The nereids’ styles were a little more risqué. Formalwear included a sleeveless corset, showing off my midriff and lifting my cleavage. The flowy skirt from the boutique brushed against my skin with every step I took, and when I caught my reflection, I smiled at my choice of maroon and grey fabrics tied around me with a shimmery gold band. Audrey’s skirts were green and yellow, held with a brown leather belt that matched the leather of her corset, which emphasized her voluptuous chest.
We both wore our hair half up, half down. Braids holding back the loose strands from our faces, adorned with gold jewelry that made me want to formally do my hair more often.
Liam wore dress pants and a dress shirt, which was a little disappointing.
The two of us were showing off plenty of skin and cleavage, and Liam’s clothing did nothing to show off what he was packing underneath. His shirt wasn’t even that tight. It was a real bummer, and when I told Audrey this in a hushed whisper on the train ride here, she just rolled her eyes at me.
The guards held open the doors to the ballroom, and a gorgeous Black man with dark blue eyes stepped into view. “Liam,” he greeted as he shoved past the guards and embraced the fae. “Glad you finally made it.”
“Wouldn’t want to personally insult the prince and his people.” Liam and the nereid pounded each other on the back in greeting again. Ah, so this was Fergus.
I tilted my head back to study the two of them when I realized that Fergus might even be an inch or two taller than Liam. His dark blue eyes slid over Audrey, whom he embraced with just as much enthusiasm, as she patted his back during their hug.
“How is my favorite halfling?” Fergus asked after leaning back and snagging Audrey’s hand to twirl her once. His gaze studied the flow of her skirt as she did so.
“Starving,” Audrey replied after completing her twirl. “Point me toward the food.”
I was watching this interaction quietly, realizing how close these three must be, when our host’s head turned toward me, and a devastating grin spread across his face.
Good lord, Fergus washandsome.
He wore a long-sleeved tunic with a deep enough V at the collar. He was able to show off his toned pecks and abs. His dark brown hair fell into neat dreadlocks at his mid-back, with caramel-colored highlights braided throughout.
“As long as your human friend promises me a dance.” Fergus’s eyes scanned my attire too, eliciting a flutter in my heart at his attention. Because apparently, I wasthatattention starved. I wasn’t normally one to preen under a man’s approving gaze, but something about Fergus made me feel safe. He wasn’t leering at me; he was appreciating what he was seeing and nothing else.
My gut immediately trusted him.
“If you’re patient with me.” I stepped forward and held my hand out, and to my surprise, Fergus took my hand as he bowed, pressing a warm kiss against my knuckles.
I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh at the formality of it all.
Fergus was the only man who had ever, in my thirty years, kissed my knuckles.
Fergus stood tall but kept his fingers wrapped around my hand.
“I can be patient.” He winked at me as he leaned down closer, something he probably wasn’t used to doing. “Anything to be close to a gorgeous female’s beauty.”
I internally cringed at his terminology before deciding to move past it. “You know what? I like you,” I told him with a smile, stepping closer to his space. He released his hold on my hand and provided his arm for me to loop mine through. “Feel free to give me more compliments while showing us to the food.”
“It would be my honor.” Fergus chuckled as he did just that. Then Liam and Audrey were following behind the two of us, moving us through a crowd of creatures who gave us curious glances.
I could get lost in this ballroom, because it wasn’t a typical square or rectangular shape. The walls didn’t have sharp corners; they had smooth curves. I had no idea what shape it was in, but the architecture did a good job of creating an open concept look while providing little pockets of privacy as well. It was difficult for me to appreciate all the gold and marble artwork and décor because I couldn’t see well over all the taller bodies. The ceiling was a couple of stories high, and murals of beautiful landscapes were painted above. The style was so unique, I couldn’t find anything to compare to the artwork in my world.
There was a moment where, as we were moving past a louder group of people who were starting a dance in the center of the main space, Fergus released his hold on my arm to place his palm on the small of my back, where my skin was exposed. I shot Audrey a wide-eyed look of appreciation over my shoulder, who was already smirking at me with an eyebrow wiggle of her own.
Excellent, she was cool with me sleeping with Fergus at some point.
If he wanted to, at least.
Finally, we made it to the food, and Fergus released his hold on my lower back to face us, “I’m not quite sure what compares to human food.” He made the cutest pinch in his brow, as if concerned that I couldn’t eat the salad or exotic fruit that adorned the table. “But perhaps I can ask?—”
“This is perfect.” I picked up a strawberry and took a bite, savoring its flavor and licking my lips before glancing at our host. “Thank you.” For a prince, he seemed super chill and laid back. Now that I thought about it, so did Liam. Neither carried themselves with this weird, holier-than-thou air that I assumed a prince would.
After contemplating that little thought, I realized that my dramatic bite of a strawberry didn’t catch Fergus’s attention in a way that let him know I was available. He just smiled politely at us before his eyes started scanning the room.
“Are you ready to dance, Van?” he asked.
I nodded enthusiastically. “If you lead, I can learn—oh!” I didn’t get to finish my sentence because Fergus had tugged my hand and led us to the dance floor. I barely had time for Audrey to take the rest of my strawberry, laughing, before we were off.
