Amira moved closer to the fae, squinting at her, threats lying on her tongue. A light in the fae’s eyes indicated a high power level. Still, Amira was not going to be intimidated. Why would she? With fortae coursing through her veins, Amira didn’t feel anything she didn’t choose to. And right now,angerwas the only welcome emotion.
“Do you know what I think of yourtraditions?” Amira asked, taking a sip from the glass that she hadn’t spilled. The fae’s gaze darted to the shimmering liquid, her nostrils flaring.
They had an audience now. Even Rhay was staring at her from afar. Doing nothing helpful as usual.
Smiling at the fae, Amira said, “I think you can take your drink and your stupid superstition and shove it—” A hand grabbed her arm, cutting her off. Varsha gave her a warning look.
“I saw you two having so muchfunover here, I had to come over.” Varsha’s tone was serious but teasing at the same time. With a glance at the fae’s ruined dress, Varsha said, “Begone in fortune. I need to steal the princess away for a moment.”
The fae with the stained clothes gave Amira a condescending glare. “Wise choice. The princess can’t handle her liquor,” she said, her arms crossed over her chest.
Head spinning, Amira ignored Varsha’s warning and shoved the woman, watching her grin fall as she lost her balance. Moving her hand, the fae summoned roots from the ground. The vines twisted themselves around Amira’s ankles, scratching her bare skin.
Almost falling over, Amira stumbled as her vision turned funny, but Varsha caught her. “Stop intervening,” Amira whispered angrily. She didn’t need Varsha. She didn’t need anyone. Only more fortae. Amira felt the small bag hidden underneath her dress, ready to be consumed.
“I’m saving you from further embarrassment,” Varsha whispered back.
“It would be awisechoice to stop now,” Rhay loudly said to the fae. He came closer, surprising Amira. “Using your powers on the king’s fiancée could be seen as treason.”
Whispers spread through the crowd. Everyone was familiar with the king’s justice. The woman scoffed, but there was a newfound fear etched into her expression. The fear quickly turned into terror. Was Rhay using his power on her? Couldn’t he leave Amira alone?
The woman released Amira from the vines’ grip, and Amira stepped towards her, wanting to win thisoneargument. “I thinkyou’rethe one who should apologise.” She tried to sound as commanding as possible, but her words were slurred.
“I’m sorry,” the woman said, but her eyes said the opposite. Amira still counted it as a victory, a satisfied smile forming on her lips as she watched her disappear into the crowd.
Drawing closer, Rhay whispered in her ear, “Keep acting like that and I won’t even have to reveal your secret to Karwyn, you’ll do ityourself.” He walked away, curious eyes following him.
A vein pulsed in Amira’s forehead. She was ready to follow him, to argue, but Varsha started dragging her away. “Come on, Amira,” Varsha said, silencing her with one look.
Suddenly, she felt a sense of shame sneaking into her mind. Who was she turning into? If she could see herself now, Amira was sure she wouldn’t even recognise herself.
Good, the real you is a monster.She would always be cursed unless she could make her power disappear.
It wasn’t until the party faded behind her that Amira realised the fae hadn’t done her part to avoid Amira’s bad luck.A month of bad luck, she had said.
Amira couldn’t imagine her luck turning any worse. And as long as she kept getting more pills, she couldn’t care less.
* * *
After Varsha dropped her off in her room, Amira closed her eyes, letting herself feel the pill coursing through her system. Sheneededmore. Fortae fought against her dark thoughts, and she needed it to keep winning.
The door to her bedroom swung open, the noise forcing her burning eyes open again.
Slamming the door shut, Wryen’s shadow loomed over her. “There you are,” he said with a smile too large to be true. He looked at her sitting at her desk with obvious contempt.
Close to her, Wryen sat on a comfortable armchair. “I saw you walking back with that painter.I thought you had learnt not to entertain anyfriendships.You know what I like to do with yourspecialfriends.” His lips stretched into an insane smile. Amira’s heart jumped in her chest, but the emotion was quickly drowned out by the sense of indifference that fortae instilled in her.
“Varsha is not my friend.”I don’t have any friends,Amira wanted to add.
“Good, because I’m aware of hertendenciesand I wouldn’t want any more scandals,” Wryen sneered.
Amira ignored the implications. She was tired of it all, tired of Wryen. Without her usual fear of him, his presence was…pointless.
“Now that you’ve gotten your threats out of your system, can you leave?” Amira asked, getting up to put more distance between them. “I should go to bed.”
Wryen yanked her arm back as he stood up. “I’m not done with you.” His voice was laced with threats. Amira felt his fingers digging into her soft skin. She gritted her teeth, feeling the darkness in her stir from its drunken slumber.
“I don’t understand how you manage to keep messing up,” Wryen continued. “I thought I was clear the last time we saw each other. Stop embarrassing me by behaving like a lunatic, or else your mother will pay the price for your mistakes. I can’t have you tainting my reputation any further.”
