Once, I had scorned Riyan for drowning his woes at the bottom of a bottle, but I finally understood him. It was foolish and dangerous...but I just wanted to forget it all, at least for one damn night.
I took the tiny glass from Annalisa. We locked eyes before we poured the faerie wine down our throats. Then we took another. Then another. I grabbed two glasses and downed them. I could not stop. I took more and more.
Stars tickled my belly. Sunlight filled my veins.
And I was finally warm again.
Bodies and hands moved all around me like I was treading through the sea.
Cackling laughter bubbled through the air around the ballroom. My feet twisted in a dazed tangle across the dance floor.
I ran my fingertips along my lace sleeves. My whole body shivered—the texture wasdelightful.
More and more people tipped the tiny glasses to their lips. Some started tearing at each other’s clothes. Others mashed up against the wall in an amorous tangle, not caring that everyone was around.
What a decadent romp it all was. I tilted my head up, spinning so the prancing bulls on the ceiling danced with me.
Strong hands gripped my shoulders and placed me squarely in front of a silver tray full of tiny glasses.
“Spin, girl!” a man commanded.
I stretched out my fingertips…only they did not feel like mine. I touched the edge of the tray and it was cooler than I thought it would be,deliciouslycold. Suddenly the tray was spinning,sending the little glasses of the purple and clear drinks spiraling like a dazzling night sky.
My vision blurred, but then focused on the little cup of the sparkling clear liquid in front of me.
“Faerie princess it is!” the man hooted. More laughter sparked around me. They sounded like a flock of birds.
I picked up the tiny glass and a sharper hand gripped my shoulder. “Seraaa! There you are!”
Annalisa. Her glittering cheeks were ablaze.
“Dinah is telling everyone she is pregnant!” she slurred. “The Amberfields are celebrating their new heir!”
“What?” I hiccupped. “She is pregnant? Good for her…”
Annalisa’s eyes went as wide as ponds. “She would have only barely missed her cycle! If she is pregnant, then that means that I—”
Too much talking. I hopped up on my toes and poured the tiny glass into her furious mouth. “No more angry. It is your birthday!”
Suddenly, Annalisa and I were in the middle of the dance floor, moving our bodies to the sensuous music in all the ways we were never allowed to. Cheers spiraled around us. I picked up my skirt and twirled. The lace on the hem of my stockings fluttered. My garter ribbons caressed my calves.
I caught a flash of red hair in my vision. Brietta’s head was higher than any of the dozen men around her as she danced. Myles’s yellow cape flashed like a daffodil as he spun with her, only for Gerond’s sky blue cape to overtake him as he shoved him out of the way.
Brietta dipped her head to kiss Gerond. Then Myles.
Eat them alive, Brietta.
“She is sure having a good time!” cried a familiar voice.
I turned around to a wall of black and gold.
“Derrick!” I wrapped my arms around him.
He hugged me back, crushing me against him so hard my cheek mashed against the golden filigrees on his doublet.
“I looked everywhere for you, darling!” he cried.
I pushed off him, picking up my skirt in both of my fists. “Watch me spin!”
