Wow.
Strangely, it didn’t feel ostentatious. But maybe that was because I was subconsciously comparing it to Mariam’s monstrosity.
A butler opened one of the main doors and nodded as I gave him my name. Vas landed behind me and the butler smiled at us both. “Right this way.”
Aubrey was a light fae, and clearly he had some kind of affinity for plants and flowers, because his home smelled like lush greenery. Exotic plants sat in pots in every corner, and on almost every surface. It should’ve been too much, but walking through his house was like walking through a secret garden.
Vas sneezed. I glanced over my shoulder at him and he shrugged.
“He’s just in his weapons room,” the butler said. “He instructed me to bring you straight up.”
We climbed a flight of stairs, and I couldn’t help but reach out a hand to stroke the purple vine that twined around the banister. The butler caught my hand.
“That is extremely poisonous to mortals,” he said apologetically.
“Sorry. I’ll keep my hands to myself, I promise.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say you have to keepthatpromise,” a voice said silkily from the landing above us. My gaze slammed into stunning lavender eyes, which laughed at me as I stared. I barely managed to keep my mouth from dropping open as I ripped my gaze away from his eyes to take in the rest of the perfection that was Aubrey’s face.
His hair was silver, and the pale eyebrows on his fair face should’ve washed him out, but they merely highlighted the stunning color of his eyes. His cheekbones were high enough to give him a slightly feral edge, while his jaw looked like he could take a punch or two.
“I appreciate the glamor,” I told him as I reached the landing, “but it’s not necessary.”
He laughed again, and despite myself, my lips wanted to quirk. He just seemed to be having so muchfunwith life.
“I’m not using any glamor,” he said. He pointed to the tiniest scar on his chin, half of it buried in the silver scruff growing along his jaw. “See?”
I leaned closer and he went very still. Behind me, Vas cleared his throat. Wow, I was far too close to this guy. I took a careful step back, and the fae reached out a hand, grabbing my arm before I tumbled down the stairs. With my luck, I’d probably take Vas unaware and we’d both end up in a heap on the floor.
“Careful now,” Aubrey purred.
“Apologies. I’m not usually clumsy.” I shook his hand off and he stepped back.
“So if you were using glamor, you’d have no scars at all?”
“No. Right this way,” he turned and led us down the hall. “Glamor is designed to demonstrate beauty. It takes more power than most have at their disposal to still allow imperfections to peek through.”
“Interesting.”
“It is, isn’t it?” he grinned at me and stopped at a door near the end of the hall. The door was covered with the same purple vines, and he waved his hand, clearing them away. Then he held that same hand up and his ward glowed a poisonous green before it disappeared.
The door swung open.
“Wow.”
Weapons were mounted on three walls, taking up every inch of space, and yet the room was large enough that it didn’t seem cluttered. The fourth wall held shelves and lockers. My hands itched to explore, and I forced myself not to touch. This was the one place in the house I’d seen so far that was plant-free.
“I’m glad you approve.” Aubrey shifted his attention to Vas, who was silently following me. “Your bodyguard?”
I frowned at him. “My friend.”
Feathers tickled my cheek. Vas showing his appreciation.
“I meant no offense. Humans who are precious to paranormals are often guarded like the prizes they are.”
“I’m not human.” I was finally admitting it. “And I’m no prize.”
He stared at me for a long moment, and his power reached toward me. I allowed it. He didn’t mean me any harm. Aubrey dropped the jovial act and his eyes narrowed, and then widened at what he found.
