Page 24

Chapter twenty-four

Evinee

T he wind whipped and slashed against my face as I kept my distance from the happy couple. Erendrial Lyklor, in love. Azeer, it still felt like some cruel, sick joke. Gen represented everything he detested. Commitment, innocence, monogamy … ugh, the thought made me taste bile in my mouth.

We used to make fun of the humans for their outlook on relationships and family. Now, he was running straight for the life he once mocked. I couldn’t understand it. If I was honest, I was jealous. I had never expected a monogamous relationship with Eren, but I truly thought we were each other’s destiny. Now, because of her, I was forced to rewrite my ending, and I hated change.

After this mission was over, I needed to take a step back from our merry little clan. I had given everything to Eren and his cause: my skills, my body, and my heart … and for what? For him to go and fall in love with a half-human. Anyone who knew me was aware I didn’t enjoy sharing the spotlight. That’s why I appreciated Leenia and Doria. They knew their places. We each had a role to play, and we each did so perfectly. Now, with the addition of the princess to our family, she was standing in my damn light.

I leaned down against Pasiese, my ragamor, drawing my hands down her purple, iridescent scales. At least the fairies would be a nice distraction. Eren was smart to bring me. Out of all of us, I knew them the best. Pyra and I went way back into our youth. We got in trouble anytime we were together. Month-long, scandalous parties that we’d needed another month to recover from. We used to sneak onto other races territories, causing mischief anywhere we went. And then there was Phasis. Azeer, he was absolutely delicious in bed.

At least this trip wouldn’t be completely a waste of my time. I’d have some fun in the fairy court and then investigate the dwarf city. I’d just keep my distance from the others. After the politics were settled, maybe I’d spend some time exploring my own desires and ambitions. I had followed alongside Eren and his path for so long, I didn’t know what I wanted for myself anymore. Where did I belong? Did I have a purpose, or was I just a pretty face that could lure men to bed?

After a two-hour flight, we finally landed on top of the royal hive. The land around the area was barren, with little foliage or tree coverage. The ground was covered in dead shrubs and straw, just as the fairies liked it. At the center of the clearing was an eight-by-eight-foot hole which led deep beneath the ground into the center of their kingdom.

“They live … in there?” asked Gen dubiously.

Eren laughed. “Yes, princess. What did you think you’d find? A castle? It is called a hive for a reason.”

“Are there more exits then just this one?” Gen asked.

“Nope,” Eren answered. “That’s what makes their kingdom so deadly. Once you’re inside, there’s no getting out unless they allow you to leave.”

I walked over to the two of them, standing on the other side of Zerrial. “They aren’t going to be happy we just showed up without an invitation,” I said, crossing my arms.

“And that’s why we brought your beautiful face, Ev,” Eren replied, winking in my direction. My heart leaped at the action, but I quickly turned away, forcing the feeling down.

Behind us, the straw snapped and shifted as horse hooves sounded in the near distance. I turned and was met by a white steed. A tall, white-haired alfar dismounted, walking in our direction. His shimmering yellow eyes caught the rays of sunlight. His white linen shirt hugged tightly to his lean and well-toned body.

Levos Atros.

I turned to Eren, flailing my arms in aggravation and frustration. “Are you kidding me? What in the hell is he doing here?”

“He’s here for … negotiation purposes,” Eren mumbled.

“What do you mean, negotiation purposes ?” I spat, throwing air quotes around the word. “The fairies despise the light court, let alone the Atros cousin. Is your plan to get him killed? Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen if he sets foot inside that hive.”

Gen looked to Eren, worry for her beloved Levos written on her face.

“No one is going to be dying today. There is no need for worry,” Eren replied, caressing his hand down Gen’s arm to comfort her. I was going to be sick.

Levos approached our little huddle with a sly smirk on his face. “What are we all yelling about over here? It can’t be fairy negotiations, since they are missing from this little equation,” he said, scanning each of us. I folded my arms over my chest and rolled my eyes. I needed to kill something, and it might just be this fair-haired prick.

Bang. Boom. Bam. The ground shook as a dozen fairy soldiers slammed into the surface, surrounding us. Their black ionight spears pointed towards us as they crouched, ready to attack.

Eren pushed Gen behind him subtly, careful not to appear threatened. He looked around the group of fairies and then held his arms wide in a dramatic gesture. “Now this … is what I call a welcome party,” he said, plastering on the mask of ambassador.

“You do not have an invitation, Your Majesties ,” one of the soldiers hissed, clicking his teeth together.

“You’re not welcome, without permission,” another snapped, taking a step towards us.

“Now, now, I thought we were all friends,” Eren said.

Smack. One of the soldiers slammed the length of his ionight spear into the back of Levos’s head, sending him to his knees.

“Not this light piece of shit,” a guard said, standing over Levos. The guard chattered his teeth together, baring glorious sets of sharp razors.

“Or, have you brought us a treat, my lord?”

“Oh yes, a treat indeed.”

Another guard sniffed the air around Levos. “Ah,” the guard gasped, inhaling deeply. “Atros blood.”

“Mm,” a second guard approached. “Yes, I can smell the light king, yet this one … smells sweeter.”

“That’s enough,” Gen demanded, stepping in front of Levos. The guards returned to their positions in the circle. “We’ve come to speak with King Phasis and Queen Pyra. Are one of you capable of informing them we have arrived, or is that beneath your abilities?” Swirling flames, black as night, played through her fingers like snakes coiling around her hands.

“Ah, fine. Fine!” One of the guards yelled, taking off into the air and diving into the hive.

Gen helped Levos to his feet while he rubbed the back of his head.

“Well, on the bright side,” Levos started, “I’ve finally found someone that prefers me to my cousin, I suppose. Even if it is for … consumption purposes.”

Gen smiled, elbowing him in his ribs. “Oh, shut up. I’m not going to let anything eat you.”

I stepped towards them. “Why are you here?” I asked bluntly.

Levos looked down at me. Even for alfar standards, he was ridiculously tall.

“I’m assuming they don’t teach manners at the dark court,” he said, tilting his head towards me as if he were assessing my worth.

“Oh, I’m plenty polite, just not when it comes to those who don’t have much worth,” I snapped back at him.

Levos made a pouty face, placing his hand over his heart. “Oh, the dark court whore hurt my feelings. I’m crushed,” he mocked me.

My blood began to boil, my vision going red.

“Well, this is off to a fantastic start,” added Eren.

Levos didn’t see my fist flying through the air until it made contact with his face, slamming so hard he stumbled back a few steps.

“Don’t you presume to know anything about me, you light alfar piece of shit!” I yelled, stalking away before I was tempted to take my dark sword and sever his precious little head from his shoulders.

“Well,” Levos said behind me. “Glad to see you have another talent besides spreading your legs for anyone that looks at you twice.”

My hand found the hilt of my blade. I pulled it from the sheath, swinging the sword directly at Levos’s neck. He jumped back, my blade missing him by only an inch. I took another step, bringing my sword up for another attack, but a strong pair of arms reached around my waist, lifting me up and away from him.

“Let go!” I screamed. Zerrial held me firmly against him while I thrashed and kicked, trying to get free. The fairies around me began to snicker and chatter their teeth as encouragement to continue.

I took a few breaths, my heart racing. Zerrial’s grip lightened gradually before he returned my feet to the ground. Levos smoothed out his jacket, never taking his eyes off me. Eren walked casually over to Levos. My future king looked at me, then back at Levos, then slammed his fist right into the light alfar’s face, sending Levos to the ground.

Eren bent down next to him, dusting his pants off. “If you ever,” Eren said, loud enough for me to hear, “speak to Evinee or anyone in my family like that again, I don’t care who your friends are or what family you are related to. I will personally feed you to the fairies myself. Are we clear?”

The fairies around him started to yelp and flutter their wings with excitement, knocking their weapons against their armor in approval. Levos nodded at Eren, wiping the blood from his mouth. Genevieve stood silently. Her face was wrecked with worry.

Eren stood, extending his hand to Levos. Levos accepted the gesture, dusting himself off as he regained his balance.

“Now,” Eren said, allowing the smile to return to his face. “I believe an apology is in order. Wouldn’t you agree, Ambassador Atros?”

Levos’s face strained as he turned to me. “I am sorry for any disrespect I have shown you,” he said shortly.

Eren folded his hands behind his back. “Evinee darling, what do we say?”

I shook Zerrial’s remaining grip from my shoulders and turned my back to the both of them. “Go screw yourself, Atros,” I replied, moving closer to the edge of the circle. I swore I could hear him let out a little laugh.

The sound of buzzing wings echoed from the mouth of the cave just before a swarm of fairies shot from the ground. Phasis and Pyra landed in the center of the circle nearest to us, while the rest took position around the existing perimeter.

Phasis walked gracefully towards Eren, taking note of his travel companions. His dark chocolate eyes found mine. He nodded in my direction with his devious smile before returning his attention to Eren and Gen. “Prince Lyklor, Princess Genevieve. Have I told you how utterly appalled I was not to be invited to your nuptials? And here I thought we had become fast friends.”

“Of course we are, King Phasis,” Eren replied. “Unfortunately, the wedding was a bit rushed due to my bride’s eagerness to claim me all to herself. A bit impatient, this one is.”

Gen knocked her elbow into him before smiling proudly.

Phasis laughed, looking between the two. “Well, in order to make up for the complete disregard of my feelings, I must request that I be named the … godfather of your first born.” Phasis turned to Gen. “Isn’t that what you call it in your Christian faith?”

Gen rose her eyebrow. “Yes, I believe it is. But as I am the living embodiment of Azeer’s power, it’s safe to say the Christian god is not the one I revere.”

Phasis let out a deep laugh, showing all his teeth as he tilted his head to the sky. “Have I ever told you how pleased I am that my people didn’t eat you that first night across the border? Thank the heaven’s the King Fucker ,” Phasis stopped, clearing his throat, “I mean, King Atros, chose another human to give up to my hungry soldiers. You have become quite the source of entertainment.” Phasis’s eyes filled with hunger while he lowered his head, studying Gen’s face.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Pyra’s tall, lean figure circling Levos. She picked up a strand of his hair and sniffed. Levos stood completely still, no emotion appearing on his face. She moved in front of him, running her hand down his chest to his abdomen. As she got to his pant line, she let a small smile of satisfaction slip before he grabbed her hand, stopping her from exploring further. She snatched her arm back, letting out a little growl before angling her head towards her brother and Eren.

“Why did you bring one of them to our hive?” she demanded, turning her attention back to Levos, examining him from head to toe.

“And, might I add,” said Phasis, “you’ve come without a proper invitation.” He clicked his tongue in disappointment. “Bad alfar.”

“We mean no disrespect,” Eren began. “Time is of the essence, and we must speak in private now.”

Phasis’s wings flapped aggressively as he moved into Eren’s face, baring his teeth. “You are in my court now, prince . Mine. You do not have authority to demand anything of me or my time. Do I make myself clear?” Phasis roared.

Eren didn’t budge. The two males stared each other down, waiting for the other to submit. I rolled my eyes, stepping forward.

“Isn’t he rude, Phasis?” I said playfully, moving to his side. “I have tried training this one for the last century, but nothing I do seems to work. His manners are appalling.” Phasis looked to me, his eyes softening as he regained his composure. “Maybe you can teach me a thing or two about how to make those around you submit,” I said softly, running a hand down his bicep while I gazed up into his eyes. He looked at my hand and then smiled, releasing any tension he had.

Phasis laughed, taking my hand and bringing it to his mouth, kissing my skin softly. “My sweet Evinee … if memory recalls, you are the teacher in our relationship, not I,” Phasis whispered.

I bit the side of my lip, allowing him to see it. “King Phasis, always the flirt. Time hasn’t changed you a bit. And thank Azeer for that.”

Phasis exhaled. He took a moment, deciding how to proceed. He held my gaze, but spoke to Eren.

“I will let you and your companions stay one evening. We shall dine and enjoy each other’s company,” he ordered, looking me up and down slowly. “Then, in the morning, you will have your meeting, Lyklor. After that,” he said harshly, snapping his head in Eren’s direction. “You will leave and not return without a proper invitation. Am I clear?”

Eren bowed slowly, ever the vision of grace. “Perfectly, King Phasis.”

Pyra came up behind me, sliding her hand down my back before kissing me softly on my cheek. “Hello, old friend,” she whispered, making sure I was the only one that could hear. She turned her gaze slightly to Eren and Gen. “It appears we have some catching up to do.” Her soft, cold tongue ran a line up my check.

I turned to her, leaning my forehead into hers. “You have no idea,” I replied, letting out a small sigh of relief.

“Come,” said Phasis. “We will get your sleeping arrangements settled and then, we shall feast.” Phasis pulled me into his arms, smashing my soft body against his firm torso. With one powerful thrust, he flew us into the air, diving deep into the hive. I looked back to see Eren and the others following closely behind in the arms of the fairy soldiers.

The smell of earth and moisture filled my nostrils. Phasis nuzzled his nose into my neck while we flew through the dark tunnels. “Mm, you’re lucky I have a soft spot for you, or your little tribe would have been dead.”

I laughed, hitting him playfully in the shoulder. “I might not have been disappointed if you took out a few of them.”

His teeth bit softly on my earlobe. “Wicked little siren,” he whispered.

My heart leaped with panic. I looked back at the others. They were too far to have heard a thing. “Phasis,” I whispered.

He chuckled. “Don’t worry my friend, your secret is safe with me. Always.”