by C C Solomon
I didn’t skip a beat. “Invite her.” I was going to be the bigger person. That’s what good leaders did, right? Only, being good gave me heartburn.
I hadn’t even finished my first martini when Faith appeared, another person in tow; Azrael.
Azrael was the androgynous angel assigned to Felix to watch over him after our memories had been snatched. They had no trouble voicing their disapproval of me. Apparently, I was just this big baddie thug that had this magical power over the gentle giant.
I sucked my teeth and chugged down the rest of my martini before looking for the waitress. Whatever I asked for next needed to have double the liquor.
Faith sat in the empty chair beside Felix. She gave me a slight smile that looked like it hurt her face. “Hey, Fran. Surprised you decided to come back here.” She squinted her violet eyes at me over her fake smile.
I made eye contact with the waitress and waved at her to come back for more drinks. “Well, I live to surprise.”
Faith tilted her head. Her dirty blond hair was a little longer than last time, having reached her ears, and she had to swipe bangs out of her eyes. A new tattoo was on her hand, fully connecting to the tattoo sleeve she already had on her right arm. The woman was practically covered in them, most of which were magic-based and gave her an impressive boost of power beyond her already strong succubus magic. She looked like the bad-ass I liked to believe I was. I’m not saying I was intimidated by her, but I wasn’t so cocky I thought I could easily take her in a fight. I mean, I could still win.
I was already thinking about fighting her, and we hadn’t said more than a few words to each other. Luckily our waitress returned, and we ordered more drinks and food.
Azrael, who had sat next to me, turned fully to face me. I could feel the angel’s turquoise eyes on me.
I twisted my lips. “Can I help you?”
“So, you decided to join the council? I didn’t think you would. Actually, I thought it was an awful idea.”
I turned to look at them. The angel smirked at me as if glad they’d annoyed me. Azrael was almost modelesque, tall and lean with full lips, short, wavy dark blond hair, high cheekbones and olive toned skin. The fact that they were so beautiful just pissed me off more.
Was this fool trying to bait me? It wouldn’t work. “Thanks for your vote of confidence.” I gave them a tight smile.
Azrael winked at me. The stupid angel oozed a sex appeal that made them attractive to practically everyone. And Azrael used it to their advantage. However, I had never been fooled. They weren’t much of a role model. My limited encounters with the angel consisted of them cursing, drinking, drugging, and more. There were demons who were more reserved than them.
Our waitress returned with our drinks.
Azrael picked up their beer and raised it in the air. “Shall we do a toast?”
Felix lifted his drink, also a beer this time. “To what?”
I felt mildly betrayed by his change in drinks.
“To old friends. May they not betray us.”
The three clinked glasses while I took a sip of my own, rolling my eyes. I was pretty confident that was a dig at me, and I was disappointed that Felix didn’t catch on.
He glanced over at me and smiled. “I’d also like to toast the return of my future wife. Your return expands my heart.” He clinked my glass, although I hadn’t bothered to move it. He did the same to Azrael and Faith’s glasses as they gave him disapproving looks.
I put my drink down and glared at both of them. “Really, guys. You’re acting like he’s becoming BFF with Satan. I did help fight the bad guys with you, you know. I’m not evil incarnate.” I raised a finger in the air. “I even turned down a job to be a crossroads demon.”
Faith bared her teeth at me in an attempt at a smile. “Well, gold star for you.”
Azrael gave me a slow clap.
I was so mad I could spit. I really hated them. However, I wouldn’t fall for the bait. I would be the bigger person as was required of a good leader. Being mature sucked. I looked around for our waitress. “Can I get my food to go?” I could be mature, but I didn’t have to sit there and get treated like hot garbage. There was an inner part of me that was really hurt that they didn’t like me. It further strengthened my fears that maybe I would drag Felix down. I thought I was awesome, but some days I didn’t feel so secure, especially with no long history of memories to aid me.
Felix slammed his beer down, bringing my attention back to the table. “You guys don’t have to be dicks. This is my future wife. Show her some respect.”
I opened my mouth to protest and let him know I could handle my own. It wasn’t worth him fighting, and I wasn’t sure they would ever respect me, so it was a wasteful cause. However, something told me to close my mouth and let this play out. His usually jolly brown eyes looked darker, and his brows were furrowed together in a scowl. I felt like this was not the time to interrupt him.
“She isn’t the only one who’s half-demon. Cut her some slack. Because of her, we got Nadia’s people to fight on our side when we went to battle, which is why, in part, we won in the first place.” He looked around at us, face still set in anger. “You all have to work this shit out. Sooner rather than later.”
I raised a brow, slightly impressed. I’d never had anyone stick up for me like this. It touched me. Also, seeing this side of Felix was kind of hot.
Faith grumbled and folded her arms. “We’re just looking out for you, man.”
“I’m not a kid.”
Azrael put down their beer and leaned back in the chair. “Just because the soulmates are gone doesn’t mean the world’s at peace. You still have to be on your toes. Especially now that you’re famous. People will want to exploit any weakness you all have.”
Well, I was back to feeling like garbage again. I didn’t have to have my memories to know that I was better than what Azrael and Faith were implying. I’d had the opportunity to exploit Felix’s giving nature, and I never had. Never would. Our food arrived. On plates. With silverware. I looked up at the waitress. “Can you fix this to go, please? I won’t be eating here. Sorry.”
Felix shook his head. “Ignore her. Can you get us another round of drinks?”
The waitress nodded and disappeared before I could argue.
I glared at Felix. Okay, him getting all bold and aggressive was cute. He still saw me as good, despite his friends and for that I had to acknowledge it made me like him more. However, I still didn’t want to sit through this punishment with his friends. “I’m not going to leave town just yet, but I don’t have to sit and eat with them either.” I pushed my seat back to get out.
Felix got up and made his way towards me as I walked past Azrael. “Stay.”
I poked him in the chest. It was like he was made out of brick. Still, my nether regions did a wiggle as my mind wandered to picturing what he would look like under that shirt. What was I standing for? Oh yes, I was trying to leave. I was failing at winning over his friends. I wasn’t sure how I could win a whole court this way. I needed to be alone and think. “Move.”
He folded his arms, a twinkle in his eyes. “I’m not afraid to pick you up and put you back in your seat.”
I placed my hands on his hips. “That would be fun to try.” I gave him a wicked smile, daring him.
“Don’t tempt me, woman. I want you here.”
Ok, that desire in his eyes practically emanated from him. I kind of wanted to climb him, but this was a public place and I was still mad. “Your friends don’t want me here. We could teleport away together.” I added a wink for good measure.
He stepped closer to me, my hands still on his hips, as if he were daring me. “Forget what they said. It’s not about them. Stay here. Please.”
I glared up at him while he smiled down at me. We stood that way for several seconds not really wanting to leave his side because I was kind of getting turned on by his assuredness and also wanting to preserve my ego by not continuing to take the hits from t
he angel and succubus.
Azrael let out an exaggerated sigh and gave me an apologetic smile. “Fran, sit back down. We apologize. Perhaps we’ve been too quick to judge.”
I glanced over to Faith, who had started eating, ignoring the show. She eventually looked up, her cheeks swollen with food. She then gave me wide innocent eyes before responding. “Yeah, what Azzy said,” she said through a mouth full of food.
I didn’t think they’d changed their opinion of me and that hurt, but knowing that Felix accepted me dulled the throb enough to allow my wounded pride to power my legs back to my seat. “Well, Azzy, it looks like you lucked out today.” I raised my glass for a toast. “Here’s to another chance.”
“Okay, demon faerie,” Azrael muttered, clinking their glass with mine.
I decided to ignore the angel for now and take a bite out of my food. Felix walked back to his chair and took another swig of his beer, still visibly upset. I fought the urge to reach over and pat his hand soothingly like some kind of wife. We were not a couple, and I wasn’t the sweet type.
But I was developing emotions for him.
Faith put her fork down to grab the gin and tonic she had been nursing. “I thought you were going to be some big fae boss.”
Why did Felix have to tell her my business? “I will be.”
Azrael lifted a brow. “Out of curiosity, how will you become a queen?”
I adjusted in my seat. Why did this angel have to catch me without a plan? Ok, I could come up with something. “I am only here on a visit. I haven’t decided to be a part of your council leadership. In fact, I’m going to a banquet next week for those vying for Misandre’s old throne.”
Faith frowned, taking a sip of her drink. “How does that work? Some type of battle royale?”
“As cool as that would be, no.” I wasn’t going to pretend they were even remotely interested, but I’d give them a chance. “We get voted in. It’s actually very civilized. Well, the voting part is. It’s everything before that stage that gets cutthroat. Cutting deals, making threats, sometimes killing. It’s actually a very nasty game.” And I really needed to be there earlier to make all of that happen.
Faith snorted, seemingly intrigued. “Sounds like fun.”
I agreed. Maybe she wasn’t a total ass.
Felix deepened his frown. “Sounds dangerous.”
I stabbed my fork back into my pasta. “Everything is dangerous nowadays. But I am going to assess my competition. I’m no fool.”
Felix softened his eyes. “Need me to go with you?”
Need him? What kind of woman did he think I was? I was no damsel. I could handle my own. He had to have known that by now. “They won’t let non-fae attend.” That was the truth.
“Seems dangerous to go alone. Especially if people are upset about Misandre’s death.”
I waved a hand as if swatting a fly. “Nothing I can’t handle.” That was a lie, but I didn’t need to give them something else to harp on me about.
Felix rubbed his chin in thought. “Good, then bring Lisa with you as support. Just for my peace of mind. If something goes down, she can let me know telepathically.”
I sighed. Lisa was Seelie fae so I wasn’t quite sure she’d be welcome, but it couldn’t hurt to try. As part of the special Six, she was able to speak to anyone in that group telepathically.
I agreed that walking in alone without support would be foolish. All the other contenders would have their entourage. I had never been one to have a bunch of friends, at least not in the five years I could remember. I could bring Lisa and Bella, the only other faerie I trusted, to come with me.
Maybe going after the queen position now was a little hasty.
I wagged my fork in Felix’s direction. “You know, you’re a pretty smart guy.”
He puffed his chest out. “I’m reaching the next level of genius since I got my memory back.”
I laughed. That felt kind of good. To feel happiness. To have someone truly care about me. I wasn’t going to get all sentimental, but I knew how to cherish a moment when needed.
Next week at the fae banquet, I was most likely not going to have such pleasant moments.
Chapter 4
I didn’t like dressing up. Heels, tight dresses, pounds of makeup and keeping my hair smooth and sculpted felt like extra work that I didn’t need. However, here I was in a deep red, off the shoulder, floor-length gown, with open toed heels. My hair was piled up in some intricate series of knots and curls, and make-up that made me look glamourous.
All this for a banquet.
I hadn’t made it early enough to make deals or do much more than scope out my competition, so I was feeling a little nervous. However, I still had one or two eyes and ears in the old court to know the players and know what had been going on since Misandre’s death, so I wasn’t going in totally blind.
Lisa Xu’s emerald green eyes practically beamed when she stood beside me at the gates of the gloomy-looking castle that had once belonged to Misandre. “You look crazy hot. I can’t believe you didn’t let me show you off to Felix before we left.”
I didn’t feel hot, unless she meant temperature wise. I was currently sweating underneath the girdle she made me wear to smooth out my form.
Lisa looked like she was totally at home. She wore a hot pink asymmetrical gown, and her jet-black hair hung sleek and straight down her back.
Bella huffed on my other side. “Are we sure we need to be here?” She spun around slowly, scanning the growing crowd.
Several other groups of fae began to walk towards us to enter the party from the black stoned walkway. Bella moved us to the side of the steel gates as they opened inward to let us all in.
I was sure she was nervous being here. The Seelie community looked like a unicorn threw up everywhere. The Unseelie realm was darker and was lit from within like New York or Tokyo. It was all tall buildings, and bright lights. However, a thick forest surrounded the cities with trees as tall as the buildings, and thick vines ran everywhere.
Tonight, a thick bluish gray fog hung in the air, blocking any light from the pink moon and stars. Fortunately, the castle, located on the outskirts of the town up a tall hill, was lit like a light house. The walkway was lit on both sides with floating orbs as fae of all shapes and sizes, humanoid and nonhuman shaped, teleported onto the grounds.
I gave a tight smile as some familiar faces passed us with greetings. Some fae looked over to Bella with looks of distain. She had her own baggage, something I should have considered before inviting her.
“If you really want to be a leader, come to Arwa’s court.” Bella glanced over at me with pleading blue eyes against honey-toned skin. Her big curls framed her face like a lion’s main and complemented her long green v-cut gown.
Lisa scrunched her face. “Can an Unseelie fae become Seelie?”
Bella shook her head, rolling her eyes at a fae who scowled at us. “No. It’s a blood thing. Our DNA. The best we can do is go neutral. That doesn’t mean she can’t join our court. I’m sure Queen Arwa would welcome you.”
I didn’t understand this need, this drive to become Queen, but I knew I’d be unhappy pursuing anything less. “Yeah, and then I’ll have to start from the ground up. Here, people at least know me. So, let’s put on a fake smile and get this show over with.”
I linked my arms with theirs and yanked them forward before they could have any more second thoughts about being there.
Lisa gripped my arm with her other hand. “The last time I was here, a ghoul tried to eat me alive. You know that would make the third time someone tried to eat me.”
I snorted as we continued to walk to the grand doors of the castle. They were maybe ten feet high, and inside we stood in an equally grand foyer with a wide marble, staircase facing us. “Welcome to being a fae. I almost had my arm torn off when some loupe gorilla attacked me. It was hanging by a cord of muscle like—”
Lisa made a barfing noise and pulled away. “Please, I think I get the picture.�
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We followed the crowd past the foyer and further through the castle, past elegantly decorated rooms that looked like they had come right out of a French palace from hundreds of years ago. We then entered a grand ballroom decorated in crystals, golds, and dark velvets. It was opulence bordering on gaudy.
Someone had decided to maintain Misandre’s taste.
“Who’s that guy?” Lisa asked, gesturing to a long table near what was the front of the room.
A golden cloth covered the table, which stood in front of floor-to-ceiling gold paned windows. Ten people sat there. In the middle, in what I could only call a throne, sat a man with an upturned nose and beady, purple eyes.
I sucked my teeth in annoyance. “That’s Sylvester, Misandre’s second. He’s been power tripping ever since she died. I know he’s throwing his hat in for her spot.”
“Why wouldn’t he get it automatically?” Lisa asked.
I looked around at the many round tables scattered throughout the room. Our names hung in magic gold lettering in the air above our assigned tables. I spotted my name on a table all the way in the back, practically next to the door.
Well, that wasn’t unexpected. I wasn’t royalty but I was higher up in Misandre’s court as a top warrior. I deserved better seating, or so I thought. “He wouldn’t get it because no one likes him. Does that guy look like someone you’d want leading you?”
While his small frame didn’t mean that he couldn’t be a good leader—it was about our magic after all—he had the face of a rat and was petty beyond belief. He also lacked big ideas and was a snitch.
I moved us to our crappy seating past more extravagant tables with people I needed to be networking with to get support from. I could only imagine what rejects would be at our table.
A deep baritone laugh caught my attention, and I glanced to my left to see a man with his head tossed back. He was surrounded by a group who all focused on him with awe. He was handsome and tall, with very short, black hair and ice blue eyes against skin the color of desert sand. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place a name.