Page 188 of The Chains You Defy

There were approximately fifty fae in the giant open recreational space this afternoon. I was euphoric, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if I’d suddenly sprouted wings and learned to fly.

When I told everyone around me I’d join the event tomorrow, I was enveloped in bodies, all ecstatic for me.

The way I was treated at the Cuirt an Ghra compared to the High Court of Alaiann was so vastly different, and I got drunk on emotions—I was cherished and fully accepted by a community for the first time in my life. Even back in Credenta, I had dwelled more on the fringes of society than anything else.

When everybody had calmed down at least a little, two fae males and a female hauled me onto a chaise, and the latter maneuvered my head down so I was using her thigh as a pillow. One of the males draped my legs over his own and, after a moment, started to massage my feet. Despite never having talked to them before, a shower of warm safety washed over me, and a sound of pure enjoyment slipped from my lips.

The euphoria from earlier was coursing through my veins, electrifying me, and being treated with such affection by strangers heightened my elated mood.

“My name is Coir.” The fae who cradled me in her lap and played with my hair smiled. She was beautiful—they all were—and had her long, chestnut-colored tresses confined in a thick braid while her blue eyes sparkled like sapphires. She wore a loose white dress made from linen, and my breath hitched as I spotted the hand of the second male disappearing inside her neckline. “And this is Talann.”

Craning my neck, I looked at Talann, who observed Coir with hooded eyes. He was blond, and his long, light hair was cascading down his back unbound, giving him an ethereal look. His irises reminded me of dark rubies, so unusual I was almost stunned speechless. “Hello.” My voice sounded as if I’d eaten a whole glass of honey.

“Hey,” Talann answered, and his hand crept deeper under Coir’s dress. As I spied on him kneading her breast—with some kind of fascination so unlike me—I could feel her responsive hum vibrating through my head.

“Intimacy is love manifested physically,” Coir said when she noticed my enraptured gaze. The phrase wasn’t new to me, everyone repeated the line several times each day.

The other male, the one who had decided that reducing me to a boneless creature was his personal mission, at least according to the heavenly foot rub he administered, smiled. “I’m Curamoir, and by the way, your feet are really soft.”

I tore my gaze away from Coir’s chest to study Curamoir. His hair was black, but not as saturated asDion’s, nor as long. Instead, his tresses were extremely straight and barely reached his chin. His eyes reminded me of the aquamarine pendant my mother had worn on a bracelet every day. Both males were clean-shaven, and now that I came to think about this, most fae males wore no beard. Not that I’d complain; I preferred clean faces.

“Thank you.” Finally, I remembered to reply, and moments later, Curamoir switched from my right to my left foot. “Gods, this is indescribable.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” Curamoir owned a beautiful smile, but again, I was distracted and stared shamelessly at Coir as she gasped. Talann’s hand wasn’t where I’d seen his fingers last anymore but had slipped under the female’s skirt. With some fascination, I observed her rapt face flushing with desire.

I briefly considered distancing myself from them out of propriety, but I was too relaxed, too warm, and too curious about what would happen between them.

My breath hitched as Curamoir’s hands abandoned my foot and inched higher. When he kneaded my calf, I bit into my lower lip in bliss.

Coir shifted her legs slightly underneath my head and gave Talann better access, which he unabashedly took advantage of. His smile bordered on preening as his gaze caught mine. “Cantarlann said you’re shy, Nayana. Are you uncomfortable, or is this alright?”

Yes, I was easily embarrassed, but this wasn’t too bad. Even if a part of the pile of fae around me was making out. After all, I was accepted, and a pleasant heaviness tugged at my limbs.

For a moment, the massage stopped, and Curamoir leaned over to a small table, picking something up. Heturned back to me, holding a dainty piece of confectionery in his hand. “Do you like sweets, sweet thing?”

My mouth watered, and I nodded. I reached out, but the male tutted as he brought the treat to my lips, which opened wide in an instant.

A burst of flavor exploded on my tongue. Cinnamon and vanilla battled with chocolate and some fruit I couldn’t identify, and I groaned with delight.

“Not only does this taste good, but it will also help you relax further.”

“Ah, don’t bore her with your words. Just let her feel, Talann.” Curamoir purred at the same moment as a needy whimper tumbled from Coir’s lips.

Instead of following their conversation, I scanned the female fae’s face again. Her lips were slightly parted, her cheeks flushed, and her breath accelerated. Her thigh twitched under my head, which made me giggle.

Something deep inside me protested that this was wrong, and for a brief second, Dion’s face flashed in front of my inner eye. Gods, I missed him. Did I wear the same expression as Coir when my prince touched me?

Sadness washed over me like a sudden tidal wave, and a tear ran over my cheek because he wasn’t here, also because Harc wasn’t with me.

Oh, my Harc.

And my Dion. Always him.

My misery was interrupted as Curamoir shifted closer, never taking his gaze off me.

His fingertips caught the tear, and then he—kissed me.

Cautiously, as if he were testing for any resistance, his lips met mine.