56. Voyeurism
“Absolutely not,” Lyra said, holding up the scrap of sheer fabric that could be compared to cobwebs.
Maelys already had hers on, and every inch of her body was visible beneath the sheer, pale pink lace.
The setting sun sent a beam of golden light through the wide-open window and highlighted every morsel of her curvaceous frame. And Lyra couldn’t fight the blush that ignited across her cheeks and down to her chest.
“Wear anything else, and you’ll stand out like a daisy among roses.”
Lyra held up the sheer green fabric and stared at Maelys. “This is invisible!”
Maelys smiled and pulled the dress down between them. “That is the point! Ostara is the holiday that celebrates birth and new life. Hence the naked part.”
Lyra looked at Daisy for confirmation. And she bobbed her head in agreement.
“And why aren’t you dressed like that?” Lyra shot back.
“I don’t celebrate,” Daisy replied.
A slight frown marred Lyra’s face. “Oh, why not?”
Maelys bumped Daisy’s hip with hers. “Because Daisy has someone special, she celebrates with.” A waggle of Maelys’ eyebrows cleared up the insinuation.
“Ahhhh. And you don’t?” Lyra asked Maelys.
A smirk was Maelys’ reply.
“Ugh, fine,” Lyra sighed, throwing her head back and screwing her eyes shut.
Maelys and Daisy didn’t even move as Lyra shucked her robe and slipped on the sheer dress. Lyra shivered as the cool fabric slid over her sensitive nipples before clinging to her waist and fluttering right above her ankles.
“Goodness,” Maelys breathed, her eyes widening. “You’ll have an abundance of suitors.”
Daisy bit her bottom lip and hummed. “Yes, but it’s missing something. Oh!” She scrambled across the room and into the bathing chamber.
Lyra and Maelys stood listening to Daisy open and slam cabinet drawers before an exclamation of victory rang out.
“I put this away on your first day here. I thought you might want a piece of home,” Daisy said, striding across the room with a bracelet clasped in her hands.
The chain sparkled like moonlight, and at the very end of it was an iridescent saltwater pearl. It must have been from the southern seas because the pearl gleamed with a slight emerald hue.
It was spellbinding, and Lyra found herself enraptured with the dainty thing.
“Daisy—it’s perfect,” Lyra whispered, reaching out and cupping the pearl, before clasping it around her wrist.
“It’s perfect!” Maelys clapped her hands together. “Alright, we must be off. I’m sure it’ll be standing room only now.”
Lyra’s stomach gurgled, and she pressed a hand to the hollowness. It wasn’t hunger that had her stomach churning, but nerves.
Maelys was halfway out the door before she realized Lyra wasn’t right beside her.
“Are you coming?”
Lyra sighed through her nose and followed with quick footsteps. She had better enjoy her time here now before it was all gone and she was back under the sea.
Besides, tonight would ruin her for Drystan, and she would no longer have to suffer the thought of their brief marriage.
As they wound their way through the halls, it was as silent as a tomb. But flickering lanterns outside the castle windows revealed the revelers making their way into the city for the festivities.
“I’m sure there will be some food in town we can snack on,” Maelys murmured. Lyra still gripped her empty stomach. The sheer fabric was barely felt between her fingers and her bare flesh.
“Where are we going?”
“The Venus,” Maelys replied.
Lyra’s palms sweat, and she had nothing to wipe the dampness on.
“Are there any rules? Or things I should know about?” Lyra asked.
“They’ll give you a tonic at the door. Take it. It will prohibit pregnancy. You don’t want to conceive an offspring tonight,” Maelys chuckled. It was ironic, given that this holiday was about new life.
“Anything else?” Lyra asked.
“Try to find someone who sparks a fire in you. Leave all your inhibitions at the door. Tonight is about exploring yourself and what you like.”
Lyra nodded but worried her bottom lip. “I don’t know what I like,” she whispered.
Maelys slammed their quick pace to a halt and grabbed Lyra’s arm. “Are you a virgin?”
Lyra nodded and averted her eyes.
Maelys squeezed her arm. “Then don’t think you have to do anything at all. ‘No’ is a full sentence. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. And if someone has a problem with that, they will become my problem.”
Lyra’s shoulders drooped. “But what if you’re indisposed?”
Storm clouds gathered in Maelys’ eyes. “I will make the time.”
“Thank you,” Lyra whispered.
Maelys smiled, but it was subdued. “Why didn’t you tell me before? This might be a bit much for you.”
“Because it was embarrassing. The elves are so free with their sexuality, and it’s fascinating. I feel inadequate.”
Maelys snorted, and they began walking again. “If you want to explore tonight—go for it. No one will judge you.”
Lyra squirmed, and her face pinched with confusion. “Why? Doesn’t that mean I lack skill?”
Maelys rolled her eyes. “Males like to be the first to conquer new territory. It’s a character flaw in their gender.”
Lyra laughed, and her nerves vanished. She wouldn’t be viewed as an oddity, but as a treasure. Which was relieving after her rejection by Wilder.
The walk through the city streets was a sight to behold. Flowers and streamers hung everywhere. Broadleaf ivy that tangled its way up the building had fresh-cut flowers placed between its vines.
The lanterns flickered and danced in line with the drums that beat through the pathways. People danced, laughed, and kissed as they basked beneath the moon’s glow. Lyra’s blood warmed, watching such life and passion swell and surge around her.
Maelys swiped cinnamon bread off a cart and threw the vendor a wink.
“Send the bill to the prince,” Maelys called to the male, who smiled.
“Of course, Briarlace.”
Lyra took a bite of the bread and moaned. “This is incredible.” She took another bite.
“It’s laced with arousal herbs, too.” Maelys waggled her eyebrows, and Lyra laughed.
They continued walking through the throng of elves. A male with midnight skin and eyes the color of the sea pressed two glasses of wine into their hands.
“Happy Ostara,” he whispered, and the seduction in his voice sent a shiver down Lyra’s spine.
The glass was painted in vibrant colors, and the shape reminded Lyra of a large egg. The lanterns glowed brighter as they crossed from the Upper District to the Lower District. Most of the city seemed to congregate here.
Females dressed in similar sheer dresses, all in pastel colors. Lavender, yellows, greens, blues, and soft pinks. It was like wading through a spring painting.
The males were all bare-chested, their skin glittering with a shimmer that reminded Lyra of the night sky.
The music grew louder as they neared the center of the Lower District. A makeshift stage had been erected in front of a large, bubbling fountain. The doors to all the homes and buildings were thrown wide open as people came and went freely.
“That’s the Venus,” Maelys shouted over the drums and nodded to a dim building covered in garlands of spring flowers.
It wasn’t as bright on the outside as some of the other buildings, but through the sheer curtains on the many round windows, Lyra could see the golden glow of candlelight.
“Let’s go,” Maelys said, tugging Lyra across the cobblestone street and to the arched front door.
Eyes watched them as they went, and a few males followed them through the threshold. A female with flowers woven into the long braids of her hair and a lazy grin on her angelic face handed them each a vial as they crossed the threshold.
Maelys threw it back without hesitation. Lyra stared at it a moment longer before pressing it to her lips. It tasted delicious. Honey and something floral.
The female took the vial back and gestured with her chin. “The common rooms are all available, but some of the specific rooms are at capacity.”
Maelys grinned. “We’ll find our way. Thank you.”
She tugged Lyra behind her and into the main room. A soaring ceiling and many leather couches and chairs were spread haphazardly in the cavernous space.
People congregated at a large bar, sipping various wines and ales. While others chatted on couches before heading up the sweeping staircases on either side of the room. From the outside, Lyra had not pictured such a grandiose space.
“Let’s get a drink and see if anyone sparks your desire,” Maelys whispered in her ear. Several males stood behind them, waiting to see where they went.
Maelys sauntered up to the bar and was greeted by the towering barman behind the carved wooden counter. Tiny tealights flickered on the wooden top, flanked by bowls of water that had floating petals inside.
Everything seemed so meticulously decorated for the holiday.
“Spring wine, please, Carmine.”
Carmine nodded and placed two lavender crystal glasses in front of them. “Enjoy,” he murmured with a smile.
An elvish male approached Lyra, and she stiffened as he slid in beside her.
“You’re new,” he purred. Something in his voice reminded her of Drystan.
“No,” she replied flatly.
His brows hit his golden hairline, but he didn’t argue or rebuke her answer. He nodded and removed himself from her vicinity. Lyra sighed with relief, and Maelys smiled.
“Good, follow your instincts.”
Lyra turned around on the stool to watch a couple lock hands and walk up the stairs together.
“I gather the rooms are up there?” she asked Maelys.
“Yes,” Maelys replied, taking a sip of her wine. “There are communal rooms for the more adventurous partners who are keen to share. Single rooms for those who aren’t. And then there are desire-specific rooms.”
“Desire specific?” Lyra asked, a frown tugging her brows together.
“It’s easier to show you. Come on.” Maelys slid from her chair and sauntered to the foot of the stairs, leaving her empty glass behind on the bar.
Lyra’s heart pounded behind her ribs, but she followed. She could feel eyes tracking her every step, and when she glanced in the direction of those eyes, she met several lustful stares.