Chapter 43
With Aurelia’s hand in mine, I guided her back up the steps of the courtyard to where we could better be seen. After sharing a nod with her, I bellowed, “Good people of the Midnight Court! May I have your attention please?”
The laughter and music faded, and the couples stopped dancing to gaze up at us, smiles on their faces. Just seeing my people so full of joy and life only confirmed that this was the right choice. There was nothing better we could have done for them than give them this fete they loved so much.
Yes, this alliance would do great things for all of us.
I offered a wide smile and said loudly, “I would like to formally announce my engagement to this beautiful creature beside me, Princess Aurelia Perdis of the Summer Court!”
Murmurs and whispers met my words, several people frowning or casting curious looks at Aurelia. No one was smiling anymore.
I pushed on. “To celebrate this joyous occasion, we have hosted this Nightfire fete once more. You have probably noticed an absence of Nightfire, but not to worry. The fae lights have been sufficient until now, but we have another exciting element to our evening to share with you. To keep the merriment going all night, Aurelia has provided a dragon to grant us the fire we need to keep us safe!”
Gasps echoed around us, and I turned to Aurelia, who took a shaky breath before bringing her fingers to her lips and whistling loudly. The shrill sound rang, piercing the air, and my head reared back in surprise. I didn’t realize she could whistle like that. It was a strong, resounding note that even those across the bridge would be able to hear.
The crowd seemed to hold its breath in anticipation. I scanned the area, waiting for Mal’s black figure to bound forward.
A roar echoed in the distance, and several people cried out in alarm. Then, a dark form cut through the sky, wings spread wide as it flapped toward us. I found myself grinning as Mal swooped into view, arcing over the crowd with a graceful turn that made many of them gasp in awe. He landed on the terrace opposite where the musicians had been playing, his clawed fleet slamming into the stone and making the ground tremble.
He certainly knew how to make an entrance. And judging by the smirk on Aurelia’s face, it was all intentional. Mal knew exactly what he was doing. The thought made me chuckle. What a clever beast he was.
“May I present Malvolio of the Darkener species!” I said, waving a hand toward Mal. “He will be providing our Dragonfire for the evening.”
Cheers erupted from the crowd, and I beamed, knowing we’d won them over. No one could resist a dragon, after all. Aurelia had rushed to Mal’s side and was stroking his snout, murmuring something incoherent. Mal twitched one ear, then inclined his head, and she smiled, her whole face lighting up. I found myself entranced by that smile, the way her eyes crinkled and her cheeks flushed.
Stars, she was beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking.
And she could never be mine.
Swallowing hard, I took a breath and said, “Aurelia, dearest, if you wouldn’t mind?”
Aurelia nodded and strode down the steps with Mal behind her. The crowd immediately parted to let them pass. When she reached the riverbank, she paused, glancing expectantly at Mal. He inhaled deeply, the sound raspy, and then unleashed a stream of blue flames toward the river. Flecks of stardust floated from the water, coiling around the Dragonfire. The flames spread, catching each brazier along the riverbank as the stardust we’d placed inside ignited.
One by one, each brazier was lit with the magical fire, glowing brightly and illuminating the forest with a light just as brilliant as the sun. I hadn’t realized just how dark it was outside until I saw how much brighter everything was with the Dragonfire.
Screams of delight filled the air, following by raucous applause. The people were laughing and grinning once more, overjoyed with our announcement.
I raised my arms jubilantly and shouted, “This is a sign of better times to come, thanks to our union with the Summer Court! So please, enjoy yourselves, and let the fete commence!”
Whoops and shouts of joy followed my words as I clambered down the steps to Aurelia’s side. She was saying something to Mal, who huffed in disapproval before taking off to the sky. Aurelia watched him go, her brows tightening with worry.
“He’ll be all right,” I assured her.
“He wanted to stay close to me, just in case,” she said, her eyes not leaving the sky. “But I fear for him in this strange place.”
I laced my fingers through hers. “I know.”
She squeezed my hand, finally looking at me, her eyes shining. “That was quite an announcement.”
I offered her a roguish grin. “Yes, I was rather charming, wasn’t I?”
She laughed, then glanced behind me. The music and dancing had resumed, and Aurelia’s expression turned soft, her eyes full of awe as she watched.
“Shall we?” I asked.
She beamed. “Yes please.” But when she strode for the crowd, I stopped her, tugging on her hand. She looked at me in confusion. “We are dancing, aren’t we?”
“Yes. But I told you before that one of my favorite spots to dance is in the forest. I’d like to take you there, if you like.” My stomach twisted with nerves. Perhaps she didn’t want to. Perhaps she would give me that pitying look that had crossed her face so often since my declaration in front of my mother.
Instead, a slow, surprised smile spread across her face, and she nodded eagerly.
With her hand still in mine, I guided her across the bridge, weaving past dancing couples and guests downing glasses of fire wine. On the other side of the bridge was a much thinner crowd, but they were enjoying themselves just the same. Women spun, their skirts twirling, and men leaned close, arms wrapped around their partners, their bodies pressing together.
When we reached the edge of the Crescent Glade, the small forest on the other side of the river, I faced Aurelia, standing up straight and offering her my hand with my most princely smile. She laughed and accepted it. My arm came around her waist, bringing her chest flush against mine. Her rain and jasmine scent filled my nose, and it took all my restraint to keep from leaning in and pressing my mouth to her neck to breathe her fully in.
Her breath was shaky as she drew closer, her arm against mine, and her other hand resting along the back of my neck. I felt her fingers toying with the edge of my hair, almost unconsciously, as if she didn’t realize she was doing it.
I smiled down at her, at the way her eyes shone in the moonlight and her lips parted ever so slightly.
Then, I glided us into movement, and she fell into step with me. At first our movements were slow and careful as we found our rhythm together, but after a few moments, our moves became more elaborate. I twirled her, and her hair whipped around as she spun once then came back into my chest.
Our steps took us backward, toward the river. Her leg came up, the slit in her gown revealing an enticing amount of her thigh. Then, I pushed her backward, toward the forest, our steps bringing us left, then right. I lifted my arm, twirling her again, then placed my hands on her waist and lifted her, spinning her in a circle. Her arms came out, spreading wide as if in flight as she laughed loudly.
When I placed her on her feet once more, I dipped her low, hovering with my face a breath away from hers. The music faded, coming to a stop, but we remained suspended like that, both of us panting and grinning widely. My hand braced her back, keeping her from falling as I leaned over her. I knew I should bring her back up, should step away from her now, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it just yet.
Aurelia’s eyes glittered with delight, her cheeks flushed from the dance. She offered a breathless laugh and murmured, “You’re right. There’s nothing quite like dancing in the forest.”
“There’s nothing quite like dancing with you ,” I whispered.
Her smile faded as she looked at me with earnest intensity. My eyes darted down to those carefully parted lips. Gods, I remembered how delicious that mouth tasted…
Aurelia cleared her throat, and I immediately lifted her, setting her on her feet once more. I took a healthy step away from her, putting distance between us. Her expression was guarded and uncertain, and I knew I’d gone too far again.
Damn it all.
With a heavy exhale, I bowed low to her. “Thank you for the dance, my lady. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to make the rounds and ensure everything is running smoothly.”
“Fenn—” She stepped toward me, her expression anguished.
Stars above, I couldn’t take it. I couldn’t bear to see her pity, her damn sorrow for not feeling what I did. It was unbearable. More than anything, I yearned to go back to before, before she knew how I felt, before I had ruined everything between us.
I forced a smile. “All is well, Aurelia. I just need space right now.”
Her mouth clamped shut, and she nodded, her eyes full of regret. “Of course.”
I turned from her, striding across the bridge and wishing more than anything that I could push this infuriating woman from my thoughts for good.