Mi sighed again and glanced up at my Dad advising him. “Do not expect her to let leave of her grievance just upon your say so.”
My Father’s ill will spilled over onto her and he all but snapped. “I do not believe I asked your opinion.”
Mi’s tail flicked briefly then stilled. I knew that sign and held my breath, my best method at the moment to prevent her ire turning upon me. “Perhaps we might continue this discussion more privately?” She offered her voice sounding deceptively cool and calm.
Dad thought about it for a moment before nodding. He glanced over his shoulder and Mom’s guards glanced at my Mom then turned to beat a hasty retreat for the door. Apparently none of us had realized they were still present, well I had forgotten their presence. Other’s probably hadn’t. It was for sure they had received an earful. No more than the masses still time sharing space in my head. The absolute silence emanating from the interior of my skull did nothing to mask the fact that they were still there, listening and absorbing every juicy detail. I probably should have lifted my shields when Dad stormed in, now it was simply too late. Oh well, at least they now knew last night wasn’t intentional. Of course they were not privy to a few other details I’d probably prefer they weren’t, but nothing had been shared that wasn’t true or showed me to be more or less than what I was I mused, then pulled my focus back to the present.
Dane turned to leave too; apparently he was taking his directions from my Father now, a fact that would annoy me once I had the time to think about it. Owen and Amras remained standing where they were, questioning looks on their faces. Having realized their presence was not completely forgotten, my head began buzzing slightly, possibly over confusion from what Kit had said. Ignoring the slow surge and pressure I focused on Amras and Owen realizing if they followed Dane out the door I would be trapped in here, forced to ‘discuss things in private’. Not something I was looking forward to just then. On the off chance I could get out without being noticed, I forced my feet to start moving and nearly made it to Amras who gracefully offered me his arm. On my shoulder Kit’s nails tensed. I think we all just wanted to make a bloodless getaway.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw my Father open his mouth, only to be cut off by Mi. “The Queen has commanded Lexi to an appointment. You do not wish to cause her issue with the Queen by detaining her do you?” She asked sweetly her eyes following me as I reached for Amras.
“Thank you Mi, as you say, I have an appointment and mustn’t disappoint the Queen.” I agreed nearly holding my breath, as we moved gracefully around my Father who didn’t look happy at all with the turn of events. “I’m sure we’ll see each other later.” I continued, nodding and waving my fingers at the three of them as we beat a hasty retreat for the door.
Owen somehow managed to make it there before us and brushed past Dane who was standing to one side. I wasn’t certain which of us he was more upset with, himself for having wandered off and left me there, or with me for having put him in that situation. The look on his face turned chagrined as I glanced up at him and shook my head slightly. The sound of voices behind us got us all moving out the portal and into the hall. When the door shut behind us, there was a brief moment when we all seemed to sigh just a bit.
“To quote your Father,” Kit began in a rather sarcastic tone, “was that necessary?”
“Apparently.” I informed him. “And in spite of what just happened, it was worth it just to see her face.” I hissed back at him, careful to keep my voice low, though why I bothered I wasn’t certain.
“Are you certain?” He retorted. “I wasn’t alone when this little incident began. I believe you’ve been warned about….doing that.”
I rocked from foot to foot, biting my lip and suddenly looking worried. Uh oh, on second thought maybe not.
“Ah, now she shows concern.” Owen remarked, but his words were amused and there was a slight twinkle in his big brown eyes. He glanced curiously at Kit and asked. “And just how it is that you happened to show up in such a timely manner?”
Kit glanced down as he lifted a front leg and turned his claws over as if inspecting them. “I received my Mistress’ call.” He informed us in a rather prim voice.
Owen glanced at me and I raised an eyebrow. “Really?” I queried softly while the rest of them glanced amongst themselves with questioning looks. I was fairly certain they were aware I had not called Kit as they would probably have heard me if I had done so.
Kit made a sniffing noise and nodded, “Of course, who else would have elicited my assistance in so timely a manner?” He then remarked, still inordinately interested in the state of his toenails, though they looked as black and hard as steel as they normally did.
“Have you injured yourself, perhaps by digging them into my shoulder?” I asked sweetly, though my tone clearly indicated I didn’t believe him at all.
Kit immediately dropped his foot back to my shoulder with an exasperated sound and informed us. “Little Johnny had to write an essay, when he got up to read it in class it started, ‘Daddy fell into the well last week…’ when the teacher exclaimed, ‘My goodness is he all right?’ Little Johnny replied, ‘He must be, he stopped yelling for help yesterday.” Then he turned one eye on me and I found myself wondering how I was supposed to respond to that. “You aren’t.” He informed me and settled more firmly on my shoulder, seemingly content that he’d managed to confound the lot of us.
“Tis a strange sense of humor ye have.” Dane muttered.
“More like perverse.” Owen added and shook his head slightly.
Amras looked over his shoulder at the door behind us. “Shall we go, before your Father changes his mind and sends someone after us?” Amras asked me softly, a slightly worried look in his beautiful violet eyes. I eagerly nodded agreement and wrapped my arm more firmly through his while we set off down the hall.
I was mulling over Kit’s comments, not really paying attention to the direction Amras was steering me when we rounded a corner and I felt Amras hesitate. I glanced up and came to an abrupt stop forcing the others to also halt. My eyes widened and I stared in disbelief at all the people that filled the previously empty hallway. Everywhere I looked there were men. I paled and glanced between Owen and Dane realizing I had not been paying any attention and suddenly understanding the worried look in Amras’ eyes.
“Oh this should be fun.” Kit laughed nastily and I shrugged my shoulder so that he nearly became unbalanced.
” Rí an tsuilt!” Dane muttered and from his tone of astonishment I was pretty sure I didn’t need his comment translated. He gave me a surprised glance then looked at Owen.
“Why don’t you go see about gathering up a rescue party for us?” I told Kit who flicked his tongue out at me in annoyance before leaping into the air and flying at eye level toward the nearest men before blinking out. Those closest to us seemed more curious than surprised though they looked like they were ready to duck out of his way if necessary. I let out my breath, just thankful Kit had opted to disappear rather than fly the entire length of the hall.
Owen flicked his eyes to the strangers and back at me then whispered softly, “Now might be a good time to raise your Dragonsward.” I nodded and lifted my shield gently into place. All eyes in the hall turned to stare at me, while beside me Amras placed his hand over mine and gave me a gentle squeeze.
“We could take the express?” Owen offered but I shook my head and bravely or perhaps stupidly pushed back my shoulders.
I did not wish to embarrass myself if I could prevent it, at least no more than I apparently already had the previous evening; I thought and just managed to keep a grimace off my face. I wasn’t going to run from these people, cowardice was not a trait they admired I sternly reminded me. Not that I felt the need to be admired by them, but respect wouldn’t be bad. I was after all part Elf. No need to shame my Mother or Grandmother just because a few people apparently had a strange desire to get to know me better. Running might solve the immediate problem but it wasn
’t a good solution.
‘Nae but there be times when it’s a wise one,’ Dane’s voice whispered across my mind.
I am not going to be bullied, I thought back at him. In response he lifted his hand and shrugged a ‘don’t blame me later’ look in his eyes. Perhaps in the grand scheme, this was my pay back for having just narrowly escaped my Father’s wrath. Dane nodded agreement, his face taking on a slight look of chagrin. He gave a resigned sigh then ran the back of one finger down my cheek, pulled his shoulders back then wiped away all expression from his face. Standing there looking back at him, it was suddenly difficult to tell exactly what he was thinking.
‘Tis me politic face.’ His mind whispered to mine.
And that was certainly a good description I mused.
“Mind your tempers, losing them only endangers the Princess,” Owen warned us all softly. Imagine that, Owen worried we might lose our tempers. Surely that wasn’t a good sign.
Every last one of us took a steadying breath and proceeded forward cautiously. We’d made it perhaps ten steps when the first group of finely clad handsome, eager Elven men descended upon us, and poor Amras was forced to begin the lengthy introductions.
Grandma wasn’t kidding, I thought, and forced myself to smile while I was fawned over and petted like some kind of prized breeding mare. Dane and Owen did their best to keep the men off of me, but it was difficult. I’d always heard that Elves were stoic and reserved and not overly demonstrative or maybe that was just my Mom. I would not have suspected it based on these folk’s actions. Surely the thought of sex with my person wasn’t all that alluring?
‘Tis the promise.’ Dane informed me and I flicked my eyes to his in question while a Lord Olwe Saralonde bent low over my hand and proceeded to press his lips onto the back of my knuckles in a most disturbing way. The man was dressed in a emerald green brocade jacket with black slacks, a rather frilly gold shirt in what appeared to be silk and was wearing boots that I could have used as a reflective surface to brush my teeth in, they were so highly polished. Beside me Dane bit his lip and struggled not to smile. Attempting to disengage my hand without causing offense, I wondered how this could all be about sex. Surely not all men in the Sidhe practiced absence like Cursed and Amras had.
‘Nae sex,’ Dane assured me with a slight smile. ‘Tis the promise of bairns that draws them to ye. Well an’ the sex is nay so bad either.’ He continued with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. I had to struggle to keep the ‘Oh that’ look off my face. I’m not sure what was worse, all these men vying for the chance to sleep with me because of my abilities or because of a possibility I might give them children. In spite of the fact that most of them were charming, articulate and extremely solicitous it was just short of disheartening. Oh yes and add handsome, beautiful and nicely built to that list. This was Faerie after all; more specifically the Seelie Court and I don’t believe anything ugly was ever allowed to remain in the Seelie Court. I was pretty sure it was a written rule. But it wasn’t like my own men were lacking in the manly beauty awards area. And there was just so much a girl could absorb before they all started to resemble each other, just with various shades of hair and eyes. I was, after all, just one girl and there was only so much duty I could handle.
‘Aye, but ye be so verrry young, an healthy, an will be living a verrry long life.’ Dane teased, his words causing me to begin mentally chanting curse words which caused him to laugh then cough to cover it.
On several occasions I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from saying anything I would definitely regret. Of course my inner dialog was no longer being heard by anyone there except Dane. Poor Dane seemed to be having problems keeping a straight face, in spite of several offhand comments that had been made about his parentage and lack of social standing, none of which seemed to faze him.
Owen managed to stay above it all, and why wouldn’t he? Being a minor god had its advantages. It seemed even the rudest of Elves didn’t feel brave enough to insult him. This only left Amras, who like Dane appeared to be taking the brunt of the slurs, although his own parentage and social standing, was superb. My mind began wandering, how exactly does one keep track of so many names. And while I really did try keeping up my end of the conversation, at some point I became thoroughly distracted by the rainbow of auras scattered up and down the hall. Apparently I no longer registered hair and eye colors, my mind moved on to their auras and began a subtle compare and contrast of their hues. I realized then that the sly comments aimed at Amras mostly appeared to be caused by jealousy. There was plenty of orange-red, brown, light blue, purple, and several very intense individuals covered in black up and down the corridor.
‘Tis used to them nay doubt.’ Dane reminded me and I nodded in agreement, his comment reminding me of the unkind slurs aimed at Amras. Amras, who’d first been engaged to my Mother and now was mine. Surely there were those there that must have felt he had had more than his fair share of the Helyanwe females and perhaps it was time for him to be replaced by someone more deserving…in this case themselves.
Observing the plethora of auras around me, my eyes were drawn to a man leaning against a wall whose aura was coated a very dark red. It was a shade which I’d only ever seen once before, on Marcus, my Red Dragon. Marcus who was at this moment, somewhere within this Sidhe, sent here for safekeeping. Dark red was not a good aura hue; it tended to represent all sorts of nasty things, not the least of which was rage and malice. Just as it had that night in the conference room, when Marcus had felt betrayed by me. Inside me Goldy cracked open an eye and flicked out her tongue as if testing the air. The gentleman, whose name I could not remember, was in the process of attempting to entice me to meet with him later for an evening stroll through the Caranthir Maze. The maze was apparently an expansive garden, something that Amras had to clarify for me. At Goldy’s movement, the gentleman stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening slightly a look of confusion covering his Elven features and clouding his beautiful crystalline aqua colored eyes.
“My apologies.” I told him and managed to give what I hoped was a dazzling smile. I realized he must have sensed Goldy’s movement. “My dragon stirs.” I leaned forward to share with him, my voice dropping to just above a whisper as if I was imparting a great secret for only him. My response seemed to please, though he struggled to hide his overall surprise. Amras deftly disengaged we two and moved us a few feet farther down the hall, on to the next introduction.
My eyes flicked to Owen and realized he too had seen the man and appeared to be watching him closely. Dane turned slowly, his eyes settling on the man who was watching me through eyes which were two different colors. His left was a pale blue while the right was a shocking yellowish color. The blue was unremarkable but I’d never seen anyone with eyes that shade of yellow. It was a bit creepy, and I felt a shiver work its way down my spine.
Amras tensed next to me and lifted his eyes, glancing about the room. He made a low noise in his throat when he followed Owen’s gaze and spied the man standing not more than twenty feet away from us. “What is he doing here?” Amras growled softly. In a heartbeat he’d gracefully disengaged my arm and was headed in his direction, leaving the rest of us to try and cover the surprise his sudden departure created.
‘Can you tell what he’s saying?’ I thought at Dane, and he tilted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes before he shook his head in the negative. Amras walked straight up to the other man and their conversation started off low, but escalated to a not quite raised voice level. Soon everyone in the hall was glancing in their direction. I took a moment to observe the faces around me, noticing that most of them either appeared to harbor a dislike of some nature. Most of those present appeared to show downright contempt for the other man. At least that’s how I interpreted their looks and the slight shifting of auras.
Farther down the hall, past Amras and he of the strangely colored eyes, a slight murmur started. The sea of men began parting and I watched as they allowed a beautiful raven haired
woman to pass as she moved in our general direction. The men stepped back for her and their eyes began shifting questioningly between her and me.
The woman was tall and graceful, dressed in a silver dress that had very little to it and showed off her willowy figure to perfection, while still somehow managing to appear decent. She made a sultry swaying beeline for Amras, or perhaps it was the man leaning against the wall next to him she was after? It was hard to tell from where I was standing. In her wake she had four men, all muscular, tall and extremely good looking. Each of them had hair the same midnight black color as she. Each of them was coated in a dark orange haze and appeared to scan the crowd as if they expected someone to leap out and slay the woman they trailed behind at any moment. The woman herself was encased in one of the darkest green auras I’d ever had the misfortune to behold.
Hmmm… the men were coated in deceit and distrust, while the woman was being eaten by ambition, greed, and jealousy. Lucky us, it seemed Amras was the immediate intended target. However, I couldn’t tell if it was Amras or me that was their problem. At the moment, it was for sure Amras was the one about to be caught in their cross hairs.
I looked at Owen and my feet just started moving. Dane made a rumbling noise low and deep in his chest that effectively cleared the space in front of him as he crossed to the side Amras had so recently vacated. Three of us edged our way down the hall toward him, intent upon rescue, if necessary.
As we approached Amras, I slipped up beside him while Dane moved back. I slid my arm though Amras’ and without seeming to move, his body gracefully adjusted to me. I could see his beautiful violet eyes were shuttered and the expression on his face could only be described as unreadable. Apparently somewhere between down the hall where he’d left us and here, he’d pulled out his ‘politic’ face from wherever it was he kept it and successfully affixed it to his face. I widened my eyes and took an extra second to smile into his as I stroked his arm with my fingertips in an attempt to soothe him.
Dragon Envy Page 19
