by Dyan Chick
"That's very kind of you, but unnecessary. The four of us can stay in your visitor's quarters."
"And would you gentlemen and lady care to join us in the festivities?" Nikolai asked.
The last thing I wanted to do was sit at someone else's wedding. But before I could object, Cormac nodded. "That would be very agreeable. Thank you for the invitation."
"It is our honor to have you here."
Nikolai clapped his hands and from out of nowhere appeared two smaller Fae males with the same small build as the maids at Cormac's house. Despite the fact that Nikolai was only barely taller than me, these two only came to his shoulders. If it weren't for the look in their eyes and their hardened expressions I would have mistaken them for children. They were dressed in matching blue tunics with tan leggings. The blue of their tunic was the same color as the blue of the dresses worn by the maids. It seemed in the Autumn Court, servants had a dress code. The two smaller males bowed in greeting when they approached us.
"Please see to these horses, you can get them settled in my personal stables," Nikolai said.
The two servants walked forward and took hold of the reins from Cormac and waited for me to hand over mine. I hesitated for a moment, not quite ready to part with the horse that represented my freedom. On foot in a strange land, I couldn't get very far. With a horse I had possibilities.
"It's all right, they'll care for her," Cormac said.
I let go of the reins, but I still didn't feel good about it. I gently stroked the side of the horse and leaned into her. I almost felt as close to her as I had to my horse growing up. "See you soon," I whispered.
Feeling sheepish, I backed away as one of the servants led our horses away.
"I know how you feel," Cormac said. "She is a special horse."
"I never got her name," I said.
"We call her Starlight. The night she was born there was a meteor shower."
"It's a beautiful name. And she's a beautiful horse," I said.
"She's really taking a liking to you," Cormac said. "You can take her with you when you go your own way."
"That's far too generous," I said even as my heart swelled at the thought of having my very own horse again.
"Think nothing of it." Cormac turned away from me, his signal that our conversation was over.
I turned away from him and stared out at the festivities in front of us. People were dancing and passing around giant goblets which I had to assume were full of wine.
The music was cheerful, played by a group of musicians near the center of the crowd. I recognized the sound of the flute and the sound of a fiddle, but some of the other instruments were foreign to me.
Cormac took a few steps away from me then turned back. "You should go and find something to entertain yourself." Then he turned away again and disappeared into the crowd.
"We'll probably be hauling him back to the place drunk off his ass tonight," Dane said. "He's never been good at weddings."
"I'm surprised he agreed to stay," Ethan said.
"What about you two?" I asked, not wanting to get into my own dislike of weddings.
"Oh, I love weddings," Dane said. "Always full of the most beautiful females."
"You're a cad, you know that?" Ethan said.
"Oh, I know that. If you'll excuse me, there is a redhead I just have to meet." Dane walked away leaving Ethan and me the sole remaining members of our group standing on the outskirts of the party.
"I'm sure you didn't expect to find yourself at a wedding this soon," Ethan said.
"To be honest, I really didn't expect to see myself at a wedding ever again."
"I'm sure you'll change your mind eventually. For now," Ethan extended his hand, "how about a dance?"
Chapter Sixteen
I wasn’t in a dancing mood but Ethan's smile and sparkling blue eyes had a way of softening my resolve. I couldn't help but reach out and take his hand.
Before I knew what was happening, I was dragged into the middle of the festivities and Ethan spun me and twisted me and pulled me across the dance floor.
He moved with graceful ease and I practically tripped over my toes trying to keep up with him. The movements were unfamiliar, but the music was glorious. It filled me with joy and excitement that chipped away at my discomfort. It seemed to send my own traumatic wedding to the back of my memories where I hoped it would stay buried.
Ethan dragged me to a circle of partygoers who were clapping their hands in unison. In time with the song, the members of the circle started to move. Ethan positioned us in place, following along with the others.
First, all the men stepped into the center of the ring and turned to face their female partners. I giggled and Ethan bowed low and exaggerated. Then he rose, and extended both hands. I glanced to the side and noticed that the girls next to me were taking the hands of their male partners. I followed their example and held on to him. Next thing I knew, we were spinning until I was in the center of the circle.
The woman next to me dropped her partner's hands and curtsied low. Trying to keep up as best I could, I followed her example. I curtsied, then rose to face Ethan. His face radiated pure joy and his eyes sparkled with happiness. Dancing was clearly his happy place. It filled my heart with joy to know that I could join in.
Ethan turned sideways along with the other males and bent his elbow. The females threaded their arms through the elbows of their partner. Once we were locked elbow to elbow, the circle began to move. I laughed as I ran around with all the dancers, Ethan at my side.
The music changed tone and the dancers repositioned themselves at the starting point again. This time, I didn't have to watch the movements and I let myself get lost in the dance. By the time the song was over, I was sweating and laughing so hard I no longer cared that we were at a wedding.
Somewhere nearby, someone had started a bonfire and the music changed from the playful dancing songs to a more melancholy, reserved tune. The circle of dancers had dissipated and people wandered toward one of three large tables that were spread with plates and silverware and goblets and piled high with food.
Taking me by the hand, Ethan led me to one of the tables. When everyone was seated, a couple stood where we had all been dancing before. The female wore an ivory dress trimmed in silver and gold. Her long, flowing brown hair was woven with ribbons and flowers. Her cheeks were flushed pink with excitement and her brown eyes sparkled with what looked like pure happiness.
Her husband stood a few inches taller than her and wore his dark hair and tight curls cropped close to his head. His gray and black tunic was trimmed in the same silver and gold pattern as his bride's dress. And just like her, his pink cheeks, wide eyes and huge grin showed the whole world how happy they were to be here together.
I wondered if this was an arranged marriage and the two were just lucky or if they were allowed to marry for love. The music changed again, into a beautiful song that was unmistakably a love ballad.
The two held each other close and danced slowly while the partygoers watched. Occasionally, someone would release a heavy sigh or an affectionate sound. It was a sweet, almost intimate moment and it seemed strange to be witnessing it. There was something beautiful and fulfilling about seeing this couple share their love like this.
At the end of the song, the couple let go of each other and turned back to the crowd. Everyone rose from their seats, clapping and shouting. The father of the bride ran to greet the couple with two goblets in his hand. He handed one to each of them and then returned to his table where he lifted his own glass. Everyone around us grabbed their goblet and raised it. I reached for my own and lifted it into the air, feeling festive and happy. Maybe coming to this wedding was a good thing for me. It was nice to see that love and happiness were things that existed here in Faerie.
"To Mia and Samson, blessings of love, prosperity, and happiness," Nikolai said before taking a drink of his goblet.
The couple joined in, taking a drink of their own. From somewhere b
ehind me, someone shouted, "And lots of little babies!"
Everyone laughed and the couple's pink cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. The two of them ran back to the center table sitting down in spaces that had been reserved for them. Then everyone started passing around food and chatting with their neighbors.
It was a festive and cheerful mood and it was easy to relax and enjoy the delicious food. But as I sat there eating while Ethan was deep in conversation with the person across the table from him, I couldn't help but wonder how Cormac was doing. The others seemed fine, excited even at the prospect of attending this event. Cormac had stormed off on his own and I hadn't seen him since.
I glanced around, and quickly found Dane with the redhead on his lap. He was clearly enjoying himself. I had nothing to worry about other than him potentially breaking someone's heart. I tried to tell myself that wasn't my business, though I felt a little bit bad for her and a little bit jealous of her. That was something I needed to stop doing, I didn't have a claim on any of the Fae males I was traveling with. They were helping me while they hunted escaped monsters. And I knew that as soon as they completed their task, they would send me away.
The thought saddened me so I pushed it away, not wanting to think about it tonight. I excused myself from the table, but Ethan was so engaged in his conversation he didn't seem to notice. I was glad he was having a good time, but I was still worried about Cormac. I knew he could take care of himself, but I'd feel better if I found him. I walked past the other tables, scanning them for any sight of the dark haired prince. He didn't appear to be among any of the guests who were seated at the tables. The center square where we had danced was now abandoned. Even the instruments were sitting without the musicians. On the other side of the tables was the bonfire where one solitary figure was standing silhouetted against the flames.
I glanced back at Ethan and Dane before I walked away from where I was standing near the tables. Both of them were engaged in conversation. Figuring they wouldn't miss me, I walked carefully and slowly toward the lone figure by the bonfire. As I grew nearer, it was clear that my guess had been correct.
Cormac stood there staring into the fire, bottle of wine in his hand. He lifted the bottle and took a long pull before lowering it again. I couldn't see his face yet, but he seemed fixated on that fire.
I paused before I got too close and considered turning back. He looked like he wanted to be alone and I wasn't sure if I should interrupt.
"I'm not good company right now," he said.
I took his words as an invitation and I moved closer. I stopped right next to him, keeping my eyes on the dancing flames in front of us. "They say it's bad luck to be alone at a wedding," I said.
I heard him swallow and turned in time to see him wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "As far as I'm concerned, everything about weddings is bad luck."
"Then why did you agree to come?" I asked.
"It would reflect poorly on me as prince of this land to turn down the invitation. Especially when getting a favor from the host," he said.
I glanced down at the bottle he was holding then reached for it, pulling it from his grasp. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to object, but as soon as I put the bottle to my lips he closed his mouth. The liquid was sweet and burned my throat on its way down. I winced and handed him the bottle back.
"It's mead." He took another pull of the bottle.
The sweet taste lingered on my tongue. I could feel the liquid coating the inside of my mouth. I'd never had mead before. I knew the villagers where I grew up made it from time to time.
Intrigued, I reached for the bottle again and took another swig before passing it back to Cormac. This time I wasn't surprised by the burning feeling as it slid down my throat and found I enjoyed the taste. "So what is it about weddings that causes you to stand alone and drink?" I asked, knowing it was not my business.
Cormac swayed a little as he turned toward me and I wondered how many bottles he’d had before I reached him. "It's not so much the wedding," he said. "It's the lies that they use to get them to make those kind of false commitments to each other."
"So you've had your heart broken?" I asked.
"Who hasn't though, right?" He lifted the bottle as if making a toast and then took another long swig.
I thought about his words and wondered if they were true. Did everyone experience heartbreak at some time? I experienced disappointment when my betrothed ran off rather than risk his life defending me. But it wasn't heartbreak because to be honest, I never expected anything from him. I didn't love him so he couldn't break my heart. "I wouldn't know. I've never been in love."
"Then you're lucky," Cormac said.
"I'd like to be, someday. They say being in love is the happiest you'll ever feel. Doesn't everyone want that?" I asked.
"Not if the price in the end is betrayal and feeling like you're so broken that you can never trust another living soul again." The bottle slipped from his fingers landing with a soft thud on the ground spilling its contents across the dirt.
Cormac stared at me, his eyes locked on mine and I felt flutters return to my chest. In the firelight, his features were softened and hardened at the same time, giving him both the look of an angel and something dangerous. He took a step closer to me and I could smell the alcohol on his breath. My heart seemed to beat faster the closer he got to me until we were so close we were almost touching.
"One day, someone will love you." Cormac moved a loose curl away from my face and his fingers brushed against my cheek. "You deserve to be loved. Everyone does."
He dropped his hand and ducked down to pick up the discarded bottle, took a swig, then walked away. I stood in front of the fire, my cheek still tingling from the place his fingers had touched my skin, thinking about what Cormac said.
I had never allowed myself to consider things like love. It was something that belonged in the world of faerie tales or stories for children. My father used to say that love was the one luxury afforded to the poor. People of noble birth, people who were working their way climbing up, like my family, didn't get to choose whom they wanted to marry. Marriage was a business deal, like everything else had been in my parents’ home.
It was an interesting thought to consider now that I knew the people who raised me were never my parents to begin with and faerie stories turned out to be real. Did that mean it was possible to have a happily ever after? Was there such a thing as true love or finding your prince? Shivers ran down my spine as I realized I was in the company of three princes. Any of them would make a fine husband for any girl.
I hadn't known them long, but they seemed honest and loyal. Perhaps that's why Cormac had been so broken by the betrayal he suffered. He seemed the faithful type despite his rough exterior.
I looked toward the party and smiled when I caught sight of Dane with the female on his lap. He probably was an excellent lover like he claimed, but I wasn't sure fidelity was even in his vocabulary. I turned back to the fire and considered the princes.
Ethan had a heart of gold, and was by far one of the kindest and most caring males that I'd ever met in my life. Most human men were so worried about showing how tough they were that they didn't risk demonstrating their softer side. I had a feeling Ethan was exactly as he promised and was just as kind behind closed doors as he was in public.
The fire crackled in front of me, breaking me from my thoughts and I jumped a bit startled by the sound. The music had started up behind me again. Cormac was long gone, off to drink in solitude somewhere else I supposed.
I turned back to where I had come from to see the dancing once again in full swing. I couldn't help but smile at the happiness and revelry in front of me. I wondered if every event in Faerie was like this. So much joy, so much love of life, and so much happiness just being together.
My wedding would've had dancing, but it would've looked nothing like this. Our dancing was formal and stiff and choreographed. That wasn't the case here. I moved closer to the par
ty and noticed there was a lot more swaying and giggling and bumping into each other than there had been before dinner.
The goblets during our meal had rarely emptied before they were refilled by servants in blue tunics. Everyone was feeling the effects of the wine and were intoxicated by the music. Scanning the scene, I looked for my other escorts and found Ethan still deep in conversation at the table with the older Fae males. They were the only ones still seated and I wasn't sure what they were talking about, but it must've been very interesting.
I decided that I didn't want to interrupt him so I looked for Dane.
In the spinning and swirling of fabric and mass movement of dancing bodies, he was difficult to find. So I switched tactics and started looking for someone with red hair. That worked. I was able to find her, wrapped around Dane on the dance floor. The two were so close they were almost one body moving in time to the music. She threw her head back in laughter and Dane nuzzled his nose into her neck. They might've started the evening as strangers, but they were getting to know each other on an intimate level rather quickly.
Then, I noticed movement to the side and turned toward the disturbance. A large Fae male was pushing his way through the party goers amid grunts and shrieks of protest. I straightened, my whole body tensing as I recognized him as a predator stalking his prey. It took a moment for me to realize that he was headed right for Dane and his companion.
"Look out!" I shouted, hoping Dane would hear me through the din of the crowd.
Dane pulled his head away from his partner just in time for the newcomer's fist to make contact with Dane's face.
