Page 1 of In the Blood (The Forgotten Fae #1)

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W andering fingers traced the neckline of my silk bodice. I half-heartedly pushed them away, but Deric pulled me closer in protest.

“ Stop that , I have to go soon… I-I need to get ready,” I stammered as calloused hands continued to roam, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

He murmured in my ear, “You’re not presenting yourself until this evening—we still have time.” I felt his teeth against my throat as he nipped me playfully, before kissing his way to my mouth.

For a month now, we’d savored the rush of sneaking about. Currently, we were in an abandoned stall in the stables. His lips met mine and my resolve wavered. My body was desperate to go there, to feel his skin against mine, but I wouldn’t— couldn’t —allow it.

I groaned in self-pity as I shoved him off. “No, Deric. I came here to end this. Starting tonight, I’m a bargaining chip for the Crown. I can’t afford to be debauched by my stable hand.” I stepped away from him, fluffing my heavy skirts before smoothing them down.

“Marigold, please. Don’t do this. Fuck the Crown—run away with me.

We can pave our own path. I’ll provide for you, keep you safe.

I promise to make it worth it…” His fingers brushed along my cheek, tucking golden strands behind my ear.

“The only thing that separates us is a few layers of clothing and your title. We don’t need them.

” His blue eyes pierced right through me as he waited for my answer, while I gathered the courage to break his heart.

“You know that I don’t care that you aren’t of noble birth,” I told him.

“Society, on the other hand, does . The Queen, the advisors—they do. I’m only one person…

there’s nothing I can do to change th e rules of an entire empire.

Of course, it’s tempting to shirk my responsibilities, to run away with you.

But I can’t. Please don’t seek me out again.

” I didn’t shy away from his gaze. He needed to understand that this was over.

But his eyes… his smile… they had disarmed me. They always did.

I was a debutante, officially eligible for marriage as of this evening. There could be no more rocks thrown at my window.

Deric pulled his hand from my cheek like I’d burned him with my cold response. I hated hurting him, but a sterile slice was the kindest way to cut him. I lifted my chin and set my mouth into a thin, determined line.

“You live such a sheltered life,” he said. “You have no idea what lies beyond these castle walls—what you’re giving up by letting them mold you into what they want you to be. I could show you so much more—”

“I will miss this,” I interrupted. “And I’ll miss you. Please don’t beg for something that I can’t give you.” I looked at him with pleading eyes. Don’t make this harder than it already is .

“Very well. Enjoy your duty. I hope it keeps your bed warm.” His face was etched in pain, so I let the jab slide. I came closer to him, allowing him time to push me away, but he didn’t move as I clasped my arms around his neck.

I gave him one last kiss—a thank you for keeping my loneliness at bay… if only for a short time. It was sweet and tender, as he had been to me—always willing to take any scrap I gave him. He deserved more.

He didn’t see me break down as I flew back to my gilded cage. Once I was forced to marry, my wings would be permanently clipped, and the bittersweet memories of Deric—of what could've been—would fade until forgotten.

I stood at my window, peering down at the crowded courtyard below.

I tried my best to push Deric from my mind, but a melancholy dread sat hard in the pit of my stomach.

He represented all the things I’d never have: Freedom, choice, love.

It made me wonder… what was the point of life, if I wasn’t allowed to live?

A kaleidoscope of colors danced to no particular beat, as people exited carriages, greeted each other, and made their way into Aurelius Castle.

It was May 1st—the official start of social season.

It was also the day that I, and other young women, would be displayed like prized pigs ripe for the butcher at the formal Debut.

A day when aristocrats came from all over the country to court each other—to judge each other.

Thea, my lady’s maid, was tightening my corset while I watched the circus unfold below.

I held my breath like a fat pony resisting the synch of the saddle as she pulled at the laces.

A loud-trumpeting sound pierced the air as Royal blue peacocks performed their mating call on the straw-thatched roof of the stables, oblivious to the people below.

They were too focused on announcing their presence to the peahens to be bothered with such trivial matters.

I noted the parallels between the heavily costumed noblemen and the birds that defied laws of survival, with their extravagant tail feathers and bright plumage. Impractical courtship rituals were not confined to one species, it seemed.

I’d been in those very stables earlier today, ending the only courtship I’d ever known.

All said and done, it hadn’t added up to much; a few stolen kisses, whispered conversations while we laid in the haystacks, and empty promises we both knew we couldn’t keep.

I’d wanted to give him all of me, but it was a risk I couldn’t afford to take.

My body was not mine to give away. It belonged to the Crown and always would.

The thought had me clenching my jaw in simmering frustration.

A sea of vivid textiles shimmered in the sunlight below: Pink silk, blue satin, yellow chiffon. I looked for other women wearing white, closely followed by their chaperones—the other debutantes. We would present ourselves to the Queen today in a ceremony that welcomed us into society.

Deric would be mucking out stalls, while I was ogled by men with moral fiber as weak as their chins.

In Aurelius, being a gentleman had nothing to do with gentility.

I’d found that the crudest men were often the richest ones, born with so much privilege that they became aimless and cruel; as if acquiring wealth through lineage instead of labor had stunted their growth.

I was pulled out of my head when I realized Thea was talking to me.

“M’lady, today is an important day for you.

Society will be waiting for you to slip up.

I know that parties have been difficult since your mother passed, but I have no doubt you’ll shine tonight…

as long as you behave yourself. Don’t you dare dirty your gown before the Debut.

Don’t go to the stables, don’t walk on any muddy trails, stay away from the lake—better yet, don’t even go outside. ”

I held back a grin. We were a perfect pair; she enjoyed treating me like an unruly wildling, while I found endless joy in tormenting her.

She fastened my petticoat before I rushed over to my four-poster bed, where my debutante gown sat—sprawled out and freshly pressed.

In a fit of impulsivity, I grabbed the dress and tossed it over my head, mussing my up-do and nearly getting tangled in the layers.

I wasn’t in a hurry to get to the Ball, but rather was grasping for control, wherever I could find it.

Thea waved her arms frantically, clucking at me like a puffed-up hen. Silver curls frizzed out from under her frilly mobcap, as she put her hands on her hips and glared at me. “You! You have no appreciation for my time and effort!”

I stopped moving so she could get the rest of my ensemble on. A white satin dress hugged my hourglass figure before fanning out into a bell shape around my lower half. Between the ruffles, pearls, lace trim, and tulle, I looked like an overly frosted wedding cake.

“You look lovely, dear,” Thea insisted, eyes glistening. Deric would’ve laughed his ass off had he seen me.

I glanced in the mirror as she fixed my flattened curls.

My hair was the shade of antique gold. If King Midas himself had touched my head as an infant, I would’ve believed it.

I’d never seen the hair color on anyone else except my mother.

It was my favorite feature, especially when it was free and wild with loose waves running down my back.

Unfortunately, my tresses were currently being held captive in an elaborate, pinned-up coiffure that was so tight, my temples were throbbing.

Dark brown doe-eyes, thick black lashes, and a nose that gently curved down towards heart-shaped lips stared back at me as I took in my reflection. I frowned at the dusting of seasonal freckles that showed up in the warmer months, making me look younger than I was.

I was shorter and curvier than most aristocratic women, but I didn’t spend much time fixating on appearances.

I wasn’t above it, I just found looks to be the least interesting thing about a person.

Maybe I’d change my tune when I went downstairs and was swept off my feet by a line of eligible bachelors.

Maybe they’d all be so charming, their looks would be the only thing to distinguish them by.

I laughed out loud to keep from crying, earning a worried look from Thea .

Having observed these events for years, I knew better.

Everyone at court seemed to have the same interests.

Men partook in hunting, drinking and fighting, while most women gravitated towards gossip and shopping for next season’s gowns.

I’d tried to fit in for a while, but had finally accepted that I was simply different .

I yearned for novelty, for adventure. I spent most of my spare time escaping into novels that took me to faraway lands filled with pirates and dragons.

If I wasn’t reading, I was riding my horse, Najma.

She made better company than most humans and riding was one of the few activities I was allowed to participate in.

When galloping through open fields, wind whipping my hair into knots, I could outrun the feelings that bit at my heels.

I woke up most mornings with the weight of responsibility heavy on my chest. I spent most of my time learning how to fit into a role that I hadn’t been born for.

No amount of etiquette lessons could tame my wild spirit.

I floated through most days feeling comfortably numb, tucked away from anything considered dangerous or too exciting for a lady’s delicate constitution.

I could count on one hand the amount of people I cared for and who cared for me.

Each gathering at the castle reminded me that sometimes the loneliest place to be was in a crowded room.

But then, I’d met Deric. It had been a slow burn of glances and accidental hand brushes until one day, as he was saddling up Najma, I'd kissed him in a moment of bravery.

I grimaced as I recalled how I'd recklessly thrown myself at him, only to break things off a short while later. It had been selfish… impulsive . I'd risked his job and my reputation. It was over , I reminded myself. We hadn’t been caught. Now it was time for me to grow up and accept my fate.

We all had to play the cards we were dealt.

I knew my hand could’ve been much worse.

Some people fantasized about living in a castle and playing dress up.

They wouldn’t mind the mindless banter—the rules and restraints that came with being niece to the Queen.

Unfortunately, I had an aversion to small talk, loathed stuffy traditions, and hated parties.

I was indisputably ill-suited to be the successor to the throne.

I descended the stairs to the formal ballroom, searching for any familiar faces in the steadily growing crowd below.

The room was ornately decorated with tapestries of cerulean blue and silver—the royal colors.

Centuries worth of ancient art hung from the walls, while handwoven rugs brought warmth to the stone floors.

It was always a beautiful space, but today it was breathtaking.

Fresh flowers covered every surface. The smell of lilac and gardenia lingered, filling my nose with their sticky, sweet scent.

The heat of the room hit me next. There were too many bodies cloistered together. I already needed fresh air.

Royal families hovered around each other like hummingbirds searching for nectar. I had no interest in pollinating, so I avoided eye contact and stuck to the shadows. I needed to find Cara. She’d act as a shield until my debut.

I made my way to the refreshments table in hopes of finding something stronger than lemonade.

I was old enough to drink, but the chaperones buzzed around unmarried women like vultures scavenging for the latest scandal.

Most people born into nobility considered any form of work below them; instead, they filled their time with gossip and superfluous societal rules.

Ladies were allotted one glass of watered down wine at social gatherings.

Men could drink as much as they wanted and be as vulgar and loud as they pleased.

Before I had the chance to find my friend, one of Queen Ophelia’s personal guards appeared at my side, wearing a crisp blue uniform. “Lady Ellesmere, Queen Ophelia has requested your presence.”