondering if Pitch or anyone back at the academy would be shocked to see how different I look. My blue hair is now silver, just for tonight, and falls in a straight wave down to the middle of my back. Threaded into my hair are tiny silver stars that are so soft you can’t even feel them.
The dress Gia made for me is exceptional and I applaud his talent. Starting as a choker around my neck, thin layers of blood-red fabric fall down to my forearms and disappear into a cloak at my back. The main part of the dress is a strapless corset and a long flowing skirt that sweeps around my ankles. Dotted around the deep red silk are stars like the ones in my hair and every single one of them catch the light. My makeup is dramatic and far more than I’ve ever worn, but Gia promised it would work.
And he was right.
I feel like more than just a queen. I feel like a goddess who’s about to teach every royal and dignitary at this ball a lesson.
There is just one little thing missing. I take off my bracelet and slip it into the pockets of the dress, and my wings instantly flicker out of my back. I’ve been practising control at every moment I could over the last two weeks and it’s much easier to have them out and not fly into a wall. This is also the first time I’ve seen my reflection with my wings out and I’m pleasantly surprised to see that my eyes have changed to silver.
Either way, I think it is important the fae see me as their own tonight.
I can’t hide in the shadows anymore...even if I so desperately want to.
My eyes fall on Pitch who waits for me at the end of the corridor. My heart soars upon seeing him and I smile so much my cheeks hurt. I didn’t come out of the shadows alone.
Pitch looks insanely handsome in his black tux with a glass bow tie. Every inch of the suit fits his body perfectly, but the thing that makes me almost stumble is the small silver crown sat in the middle of his soft black hair.
He’s the dark prince who saved me from the shadows.
And now he’s my mate.
He holds out a hand for me when I reach him,the look in his eye reminds me of the first time he was inside me. Pure, carnal desire. He bows as I take his hand and I bow my head in return, knowing we are being watched by everyone. Funnily enough, the second I felt Pitch near, even before I saw him, I stopped caring about all the fae.
“You look astonishing, Corvina.”
“Don’t get used to it. I want back in my academy uniform,” I warn him, curving the ledge of my crimson lips. “And my blue hair will be back.”
He laughs and I feel his body filling with warmth through our bond. We walk to the top of the stairs and pause as two fae fly to our sides. I don’t even acknowledge them as my eyes are locked on Pitch and his on me.
“You will be out of that dress very soon, Vina. That, I assure you.”
“I look forward to it, Prince Alastair,” I reply with a big smile, then I turn and look at the ball ahead of me.
In the name of Selena, beautiful doesn’t begin to describe this place.
The walls look like they are made of thousands, if not millions, of silver butterflies. The ceiling is covered in them, too, except these ones look alive as they flutter light across the hall like torches. Their light blasts down onto the four massive crystal chandeliers that hang above the glass floor, and ever so softly drop tiny sparkles of blue dust across the room that disappears before it touches anyone. The centre of the ballroom is full of fae, all of them dancing at different levels in the air. After seeing the nightclub, I’m guessing this is the normal way of dancing for fae.
An orchestra plays at the back of the room. There must be at least three hundred instruments playing delicately, so in tune with each other. The music haunts me like a song I’ve heard in a distant dream. My gaze is pulled towards the thrones sitting proudly at the left side of the room. With a huge space wedged between them, my father sits in his white Throne of Helios with four guards around him, and my mother in her black Throne of Luna with six guards and wolves surrounding her. As I look at them, my father waves another guard over and my mother sneers in his direction before she waves her hand for one more guard.
It’s so petty that I almost laugh.
But then everyone’s eyes turn to me and Pitch as one of the masked guards speaks.
“Introducing her royal highness, Corvina Charles, and his royal highness, Alastair Pitch.”
I gulp as I feel the weight of several hundred glares cutting me into pieces with their cold perusal.
Pitch tugs me forward to walk down the curved steps.
As I search the crowds of fae, I quickly realise everyone other than us, my parents, and a few others such as Eva who I spot on the dance floor, have masks covering their faces.
“Why don’t we have masks?”
“Royals never hide who they are,” Pitch gently tells me.
I guess that makes sense. Fae royals do seem like stuck-up arses who like to show off. They would never hide. It’s a little ironic that I have always wanted to hide, now more than ever. I swallow down my nerves and let Pitch steer us through the crowd. The fae part out of our way even as they dance around us and stare.
Only when I get closer do I realise that my mother and father aren’t the only ones with thrones. Just down from my mother sits a frail, slender man with a crown that looks like pure constantly moving water. His eyes, much like Zander’s, remind me of a snake, but they are crystal-blue instead of gold.
At his side sits a beautiful woman with long, pure white hair and golden skin. She wears a seriously stunning dress that wraps around her body like an ocean wave.
“Corvina, you did not wear my dress,” Queen Narah angrily regards while also looking mildl
y impressed. I glance at King Ulric who’s leaning forward as I stand in the middle of them, my permanent place it seems.
“You both sent stunning dresses that any princess would be proud to wear,” I start off, letting go of Pitch’s arm to stand on my own with my head raised high. “The light dress would represent you, Father, and the dark dress you, Mother. But I am not representing either of you today. My dress is blood red after the many, many fae and shadowborn who died in the childless war. A war created because of your actions over me. Today, I stand with the people I will some day rule. I stand here to show them this is the last red dress I will ever wear because I will never spill their children’s blood.”
The room drops into a deafening silence as both my father and mother stand from their thrones. I hold my head high as they climb off the dais towards me, refusing to back down on this one. I’m surprised when they both look to each other, right in front of me, and bow at each other.
“Our daughter is right. The past is the past, and regrettable. We both did cruel and terrible things.”
My father nods once at my mother. “Agreed. In the name of our daughter, we will never do such again. Would you honour me with a dance, Queen Narah of the Dark Fae Court?”
“It would be an honour,” my mother agrees, taking his proffered hand. They both smile at me as they glide past, and into, the dancers. The music swiftly resumes and I finally breathe the air I wasn’t even aware I was holding in.
“I never thought I’d see the day there was peace in these realms,” the dragon king states and waves a hand. “Come closer, Princess Corvina and Prince Alastair.”
Guess it’s time to meet the King of Draconia. If I’d known he was Queen Narah’s brother—-my uncle—I would’ve gone lighter on Prince Drusus.
I take Pitch’s hand as we head over, stopping just before them. Pitch bows his head. I simply incline mine and my uncle’s lips twitch.
“Headstrong like my sister. It is a family trait we have never gotten out of us all,” the dragon king states. “I am pleased to meet you. My name is Cyrus as Alastair here knows well.”
“Nice to meet you. Is this lady your mate?” I ask, nodding at the silent woman at his side.
King Cyrus chuckles. “No. She is my queen, Valessia.”
Pitch tenses at my side. “Forgive us. Corvina is new to the fae world and is yet to read the history books to know our customs.”
Oh, great. I’ve said something wrong again.
Before any of us can say anything, a girl covered in mud and soaked in water runs up to the queen and king. Her swift movements cause her dress to flick mud all over them.
“What did you do?” The king’s tone seethes with frustration as he looks at the mud ruining their outfits. The queen doesn’t say a word even as the girl looks at her.
“I was bored and it wasn’t my fault there was a pond outside!” The girl stomps her foot and adjusts her blue crown tangled in her messy, dripping-wet hair. As if she just noticed we are here, she spins around and glares up at us both.
“Who are you?” she asks me in particular. Her hair is a glowing white, like pure silk covered in mud, and it’s been wrapped into an intricate bun. She has a pretty yellow dress on with tiny blue flowers covering it and I would guess she is no older than twelve or thirteen.
I remember that age. I was a bitch back then, too.
“Kai, meet your cousin, Princess Corvina. Corvina, this is my heir and daughter, Princess Kaida.” The Dragon King stands and places a hand on his daughter’s shoulder but she shrugs it off with a frown. “Do excuse us. We must change and find suitable entertainment for my daughter.”
“Not in a pond, I hope,” Pitch says and Kai just looks back, giving us a scrunched up glare with her very pretty green eyes and beautiful face. Oh, my. That girl is going to be trouble. I think we might become friends.
Finally, I like one of my family members.
Things could be looking up after all. Let’s hope she’s not crazy like my parents.
“Prince Alastair, may I steal your mate for a dance?”
I recognise Zander’s voice straight away. I turn around with a big smile, seeing Zander wear a gold mask across his eyes. The shiny material seems like fae magic to me as I get a weird sense from it, but everything else about Zander is just his normal handsome self. He has a grey tux on, perfectly crisp and sexy as anything. When the light hits it, the black material gleams like emerald scales.
“Of course,” Pitch agrees, bowing at me before stepping aside.
I take Zander’s hand and let him lead me into the sea of dancers. His hands wrap around my waist and I slide my arms up his neck. He frowns at me. For a long time, we seem to stare at each other as we dance around with the fae and I wonder why he doesn’t talk to me.
After a while, I start to get worried and have no choice but to break the tense silence myself.
“Are we playing a game where we don’t know each other?”
Zander’s frown disappears into a cheeky grin but he still doesn’t answer me. Still confused, I just chuckle and rest my head on his shoulder. He holds me even tighter, his palm warm against the small of my back.
“I’m so, so fucking glad you can see me, Vina,” Zander whispers by my ear.
His words don’t make sense but I suspect I won’t get an explanation any time soon. I’m not overly annoyed. Zander is an amazing dancer and I love being held by him. Just as the song ends, I see Jonah resting on a column with a drink in his hand and tight grey tux hugging his lean body. He has the same gold mask as Zander and I’m happy he’s here. I smile at him and his eyes widen as he stares back in shock. It only lasts a second because Zander takes my hand and leads me out of the dancers. What has got my guys so riled up?
We walk through the fae, who bow and try to start a conversation but Zander doesn’t even notice them. He’s like a man on a mission as he takes us to an empty balcony and throws open the doors with magic. The second we are outside, he presses me against a brick wall and kisses me, hard and passionately.
I gasp as Zander’s tongue fills my mouth and I feel every inch of his body pressing against mine. I sink my hands into his hair and he reaches between us, sliding a hand up my thigh under my dress. His lips trace my jaw as I moan, trying to keep quiet as his hand finds me bare. Now I know what had Zander riled up. He was desperate to get me alone.
“Naughty Vina,” he whispers, pressing a trail of kisses down my neck. He runs his finger down my slit before pushing a finger inside and rubbing my clit at the same time.
“Gods,” I moan as he sucks on my neck and kisses up my jaw. Embarrassingly, I’m coming around his finger in minutes. Zander swallows my moans with his lips as I come down from the high. He removes his hand, still pressing his body to mine against the wall.
“For the record, I’m in love with you and the next time we are alone, I will be inside you,” he vows, his eyes glowing as he stares down at me. I never told him I love him...but I do. I think I have for a very long time but, admitting it would be hella scary if he didn’t feel the same way. But, now, I finally know. The Shadow Warden loves me, too.
I smirk, running my hand down his chest and over the bulge under his trousers. He groans, closing his eyes.
“I love you too, Zander and next time we are alone, I’m claiming you.”
I slide away from Zander before he can reply, or feel my heart beating so hard in my chest that I’m terrified it’ll burst out and fly away. With flushed cheeks, I adjust my dress and head back into the hall.
Every fae and shadowborn present can smell that Corvina has been up to no good. I watch her parents on the dance floor. When Corvina enters again, they cast her smile of approval. Of course they would. The fae are mad for sex because aside
from war, it’s their favourite thing to do.
Many eyes follow the Light King and the Dark Queen dancing for the first time in history. To the untrained eye, one would almost think they are getting along amicably. Their body language tells me otherwise. Queen Narah’s fingers are digging into King Ulric’s shoulder, and his hand dents the fabric at her waist. Their smiles are superficial, barely reaching their eyes, and when they look at each other, there’s nothing but disdain and resentment.
The wise among us are able to detect this, but for the most part, everyone seems to think the three kingdoms have come together in harmony. Oh, it’s almost laughable, if it wasn’t downright terrifying.
I roll my shoulders and crack my neck, placing a hand on my nape. I’d pay good money to hear what telepathic conversation the king and queen are having right now. More than that, I’d pay a fortune to whisk Corvina out from this cesspit. I had my reserves when the shadowman, Pitch, claimed she was in danger, but now that I’m here... I believe it, and I need to protect her.
Queen Narah glances my way. I remove my hand and incline my head courteously. The song ends, she and the king share a feigned respectful bow, and then she’s walking over to me.
“My daughter tells me you are her therapist at the academy. Is that so?”
I bow again when she reaches my side. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Her cold eyes narrow into slits. “And yet, I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps you are more to her than that.” Looking over at Corvina dancing with Pitch, she adds, “You look out for her.”
“With my life.”
“Good.” She turns to me. “I would like you to protect my daughter and report to me anything you discuss during your sessions. Can you do that for me?”
She poses the statement as a question, but I know she’s not asking but telling me to do this.
“With all due respect”—I flick my chin in Pitch’s direction—”but you already have your spy, Your Majesty.”
A cruel smirk plays over her lips. “Not anymore. He is going through a... troubled phase.” She waves her hand disapprovingly. “No, I need greater eyes and ears on my side, and I see invaluable potential in you, Mr Michaels.”