Chapter 4
Four
SENAN
Well, this is a fucking disaster, isn’t it?
So much for a clean getaway. Looks like Aeron and I need to have a little chat about the meaning of the word “decoy.” Sure, I asked him to distract the night guards via a note because I promised my girl I wouldn’t speak to anyone, but the fact that I’d meant for him to distract all the guards should’ve been implied.
Now this one—who has been a pain in my ass ever since he was hired two weeks ago—is staring at my girl like he wants to eat her alive.
Get the hell back, lad. She is mine.
I tuck Allette behind me in case things get out of hand. And from the shade of red painting the guard’s face, I have a feeling we aren’t in for a laugh.
I lift my hands in front of me to show him that I’m not looking for a fight. “I can explain.”
The guard stomps forward, his hand falling to the pommel of the short sword at his waist. “Save your excuses for your king.”
As if my brother gives a shit about my perfectly valid reasons for disobeying a direct order.
The guard’s jaw works beneath his short beard. “King Boris specifically told you not to leave the castle. And this”—he waves a hand toward the circle of stones—“doesn’t look like the castle, does it?”
“Good heavens, you’re right!” My hands fly to my cold cheeks. “Imagine the trouble we’ll both be in when the king finds out. Although,” I drawl, tapping my chin thoughtfully, “I have a feeling that I’ll fare better than you.” The last guard I slipped past is now working in the stables shoveling Pegasus shite.
This guard does not like that one bit. The way his breath comes in angry white puffs reminds me of the stories my mother used to read to us about fire-breathing dragons.
“The way I see it, you have two choices,” I say. “You can either let me stay with my friends for a few hours, or we can both go back to the castle, and I can tell the king what a terrible job you’ve done trying to keep me in line.”
Allette pokes my spine. “That isn’t very nice.”
Maybe not, but this man is trying to take me away from her. No way in hell am I letting that happen tonight. If that means resorting to blackmail, then so be it.
Cursing, the guard rakes a hand through his chestnut-brown hair. “I will let you stay for one hour, but that is all. And you must swear not to speak a word of this to the king.”
One hour isn’t going to work for me. “Make it four, and we have a deal.”
“One,” the guard grits through his teeth.
“Five.”
His eyes ignite. “ One. ”
“Let’s make it six.” We’d really be pushing it with the time, though. Not that I care. It’s his neck on the line, not mine.
The guard curses again, and his shoulders deflate. “Sire…”
Allette’s friend tugs my girl away, and I overhear the silver-haired Tuath whisper, “Simon my arse. That is Prince Senan, isn’t it?”
Allette’s response leaves my stomach sinking. “Yes, but you cannot tell a soul. If the king finds out, we’ll both be in a world of trouble.”
Who I love should be none of the king’s fucking business. He has an entire territory to rule and yet he insists on dictating my every move. The order to remain in the castle on the most exciting night of the year? Boris’s doing. The journey to Nimbiss? Also Boris. Basically, if it’s terrible or makes me miserable, it was probably Boris’s idea.
The guard clears his throat, and his head falls. “Sire, please. I need this job. My mother, she isn’t well.”
Lovely. Now I feel bad for the blackmail. Allette looks at him with such kindness and sympathy in her eyes. The last thing I want is to disappoint her. “A compromise, then. Three hours and not a word to the king.” I hold out my hand, waiting for the guard to take it.
“No wonder you’ve no interest in your other suitors,” Wynn murmurs to Allette.
Do not get me started on Allette’s fucking suitors. Not once has she ever mentioned another man. I don’t know why I assumed I was the only one seeking her affections. The woman is stunning, has a kind heart and the most beautiful laugh. A man would be a fool not to fall head over heels in love with her.
I glance over my shoulder to where she waits, cloaked in shadows with her friend.
Look at that heart-shaped face. Who wouldn’t obsess over her long, luxurious waves the color of a cloudless sky or her beautiful wings that match. Her golden eyes seem to hold so many secrets, you’d sell your very soul to learn them all.
The worst part is, those other suitors can visit her in the open. They can offer her so much more than me all because my life belongs to the crown of Kumulus. I never asked to be born a prince. And if anyone offered me a way out, I’d jump at the chance.
The guard finally relents, sliding his hand into mine for an aggressive shake.
Victory never tasted as sweet. Three hours of bliss before returning to hell.
I twist toward the women, meeting their wide-eyed gazes. “Get your skirts on, ladies. We’re staying.”
Allette and Wynn let out exuberant squeals, bouncing up and down in each other’s arms before disappearing around one of the standing stones. I toss my pack onto the frozen ground and drag out the faded coat and boots Aeron lent me. He wore the very same two years ago when he came for Samhain—the coat still smells like bonfire smoke. I wonder if he was saddled with a guard as a babysitter as well. Probably not. He always seems to get away with more than me.
Speaking of guards, this one’s silver leathers are going to stick out like a Scathian tower in a Tuath town. The last thing I need is to be recognized by the other fae attending the festival. Luckily, Aeron suggested I bring a change of clothes in case it rained. I grab the extra black cloak and hand it to the guard. “Here. Put this on.” The man scowls down at the garment. “That is an order.”
Although his scowl remains, he does as requested and changes. With the cloak drawn, maybe no one will notice the swirling designs on his leather trousers. There is an extra pair of wool ones in my bag, but I draw the line at letting another man wear my pants.
“Do you have a spare mask?” he asks with a huff.
“It just so happens, I do.” I’ve packed plenty of gold, snacks, and Aeron’s red devil mask that will suit this man down to the ground.
He doesn’t immediately don the mask, instead letting it dangle around his neck.
When Allette emerges from behind the stone wearing a gray dress, my breaths falter. And I thought she looked stunning in her leathers. The way the bodice hugs her slim waist and the skirts flare over her hips makes my body heat all over. But then she dons a black cloak and covers it all up. Probably for the best considering my guard hasn’t taken his eyes off of her since she stepped out.
Even with the top half of Allette’s face concealed by the peacock mask, I’d know my girl anywhere. From the moment her golden eyes first met mine and those perfect lips lifted into a soft smile, my heart has belonged to her.
If only the world didn’t insist on getting in our way.
Seeing her black hair reminds me to glamour my own. Dark brown should do the trick. Back to being the potato. I send my wings away as well, missing them the moment their weight vanishes.
Allette’s friend Wynn has changed into a black dress and cloak to match, her silver hair hidden under a mop cap. Allette helps her tuck a few stray strands beneath the white fabric and re-ties the cat mask in place.
The guard shifts on his feet, his hand clinging to the pommel of his sword. “We’ve wasted enough time. Let’s get moving.”
His tone could use some work, but he is right. If we want to see the festival, we really should be on our way. I start down the path, following the trail of footprints left in the frosty mud. Allette falls into step next to me, her fingers grazing mine as we walk. The trees around us claw at the midnight sky like enchanted beasts out of a wicked fairy tale.
“What do you think?” Allette whispers, fluffing the ends of her onyx waves. “Would you still love me if I were human?”
What sort of question is that? Of course I would. “I’d love you even if you were covered in spots and had no neck.”
She snorts as if she doesn’t believe me, even though it’s the truth.
Behind us, Wynn’s attempts to strike up a conversation with the guard are met with irritated grunts. Eventually, she stops trying.
“Do you always walk this slow?” the guard grumbles when he catches me glancing at him.
“Are you always this pleasant?” I shoot back. What a prick. When we get home, I’m requesting he be reassigned to my younger brother Rhainn.
Allette bumps her shoulder against mine. “Be nice. He let you stay.”
I’m the one in control of this situation. He didn’t let me do anything.
She steals a glance at him from over her shoulder. “Are all the royal guards’ wings as impressive as his? I think they might be bigger than yours.”
Excuse me? She did not just say his wings are bigger. I stop dead. “You take that back.” Mine are clearly larger than his. If it wouldn’t waste magic, I would drop my glamour to prove it.
Allette’s lips curl into a cheeky smile. “I could. But that wouldn’t change the fact that his wings are sooo huge?—”
I lunge, catching her off guard and pinning her to the nearest tree. Her laughter envelopes me in joyful warmth. Gods, I love her laugh. “If they’re so impressive, then why are you here with me?”
Her eyes widen behind her mask. “Because I didn’t meet him first.”
She is joking. She must be. “You take it back this instant, or I’ll bind you to this tree and leave you to be eaten by wild beasts.”
Her hips buck in a pitiful attempt to free herself. “You’re the only beast I see.”
“Exactly.” I nip at her ear, making her cry out. That delicious sound sends desire humming through my veins. My body molds to hers, and her breath catches when my hand finds the swell of her hips, buried beneath far too many layers. If we were alone, I’d lift them and?—
The guard clears his throat. “You’ve now wasted twenty minutes of your allotted three hours.” He and Wynn wait on the path, their masked faces trained on us.
My forehead falls against Allette’s. The noses of our masks bump and slide. “I despise him.”
Her soft chuckle fans against my cheek.
“The feeling is mutual,” the guard mutters.
As much as I’d like to protest, the clock is ticking, and I don’t want to waste any more time. Not tonight.
We fall back in line behind the guard and Allette’s friend. My hand begins to tingle, yearning for her delicate embrace. Instead, I must settle for the occasional graze.
After what feels like forever, we reach a paved road that leads to a quaint village of squatty, white-washed buildings with straw-like roofs. Men and women in masks spill out of a pub, flagons in hand, laughing and singing a bawdy tune.
Heads turn as we pass, all the men making eyes at my pretty peacock. I step a bit closer, until her skirts brush my ankles. “So, these suitors of yours. Should I be worried about them?”
Allette’s smile vanishes. “Don’t start.”
“Why not? I’m allowed to be curious.”
“No, you’re not.”
The narrow street widens into a crowded square lined with colorful buildings. A man dressed as a white rabbit saws on an old fiddle next to a mammoth bonfire licking at the night sky. Bathed in the flickering glow, the people become silhouettes, weaving and swaying to the lively tune.
“I can’t help it,” I confess. Allette has men calling over hoping to win her affections, while I can’t even hold her hand while strolling through the market.
Sighing, she props her hands on her hips, looking up at me with an unreadable expression in her eyes. “I must marry someone, Simon .”
Bloody Simon. She can’t even call me by my given name in case someone overhears. The thought of my girl marrying another man is like a poisoned dagger to the fucking heart. “Are you interested in any of them?”
“I am only interested in you.”
“Were you interested, though? Before we met, I mean.” I don’t know why I’m pushing the issue, but for some reason, I need to know.
Her eyes lift to the heavens, and she breathes an exasperated huff. “Yes. Are you happy now?”
How can I be happy when it feels as if I’m on the verge of losing the most precious thing in my life? “What is his name?” Do I know him? Has he been at court? Will she go back to him while I’m in Nimbiss? Gods, the thought of returning to Kumulus and not having her waiting for me leaves me short of breath. This can’t be our last night together. It can’t.
She pats my heart as if she can hear it breaking. “His name doesn’t matter. I love you and only you.”
I love her as well, but that isn’t going to save me from marrying someone else. This woman is the one the stars have chosen for me—that I have chosen for myself—and yet, none of that matters.
“Can we please drop this and have some fun? We don’t have all night.” Although she smiles up at me, her mouth remains strained.
We don’t have all night .
That sounds so ominous, but what more can I do other than fix a false smile on my face to hide the fact that I’m dying inside. “Of course. Do you want a drink?”
“That would be lovely. Thank you.” Allette turns to her friend, who has been watching the unsuspecting masked humans mix with masked fae. “Would you like a drink, Wynn?”
The small woman smiles, shaking her head. “I can get my own.”
As if I’d let that happen. “Nonsense. It would be my honor to treat you both. Do you want one as well?” I reluctantly ask the guard. Maybe he’ll be a bit more bearable with some drink on board.
You’d swear from the horrified look in his eyes that I suggested he strip naked and leap over the bonfire.
“I’m on duty,” he clips.
Plenty of guards drink while they’re on duty. I should know because I’m usually the one buying the rounds. Makes it easier to lose them that way.
“Suit yourself.” I wave to a stooped woman in a green goblin mask holding a tray laden with steaming glasses of mulled wine. When she sees me, I order three glasses and hand over the human coins Aeron gave me. We raise our drinks for a toast, my eyes colliding with Allette’s. “To love. May we be lucky enough to find it and strong enough to hold onto it.”
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears when she taps her glass against mine and whispers, “To love.”