Chapter 53 Carwynn
CARWYNN
I’d never met him before, but there was no mistaking this was Faelad in the flesh. He exuded royalty and it was impossible to miss the resemblance to Lochlainn.
Two guards suddenly stepped behind him, unfastening and delicately removing his long golden mantle in practiced movements.
A wide, almost boyish grin spread across Faelad’s face as he threw back the goblet and drained it in one long gulp.
Yep. Most definitely related to Lochlainn.
“Ahhhh!” he drawled, admiring the cup like it was his favorite brasser. “As good as ever!” He strained into a smirk, the kind that made it hard to tell if he’d enjoyed the wine or if he was about to declare it banned.
Laughter scattered throughout the sea of people. Faces lit up. Whispers bounced from mouth to mouth like bees on clover. They were truly elated to be in his presence.
Interesting. This was not how I pictured Faelad.
I expected him to be less charming. I imagined him as a grumpy, beer-bellied middle-aged man, hunched over with power.
Not this real Lord who wore leadership like a tailored wool coat.
No, he was quite the opposite. Not exactly young, but he didn’t look so much older either.
The crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes foretold a life rich with laughter.
And the people—they seemed to adore him. Genuine, utter delight danced on their faces.
Very interesting.
Finley’s hand remained steady on my back as I rose up on my tippy-toes to get a better view.
“I thank you all for joining me tonight at our grand Fortuna Ball!” Faelad beamed, sweeping his arms out wide to embrace the crowd. Light scattered off his coin-melded crown, the gilded shamrock at its peak caught the glow with pride. “Tonight we celebrate Luckland—our land, our people!”
The room roared. Hollering shook the walls, voices rising in excited calamity.
This really was something.
Faelad fanned the air, signaling for them to quiet. The larger than life smile darkened, becoming more serious.
The room fell silent.
My eyes caught movement in the corner of the ballroom. Swift and shifty.
Lochlainn and a few of his men pushed through the crowd, stationing themselves at the base of a column.
Despite their lavish suits, I could still see his muscled arms flex as he crossed them.
He casually leaned against the stone as if he were waiting for a fight to break out . . . in hopes he could finish it.
“Recently, we’ve faced troubling times,” Faelad began, voice deeper than before, tinged with sobriety. “An Ancient trespassed into our land. We’ve lost many great souls to overindulgence,” he rumbled, sights scanning the room. “And rumors have spread of—”
Those eyes slammed into mine like an arrow hitting its mark. Lips slowly parted, as if he’d forgotten how to breathe.
A shiver ran over my skin.
What—? My thoughts dispersed and I couldn’t form a single one.
Faelad had never seen my face. So what was it he saw?
He cleared his throat, blinking back whatever ghost he’d seen in me.
“Apologies,” he said with a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Might need to have a few words with my guards about the strength of the ale!” A deep, rumbling laugh rolled through his chest, and his people joined in, smoothing out any wrinkles of tension.
“Anyways,” Faelad continued, straightening. “As I was saying, Luckland can rest assured. We are as strong as ever. Our eyes remain fixed on the Grove, and they will not stray. From this day forward, we will have zero tolerance for any unwelcome visitors.”
Across the room, Lochlainn bit back his lip, frustration carving deep lines between his brows.
Faelad drew in a long breath.
“But tonight, there’s no room for gloom—we have too much to celebrate!
” A guard shuffled forward to refill his goblet.
Faelad gave a small nod of thanks before the man camouflaged back into the crowd.
“Eostre Land’s Fecunditas begins tomorrow,” Faelad continued, grinning in excitement, “and we have hand-selected the most extraordinary team to represent Luckland.” He quickly spun and gave a curt nod.
Another guard approached a cloaked pedestal and yanked the covering off, revealing a small ornate wishing well.
“Throughout the evening, you’ll witness each nominee offer a token to enter into the Eostre Trials.
” Faelad outstretched his arms once more, smiling ear to ear.
“May the Scurboga-blessed waters deem them all worthy!” The crowd cheered.
“So, without further ado—let the festivities begin!”
At the sound of Faelad’s final words, multiple cannons blasted, raining gold confetti over the room.
A coin appeared in Faelad’s hand, seemingly out of nowhere, and he flicked it high into the air. It exploded into a cascade of shimmering color, decorating the ceiling in waves of rainbow-enchanted starlight.
Beautiful.
The music suddenly returned, this time with a jarring burst of rhythm. The beat was significantly faster, livelier. Almost wild compared to the refined elegance that preceded it. Glasses clinked, cackles rang out, and guest swarmed the dance floor with a newfound energy.
“Carwynn!” A bubbly voice pierced the noise.
I whirled around to see Breena bouncing excitedly at the far end of the ballroom, flailing her arms like a windmill, trying to get my attention. Aine stood beside her, half-grinning.
“Come dance with us!” Breena shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth to amplify.
I glanced at Finley in silent question.
“Go on,” he said, smirking. He gave me a gentle nudge. “I’ll get us some drinks.”
My foot stepped forward, then hesitated.
“Wait,” I said, jerking a thumb toward the dais. “Aren’t we supposed to enter into the Trials?”
“Don’t worry.” Finley leaned in close so I could hear him over the chatter. “We’ll get to that later. Lochlainn has to give us our tokens first anyways.”
“Oh, right.” I nodded. “I promise I’ll only be gone for one dance—maybe two. Depends if Breena kidnaps me. At that point, you might have to come rescue me.”
Finley chuckled, before placing a warm hand around the back of my neck. He pulled me closer. Warm lips met mine in a quick, sweet, savoring kiss. He pulled away and his forehead met mine.
“Without a doubt, the luckiest lad here,” he said with a cheeky wink.
At this rate, my cheeks would be sore for days.
I gave him a parting peck, then slipped into the chaos, snailing my way toward the back.
“Carwynn!” Breena grabbed my wrist, beaming so hard it felt like looking at the sun. “I want you to meet my date! This is Oakley—”
She presented a tall, lanky gentleman dressed in brown tweed pants, suspenders, and an adorable bowtie. Honey-colored curls skimmed the tops of his rounded glasses—clearly decorative. He looked familiar. That made sense, since he’d worked at the Institute as well. Probably passed him in a hallway.
“It’s really nice to meet you,” I said, smiling while holding out a hand.
Oakley adjusted his glasses with a nervous flick. An awkward smile pulled at his babyface as he glanced at Breena, unsure. She shot him a look only a mother would give a toddler. The come on, you can do it look.
“Oh! Yes!” he blurted, eyes going wide. “Sorry! Completely forgot about the human upbringing thing.” A choppy chuckle burst from him as he grabbed my hand to shake. It felt like a clammy, dead fish.
Breena twinkled beside him, glowing as if her pet had just pulled off its first trick.
I barely contained my laugh and glanced toward Aine. She watched Oakley with a grimace, as if he were someone who’d fart in an elevator. Then her eyes flicked to mine with a look that said either kill me or feed me immediately. Possibly both.
“Oakley,” Aine’s voice sang, sticky sweet. Oakley perked up. “Doesn’t Breena look a little flushed?”
Oakley blinked. “Oh! We can’t have that.”
“I keep telling her to stay hydrated,” Aine noted with mock concern, “but she’s a stubborn little thing.”
Breena’s freckles darkened, face tightening as she threw a glare at Aine.
“I’ll grab ya a drink,” Oakley said, with a cheerful smile.
“While you’re at it, I’ll take a Clover Nectar ale,” Aine added, presenting the kind of smile that’d cause cavities. “And poor Carwynn’s date abandoned her. Perhaps an ale for her too?”
“No, really, I’m—” I started but immediately shut up as Aine’s look cut me down.
Oakley, bless his little soul, agreed with bright-eyed purpose.
“Of course, my ladies. I’ll be but a moment.” He disappeared like a stick bug into quicksand.
Breena struck Aine in the arm.
“What?” Aine yelped, playing innocent. The laugh that followed told another story. “He needed a job. He’s more useful this way.”
I bit my lip, but it did absolutely nothing. A giggle escaped me before I could stop it.
“I like him!” Breena scolded.
“You like that he’s your type,” Aine shot back, rolling her eyes. “Fluffy hair, tall, skinny, nerdy weirdo written all over him.”
“You be nice!” Breena seethed, jabbing a hexing finger in Aine’s face.
Unfazed, Aine smirked.
“You know what?” Breena said.
Then it happened—an unhinged sparkle lit up Breena’s eyes. She bobbed on her toes, scanning the crowd until she zeroed in.
Uh-oh.
“Keeffe! Hey, Keeffe!” Breena screeched like a banshee. “Aine wants to have a dance with ya! Said she wants to role-play—pretending she’s not interested. Kind of her kink. She’s all about the chase!”
Several paces away, Keeffe stood like a boulder in wheatgrass. A crooked smile overtook his face as he spotted us, enthralled to be included in whatever shenanigans Breena had begun.
“Breena!” Aine gasped, horrified. “I’ve been avoiding him all night! And now—”
Keeffe moved toward us, unhurried, like a mountain floating through clouds, determined to catch the woman made of night sky.
“Fecking fates!” Aine ducked behind me, gripping my shoulders like a shield. “He’s coming this way!” Then she bolted, vanishing into the crowd.