by Rebecca Grey
Shavarra had been my escape for so long. Her open arms were the one reprieve from my dreams that circled around my future. The future that seemed too far away to ever reach. It didn’t feel so far away now. Despite what my mother thought she heard, I rarely slept with a commoner apart from Shavarra. Only on my drunkest occasion.
Nothing my mother did would make me accept a marriage with Princess Maggie or select another bride from this court. Nothing would stop me from helping the nymphs either. We were in too deep for that.
Grabbing the leather, I snatched the reins of the nearest horse and swung myself into the saddle. With a kick of my heels we careened forward through the gates and toward the forest I so often traveled to.
It was easy not to wave at the people, they knew I wasn’t that sort of prince, the charming type. I didn’t pay attention to the beautiful architecture of the city or the murals made of stone. The horse trotted by people at the market, fast enough that we wouldn’t waste time but slow enough we wouldn’t draw interest.
When the city became distant lights and I could no longer hear the sound of horses beating their hooves against the ground or citizens calling to one another, I knew I was close. I traded buildings for forest. Large evergreen trees that reached toward the sky like they would never end rose all around me. Their trunks were so large you couldn’t fit your arms around them.
There was only one specific tree I was looking for though. The one that didn’t stand out with any special knots or low hanging branches for climbing. This one tree was meant to look so normal that no one passing would bother to mess with it.
With one hand, I waved over the bark. The large base opening just wide enough for my shoulders to pass and walk down a dark stairwell. I could hear water splatter under my boots with every step, melted snow brought in by the few who could be trusted with this place. Shavarra had to be here.
The refuge was a safe haven, a home to those in need. The only good thing I had done with my pathetic life.
Light shone at the end of the stairs. A door was propped open leading into the common area. Tables where every meal was eaten, couches and large chairs for relaxing, a couple book shelves with as many books as Shavarra and I could smuggle in and a cabinet full of cards and other various board games. It wasn’t a lot but it was what we could do for them. Distantly, in a corner that was rarely used, sat a piano along with a few other instruments. Playing music was hard when we had to practice not being heard.
I bobbed my head, the best I could do in greeting, at the nymphs that were out of their personal rooms. Down the narrow hallway immediately to my right, I made my way to a familiar door. My knuckles wrapped against the wood loudly. Within two heartbeats the door opened.
Shavarra’s blonde hair was pulled back into two long braids tied underneath her chest. She smiled only slightly when she saw me.
“Finally.” She sighed. “Do you know how exhausting it is running this place by myself? Come on, help me serve dinner.”
Shavarra slapped my arm as she slipped passed me, back toward the common area. Her plump lips slipped into a full grin as she spoke over her shoulder to me. “I’m glad you’re back. How was your trip?”
Together we weaved through the chairs and up to the table where a large pot, still steaming, rested with bowls next to it. She pulled the spoon from the pot and began filling bowls. The strong scent swirled up to my nose along with the tendrils of steam, a warm but acidic scent common from our vegetables.
“You’re not going to believe it.” I lowered my voice to keep from making it an announcement to the entire room.
“What? Princess Maggie is nicer than the rumors?”
Shavarra handed me a knife and pointed at a loaf of bread. Nymphs sat at the tables watching and waiting for it to be prepped before they swooped in to take the soup and bread.
“No, she’s truly terrible.” I noted how the knife cut into the bread creating thick slices. “I saw her.”
“Princess Maggie? I expected that she would be there, seeing as all of the royal families were invited to that fucktard’s palace.”
“No, Shavarra. Her.”
It was hard to keep myself from shouting the words across the room. Hell, across the world. Even more so when Shavarra looked at me with confusion.
“Her,” I whisper again.
“Like, her, her?”
My chin bobbed with a nod. The sweet crystal colors of Shavara’s eyes glistened as they widened.
“You saw her? This is unbelievable. Your dreams will finally start coming true. Did she like you? Did you hit it off?”
“Not exactly…” I passed pieces of bread off as nymphs hungrily took them and mumbled their thanks. “I'm a noble fae and she’s a nymph. She hates me.”
“For now.”
“For now could last one day, it could last for the next ten years. These dreams don’t come with a time stamp you know.”
Shavarra tilted her chin with a lopsided grin. Spooning in more soup she lifted the ladle and paused mid-air, her jaw opening like she was going to speak but her mouth remained agape.
“What the fuck do we have here?” the lazy drawl called from behind me.
Tension ran like a taut string up my back and brought my shoulders to my ears. Every heartbeat was loud as it rang in my head. I recognized that all too cocky, confident voice.
My unpolished boots squeaked against the floor as I turned to see Torrance. Both his hands were dug deep in his pockets as he strolled around the space watching the nymphs frozen mid bite.
“Torrance, how did you get here?” Shavarra dropped the dishes down, wiping her hands on her pants and walked around the table.
“I followed Dace.” Torrance reached to tousle my hair and I narrowly dodged the motion. “So are you guys like keeping them in here like a zoo? Or like a social experiment?” One hand reached out toward a nymph who shied away, Torrance attempted to twirl a strand of their dark brown hair between his fingers.
“Why were you following me, Torrance?” My lungs burned with every breath. My fingers itched to do something. Anything.
The refuge wasn’t meant to be found. We had taken measures to prevent that. And one day, I was so in my head that I hadn’t bothered to make sure I wasn’t followed. Fuck me.
“Just thought you’ve been acting odd lately. Decided to see what was up with that. And it seems this is indeed, what is up.”
“And what are you going to do with this information Torrance?” I couldn’t fight the edge in my voice.
“What? You’re not gonna give me a tour before you try to accuse me?”
The entire room had fallen silent. All eyes watched our exchange. They expected me to handle this, to protect them at any cost. I could feel the weight of their worries on every surface of my skin.
“This is the common area and that is the door.” I pointed a long finger to the staircase he had just descended.
“Oh, Dace don’t be such a tight ass. I’m not here to sell you out.” Torrance smiled, the sort of smile that fooled everyone else, even when it didn’t fool me. I could see others chuckle and go about their business like his wicked smile solved everything. Even Shavarra’s pursed lips relaxed.
“Then what do you want?” I crossed my arms. “I think you can tell easily enough what is happening here.”
“Yeah, my dad was mumbling all this stuff about you suggesting to let the nymphs go free. He even used the word poppycock. That’s when you know you really got him going.” He paused, licking his lips. “But I’m not my father and I could care less. This seems like a good enough hide out when I want to escape my own duties.”
“We can’t stress enough how important it is that this is kept a secret.”
“Mums the word. Promise.” He winked, picking up the ladle and taking a healthy sniff. “Damn, they’re living the life of luxury here. That isn’t even cabbage soup!”
I couldn’t help the way I grabbed my face and dragged my hands down my features. Torrance understood but
I knew he wouldn’t stop acting like this was a casual thing when it clearly was not.
Whatever sort of conversation I was having with Shavarra was done for. Torrance wasn’t about to get the nitty gritty of my weaknesses. But there were other things to be done and my time was precious.
“Well, I’m not staying here long.” I grumbled.
“You’re not?” Shavarra said, surprised.
“No, I actually agreed to attend a party in the Acture Court. I’ll be back soon though.” I pointed at Torrance. “You tell no one about this or I’ll strangle you with my bare hands. When I get back, and have had some time to process, I’ll fill you in on the details. If you can keep your mouth shut.”
“My lips are sealed.” Torrance beamed.
But nothing he said felt right.
FIFTEEN
Ryker
Hattie skipped carelessly in her vibrant blue dress, the skirt flaring out at each movement. Her hair was still up in her tight bun, curls poking out around her face and a flower was tucked behind her ear. Her happiness was like fresh air, her presence brought some of the fire back to my soul. Maybe she was right, maybe I was home, I just needed time.
Stepping out barefoot onto the plush emerald lawn, I saw the courtyard decorated in a traditional nymph celebration under the dusky sky. The fae were formal creatures with their dances and fancy feasts, while we preferred barefoot rhythms under the moon. I paused adjusting the crown of white flowers that adorned my crazy curls. My curls, I still couldn’t believe how amazing that remedy was. The wind picked up, urging me forward, making the green dress that hugged my body playfully sway at my knees.
Wearing a dress was weird, my bones still jutted out showing just how malnourished I was. Even standing outside getting ready to go to a party that I wouldn’t be serving was weird, however, to everyone here it seemed normal.
A large bonfire stood ablaze while the trees surrounding the area were strung up with streamers and small lights bright with different hues of color through the leaves. A rainbow lit up the darkened sky. Blankets, pillows, and trays of berries had been laid out under trees further off. Music played softly from a band set up near the fire.
Each step toward the gathering I dragged my feet over the soft blades of grass. Glancing over my shoulder, I kept expecting a keeper to appear at my side. Did I deserve such a homecoming party? Could I let myself finally open up to joy when so many like us were starved and beaten? These thoughts played through my mind, almost like a song stuck in my head. None of it stopped Hattie, no, she made her way down the small hill only to come to a halt when she reached Windre’s side. I smiled watching her blush under his gaze. His fingers brushed hers in greeting. Her lips moved speaking so freely, her joy so easily spilling over. Windre leaned back, howling at the sky. He looked the part of the wolf with his fur skirt that revealed all of his chest. Maybe that’s what Hattie saw in him. I decided to ask her about it later.
I wondered if they saw what I did. That vibrant bond that seemed to flow between them. Maybe they felt it. Was it a living string that connected them? Nevertheless, they were very lucky.
Unsure of what to do with myself and this new found freedom I let my eyes continue to roll over the party that waited for me. I found Randsin shrunken into the shadows of a tree a bit less decorated than the others. He frowned at the bodies that had begun to intertwine and shake to the beat the band had struck up. Catching his eye, I waved. He tried to smile, I think, but instead his face twisted into a grimace. He didn’t seem like much of a party person, anyway. I had half a mind to join him and hide myself away.
The soft pad of footfalls behind me drew my attention. An icy blond fae, with a blue suit messily put together, gave me his daring smile. He was a prince after all and that meant that he didn’t have to try for anyone. Though I wanted to, I couldn’t hide the surprise on my face.
“What are you doing here?”
A red apple rolled between Prince Dace’s fingers. His crystal blue gaze slid from the apple to me as though he hadn’t noticed me there at first.
“I never miss a good party,” he purred.
“So you know about all this?”
“I know about everything that goes on behind closed doors, princess.” He bit into the apple, the tender flesh crunching between his teeth.
“And your parents?” How far was this conspiracy against King Ganglin and all that he had started gone? How many courts contained nymphs that were happy and safe?
“None the wiser. No, they don’t condone this.” He shifted his shoulders, a smug smile.
So that was what this was to him. A rebellion against his parents. We were just something he could be a part of that they wouldn’t approve of. Spoiled rich boy.
When I didn’t answer he continued, his voice dripping in charm. “You clean up nicely.”
I tried to stare past him. Many more of my kind that I didn’t know, hadn’t yet met, had gathered to dance around the fire. Some fae milled about, some joined the fun, letting loose.
The prince took one more bite before tossing the apple behind him. He bowed deeply and offered me his hand. My eyes narrowed to slender slits before I shook my head.
“I do not trust you.” Stubbornly, I lifted my chin.
“Ah, at it again I see?” Dace chewed his lip and simply slid his hands into his pockets. “But you trust them?” His hair fell into his face as he tilted his head toward Windre and the others. My sister was still posed at his side.
“Hattie trusts him.”
“But you want to make your mind up for yourself?”
Yes. I did. But if Hattie trusted him, it made me feel like deep down I did too. Windre was given the benefit of the doubt.
Unenthused, I shrugged my shoulders. Across the small crowd, Daethian found me, waving quickly. His chest was bare, blue jagged shorts were cropped at the knees, and flowers were strung around his neck. His hair, which I noted how well I liked it, was styled up, the dark tips upturned to the sky. A boyish grin graced his lips.
As he weaved through the crowd, I noticed the way other girls’ attention drifted and followed him. I supposed he was handsome. I hadn’t really thought about him like that. I hadn’t really thought about the way I didn’t really like it when their eyes lingered on him too long either. They didn’t know him like I did.
“I see you’ve got your eye on your boyfriend down there. I’ll go grab some drinks and meet you on the dance floor.”
My retort was stale on my lips, the time to say it already gone before the words could form. Dace had swaggered away without a second glance. I wanted to say that Daethian wasn’t my boyfriend. But why did I feel the need to so desperately defend that? Especially with a noble fae?
Daethian finally stepped into my view. “You look so handsome. I think some of the other girls noticed too.”
“What do you mean?” He looked around not paying any mind to the girls who giggled and blushed when he turned their way.
“Can’t you feel their eyes on your back?”
Our feet stepped in time with the music that played. His broad shoulders helped to clear a path through the crowd. Nymph and fae alike parting in our presence. As we reached the fire he turned me, whisking me up close to his body. Hard muscle greeted me, a solid wall.
I blinked stunned by that mysterious smile of his. Daethian pushed a strand of hair away from my face with one finger. Our bodies fell into the rhythm of the music.
“I don’t care about all the rest of them. They should keep their eyes to themselves.” A deep chuckle rattled through his chest.
Fire warmed our sides, twirling, laughing, cheers rising up in the air with the smoke. This was the Daethian I wished I could have met sooner. The one full of life and spunk.
When he took a step I would take a step. Daethian led me around the fire, playful spins twirling my skirt around my shins and the strong hold of his arm holding my waist to keep me from falling with every deep dip. This was easy, his arms were comfortable and reliable
. We never spoke a word. I don’t think we needed to.
Spiraling around the heat, I was stopped by a hand on my shoulder. “A drink, for the boyfriend.” Dace cocked his head, watching Daethian with peaked interest. Two other drinks nestled between his opposite arm and his body.
“Not my boyfriend.” I plucked one of the drinks out from his grasp.
Daethian took the drink from the prince, his lips pursed as he shifted his gaze back to me with a small frown. He turned back toward Dace lifting the cup in salute.
“Thank you, Prince Dace.”
“He isn’t our prince.” I scoffed.
“Ryker, you don’t have to be like this. They are helping us.”
“Like what?”
“Hurt, guarded.”
I brought my cup to my lips letting the liquid burn down my throat. My cheeks burned with the heat of an embarrassing blush.
“That’s not what this is.” I couldn’t meet Daethian’s disapproving gaze. Slowly, I dragged my attention to Dace who waited with a sly smirk.
“Here.” He tilted my drink until a healthy amount of the liquor filled my mouth. “Peace offering?”
With a huff of air, I pulled the cup away from my face. “What are you doing Dace?”
“I want to dance with you.”
“I’ll go ahead and excuse myself.” Daethian bowed slightly. He watched us for a second before turning and finding himself in a conversation with Graceson. The dragon winged fae wrapped his arms around Daethian’s shoulder, shaking him with enthusiasm and whisking him away.
Within the same group, Hattie watched us, hovering near the edge of the crowd. I tried not to let the heaviness of her gaze or the interest in which she showed on my interaction with the fae bother me.
Dace extended one slender hand. I stared at the lines in his pale palm before I gave him my hand.
“Please, dance with me. I promise, I’m a great dancer.”
I turned to look back letting my eyes linger on Daethian who seemed ready to pounce at any second, his arms folded over his chest as he spoke softly to Graceson. If I concentrated I could probably catch what they were saying, but it felt weird to intrude on their privacy like that. Watching my hesitation and how my eyes lingered on Daethian, Dace continued softly, “Pretty please?”