by Winter Rose
“Oh, that is just a birthmark.” I awkwardly laughed, pulling my gown back over my shoulders. From the look they gave one another, they thought it was something more. Always the freak.
The three sisters stood before me, scrutinizing every detail as I fidgeted under their gaze.
“Can I just see?” I questioned, filling the uncomfortable silence that hung around the room since they saw my birthmark.
May walked toward me, deeply curtseying. “You look magnificent, Your Grace.”
And we’re back to the titles. While I was plotting May’s demise, I didn’t realize the other two had uncovered a floor-length brass plate until I was staring back at a beautiful stranger.
My hair was elegantly styled in intricate twists and braids, the stray curls softening the look. The dress I wore was the same pale silver as my eyes, and the silk clung to my body like a second skin, before fanning out at the bottom. There was a split that reached my left thigh, a fact I was not happy about, but at least I had easy access to my holster.
The thin material of the dress didn’t allow me to wear a breastplate, which apparently was normal, according to May. What women do if they ever need to fight, I have no idea. Even though most of my body was covered, I had never felt more exposed. At least I won the no heels argument. I stuck out a silver ballet pump, watching as it shined in the light.
“I look fucking ridiculous,” I grumbled, reaching for my knives so that I could fasten one against my right thigh and the other one on my calf. Edith attempted to protest, whatever she was about to say though soon died on her lips when she took one look at my murderous glare.
A knock at the door distracted me from my internal debate on whether or not to change back into my own clothes. Obviously, the pro-trousers side of my brain was winning.
“Prince Vulcan, Your Grace.” Lily bowed deep as Vulcan stepped into the room.
“Ready?” he stopped dead in his tracks, his voice catching in his throat. Those obsidian eyes sparkled as they ran over my body. I shivered under the heat of their gaze.
His usual black military armor had been swapped for a black suit fit for the title he was born with. On him, that suit was breathtaking. Black, with gold buttons and embroidery around the cuffs and breast pocket, it took everything in me to drag my eyes away from the snug material.
His shocked face had now been replaced with amusement. Shit, he caught me checking him out. He held out a hand for me to take.
“My lady,” his baritone ran over me as he bowed his head.
“Oh, gods, not you too!” I huffed exasperatedly. What is it with these titles? I am a Warrior, not a lady!
I walked past his outstretched hand, like the strong independent woman I was. Vulcan chuckled as he followed my sulking ass out of the room.
I mumbled my reluctant thanks to the three sisters as I passed them. They may have dressed me up like a fairy, but they were only doing their jobs. Walking down the hallway for a few paces, I started to realize I had no idea which direction I needed to go. Slowing my strides casually, I waited until Vulcan walked in front of me with a smirk.
Smooth, Lu.
Chapter Eleven
Vulcan slowed down his pace so that he was now walking beside me. He was so big that even in these giant hallways, our arms grazed against one another as we walked. Not that I minded much. He radiated so much heat, it only heightened my bodies awareness of his presence.
The sound of music and people’s voices filtered down the hallway, making me want to bolt like a skittish horse. Why was this not a fight that I was walking to? I could do fights; fighting was simple. Fighting, I was good at. Walking into a ball filled with strangers dressed like a freaking fairy? That frightened me more than anything.
The sounds of merriment grew louder, and I had to remind myself how to breathe. My eyes were glued to the floor as I concentrated on walking in a straight line; the silk of my dress moved around me like silver water.
Vulcan ground to a halt, and I turned around to face him.
“What are you worried about?”
Great, he reads minds.
“I’m fine,” I replied. Please don’t be able to read my mind.
“I can sense your unease, Luna. I’m very good at reading emotions. The air is thick with them, and it’s driving my … it’s driving me crazy.” I breathed out, thank the gods that he can’t read my mind.
“It’s not me, is it?” I stopped the inspection of an interesting looking floor tile to look into his eyes.
“You?” I questioned him, unsure as to what he meant. His eyes shifted past me as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
“Do I scare you?” My brows furrowed.
“Why would you scare me?” I questioned. Vulcan smirked, the spark in his eyes returning.
“Most people would be afraid to be alone with me. I did advise that Eros be the one to escort you, but he had … other plans.” I ran my gaze over the giant of a man. Yes, I could see why people would fear Vulcan. He was a mountain of a man, not to mention his energy signal was crushing. He didn’t scare me though. I couldn’t put my finger on what, but something about Vulcan made me feel at ease, safe even.
“No, I am definitely not afraid of you, Vulcan.” He managed to smile without moving his lips.
“Then, what?” he asked, taking a step toward me. “I promise you that if you want to leave at any point, you can. You’re not a prisoner here, and your debt has been paid; you are a free woman. I realized I never really asked you if you wanted to join the Elites.”
I knew that I was being ridiculous, I had dreamt about joining the League, let alone the Elites, my entire life. So, what, I had to wear a stupid dress for a night? I was about to be trained by the greatest Warriors that our worlds have ever known. Suck it up, Luna.
“I do want to be in Elites, and things have turned out far better than I could have imagined. I’m just, not used to being dressed up like this. I feel …”
“Beautiful. You look beautiful.”
Words died in my throat as heat spread along my skin.
“I just feel more comfortable in my military wear.” I tried to smile, but it felt more like a grimace.
“I know what you mean,” Vulcan shifted uncomfortably, pulling at the collar of his jacket. I wanted to laugh; how could he know what I meant? That suit was made for him to wear; I had never seen anything quite like Vulcan in a suit. If I had any doubts in my mind that he was royalty before, tonight they were gone.
The coat, upon closer inspection, was covered in embroidered intricate patterns that ended at the stiff collar at his throat. The gold buttons on either shoulder, along with the ones on his cuffs, were the only splash of color on this otherwise black canvas. The way the material moved with him; it fit him like a glove. He seemed so much bigger if that was even possible, his muscles bulging against the strained fabric. His short, military-cut hair was parted down the side, accentuating his strong square jaw.
“I hate these formal events, and I hate this suit.”
“I like it.” Stop talking, Luna. “I mean, I think it looks good on you.” Please stop talking. “I especially like the gold buttons; they make you look super royal.” What the actual fuck? The side of his full lips lifted, revealing a dimple that I wanted to lick. What in the gods names was he doing to me?
He held out his hand.
“I have never seen a dress more beautiful. You were born to wear it.” I had turned to liquid before him; one compliment and I had melted into a crazed puddle of hormones. Sort your shit out, woman; he’s just one man.
One crazy sexy delicious man.
“Shall we brave this torment together?” He held out his arm for me to hold.
“What? Oh, the ball...” Flustered, I placed my hand on his arm. Get a grip woman.
People in all their finery clustered into groups. Some of them dancing in a slow waltz while a string quartet played a haunting melody. Swords and axes adorned the walls of the great hall along with various
dead animal heads. A decoration that I could never quite understand.
“I would rather be that deer right now.” I nodded toward a particularly miserable looking mounted head. Vulcan coughed over a laugh, and several heads turned our way. Apparently, walking into a ball on the arm of a prince was not the best way to blend in. Who knew?
I felt the eyes of strangers all over me. Back at The Estate, I never attended their many parties and political balls, opting to work the security detail. So, to say I was out of my comfort zone would be the understatement of the century.
“Everyone is staring at us,” I muttered under my breath. People parted to let us past, whispering to one another. Six men who stood in the corner were particularly obvious with their glances. They were whispering to a blond man in the middle, whose gaze never left me.
A rumble sounded in Vulcan’s chest.
“I think you’ll find they are staring at you.” I glanced sideways to find that his easy-going expression was long gone. We were back to the murderous glare. Not that I was complaining, it meant that everyone was giving us a wide birth.
We walked toward the side of the room where people were stood chatting in groups.
“Good evening, your Majesty,” a beautiful woman with long, golden hair and a pale blue ball gown curtseyed before Vulcan.
“Freya,” Vulcan politely nodded his head and quickly guided us past her.
“Drink?” he asked stiffly, obviously as uncomfortable as I was with the attention we were getting.
“Sure,” I replied, a bit too quickly, noting the way that Freya’s eyes followed Vulcan mournfully. Vulcan, completely oblivious, nodded and made his way through the crowd as I tried my best to shrink into the shadows. The people here looked like gods. I mean I couldn’t find a single average looking supe, and it made me extremely uncomfortable.
“Good evening,” a male voice had me spinning around to find blondie from the group of men, had made his way over. He was tall and svelte, dressed in a black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt. The black contrasted brilliantly, with his white-blond hair and pale skin. His eyes that were currently mentally undressing me, were the iciest blue.
“Evening,” I replied, doing my best not to growl as he stared for far too long at my chest. I told May that a dress this tight was not made for breasts like mine. Blondie smiled, revealing a set of straight white teeth, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
“I have not seen you here before,” he stated, “are you a visiting dignitary?” I tried not to laugh, at the thought of me being a dignitary.
Blondie was a definite heartbreaker with his charmingly beautiful face and dazzling smile. Though I couldn’t help feeling weary, something about him seemed off.
“The new Princess, perhaps?” He lifted the side of his mouth in what I’m sure he thought was a charming smile. “I am Prince Oberon of the North Star.” He took my hand and bowed, kissing its back. For the love of … another prince? A Fae prince at that.
I could now see his thin, angled features and pointed ears, typical Fae features. He mistook my silence as a good thing because he winked.
“Save me a dance this evening, Princess.”
“I am not a—”
“Oberon.” Vulcan returned with two glasses of amber liquid, one of which he handed over to me. “Thank you for keeping my date company,” Vulcan’s voice was like ice.
“Your date, Vulcan?” Either Oberon was a brave man, or incredibly stupid because Vulcan’s Alpha energy was on full. Wait, did he say date?
“I didn’t realize that the Princess was spoken for.” I groaned internally as the two men puffed out their chests.
“Well, you do now.” The power that Vulcan was throwing off caused people nearby to turn and stare. Well if ever there was a time to start drinking, I gulped the amber liquid.
Oh. My. Gods. I’m sure I moaned aloud because when I opened my eyes, the two-testosterone filled supes were looking directly at me. I shifted under their heated gaze.
“This is amazing,” I said as I lifted the chalice and waved it awkwardly. “What is it?”
“Whiskey,” both men answered, which caused Vulcan to growl. Well, he sure needed to learn how to play nice.
Oberon looked completely unfazed by the giant that looked as though he was about to tear his ears off. In fact, the Prince looked thrilled with Vulcan’s display of dominance. He walked toward me and took my hand in a bow, kissing it once more. Geesh, my hands had more attention today than I have had in a lifetime.
“Remember to save me a dance, Princess,” he said as he gave Vulcan one last cocky smile, his icy eyes glistening before he walked into the crowd. Shit stirrer.
Vulcan turned from Oberon’s retreating figure to look at me. He took a step toward me, closing the gap.
“I want you to stay away from Prince Oberon,” he almost growled.
I took a step back, “Pardon?”
No, he wasn’t about to try and tell me who I couldn’t talk too. I lifted my chin, daring him to even try.
Vulcan puffed out a breath; I could have sworn I saw his eyes flicker before he closed them and took in a deep breath. I realized he did this when he needed to get himself under control. When he opened his eyes again, he looked a lot less murdery.
“Forgive me, this week has been trying. I apologize for my behavior, Princess.” He smirked at that, making me groan.
“He just kept talking and didn’t allow me to correct him,” I defended.
Vulcan did one of his panty-melting half smiles again.
“For now, let’s keep everyone thinking that you’re a princess. That way, people like him will treat you with more respect.” Vulcan stared into the crowd in the direction Oberon left. “I do not wish to control who you speak to, Luna, but promise me you will never let yourself be alone with him.”
I snorted, “I think I can handle myself with pretty boy.”
Vulcan’s eyes bored into my own.
“He’s dangerous, Luna. His father is a high-ranking Council member and ... just promise me?” He looked so concerned that I hesitated to defend my badassness. Yes, that’s a word.
“Things are happening in our worlds that you don’t yet know, and Oberon is on the wrong side.”
“What is he doing here, then?” I asked Vulcan, who had gotten dangerously close. He closed the inch that separated us and bent down to my ear,
“He is an Elite Candidate. His family put him forward, and because they are high-ranking Council members, we had to give him the opportunity.” There was a hint of malice in his energy that made my hair stand on end. “You will find that most Elite Candidates are from high-ranking families. They can afford to give their children the best training. So, when the time comes, they have the skills to pass the final trial. Oberon is a skilled Warrior; I also believe in keeping my enemies close. He will never complete the trials it takes to become a fully-fledged Elite Warrior though, and I bet he won’t even pass initiation week. They never do.”
“Vulcan!” A man walked toward us cutting me off. He was tall and lithe with glossy, silver hair that reached the bottom of his back. Hair that would make any women green with envy. His moonlight mane was intricately plaited and pulled back from his face, revealing two pointed ears. His features were structured but thin. High cheekbones adorned shockingly green eyes; they reminded me of the color of evergreens. His full lips were currently curled into some sort of snarl. As he drew near, I felt the urge to bolt when confronted with the power his energy signal held.
“What’s this I have heard about a new Recruit, lizard? And why wasn’t I consulted?” He practically spat at the smirking Vulcan. He wore a deep blue and green tunic that contrasted beautifully against his pale skin. The suit must have been his realm’s formal attire.
“The circumstances were difficult, Ehre. I have never seen such a worthy Candidate.”
Ehre looked over to the crowd, completely ignoring my existence.
“Ah, but you and I hold different standards, bro
ther; where is this man?” For some reason, this guy got under my skin. Maybe it was the way he spoke to Vulcan, not even acknowledging me standing there before him, as plain as day. Or maybe it was the way he just assumed this new Candidate was a man. Yeah, it was probably those things.
“Hi,” I waved at him while he still looked over my head at Vulcan.
“Go away, girl. The men are talking.” Ehre didn’t even have the decency to look at me while he spoke.
“Okay boy. I just thought you should know that the he you are looking for is, in fact, a she. And this she is doing everything in her power not to break all the bones in your snooty nose.” Ehre whipped his head around so that his evergreen eyes looked right through me.
“Her?” he sputtered. “A female? You have got to be kidding me, Vulcan. She won’t last one day with the Elites!”
“I would prefer it that you judged me on my skill rather than my sex,” I ground out. “I have made many a man eat their words, as well as my dust.”
You could tell by Vulcan’s smirk that he was enjoying every second of this transaction. Ehre actually looked at me this time and hesitated. I felt bare under his scrutiny, but there was no way in the Underworld I would give him the satisfaction of lowering my gaze. His eyes switched over to Vulcan, who nodded then back to me. They held a flicker of surprise or maybe excitement before he regained his haughty mask.
“We will see, tiny Warrior. Your beauty doesn’t blind me like it has my brothers. I will have the final say if you are worthy of our name.” With one last pointed look at Vulcan, Ehre turned on his heel and melted back into the crowd. I stood there, fuming. It took every ounce of self-control for me not to follow his pointy-eared arse and show him just how ‘worthy’ I was.
“Well, he seems nice,” I muttered, making Vulcan chuckle. “What the Underworld was his problem?” I grumbled draining the rest of my delicious drink.
