“Interesting,” Nevander said. “That could work to our advantage.”
“Or it could really fuck things up,” Tarrin countered, crossing his arms.
“Well, it doesn’t matter now because we’re here, and there’s nothing we can do about it,” I said, trying not to panic.
It wasn’t my fault the fae could sense something about me, and I thought the introductions had gone rather well, considering the nightmares I’d had that our first encounter would have a drastically grimmer ending.
Music suffused the air, summoning us down the long corridor. Arm threaded through the king’s, we followed its invitation, Tarrin and Nevander in tow. They were to be the silent shadows of our entourage—there to observe and protect.
We rounded a corner, and I stopped short.
A bisecting staircase sprawled before us, like a stepping waterfall seamlessly merging into the lively sea of celebration below. The opulent space was brimmed with blithesome fae, their numbers easily exceeding five hundred.
At the heart of the room was an expansive dance floor; its shimmering mosaic stone reflected the mesmerizing synchronicity of sweeping movements of the dancers. Their elegance. Their grace. It was like watching a symphony that had transcended into physical form.
Like timeless sentinels, massive sunstone pillars held the terrace aloft, which traced the periphery of the upper floor, where some fae played the role of observer. Beyond the stoic watch of the pillars, and past the shadows of the terrace, grand archways yawned open, serving as portals to the darkened grounds beyond.
The king urged me forward and we descended farther into the unknown.
With only a few steps to go, Caius met us at the broad base of the stone staircase.
He flicked a hand and all festivities ceased.
“It’s been a time since we’ve shared celebrations with our human counterparts.” Caius’ deep baritone voice rumbled through the crowd like thunder.
Murmurs of excitement rolled through the crowd as curiosity and assessing looks stared back at us. I kept my posture straight beneath the weight of the onlookers as Caius went on.
“Over half a millennium has passed since the human realm forgot us. But on this blessed solstice, we received a response from a king who dares to dream, who deigned to respond, and who has brought us together once more. High lords, courtiers, and distinguished guests, I have the distinct honor of introducing King Thaddeus and his companion, Nyleeria.”
The crowd bowed before us.
Caius looked at us expectantly, and the king didn’t miss a beat as he said, “The honor is ours, Lord Caius. Thank you for the kind introduction and your invitation. Words cannot convey our joy in being reunited together as one. On behalf of me and mine, happy solstice to you and yours.”
Caius nodded in approval and stepped toward me with anoutstretched hand. “Would you honor me with your first dance, Nyleeria?”
The king released his grip and offered my hand to the high lord.
The dance floor was now empty save for Caius and me, and with fluid grace, he guided us to the center.
He paused for a pulsating moment before drawing me in and moving us to the melody that sprang to life.
Even with all eyes on us, everything melted away as the music sang to my soul. It was enchanting, magical in its own right. I wondered whether it was because the music came from the fae or from the magic-filled room. Perhaps it was because I’d never been exposed to a live orchestra and its marvelous intricacies before. It was breathtaking, whatever the reason.
Caius was pure elegance, his commands smooth and firm. My body responded to the tiniest movements as he swept us across the dance floor. The rhythm was familiar to me, but this dance was not. I let myself yield to him, to the music.
Caius smiled down at me. “You move as one with the music.”
“I feel one with it. Like it’s in every cell in my body, calling me to sway in its presence.”
His smile broadened. “Do they not have music in the human realm?”
“Not like this.”
“How is it different?”
“This feels like a song the Mother herself would sing, like the melody of the wind and the grass—” I cut myself off, feeling utterly stupid at what I had just shared, and a warm blush flushed my cheeks.
“You commune with the Mother?” he asked with genuine curiosity and a hint of surprise.
