More Fae press forward.
“How are you even here right now?” Annoyance is written on the faces of the Elite at me choosing to speak with a human over them. Good thing I don’t care.
“Yourmatecame and got me,” she says with a conspiratorial smile at the confusion written all over my face. “Yeah, he showed up at the Homestead and told me you would want me here since the reception included your family.” I glance over at my mate, the love in my heart growing even more at the gesture. “You should have seen how red my father’s face was when Cillian told him I would bemovinginto the castle.” My jaw falls open, leaving me lost for words.
She giggles as another Elite dramatically clears his throat behind us.
I glance between my best friend and grinning mate before I turn back to see a glaring male. Like the constant support she’s always been for me, Ophe tucks herself at my back as I do my duty and greet Fae after Fae.
When I feel like I can’t possibly greet one more, there’s a shift in the room. The loud buzz of voices lowers, and gazes begin to seek out whatever, or whoever, has caused the change. I see the tops of two male heads moving towards us, the crowd separating to let them pass. When they are finally in front of us, I understand why.
Mouths hang open. Some are stepping swiftly back, putting distance between themselves and the new arrivals—Aiden and Enzo, his second-in-command.
The vampire has an amused grin as he flashes his fangs at those scurrying away from them. Aiden’s expression is bland,but there’s an alertness in his eyes that says he’s assessing every miniscule thing in the room.
“Aiden. Enzo,” Cillian greets them coolly. “How nice of you to join us in this celebration.”
In my peripheral vision, I see Ophe step forward. While the Elite are moving away in fear, my breakable human friend is moving straight towards the danger.
The same danger that could be responsible for the death of my sister.
“So where is Caspien?” Aiden eyes the crowns adorning our heads with indifference. He looks me up and down, his eyes lingering on our joined hands.
He’s either very good at hiding his emotion, or he didn’t have a master plan to kill my sister and claim the Fae world with me by his side.
“He isn’t here.” Cillian’s civil tone has gone icy.
I squeeze his fingers as I feel his protectiveness coursing through our connection.
There’s a moment of tense silence when Ophe pipes up with, “Hello there. I’m Ophelia.” She almost purrs as she grips her forearms and dips her head, her eyes narrowed in on Enzo. “Glad to not be the only non-Fae guest here anymore.”
He reaches out a hand, and when she takes it, I almost jerk my friend back. As his gaze slowly slides from the tips of her fingers up her chest to her face, I swear his eyes go completely black.
Enzo arches an eyebrow at her. “Indeed, maybe we can keep each other company, little morsel.” Her hand still in his, he steps forward, towering over her. But instead of shaking her hand, like most would do with a human, he flips it over revealing her wrist.
Cillian goes stiff at my side, and my heart comes to a complete stop as Enzo leans down and takes a long, slow breath.His fangs slip out from his smile and then disappear when he places a kiss to the vulnerable skin.
Aiden rolls his eyes like this is all just theatrics.
I can barely pull the wind into my chest, though I’m doing my best to not cause a scene.
“We won’t be staying long enough for that,” Aiden says to his second, boredom filling his voice. His silver eyes dance across my face one more time. His usual intense gaze takes me in, like he’s trying to read my mind. Turning back to Enzo, he says, “In fact, we should go now. There’s no need for us here.”
Enzo’s eyes light in surprise. His gaze moves from my best friend to me, assessing whatever Aiden sees between Cillian and me.
Chapter
Thirty-One
NISSA
The sun is at full height in the sky before we’re able to leave the reception. Elemental experiences flowed all night, making the Elite more and more agreeable to having a king they didn’t anticipate. Or at least they don’t seem to care by the celebration’s end.
We collapse onto Cillian’s bed in mutual relief. The new rooms with our combined elements, not Caspien’s, aren’t ready yet. So for the time being, we’ve agreed to stay here.
“Does your body feel like it could rip apart if the magic isn’t let out?” I ask as I roll onto my back, creating a blossom attached to a vine, midair. Moving my fingers, I twirl the new plant, helping it grow before pulling it back.
Cillian cups a hand around mine, and a ball of water appears, surrounding the little flower. The petals immediately brighten in color, and the vine dances in the added energy that encases it.
