Delicate vining plants curled around pillars, stretched across the ceiling, and followed the arches of enormous windows. The spring green vines and lavender flowers were the only color in the cream hallway that seemed to be longer than a football field. The architecture made me think of gothic cathedrals in Europe on a sunny day in early May.
“This is amazing,” I said as I looked around.
Hydris giggled. “It’s just a corridor.”
“It’s an awesome one.”
I was sure living in such a place might take the wow factor out of it for someone, but I’d never been anywhere this grandand couldn’t help gawking as I followed along after him. And I couldn’t decide which was cooler to look at, the amazing building or the incredible prince.
He was a head shorter than my six-five, which meant I could tuck him under my chin—something I absolutely loved doing with the guys I’d dated. Given that I’d seen him completely naked, there was a lot to like about his lean physique, that shocking blue hair, and the fact that he was a shower. But what I couldn’t stop staring at were his wings.
They were like butterfly wings, with two pointed sections on top and two rounded ones on the bottom. They looked like stained glass because there were panes of blue and green, gold and pink, with black outlining each color. I wanted to touch them and find out if they really were glistening with dew or if those were some kind of decorative jewels. They looked velvety soft, too.
“Right through here,” Hydris said as he turned a corner.
I stopped looking at his wings and refocused on the walk that brought us into an honest-to-god throne room. Vining plants dripping with purple flowers hung from the ceiling and cast shadows on the wall opposite more enormous windows. There was a sort of tent built over the throne that was made of deep purple material that had a shine to it. And the throne itself was every bit the gilded masterpiece a fairy throne should be.
And given that I’d come in with a prince but there was a guy sitting on the throne, was I about to meet the king? He didn’t look like Hydris with his tousled brown hair, beard, and a bulkier build. While he had the pointed ears, he didn’t have wings. He was also not much older than Hydris. Well, weren’t the fae supposed to be immortal? Just because he might be a thousand years old didn’t mean he had to look it.
There were several people milling around the room, and I couldn’t quite tell what they were doing. Just chatting? Waitingfor something to start? What struck me were the outfits. It felt like I’d walked into a high school production ofHamlet.
The women had huge poofy sleeves, seriously wide hips, and collars that made them look like they’d recently been to the vet. The men had those collars, too, and I couldn’t help wondering how they managed to eat with those things on. Then there was the hosiery, blousy shorts, and poofy jackets. And heels? The men wore high heeled shoes with jewels on them. I couldn’t see the women’s feet, but had to assume their shoes were just as fancy.
I was so underdressed for this.
“Lord Mannix?” Hydris said as we came to a stop in front of the throne.
So he wasn’t the king? The man flinched as he looked away from the guy he’d been listening to and saw Hydris. Mannix stood up like his ass got electrocuted, while the others closest to the throne skittered away like bugs.
I didn’t know where I was, how I’d gotten here, or what I was doing, but even I could tell that these people were up to something.
“Your Highness,” Mannix said with a smile that looked totally insincere to me. “All done swimming?”
I couldn’t help crossing my arms as I stood behind Hydris because I suddenly felt like he needed protection. I hardly knew him, but I was ready to be his bodyguard.
“I didn’t actually get to swim yet because Mister Bridge Flint fell through a fairy ring right into the pool.”
Mannix turned his icy eyes on me, and it was abundantly clear that he didn’t like me. “The rings are closed. If you found someone in your private pool, he should be arrested for trespassing.”
He waved two fingers like he was calling someone over, and what I had thought were empty, decorative suits of armor against the walls started marching toward me.
“No, but he wasn’t,” Hydris said as he bumped into me.
Mannix waved his hand. “Just let me handle it for you.”
“But—”
“Honestly, Your Highness, this is why I’m here, remember?”
Hydris looked up at me, oozing uncertainty, and all but wringing his hands. If he was the prince, why wasn’t he taking charge?
The two guards flanked me, but both of them were looking at Hydris. Waiting for him to say something? Hoping he’d get out of the way?
“Hold on a second,” I said and held up my hands. “I really did fall through the ceiling into the pool. I didn’t know how or why, Hydris doesn’t either, so we came here to see if any of you can help. That’s literally all we want.”
Again, Mannix looked me over. I realized as he slowly walked closer that, though everyone else wore jewel tones, Mannix wore all black. I was pretty sure I was about to get up close and personal with the villain of this story.
Chapter 2
