I’m hungrier than I realized. It’s been a while since I’ve had a meal that didn’t consist of twinkies. Oh, twinkies, they make me think of home.
Which reminds me.
“Which kingdom are you sending us to first?” I ask.
“I think you need to head north and warn them of the attacks, and of Deezy.” Roman replies.
“How long does it take to get to the Northern Kingdom? When do we leave?” I ask.
“It is a two day’s journey to the Northern Realm.” Roman answers.
Evans speaks up, “We will give the Princess a week to practice with her sword, as well as her magic, and then head out. Today, I plan to take the Princess on a tour of the kingdom.”
“Very well, I will remain behind. I have a kingdom to rule, and people to care for.” Roman informs us.
After we all finish the last bits on our plates, Evans stands, “Liauna, are you ready for your tour?”
“Do I really have to wear this?” I sigh.
He chuckles, ”No, I will escort you to your room. We can look for a simpler dress in your closet, one that is more to your liking.”
I stand, nod to my father, then exit following Evans.
Evans takes my hand, “Did you sleep well, Princess?” He asks.
“Yes, indeed. I was glad to sleep all night without a nightmare. Thank you for staying with me.” I reply.
“Of course, it was my pleasure. I slept well knowing you were safe.” He replies.
“Seems reasonable,” I say. “I’ll remember that.”
That gets a chuckle from him.
We arrive at my room, and I open the door, heading straight to the closet, walking to the dresses I saw hanging yesterday. I look through them in hopes of finding something I’d like.
Stopping on the last dress, I find it’s simple and beautiful. Almost like a sundress I’d wear back at home. The top is white with spaghetti straps, the bottom is adorned with blue flowers. It’s a little fancier than I’m used to, but I like it. As for footwear, I kick off the torturous heels Kallista put me in, exchanging them for some simple silver sandals.
“I’ll just take this into the bathroom to change into.” I tell him. “First, can you untie this thing I’m wearing?”
I turn and step back towards Evans. I can feel him step closer, and his hands start to untie the corset to this monster of a dress I’m wearing. Feeling that he is almost done as the ties loosen, I start to step away, but he touches my shoulder. I turn around to face him as he then brings his hands to my face and kisses me. I gladly return it. Lost in his kiss, I wrap my arms around him pulling him closer.
He pulls away before I’m ready, leaving me a little disappointed.
“I’ll be waiting right here for your return.” He says with a wicked grin.
“Sure, tease me, and then send me off. I’ll remember that tonight when you want an invitation to my bed, for sleep,” I reply, walking off with a huff.
I hear his soft chuckle reverberate through the room. Damn you Evans, what are you doing to me? Shaking my head, I set off to change.
Chapter 4
Emerging from the bathroom, I’m ready to see the rest of the kingdom.
Evans is standing with his hands behind his back. Ever so slowly he reveals the ring box I was thinking of earlier.
“Will you please wear this on our outing?”
I nod, “Of course.”
He breathes sigh of relief.
“I understand that you still want time, but some of our people will not understand. I’m still giving you all the time you want, and even if you decide we are better off friends, this will show our people we are united.”
Taking a deep breath, I walk up to Evans and lay a hand on his cheek.
“I know I want you, Evans, but I also want Anton and Callum. I know it isn’t fair to any of you, but I love you three more than I thought possible in the little time I have known you.”
I take a breathe and continue, “I will wear this ring as a symbol of my love for you. To also show that we are united, no matter what the four of us decide later.” Evans slips the ring on my finger. Taking my hand, he leads me to meet my people, and the land I have yet to see.
I saw a glimpse of the realms’ beauty earlier, but I didn’t really see it. The palace is beautiful, but as I take in my surroundings I realize that the beauty of the palace seems to cascade to the realm around it. Such a contrast to the human realm, such barren wasteland since the creepers took over.
Evans leads me to a few shops, the first one containing flowers as far as the eye can see. I don’t think I’ve seen this many types of flowers, ever.
An older Fae woman is running the store, but I’m too busy gawking at the gorgeous flowers to notice Evans walk up and embrace her.
With his arm around her, they walk up to me.
“Princess, I’d like you to meet my mother, Evangeline.”
I smile, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Returning my smile, she hugs me. “Welcome home Princess Liauna, I’m grateful you all made it safe, and that you have returned my son’s smile. It has been too long since I’ve seen it.”
“I like his smile too. You have a gorgeous shop here! These flowers are amazing! How are you able to grow all of these?”
“Well dear, you are too kind. I’m lucky to be blessed with a talent for flowers. Just so happens I love them, so that makes my ability stronger. Your father was generous enough to build these shops for us to sell and trade our goods. He is a great and just ruler.”
Evans gives her a smile and a hug, “We must be off to see more of the kingdom before the ball tonight. Will you and Father be joining?”
“Yes, son, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
She picks up a white lily, and tucks it behind my ear, “I’m glad Evans brought you by to say hello. It was nice to meet you.”
“Thank you, I’m glad I got to meet you, and see your beautiful shop. Hopefully we can visit more later,” I reply, taking the hand Evans held out for me.
The next shop we enter is full of dresses. My eyes jump all around, I can’t decide where to look first. Just like in the flower shop, I’m in a sea of colors. No rhyme or reason to their placement. I find myself drawn to the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.
Stepping up to it, I have to manually close my mouth, I don’t want these Fae to think I’m a weirdo.
Admiring the dress, it has a sweetheart neckline, my favorite. The bodice is corset style and is sapphire in color with little clear crystals all over it. The skirt is an A-line design and matches the top, the crystals flaring out to match. I’ve never found a dress that speaks to me like this one does, not even when I went prom dress shopping years ago.
In my daze, I didn’t realize Evans and an unknown Fae walked up next to me.
Evans speaks up, “We will take this dress. Please have it sent to the castle.”
Nodding, the unknown Fae starts taking it off the display.
“Thank you, but I don’t have any money to buy this.” I turn to Evans, blushing at my lack of funds.
“Consider it a welcome home present, Princess.” He replies.
“Oh no, I can’t accept this. It’s too fancy, and probably costs more than I’m comfortable with.”
“Princess, I will not take no for an answer, it was meant to be worn by you.” Evans smirks.
“Well if I look hideous in it, you get to bring it back.” I say, sticking out my tongue. Inside, I'm mentally jumping up and down with glee.
We continue going through all the little shops for the next couple of hours, until I hear my stomach growl. Evans laughs, and we head back to the castle to grab something for lunch.
I learn that the kitchen is always open. The kitchen Fae on duty has a picnic basket packed and waiting for us on our arrival.
“Princess, please go to your room and change into what I have laid out for you. I’m going to my room to do the same. I’ll pick you up when I’m done.”
Making my way, I’m surprised to see that I can find my room with ease. I head straight towards the bed, and I find the new bikini I had picked up on the way here, along with a cute cover up.
Quickly changing, I’m pulling on the cover up as I hear a knock on my door.
“Enter.”
Kallista appears with the ball gown I was drooling over in town.
“Great choice, Princess. Would you like to wear this to the ball this evening?”
I nod, “Yes, I would love to. I’m just about to head out with Evans for a picnic.”
Right on cue, Evans pokes his head in.
“Brother, have the Princess back in two hours time, I must get her ready for the ball.” Kallista says in a motherly tone.
Throwing me a wink, he replies, “On my honor, sister.”
Following Evans, we head out of the castle, opposite the way we went earlier.
Taking it all in, we pass a few rabbits and butterflies as we come to a wall blanketed in greenery. Evans pulls back a handful of vines. Motioning to me, he tells me to walk through.
I emerge on the other side to the view of a magnificent waterfall. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic, and I see why we changed into bathing suits.
As I stare at our surroundings, Evans sets everything up. This is perfect, I’m in awe of my asshole Fae. Where did all this sweetness come from?
We take our time eating, just relaxing in each others presence. Finishing our lunch, we pack everything back into the basket. I think it’s time for a little swim.
Evans stands, takes off his shirt, and extends a hand to me. My eyes linger on his chiseled chest for a moment before I extend my hand to grasp his, and he pulls me up. Letting go, I remove my cover up.
Evans sucks in a breath.
“That bad?” I ask him.
“You are more beautiful than you know.” He whispers in my ear.
I can feel the blush in my cheeks as I take his hand again, leading him into the pond. It is surprisingly warm, and I continue walking until I can’t touch the bottom anymore.
I jump on Evans’ back as he walks close to the waterfall. It’s breathtaking. Setting me on a ledge, we breathe in our surroundings. It’s so nice to just relax, we aren’t a Princess and her bodyguard here. We can shed those titles with no one watching.
“So, what did your mom mean about your smile?” I ask.
“Well, ever since I was a child, I was treated differently. Being that I was betrothed to the absent Princess, I would get teased, and I got into a lot of fights. I started to resent you, and what you were meant to be to me.”
“I was trained and promoted in the ranks, but the whispers were always there, following me. When your father mentioned a mission to come get you, I jumped at the chance. It would be a welcome change. No whispers, no more Fae stares.” Sighing, he takes my hands.
“I wanted to hate you. My whole life I was promised to a Princess no one believed existed. Then I found you. You were fierce but sensitive. You cared more for your dog than your own life. You are a survivor, not at all what I thought a Princess would be.”
Before I realized it, we were nose to nose. Raising his hand to my cheek, he lightly runs a finger down it, sending sparks throughout my body.
Breathing in his scent, I lean forward and kiss him.
Greedily, he kisses me back, tenderly but passionately. Feeling him wrap his arms around my waist, he pulls me close. So close that I wrap my legs around his waist.
I move my arms up his chest and encircle his neck, digging my fingers into his hair, and open my mouth to his. He starts teasing me with his tongue.
Feeling the strength of his desire through his kisses, I deepen it.
He raises his hand on my back, feeling his way to the strings on my suit, and my top starts to loosen. As he pulls at it, we hear a cough.
Ending our embrace, we turned to see Kallista, standing on the shore, shaking her finger towards us as if to scold us.
Evans eyes her, “Perfect timing, sister.” His words tight, and dripping with sarcasm.
“I figured you’d lose track of time. I have a Princess to prepare for the welcoming ball.”
Evans re-ties my top then pulls me onto his back, swimming back to shore.
Looking to me, Evans winks. “To be continued, my Princess.”
Kallista makes a gagging sound.
I just laugh. “As you wish.” Pulling my cover up back on, Kallista and I head back towards the castle.
“Princess, you have a friend in me as well as a sister, anytime you need one.” Kallista states.
I smile at her, “Thank you, I need that right now. I have never been this far away from my family. I have an ache in my heart, I miss them, as well as Anton and Callum. Evans helps to heal that hurt, but it still feels like something is missing.”
“Just please don’t break his heart.” She requests.
I stop entirely in my tracks and take her hands, looking her dead in the eyes, “I will do everything in my power to prevent that. I know it’s weird, but I have a pull to him as well as Anton and Callum. I love them all equally. This is new for the four us. I told them we will figure this out together and I meant it. I’m not the type of girl that likes playing with anyone’s emotions, or to string someone along. I wouldn’t want someone to do that to me.”
I sigh, and continue, “I know that scene at the waterfall seems the opposite to what I said. I love your brother, more than he knows, but I love Anton and Callum as well.”
Kallista weakly smiles, “I know it must be hard on you all, but he’s my big brother, I only want the best for him. Please call me Kalli.”
Letting go of her hands, “As do I, Kalli.”
She offers me a small smile, and we walk in silence back to the castle.
Evans must have taken a different path back, the coward. He must have known Kalli was going to scold us.
In what seems like no time at all we are back in my room, and Kalli is handing me a towel and some underwear.
I take her obvious hint, and head towards the bathroom to shower. I quickly wash and dry myself before heading back out to the bedroom. My gorgeous new dress is being held by Kalli, who’s waiting for me by the vanity.
I nod that I am ready, and Kalli helps me into it. I turn to look in the mirror. It’s perfect. Kalli smiles, and I know I’m right. I can’t stop smiling. I am completely in love with this dress.
I carefully sit at the vanity, and Kalli does my hair and makeup. I feel like it’s taking forever and shut my eyes. Soon, I feel her place the tiara on my head, and I open my eyes to see her place a beautiful diamond necklace and bracelet set.
I stand and admire my reflection, is that really me in the mirror? I can’t believe it. I look like real a Princess. She has braided my hair into an updo. My makeup isn’t over the top. I’m wearing light blue and glittering eyeshadow, and she has done the winged eyeliner perfectly. My skin looks dusted with glitter as it shimmers in the light. And this dress, I admire how the dress fits my every curve. It hugs my waist, flaring at just the right spot and showing off my curves. Giddy as a school girl, I do a little twirl in the mirror.
Kalli coughs, then hands me some silver strappy sandals, “Here are your shoes. Do you need help getting them on?”
I shake my head no. In my excitement, I forgot she was still here.
“Princess, I must take my leave. It’s only about 30 minutes till the ball, and I must get ready myself.” Kalli tells me.
“Thank you Kalli, you are a miracle worker. I'm extremely grateful for all your help. I can’t stop smiling.”
She does a little curtsy, and leaves my room.
I glanced once more at myself in the mirror before sitting back down to put the sandals Kalli handed me on. This would be awful in high heels, so I'm grateful not to be stuck in a pair for the night.
I hear a light tapping on my door, and look up to see Evans. His ja
w seems to hang open, and I think I may even see some drool... Ha! He enters the room, and makes his way towards me. Just as I did for the mirror, I twirl for him as well, and as I do, I see a smirk form on his lips. I take a moment to soak in his appearance. He is beautiful. His hair is perfectly slicked back and his face is clean shaven. He is clothed in a white shirt, with a black leather vest, and leather pants. I’m trying to speculate, as I eyeball them, how he got into them. He cleans up beautifully.
I stand on my tip toes and give him a light peck on the lips. “Shall we?” Raising an eyebrow, he looks at me. His smirk turns into a wicked grin. I play hit him, “Go to the ball! What kinda girl do you take me for?” Grinning, he just shrugs, earning another hit from me.
Chapter 5
Alix announces Evans and me as we step into the ballroom. Feeling more self-conscious, I hold my head high as we walk to my father.
Looking at my father, I see him wipe away a tear.
I can feel one forming in the corner of my own eye too. Right on cue, Evans hands me a handkerchief.
Nodding at him, I wipe the corner of my eyes carefully, not wanting to smudge my makeup.
My father is dressed similar to Evans, but his leathers are sapphire colored. He is seated on his throne, which is made of white wood, and adorned with blue sapphires on the top. On either side of him sit two thrones, slightly smaller in size. He motions for me to sit on his left side. As I take my seat, Evans follows me and stands to the side, a little behind it on my left. Always on guard.
Looking out from my throne, I find the ballroom is filled with Fae. Happy couples swaying on the dance floor, and a few families seated at tables with adorable Fae children running about.
Standing, my father extends a hand to me. Sliding my hand into his I stand to join him. A hush comes over all the Fae as they stop dancing, and stare up at us. “My people, I am so pleased to introduce my daughter, Princess Liauna. Welcome home!”
I stand there, waving like an idiot, not knowing what is expected of me.
Continuing to hold my hand, my father leads me down the steps, and starts introducing me to Fae after Fae after Fae. Evans is trailing after us, never too far behind.
Curse of the Fae (The Creeper Saga Book 2) Page 2