The Changer Complete Box Set

by A C Wilds

  “Hi. I’m Azra,” I say to the Fae woman, extending my hand. She looks at it but doesn’t take it. Her hands are nervous balls of tension at her side, and her jaw is clenched. She is dressed in skinny black pants and a three button vest with nothing underneath it. Her boots are tall and are the only thing of color on her. They are a deep purple like her eyes. This woman is beautiful in an otherworldly sort of way. I wonder what has her so nervous?

  “I know,” she whispers, then clears her throat. “Where would you like me to set up?” she asks, with a bit more confidence in her voice.

  “Anywhere you're comfortable. The window over there gives some good natural lighting.” She nods, and starts walking over to one of the chairs near the window. Her big rollout case comes to a halt next to the chair. She begins to unbuckle the clasps and unlock tiny drawers. It all seems to unfold from one spot and my eyes go wide. There is every kind of makeup product you could ever want in there. So much color! So much glitter! So much of everything! I gasp as she pulls out these unique looking shadow palettes. They look like seashells, but when open have individual eyeshadow colors in a circle around the shell. The colors are intense. I wonder what they look like on? I must have spoken out loud because her head turns in my direction, and she looks at me with a question.

  “Your collection is amazing! Those shadows are so pigmented. Where did you get them?” I ask her, a little awe-struck. Makeup is my passion. It was one of the things that bonded Noli and I. I wish she were here with me to see this. She’d die!

  “Thank you,” she says quizzically. “I didn’t think you’d be into this stuff. Normally the Sidhe want me to just get it over with. It’s nice to have someone appreciate it all.”

  “Well, you’ve come to the right place if you're looking for a girl who wants to gush over beautiful pretties,” I say to her, with a wink and a smile. She seems to loosen up then. I wonder if she thought I was like all the others. Maybe this prejudice thing isn’t only for the humans?

  “I’m glad,” she says, in a release of breath. “Ok let's get you situated over here so I can start. We only have a little while, and I have to get to your hair also.”

  I sit down obediently and watch her work. She uses so many different brushes and products. Her hands expertly paint it all onto my face. After she is satisfied with her work, she turns to my hair. She takes out the braid and begins to weave a more intricate design onto my head. She braids one side and gathers the rest of the hair over with these little clear pins. They look like bobby pins, but in the right light, it’s like they disappear. My dark inky curls run over my left shoulder. I can see that she has teased them a bit to create a fuller look. The mirror is set up behind me, and I am vibrating with such excitement. I need to turn around and see.

  “Just give me one more sec,” Sophie says, with a bit of a laugh. “You're like a two-year-old.”

  “Am not,” I reply, but I am, because I’m dying to see what she created. Getting dressed up has always been one of my favorite things to do. I loved playing dress up when I was a little girl. Imagination was one of my best playmates since I had very few real ones. I used to dream up magical places that held balls for princes and princesses to attend. I would use bed sheets for trains and tablecloths for skirts, and by the end of it I would fall in love with my prince and live happily ever after. How I wish things could be that simple again. Now, I’m going to a ball with princes, but I am no princess.

  “Go get changed in the closet, and then you can have a look,” Sophie says.

  “No fair! I want to see what I look like first.”

  “No, you can see when you have your dress on. I want you to see the full effect. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

  “Fine,” I huff, marching into the closet. It’s a big enough closet that there is a chaise lounge in the center and a side table next to it with tons of room left over. My dress is hung from one of the many hooks on the ceiling which is a peculiar place for them, but whatever. I open up the garment bag and see the beautiful creation again. It indeed is a stunning dress. I take off the pajamas I am wearing and put them on the chaise. There is no zipper on the dress, so I step into it and shimmy it up against my body. Not having to wear a bra is going to be like heaven. Bras suck! The material is just as I remember it, soft and luxurious. I can’t wait to see what I look like. Stepping out of the closet, I head back over to Sophie. Her eyes go wide, and it tells me all I need to know.

  “Azra, you look stunning. Miniel picked out the perfect dress,” Sophie says with a megawatt smile, just as I am approaching the mirror. I look at myself for the first time and almost don’t recognize the person staring back. It’s the same face and the same hair, but I look different. I look like I’m glowing, literally. My hair is all on the left side falling in waves down to my breasts. My eyes have just enough smoke in them to be seductive, but not enough to say trampy. I have on a lipstick that matches the dress to a tee. It all comes together so nicely.

  “Sophie, what did you do to me?” I ask her, because surely she is the one who knows why I look like I just stepped out of a magazine.

  “I didn’t do anything unusual. You were glowing like that when I came in. I just did a little bit of a smokey eye and a low side pony. You already had most of what you see here,” she says calmly, like glowing people are what she is used to seeing every day. No big deal.

  “What?! That isn’t true. I don’t glow. I’m not a glowing sort of person,” I say in disbelief, because really, who glows? She shrugs and starts packing up her things. I don’t want her to think I don’t like her work, because I do. She did a fantastic job. I need to make sure she knows she is appreciated.

  “Sophie, thank you for helping me. You are an excellent makeup artist and hairstylist. I am lucky to have you,” I say, with as much sincerity as I can muster. I want this girl to know we aren’t all alike. Wait, when did I start considering myself part of them?

  “You’re welcome. It was nice…helping you get ready. You're different from the rest. I hope you’ll call on me for the next event.”

  “Cross my heart, hope to…”

  “Don’t!” she says with alarm. “I know you're from the human realm, but here riddles, rhymes, and simple promises can mean so much more. Please watch what you say, and only say exactly what you mean.”

  I’m perplexed by what she just said, but it is understandable. I’ve read enough books to know about Fae contracts, lies or lack thereof, and how persuasion can take on the purest form. “I will…thanks.” I leave it at that because Dorothy strolls in.

  Chapter 11

  Dinner and a Show

  Azra

  Dorothy seems flushed. She has her hands at her hips, and they are twisting the fabric in her skirt. She is a pretty girl and must be around my age or so. She appears to have a fantastic figure, although you can’t tell for certain because she has too many layers on. Her uniform is a simple dress with layers of cotton skirts over it and an apron tied at the waist. She wears a little bonnet to cover up her hair. It’s all very Colonial Williamsburg. I’d die if I had to walk around and do chores in that all day.

  “Hi, Dot!” I say enthusiastically. “How do I look?” I question, as I do a spin. I am trying to be silly so that she can smile. I feel like she probably doesn’t get to do that enough.

  I’m rewarded with a small grin and a nod of the head. “You look beautiful, Azra. Ready to go to dinner?”

  Not really. “Sure, let’s do this.” I grab the heels that were placed outside of the closet and slip them on. It makes me around Dot’s height, so we look quite the pair as we walk down the corridors. She leads me down the same hallway, to the same double doors as last time. The guards are outside again, but they are dressed in dark gray suits, and their swords are extra shiny. Cass is by the window off to the side. He is dressed in a gray three-piece suit. His hair is neatly combed, and he looks like he also just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Ugh, this guy is so hot! It’s unfair really. My pulse quickens, and
I swear he can hear it from all the way over there. Just as I am about to call out his name and get his attention, he glances over and sees me. He’s initially wearing a concerned expression, but it quickly turns into a huge grin and then a sultry sweep up and down my body. It looks like the prince likes what he sees.

  He saunters over to me and takes my hand, kissing the back of it. “You look incredible. This dress is intoxicating, and red is most certainly your color.”

  “Miniel is a pure genius. He took one look at my complexion and chose a color palette, or so he said. I don’t know how that works. The dress is awesome though,” I say, a little embarrassed. Despite having zero interest or plans in dating anyone, he is drawing me in like a strong gravitational field. I don’t know exactly when things began to change between Cass and me, but I’m starting to feel different around him now. The way he looks at me, it’s kind of nice. I wish I could get over him being fine with the status quo around here, but I’m not sure that I can.

  “We should probably go in. I was waiting out here to escort you, if that’s alright,” he says to me. The look on his face seems to say there is more to it than that. Was this the reason he looked so somber when I entered the hallway? Could it have anything to do with this dinner?

  “Before we go in, can you tell me what I should expect? I’ve never attended a royal dinner.”

  “It is like any other dinner, except this has a whole bunch of very powerful and very old Fae who are the ruling class of the Seelie court. You will be seated on the left of my father, as is customary, and I will be on your left. My mother will be at the head of the table on the opposite side, with my brother on her right as her protector. There will be dignitaries and different influential Sidhe families in attendance. I will try to navigate through the questions and comments with you as much as possible to help. They have been instructed to keep everything light and semi-informal, as they know that you were not a part of this world until recently. If all goes well, we should be in there for around two hours, and then after we will meet with my father in his study, and he will explain what you being here means.”

  “That doesn’t sound too bad,” I say, with a small gulp, because this sounds fucking terrible. How in the hell am I suppose to manage to speak to Fae royalty for two hours? My face must be turning green because Cass interrupts my myriad of evil thoughts.

  “I know it’s a lot to ask, but trust me, getting this out of the way will make staying here better,” he says, and then he leans into my ear. “This is a test Azra, one a lot of people, including my father, want to see you fail. Don’t let them provoke you. Don’t let them win. Show them that a girl from New York City can change the world,” he says in a whisper. Each of his words caress the inner shell of my ear, bringing goosebumps up and down my arms. At this moment, if we were alone and I didn’t have any morals, I would jump him.

  I take a step back because the sensations he is causing are getting to be too much. I drop my head down and close my eyes for a five count. I let out a huge exhale and look up at him, “OK, let’s do this,” I say, and without waiting for his response step up to the doorway. The two guards bow to both of us, and the guard on the right opens the door. Leaning into the room he yells, “His Royal Highness, Prince Cassiel, and the Changer Azrael.” Going back into his position, he leaves room for us to walk through the door. Cass grabs my hand and places it under his elbow. I can feel all the tight muscles of his upper arm. He smells good too, like rain on a spring day.

  We walk into the massive room, and all talking stops. There are Fae of every kind here in this room. Most look like Cass and his family, but there are some that are what you could only call truly Fae. All are impeccably dressed and are dripping with the finest jewelry that you have ever seen. Even though Cass doesn’t have one, his brother Daniel is wearing a crown. He is a bit shorter than Cass, but still regal in stature. They have the same blond hair and grey eyes, but you can tell Daniel favors the Queen Consort. He is standing by their mother, and she looks murderous. Breathtaking in her floor-length lavender gown, she looks ready to rip someone’s head off. I hope beyond all hope that it’s not because of me. This night is going to be so fucking long.

  “Ah, they have finally arrived!” the King bellows from down on his side of the table. This makes Cass quicken his pace and by extension, mine as well. We approach the King, and Cass bows slightly while I stand there and look around. It seems like they are all waiting for something, so I smile politely and say “Hello.” This gets a big laugh out of the King.

  “Oh, Azra. I sometimes forget that you weren’t brought up in court life. When one approaches the King, one must bow.” He says that last word with so much power that I almost crumble right then and there, but I don’t. I look him in the eye and say, “I will keep that in mind for next time.” He doesn’t look pleased by the outcome of this event, but he lets it go.

  Nodding his head to me, I go to sit down, but Cass catches my arm. “Please wait until my father sits. I know that you aren’t familiar with the rules, but I’d rather you not end up killed because you act rudely,” he whispers.

  I acquiesce. It seems only fair to want to keep my head for the duration of this dinner. I need to know what is going on, and this looks like the only way I am going to get answers. As soon as the King sits, the rest of us do as well. The servants begin to bring out the food, starting with a soup course. It smells divine, although I can’t tell what it is. The conversation starts around me, and I am soon lost in the sound of others talking. I try as hard as I can to pay attention and focus on the individuals around me, but they are talking about things in which I am not privy. Soon my mind begins to wander, and I start thinking about Red. Our ride this morning was fantastic. You could tell he was eager to please and wanted to do a good job. I wonder why they kept him as a companion horse? Was it because he didn’t connect to anyone, or did no one even try to work with him? Are there not experienced riders here? Cass looks at me then, putting down his spoon. I want so badly to reach out and grab his hand for comfort. My feelings are all mixed up, and I can’t begin to understand why I’m starting to warm up to him, even though I know nothing could ever happen between us. It’s so wrong.

  “Azra, how do you like the palace so far?” a blond-haired Fae asks. She is tall and thin. Dressed in a modest black shift with a fantastic diamond necklace around her slender throat. I blink at her for a few seconds trying to conceive how she could possibly be asking me this. Don’t these people know I am a prisoner here? Don’t they understand that I have no choice? I glance at the King, and his face is set in stone. It’s almost like he is daring me to say something. I look over at Cass and see him shake his head slightly. I decide to take his advice and respond the way they would expect.

  “It’s fine. Thank you.” See, not too bad. Didn’t give anything away, but wasn’t fake about it either. The Fae’s expression turns to confusion. It seems she doesn’t know the dark side behind these walls. Again, another piece of the puzzle I need to find out about.

  “I would expect your answer to be a little more excitable,” she says. Just as I am about to open my mouth, Cass responds for me.

  “Azra is acclimating well. She hasn’t seen too much of the palace or experienced court life besides the last two days. I imagine if you ask her in a week how she’s fairing, she will have rave reviews for it all,” he says with a laugh. It’s more like one of those fake rich people laughs, and they eat it up — everyone at the table responds with varying degrees of laughter, except for myself. This joke isn’t funny. Especially the part where they think I will be here come a week from now. My attention is drawn away from the clueless blond Fae, and towards Daniel. He calls my name and has a come-hither look in his eyes.

  “Azra, I hear that you possess unique skills in breaking in certain unruly males,” he says, almost with a purr in his voice.

  “I beg your pardon,” I reply, with my brows deeply furrowed and my face slightly twisted. It seems like Daniel has been drinking t
oo much wine this evening.

  A mischievous grin spreads across his face and he adds, “Yes, I’ve heard that you spent all morning with him, and that before even an hour had passed, you were climbing all over him and having a glorious ride.” My brain immediately thinks of Cass, and I worry that these Fae have some ability to read my mind and all of the steamy thoughts I’ve had about the prince. However, after a few seconds, I realize Daniel is referring to Red, and I let out a mental sigh of relief. I can tell that the younger brother gets off on trying to get under my skin. I decide I’ve had enough of this conversation, so I reach for my glass as a distraction, but before we break eye contact, Daniel winks and smiles at me. I would rather Cass’s stoic personality over Daniel’s juvenile behavior any day.

  The rest of dinner flies by. The only good thing about it is the food. There is something magical in the cooking. And the wine. The wine is exquisite, and handsdown the best I have ever had. I wonder if they do some hocus-pocus to the grapes to make them extra sweet? I find myself waiting impatiently until the rest of the party disperses after dinner. The women are sent to have a cordial in the sitting room, and the men a brandy and a cigar in the lounge. I want to have my meeting. Thank the universe that the King feels our meeting is more important than schmoozing his visitors.

  “Azra, will you and Cassiel please follow me into my private office? We have something to discuss,” the King says. Finally! It took him fucking long enough. Cass and I follow him through the dining room to a side door that leads us to another corridor. The two guards from outside the dining hall are flanking us. Whether they are protecting the King, or here for me, is unclear. We walk up one flight of stairs to another long hallway. It appears there are a bunch of offices up here. Walking to the back, another set of impressive double doors greets us. The King walks in first, followed by myself, and then Cass. The guards close the doors and take their positions outside of them.