by Dyan Chick
Something shiny caught the light and I walked over to my assailant, stopping at her feet. The buttons on her coat were gold and glinted in the warm glow of the hanging candelabra. I knelt down and lightly touched one of them. "These are made with real gold."
Ethan joined me, kneeling at my side. He reached out and touched the button. "They are. That's unusual for anyone in the Winter Court. They don't use gold as it's associated with the Summer Court."
I tugged at the button and pulled it from her jacket, lifting it closer to my face. A pattern of flowers circled the round object. I handed it to Ethan. "Flowers."
He narrowed his eyes as he studied the button. "That's definitely not Winter Court."
I glanced up at the bloody neck of the female and instantly regretted it as bile rose into my throat. Quickly, I stood and backed away, turning toward the door.
As I arrived back at the door, Tristan and two guards met me in the hallway. Tristan frowned when he saw me. "You shouldn't be here." He looked over at the guard on his right. "Take her to one of the guest rooms, find her something suitable to wear."
"Wait." I wanted to tell Tristan I was sorry. The words seemed right on the edge of my tongue as I stared at his icy expression. His jaw tightened and I looked down, unable to meet his eyes.
"Just go, Cassia," he said.
I looked back up at him, my eyes finding his and wordlessly, I tried to let him know I regretted my actions. I still couldn't say it out loud, but I held up the button.
He took hold of the shiny gold object and studied it. "Where did you find this?"
"It was on the jacket," Ethan said before I could inject. "Solid gold and a floral design."
"That's not Winter Court," the guard on Tristan's left said, taking the button from Tristan.
"No, it's not," Tristan said, looking back at me. "And Cormac already informed me he'd found it. Maybe if you use some of those Autumn Court hunter qualities you'd find the pieces you needed to answer your own questions instead of making hurtful accusations."
"I'm sorry," the words came out in a whisper, guilt weighing on me like a sack of grain sitting on my chest. "I-"
Tristan held up a hand to stop me. "You should go, Cassia. We have a lot of work to do."
"If you please, Lady," the guard on the right said.
I looked at him and noticed he had a much smaller stature than Tristan or any of the princes and his skin had a slight blue tint. Was he a Brownie? Had the things Tristan told me about equality in the Winter Court been true?
"Ethan, I could use your help," Tristan said. "Cassia will be safe with Julian."
"Go ahead, Cassia," Ethan said. "I'll find you soon."
I tried to meet Tristan's eye once more before I left but he was avoiding meeting my gaze. My shoulders sank and I reluctantly walked over to Julian. Without a word, he began walking down the hall and I followed, forcing myself not to turn back to look at the Winter Prince I'd hurt so badly.
We walked silently down the carpeted hall. It was less adorned than the small palace. If not for the guards, I wouldn't even think this was a royal residence. "Where are we?"
Julian didn't respond. I sighed, unsure if it was an order to ignore me or if he hadn't heard me. With the way things were going today, either could be possible.
The hallway we were walking down was incredibly long, lined with doors on either side. I counted and added in the few doors we'd already passed. There were ten doors on either side. What kind of place would need so many small, closed off rooms?
A female scream sounded a few doors away from us and I froze, looking up at Julian for an explanation. Was there another attack? Terrified, I moved up against the wall as Julian pulled his sword from its sheath on his belt.
A door three doors away from us opened and a female holding a bed sheet over her ran into the hallway. Behind her, what appeared to be a naked Orc ran into the hallway behind her.
The female ran to Julian and ducked behind him. "I told him I don't do that."
The Orc straightened, rising to his full height, head nearly touching the ceiling. "I don't come here to be disrespected."
Julian approached the Orc and the scared female moved against the wall next to me. She grabbed hold of my arm and cowered behind me. "Don't let him near me."
I glared at the Orc, furious at him for whatever he'd done to her. Then, I turned to the female and smoothed her white-blonde hair with my hand. "Shhh, it's okay. I'm not going anywhere."
She burrowed her face into my arm and sobbed gently.
"What did you do?" I screamed at the Orc.
Julian looked back at me. "Leave it, My Lady."
The female pressed against me sniffed and looked up at me, her eyes rimmed in red from tears. "Lady?"
I ignored her question and turned back to the scene between Julian and the Orc.
"You have two minutes to gather your things and leave," Julian said. "You're no longer welcome here."
"No. I paid for a whole night. I'm not going anywhere." The Orc snarled, balling his frying-pan sized hands into fists.
My eyes widened. There was no way Julian would be able to take on this Orc. I watched in surprise as Julian lifted his sword, prepared to battle the massive creature. Julian was much smaller than the princes I'd seen fight. And with this monster, I'd even be a little nervous for any of them.
The creature charged Julian and I turned away, not able to bare the sight of the naked Orc running down the hall. I'd take the dead Fae over a naked Orc any day.
The female next to me screamed again, a shrill sound that made me cover my ears. She clawed at my robe, grabbing fistfuls of fabric and holding tight. Her fear made me want to protect her and I fought against my own rising terror and held her in my arms, squeezing her so she'd feel supported.
Julian slashed his sword at the Orc and the creature roared but easily dodged the weapon. Then, he grabbed the sword, wrapping his meaty hand around the blade. Blood streamed from his hand, but he didn't seem to notice as he ripped the sword from Julian's grasp.
He tossed the sword aside. Julian stood frozen in front of the massive Orc, weaponless.
My heart thundered in my chest. This terrible naked Orc was after the scared female in my arms. The only thing that stood between us was a smaller than average guard.
The Orc lunged forward and grabbed hold of Julian with both of his hands, easily lifting him into the air. "I'm staying the night."
"No," Julian said defiantly. "You are leaving."
The Orc tossed his head back and laughed as Julian squirmed in his grip. Then, the Orc threw Julian down the hall, hard.
I heard the thump as Julian's body hit the ground five doors away from where the Orc was standing. He didn't move.
A mixture of fear and anger was making my blood boil. Tears threatened, but I wasn't going to let this monster win. That's when I felt it. The clawing inside. My magic wanted to come to play.
Chapter Eleven
The magic rising inside me was comforting now that I knew what it was. I still didn't know how to use it, but it was possible if I could create a white light again that I might be able to blind the orc running toward us long enough for us to escape. I reached for the magic feeling it pulse and grow and respond to my thoughts.
Behind me, the terrified female screamed again but this time it sounded so far away. The only thing I could see was the Orc charging down the hallway. I braced for impact as I encouraged my magic to spill forward, taking any form it wanted so long as it would prevent the beast in front of us from reaching us. I wanted to stay back, I wanted to be afraid, but I knew I had to try to help.
Just as the first light surged forth from me, I felt someone familiar pass by. In the blinding light, I could just make out Ethan's form as he ran toward the waiting Orc.
"Ethan, no!" The last thing I wanted was to see any of my princes get hurt. Especially Ethan. He'd already sacrificed so much for me and nearly lost his life once before. I wasn't sure I could handle seeing him ba
rely clinging to life again. I turned, grabbing the shoulders of the female and moving my hands up to what I hoped was her face. "Run, go hide somewhere."
I could feel her nodding in my hands and she pulled away from me. I didn't wait to see where she went before I charged into the light blindly following the sounds of flesh against flesh as Ethan and the Orc engaged in what sounded to be hand-to-hand combat.
I need to see, I thought the words, forcing the meaning deep inside as I fought to gain control of the magic chaos I created. I slowed down, extending my fingers in front of me as I waited for the light to fade. Inside, I could now make out the shapes of the two figures. One, much larger than the other.
Not taking the time to consider my actions, I crept around behind the orc, then I jumped on him, wrapping my arms around his thick neck. The creature howled as I dug my fingernails into its shoulders to maintain my position on its sweaty back. A shiver ran through me as I tried not to think too hard about the disgusting beast I had my legs wrapped around.
The light was fading and I could now see in front of me. Momentarily confused, the Orc ignored Ethan, wobbling as it tried to free itself of me. Deciding I was the greater threat, the creature reached behind and swatted at me with his large frying pan sized hands.
I scrambled to the side, trying to avoid getting hit. The first swat missed me, but his other hand grabbed hold of my thigh and tugged. My fingernails bit further into its skin and the orc let out a howl as my nails scratched a line down his back as he pulled my leg free.
I dropped to the ground landing on my back with a thud. For a second, I couldn't breathe as spots danced in my vision. But I regained focus long enough to see Ethan turning the orc's head to the side farther than it should turn until a sickening crack echoed down the empty hallway.
The orc landed on the ground, his lifeless body nearly hitting me on his way down. I scrambled away just in time to avoid having the beast fall on me. Panting, I stared up at Ethan in surprise. I knew he was just as strong and capable as any of the other princes, but I never thought I'd see him kill in such a brutal way.
Without looking back at the fallen Orc, Ethan walked over to me, his brow furrowed in concern. He knelt down in front of me extending a hand toward me. I took it and let him pull me to sitting.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
I rubbed the back of my head where it had smacked the ground. It was sore, but my vision had cleared and I was able to breathe again. "I think so."
Ethan stroked my cheek. "You are something else, you know that? You stand by helplessly when someone breaks into your room yet the second someone else is in trouble, you act on instinct."
"I couldn't let anything happy to you," I said.
Ethan pressed his forehead to mine. "You won't get rid of me that easily."
Whispered voices filled the hallway and Ethan straightened, turning toward the sound. I looked around.
A couple of doors on the hallway were now cracked open and eyes were peering through to investigate the scene. I didn't realize there would be so many occupied doors in one of Tristan's homes. All the other places we'd been at seemed so vacant.
The white light I had created was completely gone now and I saw the orc lying dead on the ground. Five doors down was Julian, still unmoving.
"Is it over?" a female voice asked from behind me.
I turned around to see the face of the female who seem to be the cause of all of this. "It's over. What happened?"
She looked over at Ethan then lowered her eyes and dropped into a clumsy curtsy while still gripping the bed sheet. "I'm sorry, your grace. I didn't realize we had diplomats in attendance this evening. No one told me. They usually tell us."
I looked over at Ethan, confused. Then, I realized the clothing he was wearing must have identified him to her as one of Tristan's entourage.
The wheels began to spin my head as I put it all together. Hallway full of small, private rooms. A terrified girl, an Orc angry about being kicked out after paying for a full night, an apology for not recognizing a high-ranking guest.
I turned to Ethan. "This is a brothel." I'd never been in a brothel before, but one of the interesting things about being female where I grew up, was that you often went unnoticed in public places. I'd heard enough stories from men over the years to know these kinds of places existed. I just never thought I’d find myself in one.
"You must be new here," the female said to me. "We don't often see males who travel with their own companion."
I glanced from her to Ethan putting her words together. She thought I was his personal courtesan. I shook my head. I had now been referred to as Cormac's lady, Dane's mate, and now Ethan's courtesan.
"She was raised in the Autumn Court," Ethan said. "So she's unused to our ways."
My mouth dropped open and I stared at Ethan in disbelief. "Excuse me?"
"It's alright, Cassia," Ethan said.
His words seemed to confirm the female's suspicions. I had half a mind to yell at him right there and set her straight. But something inside me seemed to be telling me to keep quiet. I could almost believe it was Ethan's voice in my head, urging me for just this once, to keep my mouth shut.
Carefully, I fixed a smile on my face and lowered my eyes, trying to mimic the way the female in front of me behaved around Ethan.
"It's not often that we get girls from other Courts." The girl offered her hand to me. "Would you like me to show you around? I can find you something suitable to wear since your master has left you nothing but a robe." She winked at Ethan, seeming to find it silly.
I looked at Ethan, shocked that he would consider letting me go off with a strange courtesan that neither of us knew. I waited, expecting him to turn her down and decline the invitation for me, but he didn't. "I'm not sure we have time right now."
"Of course we do," Ethan said. "I have some things to work on with the Winter Prince. See that she's back to me in time for supper. I'm staying in the crescent moon suite."
It felt like my entire body went numb as I watched Ethan casually turn away from me and wave nonchalantly as he walked away. Why would Ethan leave me with her? Especially when someone had just tried to kill me?
The girl in front of me tugged on my hand and I looked down, having forgotten that I had taken it. Her green eyes sparkled, clearly thrilled for the distraction or very interested in showing someone new around.
"I'm Lainey. You're Cassia?" she asked as she dragged me down the hallway.
"Yes, Cassia. Nice to meet you, Lainey." I stepped over the fallen arm of the dead orc and carefully kept against the wall to avoid stepping on any other part of him. Lainey didn't seem to even notice or care that there were two dead bodies in the hallway. "Is this normal here?"
She shrugged. "About once a month or so one of the clients gets a little too rough and the guards take care of them for us." She stopped in front of the door that she'd run from and turned the handle, opening it.
She let go of my hand and swept her arm toward the room. "It's part of why girls find their way here, even from other courts. It's the only house of its kind. The only place we're treated with respect and we have a choice in our clients and the right to tell them no. If the client doesn't listen, he or she faces the consequences."
I thought back to the type of men that I'd heard discussing their visits to brothels. I couldn't imagine any of them being someone's choice; I also couldn't imagine an orc being someone's choice. "An orc?"
"I shouldn't have agreed. My intuition was telling me there was something off about him." She shook her head. "But we charge so much more for non Fae guests. I send my money back home to my family, and they needed a little extra this month, so I agreed. I'm sure you know how it is. Though, I must say, you got very lucky. Most girls would kill to be the personal consort of a Fae as attractive as yours."
She settled onto a pile of cushions in one corner of the floor and patted a space next to her on the ground. I followed her, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet of
the room.
As I walked over I glanced around the small, private room. It had a large bed that took up most of the space, which was probably why she had cushions on the floor and against the wall. It was her only non-bed seating. Up against the opposite wall was a small dressing table with a stool tucked below the cluttered surface. I could see brushes and powders and various other forms of makeup scattered across the top.
On the remaining free wall was a curtain that was half drawn. Beyond the opening, I could see gowns and lacy clothes. The room was small, but every inch of it screamed luxury.
Lainey stood. "It's freezing today isn't it?" She walked over to the curtain acting as a cover to her closet. "Some days I don't even bother with clothes. It just makes it so much more inconvenient to take them off later, you know what I mean?" She pushed the curtain to the side. "What does your master prefer? Formal? Informal? Kinky?"
I blinked a few times, trying to let her words sink in. "Usually I just wear trousers and a tunic."
"Peasant girl? I wouldn't have guessed he was the type. But they all have their things, don't they? I've learned that often, the more well off they seem on the outside, the dirtier they are in the inside." She handed me a simple blue dress. "I don't usually wear trousers, this is the closest I've got."
Grateful, I took the dress from her. "Thank you." I turned, glancing around for any place I could get a moment's privacy to change. The room was completely exposed, there was nowhere you could walk to, to dress without someone else seeing you.
"How's your male? Does he treat you as well in the bedroom as he did today? I mean, he must like you an awful lot to be willing to kill for you."
I turned back to Lainey, still clutching the dress in my hands. How did I explain how I felt about Ethan to a stranger? "We've been through a lot together."
"You're very lucky, you know that?" she asked.
"I know," I said.
Lainey dropped the sheet she'd been holding and started to dig through her closet. Startled, I looked down at my feet to give her some privacy. All the princes had told me that things were different in Faerie, that sex wasn't demonized the way it was in the human realm. I glanced back up at Lainey. She didn't seem to mind that she was naked in front of a total stranger.
