by Julie Wetzel
“Do you need a private room?” he teased as Elliot cut off another bite and stuck it in his mouth.
“Maybe,” Elliot said around the food. He swallowed the rich cake so he could talk properly. “Does everyone know about this?” Looking around, he saw many people that would be interested in knowing they could eat tonight.
“Not yet.” Darien smiled. “But, I’m sure they will find out soon if you keep making those noises.”
Elliot rolled his eyes at his friend and took another bite. “I know of at least two people that will be mad if I don’t share this with them.” His eyes scanned over the room hoping that Rachael and Clara hadn’t gone in to see the fay yet. He found them both milling around, waiting for the line to thin out. “Excuse me.” Taking his glass back, Elliot left Darien to go share his discovery.
Darien laughed as his friend departed without waiting for a reply. He watched in amusement as Elliot popped a piece of the cake into Clara’s mouth without explaining it. He loved how the look of horror changed to shock then enjoyment as Elliot explained to the women about the food. Clara turned to look at him, and Darien raised his glass, confirming what Elliot had said.
“There are going to be a lot of stuffed vampires tonight,” Lord Dakine said as he approached Darien with his own goblet of mead.
“True,” Darien smiled at him, “but isn’t that what we planned on?”
“Yes.” Dakine sipped on his drink as he watched Elliot feeding the two women bites of the cake.
“I must thank Lady Aine for setting this up,” Darien said. “Will she be joining us tonight?”
“She sends her regards and hopes to join the festivities later,” Dakine sighed. “She had some matters to tend to first.”
Darien sighed regretfully. “A queen’s work is never done.”
“Especially on Samhain,” Dakin agreed.
Darien nodded his understanding. Someone had to make sure the borders of Fairy were held on the night when they were the weakest.
“How is cailín?” Dakine changed the subject.
“She seems to be doing well.” Darien sipped his drink. “The patch is holding, and I haven’t noticed any adverse effects.”
“I still don’t understand how that can be.” Dakine shook his head. “That strand should not have been absorbed like that. It should’ve burnt out.”
Darien shrugged.
“Just consider yourself blessed with a small miracle.”
“I consider myself blessed every time she looks my way.” Darien smiled at the elf lord. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
“Just remember, she is human, therefore, fragile by nature,” Dakine cautioned. “If you want her around, you must take great care to keep her safe.”
“I plan to do everything in my power to do that.” Darien let his eyes scan over the crowd, hoping to see her. He knew that the fay would have her in a disguise by now, so it was unlikely he would recognize her. His eyes caught on several girls with long, curly, blonde hair. Their outfits told him they had already been in to see the fay, so it was unlikely any of them were really Vicky.
“You will not find her that way, Kian.” Dakine smiled as he searched the crowd, too. “The little ones have been planning something special for your lady since they found out about their role in the masquerade. I hope you can see through their glamor tonight.”
“I will find her,” Darien said, sure he would be able to recognize the woman he loved even through the disguise. He nearly dropped his glass when a heavy weight bowled into the back of his legs.
Dakine caught him before he could fall. They both looked back to the object that had hit Darien and found a large, white wolf. It growled lightly at Darien.
“I think the fay are ready for you.” Dakine chuckled as he recognized Zak.
The wolf bumped into him again and grabbed Darien’s wrist in his mouth to drag him over to where the fay were waiting.
“Hold your horses, little horror,” Darien said as he regained his balance. “Excuse me.” He bid the elf lord farewell as he was pulled away by the insistent hellhound.
“I’ll find you later.” Dakine raised his hand up in parting. He chuckled into his goblet and turned to watch the changed people coming back into the room. It was going to be interesting to watch how people reacted to not knowing anyone.
***
The woman that stared back from the mirror looked nothing like Vicky. She shifted her head back and forth, swinging the long, black hair around as Vicky moved. Vicky admired the way the straight locks were pinned up on one side above her now-pointed ears with a cluster of white roses and realistic snowflakes. They were the perfect accent for the beautiful dress she had been given. She ran her hands over the body of the fitted dress, feeling the soft material she recognized as spider silk.
“Are you sure I can wear this dress?” Vicky looked over her shoulder to the woman standing behind her. She had been surprised when the fairly plain woman had introduced herself as Arachne. Somehow, Vicky had envisioned her taller and more sinister, but Arachne was slightly shorter than Vicky, with long, silver hair. The only remarkable trait about the woman was the number of spiders that moved over her. Vicky could see the little creatures sitting on her contently.
“But of course.” Arachne adjusted the snowflakes hanging from the large bow resting on Vicky’s hip. “We will have nothing but the best for Kian’s lady.”
“How do I look?” She spun around so Arachne could inspect her. The dress hung from Vicky’s shoulders by wide bands that created an elegant, V-neck front and rose over her shoulders to a low back. The front hem of the full skirt started just below her knees and flowed downward as it curled around behind her. The train in the back fell in long folds, and the entire bottom of the dress was covered over with a sheer material that shimmered like moonlight on fresh snow. The dress was accented by a pair of iridescent wings that the fay had somehow sprouted out of Vicky’s back. Vicky was having a hard time adjusting to the odd appendages. She could feel every time the delicate membranes touched something and even move the wings as if they were real.
“Beautiful enough to be one of Jack Frost’s wives.” Arachne brushed a loose lock of hair back over Vicky’s shoulder. “You’re lucky he wasn’t able to attend tonight. He would have given Dubhlainn a run for his money.”
Vicky’s eyes widened in surprise, but she wasn’t sure if it was due to the idea that someone other than Darien would court her, or if it was because she had just been informed that Jack Frost was real.
“You look wonderful,” the woman said. “Go find our host, and let me and mine tend your things.”
“I can get…” Vicky started to refuse Arachne’s offer but found that her clothing was already swarming with spiders. “All right,” she agreed, changing her mind.
Arachne laughed at the look that crossed Vicky’s face. “Go give Dubhlainn a good time.” Arachne took Vicky’s arm and led her back to the main changing room. “But make sure not to reveal yourself too easily. Men love a good challenge.”
“Of course not,” Vicky smiled and turned towards the opening that would let her out to the ballroom. She paused and watched the lesser fay enchant one of the other party members. Confusion furrowed her brow as she watched the process the other people were undergoing. None of them were being stripped by the fay as she had been when the little ones had dragged her in. In fact, the fay changed what the participants were wearing along with their looks. Looking down at the magnificent gown she had been given, Vicky shrugged her shoulders before making her way out to the ballroom. She was already changed, and there was no reason to spoil Arachne’s excellent work because it wasn’t exactly the same as someone else’s enchantment.
Looking around the ballroom, Vicky couldn’t find a single person she knew. Several faces turned towards her as she stepped onto the wood of the dance floor. She could hear an appreciative murmur from the crowd around her as she walked farther into the room. Before she had been stolen away by th
e lesser fay, the massive room had been filled with people in costumes one would expect at a party. Now couples danced in elaborate outfits that were more appropriate for the soft music playing. Vicky found examples of every era from togas to modern gowns that would have looked perfect at some red carpet event. She spun around as she took in all the sights around her. Vicky gasped as her bare foot came down on something on the floor. A sharp tingle shot up her leg and she jumped back to discover she had stepped on the silver circle laid into the floor.
“May I have this dance, My Lady?”
A warm, male voice pulled Vicky’s attention back up from the floor. Her eyes met with a tall, handsome man with red hair and dark eyes. He was dressed in an elegantly embroidered doublet of dark green and loose pants tucked into leather boots.
Vicky took the hand that was offered to her. “Umm… yes.”
The man swept her up and away into the swirl of dancers.
Vicky wasn’t sure how the dance was supposed to go, but the man led her across the floor with ease.
“I guess that you’ve never been to a masquerade before?” her partner asked softly as they twirled around the room.
“No.” Vicky shook her head shyly.
He laughed a warm, rich note. “Then let me fill you in,” the man began. “The object of tonight’s game is to find a partner. It could be someone you already know, or someone who piques your interest. If you think you know who someone is, you can take them to one of the mirrors and speak their name. If you’re right, they’ll be revealed to you. For each person you guess, a flower will appear on your bracelet.”
Vicky’s eyes flipped to the silver strand around her wrist as she listened to the man speak.
“For each person that guesses you correctly, there will be a leaf.”
Vicky looked back up to her partner’s face.
“To make the game more interesting, you cannot reveal who you are. At the end of the night, Lord Dakine will break the enchantment. When the spell ends, the person with the most flowers and fewest leaves will win a minor boon from our most excellent host.”
“A boon?” Vicky asked. She had heard that word before but wasn’t sure what it meant.
“Something like a favor,” the man explained.
“Ahh,” Vicky said as she understood. “So, we just have to guess who everyone is and keep out identity secret as we look for our partner.”
“Exactly,” Vicky’s partner said.
Vicky took in as much of the man as she could. She was sure he was no one she knew, but she could tell a few things from him. What she had learned in the clubs would help her in this game. The man dancing with her was neither hot nor cold. This ruled out the possibility of werewolf or vampire. He didn’t feel right to be human, so Vicky put him in the fay category. “But, I don’t know a lot of people,” she said sadly.
“Then, you won’t get many flowers tonight.” The man swirled her over to the edge of the dance floor as the music ended. “Good luck, My Lady.” He bowed over Vicky’s hand and kissed it. Releasing her, he went back over to the entrance where Vicky had come in, and picked up another young lady for the next dance.
An epiphany struck Vicky. He was definitely a fay—a plant, sent to make sure that everyone knew the rules of the game for the evening. She turned to make her way over to the buffet table in hopes of finding Darien before he went for his disguise. Her eyes didn’t find the man she was looking for, but she did stop and stare at an unusual sight.
“Master Clara.” Vicky stepped over to the head of the Vampire Council. “What are you doing?” She watched the vampire licking chocolate frosting from her fork. “I thought you couldn’t eat food.”
Clara looked over at Vicky, unsure of who it was. “Lady Aine has made some special arrangements for the vampires tonight,” Clara explained. “Try the chocolate cake.” She grinned widely. “It’s magnificent.”
Vicky laughed and agreed. “Have you seen Darien?” She looked around for him.
Clara smiled knowingly at her. “He and Elliot have just left to get changed.” She pointed to the men’s door with her fork. “And you may want to refer to him as Master Darien or Kian for the rest of the night, or you will find it hard to hide yourself, Miss Westernly.”
“Oh!” Vicky was surprised that Clara saw through her disguise so easily. “How did you know?”
Clara chuckled. “You’re the only woman that says his name without fear or respect.”
“I respect him,” Vicky said defensively.
“That may be true,” Clara said softly, “but your voice holds other things when you speak his name. It gives you away.”
Vicky thought about that for a moment. “Thank you for the warning.” She dropped a curtsy to Clara. “I will remember that.”
“Good luck in finding your man.” Clara cut another piece from her cake. “Oh, and the fay have done a splendid job on your costume. Master Darien would be wise to find you fast before someone else tries to snap you up.”
Vicky blushed at the compliment and went to mingle among the guests in hopes of finding her love.
***
The familiar man dressed in a green tunic and tights held Vicky’s attention. She knew the fay would have changed his appearance so he could participate in the masquerade, but this unknown person was Darien’s doppelgänger. Vicky studied his familiar features and sparkling, green eyes for a moment. The wavy, brown hair she knew so well was hidden under the Robin Hood cap that completed his outfit. Vicky smiled to herself and approached him, wondering who the imposter could be.
“Good evening, Robin.” Vicky called the man by the name of the character he was dressed as. “May I?” She held out her hand, asking the man to dance.
“But of course, my lady,” Darien’s double answered and took her hand.
Vicky’s heart jumped at his words. The fay had done an excellent job of mimicking her love’s penetrating voice. The sound rubbed on the inside of her skin like black velvet in firelight. Vicky shook herself slightly and stepped into the man’s arms so they could dance out onto the floor. He was much warmer than Darien should be, so she sorted him into the werewolf category.
“You look magnificent,” he complimented as they danced.
“Thank you,” Vicky smiled in return. “So, have you found your partner yet?” The man’s face spread into the seductive smile that always sped her pulse. What threw the smile off most were the fangs that Darien didn’t normally show.
“Not yet,” he purred. “Are you interested?”
Vicky laughed a sound that skipped out like bells. “That depends on who you are.” She smiled brightly at him.
“Who do you think I am?” Darien’s double asked as he pulled her closer to him.
Vicky knew this body, but it just did not feel right being in his arms like this. “I know you’re not Master Darien,” Vicky said as he twirled her around the room. “You’re a wolf,” she added.
The look that crossed the man’s face told her she was right. “Maybe,” he smiled at her, “but how can you tell?”
“You’re warm.” Vicky moved her hand up to his chest and felt him.
A thoughtful expression crossed the wolf’s face. “Werewolves do have a higher metabolism than humans, so I guess that could cause us to be warmer.”
Vicky listened to the analytical way the man talked. She recognized his thought process and felt she could venture a guess at whom he was, but she needed a little more information before she was sure. “So, is there anyone in particular that you would like to find tonight?” Vicky prodded. The warm glow of her partner’s eyes told her yes.
“There is one, if I can find her.” His eyes cast around the room filled with people. “She is special to me.”
“What is she like?” Vicky asked softly.
Darien’s double looked down at her and smiled. “If I tell you who she is, then you would know who I am.” The man shook his head.
“I didn’t ask who she was, I asked what she was like,” Vick
y clarified.
A twinkle of amusement showed in his face. “I will share if you will.”
“Agreed.” Vicky nodded. “But, I asked first, so you get to start.”
“Fair.” The wolf grinned. “My lady is lovely, fun, and smart. She is a wonderful listener and always knows how to make me smile.”
Vicky could hear the love in his voice.
He paused as he thought about the woman he loved before turning his mind towards the woman in his arms. “Your turn,” he said, flashing a bright smile at Vicky.
She thought about the best way to describe Darien without giving him away “He’s tall, handsome, fun loving, and respected. Many have heard of him, but few know who he is,” Vicky said cryptically. She was sure the man would know whom she was describing. They danced together, thinking, until the song ended. “I’m ready to guess who you are.” Vicky pulled the man over to one of the many mirrors around the room. She laid her wings down her back and stood in front of Darien’s double.
He wrapped her up in his arms the same way Darien had done. “So, who am I?” He grinned broadly.
Vicky sighed the man’s name, and the illusion melted away to reveal Karl dressed in the green tunic and tights.
Karl stuck out his lower lip and pouted. “How did you know?”
“I’ve met you before,” Vicky smiled knowingly, “and I know your lady.”
Karl thought about that for a moment before trying to guess who Vicky was. He failed three times before they turned away from the mirror so the next couple could have a go.
“So, who are you?” Karl couldn’t contain his curiosity anymore.
Vicky rose up and kissed his cheek. “Someone you helped save once.” She fluttered her wings. Confusion crossed Karl’s face, and Vicky left him to think about her identity. She still needed to find Darien.
Darien looked at his reflection in the mirror and tugged on the edge of his scarlet and gold doublet. Personally, he wouldn’t have chosen to wear these colors, and it looked like someone had skinned a couch to make it, but the cut of the coat was very flattering to the form he wore. Long, black hair framed his sculpted features, and the gold in the top brought out the shine in his root-beer-colored eyes. Overall, the fay had done an excellent job with his disguise. Darien shook his arms to settle the loose sleeves of the black shirt into their proper place. The outfit was finished off with a pair of loose, black cotton pants and matching leather knee-high boots with turned-down tops. Darien picked up the black leather cavalier’s hat and stroked the scarlet and gold plumage that stuck out of the bent up side. He popped the headpiece on and turned to look at the man standing behind him.