Her gaze fell to the dangling earring on his right ear. A collection of studs and rings went up the cartilage on his—wait, were thoseFaeears? She looked down to his full lips that now twisted into a smirk.
“Will you dance with me?” the Fae male asked, his deep vibrato cutting through her entrancement. That smirk was still present on his lips, and she wanted to ask him what was so amusing. Airess noted the slight Runean accent gracing his smooth voice and ignored the tingling sensation she felt at hearing him speak. Airess remembered to nod, forgetting she had stopped dancing in the first place.
He placed a hand on her waist and grabbed her hand with his own, the contact sending a jolt of electricity down her arm. The fabric of her gown felt thin beneath his hand, heat seeping through as if he could brand her by touch alone.
He arched a dark, angled brow at her as they rejoined the dance.
Airess shook her head, remembering to speak. “Apologies for my poor footing, sir—I mean,Lord—”
She cut herself off, kicking herself internally for acting like such a fool. Airess let out a breath. “Forgive me. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you here before. Are you a lord of new standing?”
Airess realized he was the only Fae in the room. Certainly he had some Elven blood to have been let in here, knowing most, if not all, Noborne Fae people were left to live in the outer ring. Taking a quick glance around her, she noticed some people began to stare at them—athim. This wasn’t good. She needed the people’s attention elsewhere. Would this male sully her escape plan?
The male shook his head and laughed. “I am no Lord.”
Right, okay.
They moved along with the other dancers. Her dance partner moved with ease, yet she could immediately tell he hadn’t memorized the steps as the other dancers had, only making him more intriguing. Airess uncovered her Sight and took in his aura once more, enthralled to see the vibrant colors up close. His aura encased her body like a blanket, the energy behaving in a way she had never seen before.
“I don’t believe I asked for your name, sire,” Airess said as they rotated, her dress shifting with the motion. He placed his hands firmly on her waist as she dipped backwards, and for a moment she thought she saw intrigue flash behind his eyes. The emotion was gone as quick as it came.
She tried her best to concentrate on normal pleasantries, and to understand how this Fae male had leveled up so high in the hierarchy that he was invited to a noble ball.
It was unheard of for Fae to be a part of high society. Not that Airess cared about such a distinction. She didn’t share the prejudices against the Fae and Humans like the Elven people did. Airess had experienced the hatred firsthand due to her halfling status. The disdain had seemed to lessen as the wedding drew nearer, nobles realizing she would eventually be their queen.
Before she’s made the decision to leave, Airess had always vowed that when she was queen, she would remake the world—one where everyone lived equally. No outer rings. No discrimination based on lack of Magick or difference in beings.
He caressed a hand along her arm as she came up from the dip, causing tingles to flood her entire body. Airess tensed, and an unknown feeling bubbled in her stomach, that made her question if she was feeling attraction or anxiety. Perhaps both.
They rejoined hands once more as the male opened his mouth to speak.
“My name is—” he began, but was cut off by a loudBOOM!
Airess flew backwards as an explosion burst in the room, flashes of lilac light streaking by. She landed on her back, her head cracking against the floor. Pain seared through her skull at the contact. Screams erupted as chunks of marble fell from the ceiling. Dust billowed, blocking Airess’ ability to see around her. She groaned as she lay there in shock and brought fingers up to the back of her head. They came back wet with blood.
Airess propped herself up on a jagged pillar now in ruins beside her. Her ears rang. Slowly, she came to stand, suddenly resenting the large, heavy skirts she was dressed in. Her legs wobbled as her blurred vision began to clear. Airess’ stomach clenched at what she saw.
The screams became audible as her hearing returned. Some people ran in different directions, others lay unmoving on the floor.
“Oh my Gods,” she said, remembering to run. She turned, rearing back as she collided with someone.Oh, it was just Esper. She grabbed Airess’ shoulders to steadyher, the seamstress’s eyes hardened with determination.
“Esper, are you all right?” Airess managed to blurt out. The seamstress looked clean, not one hair out of place.
“You must come with me!” Esper yelled urgently.
“What’s going on? Where’s the queen—”
“Come!”
Airess lurched forward to follow Esper, her body acting on its own accord. Adrenaline blocked out the pain and panic from the fall. She focused on Esper's tight, gray bun as she led her from the ballroom. They rushed down the empty corridor.
“Where are the guards? What’s happening?”
Esper ignored her as she turned down another hall, the two now entering the servants’ stairwell passageway. Their footfalls echoed against the ceiling of the stairwell as they made their descent, Airess’ heavy breathing audible.
Finally, they reached the bottom of the stairwell. They cut through the kitchens usually bustling with servants, but now completely empty.
Esper and Airess barreled through the door and exited onto the castle grounds outside, the fresh night air caressing Airess’ skin. It was eerily quiet outside, save for the chirping crickets.
