“Get away from me,” she warned with enough venom for me to retreat.
I took a few steps back and raised my hands.
Audryn made numerous attempts to haul herself on top of the creature. Dysis had nearly laid her slick body completely on the ground, effectively decreasing the distance the woman needed to climb. Finally taking her seat, Audryn lifted a brow at me in challenge—point fucking made.
It was only a ten-minute flight to the celebration, but it felt much longer as I re-lived how our interaction had fallen apart. The chilly wind rippling against my chest wasn’t nearly as cold as the shoulder Audryn was giving me. I didn’t dare speak toher. Each time Zalzre moved closer to Dysis, Audryn’s creature gathered speed to get further away.
When Zalzre landed next to Ralti, I looked up to find Dysis making sweeping lines for a gradual descent. People could say all they wanted about wyverns, but they’d never be able to deny their intelligence and their swift ability to adjust for their rider.
My vision landed on the crowd, who were also watching the shadowy lines streaking across the starlit backdrop. Dysis moved into one sweeping circle after another before finally landing next to the others. I offered to help Audryn down, but the beast and its rider threw a hefty warning my way. With glistening silver skirts, she swung a leg over and rested on her stomach across the beast. Dysis tilted to the left, allowing Audryn to gently slink down to the awaiting ground.
“That’s one way to do it,” Amalee mused at my side. “What’d you do to piss off two females at the same time?”
I ignored her jab.
Sky took Amalee’s hand, and the two walked toward the crowd. Several times a year, every fae was invited to attend the event on the High Mesa, a flat area accessible by any means. The festivities provided each person with a renewed sense of optimism, no matter the difficulties they faced.
Despite my mother’s protest, my predecessor had discontinued all celebrations, claiming the cost wasn’t worth the benefit. Resuming the activity was my first order of business upon taking the throne. And though my mother had not returned since, a vacant chair at our reserved table sat in her honor.
“I shouldn’t have said what I did.” I spoke low as we assessed the crowd. “Should’ve kept my mouth shut.”
“Yeah.” Audryn blew out a breath. “But it’s the truth, right? Gotta point it out, otherwise I might forget.” She walked toward the table where Amalee and Sky held a hushed conversation.
Even though my preference was to sit among the crowd, Iwas obligated to do otherwise. The long table was filled with chairs on one side and kept clear on the other, giving people permission to approach and voice concerns with the seated royals.
“Nice of you to finally join us,” Micah called from the table. “It only took you an hour longer than it should’ve—it wasn’t like we wanted to eat on time anyhow.” He took a long drink from his glass. “Nice date.”
“If you weren’t such an ass, I’d give you a proper introduction.” I kept my eyes on the woman who’d stolen the night. All eyes were on her, and it was easy to see why.
“Who needs an introduction when my hands have been not only on her, but inside her, which is more than you?—”
My fist met his face before I could see through the rage. Several gasps echoed, and conversation among the group completely vanished. Even the stringed band of four had stopped playing.
“Fuck.” I shook my hand and extended it to Micah, who was sitting in the dirt. “I’m sorry, I?—”
“Nah, you definitely should’ve.” He took my hand, stood, and threw an arm around me into a half hug. “I didn’t realize things were serious with her.”
“You and me both, Brother.” I turned from the still-staring crowd and contemplated leaving. The evening hadn’t gone at all how I had hoped, and was only getting worse by the minute.
“Please, continue,” Amalee said, motioning to the crowd. She turned to me. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” She hooked her arm around my elbow and attempted to move me from the area, but I refused. “You can’t go around just hitting people.”
“I’m our father’s son, what else do you expect?” I said, shaking her arm away, and exhaled.
“Well, if that’s not a shit excuse, I don’t know what is.”
“Look, it’s been a long day, and I need some food.” My eyesdarted to Sky and Audryn, who were speaking quietly a few steps away from the table. ”What’s that all about?”
“Nothing. Just sit and I’ll get you a plate.” She led me to my chair and moved through the crowd.
As children, Amalee was always the peacemaker and did whatever she could to diffuse any situation. I hated that I’d made her feel she needed to do so because of me. Especially at what was supposed to be a joyful celebration.
Micah took up the chair on my left and pressed a wine bottle to the side of his face. Sky led Audryn to the seat on my right and took her own seat two chairs down from her, leaving one open for my sister.
For as long as I could remember, my sister always sat next to me. When our father was alive, my mother sat to his left, I sat to his right, and Amalee stayed consistently at my side. But she’d left the chair empty for a woman we’d only just met.
“Hey, Audryn,” Micah said, leaning forward, “hope you’re feeling better. Your gown is very …” He looked to me and then to Audryn, choosing his words carefully. “Silver.”
“Uh, thank you?” She frowned.
