Seelie fae are everywhere in all states of undress. The males have removed their shirts, and so have some of the females. Their skin ranges from ivory to dark brown and every shade in between. So many colors of hair as well. Ever and I stand out like wolves in a field of wildflowers.
Seelie males leave much to be desired, but their females are intriguing.
None as much as the one with curls the color of dandelion fluff who is stretched atop a blanket, letting the sun touch her skin the way my hands long to.
Nia Quill. Fae of my heart.
She is not swathed in one of her beautiful silk gowns but wearing a band of peach across her top and a matching pair of underthings covering her bottom.
Barely.
This day might be my favorite yet.
That is until the terrible Nolan drops onto her blanket and pushes his mouth against hers.
Perhaps I will drown him. It would not take more than a handful of stones in his pockets to keep him at the bottom of this quarry.
“You are too obvious,” Ever says from the ground as he takes the reins from my hand.
What is the point in hiding my affection? It is important to let those around you know how you feel about them. “Says the man whose heart is in his eyes.”
I dismount and tie Dusk next to Nyx. He will be happy with the grass here.
“Kerris is my mate,” Ever counters.
“Maybe one day, Nia Quill will want to be mine.” If luck chooses to be on my side.
Kerris Dawn skips toward her cousin, while Ever carries a basket of Seelie food and a blanket for his mate.
Nia smiles and waves, but the Nolan does not give me more than a passing glance, as if I am no threat to him. This is good. He does not realize how easily my blade can slip between his ribs and carve out his heart.
The guards meant to “protect” the king and queen stand like a bunch of sweaty shrubs at our backs. Their leather clothes do not make sense in this heat. Another thing I have told them that they have chosen to ignore.
The terrible Nolan finally looks at me, his small face scrunching like someone kneed him in the bollocks. “Nice boots.”
“Thank you. I made them myself.”
“You made them?” he scoffs.
Since when is the ability to create a cause for mockery? Nia nudges his twig of an arm with a disapproving glare.
“That is right,” I say. “They are made from the hide of a small briar boar. A runt, by the looks of him. About your size.”
It is Ever’s turn to snort.
The Nolan’s face loses its smarmy smile. “You green?—”
Nia leaps to her feet, then pulls the fuming Nolan to his. “Let’s get in.”
My heart sinks as I watch them venture toward the water, where the other Seelie splash and play like younglings. I fall down next to Ever and Kerris to loosen the laces on my boots.
“I think your boots are lovely,” Kerris Dawn says.
Although I return her smile, there is less happiness inside me than before. “Thank you.” So do I.
There are many shops in the city that sell boots, but none of them are large enough for my feet. Not that I would trade these boots when they have served me so well.
Kerris Dawn swipes a hand across her brow. “It’s so warm, isn’t it?”
