The guard looked as though he wanted to argue, but through gritted teeth, he held it back. “Very well, I will wait here, but if you’re not back by morning, I will have to alert Prince Lukas.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Arenn said, lifting a hand to let his fingers tease the side of my face. “I’ll take good care of sweet Naria here, and we’ll be back before you know it.”
Theo shot the prince a warning look, but made no move to stop us as Arenn whisked me through the open gates and deep into Faelenna.
We passed through the bustling night markets with ease, although Arenn’s long steps meant I had to occasionally skip to keep up with him. Around us, dozens of faeries picked through various exotic fruits and vegetables, and I could hear faint sounds of strange instruments playing what must’ve been faery music from a nearby tavern.
“Why is no one reacting to your presence?” I asked, noticing how the crowds of fae perusing the stalls kept to themselves and didn’t even bother bowing as we strolled by.
“I’ve glamoured us,” he answered casually.
“What does that mean?”
He tossed me a wild grin and steered me towards a shop window. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary hat shop, but as we drew closer, I noticed something strange.
“Take a look.” He gestured towards our reflection, except it wasn’t our reflection. Before us, mirroring each of our movements was a plain looking faery couple. The girl looked a bit like me, with matching blonde curls and glassy blue eyes, but her face was distinctly fae and her clothing fit right into the busy market streets. Even Arenn’s reflection looked like a much more common version of himself. His thick dark waves remained, but his face was nothing special, blending seamlessly into the market crowds.
“How?” I sighed, staring deeply at my faery self.
“It’s simple really. All faeries can do it, but most can only perform small glamours, like turning an apple into some coins. I’ve always been particularly good at it, though… I can even change your clothes.” He clicked his fingers, and my reflection shimmered. It blurred for a second and then became crystal clear. The same faery face remained, but on her body, she now wore a stunning midnight blue gown with a low neckline and a skirt that finished just above her knees. The skirt hung around her hips like dark rose petals, and as I tore my gaze away, I realised that the same dress clung tightly to my own skin.
“What?” I breathed, running my hand down the smooth fabric.
“Faery gowns suit you,” Arenn commented. “But don’t worry, I’ll change it back before I return you to your grumpy guard. I fear I might meet the end of his sword if he knew I was parading you around in this.” He cast a sweeping look over my body, leaving a lingering heat on my exposed skin.
“So, have I actually ever seen the real you?” I asked, trying to distract myself from the way my heart was beating. “Or have you been glamoured this entire time?”
“What you see before you is the real me,” he answered, taking my hand again. “Although, if you don’t like how I look, I’ll happily change.” He winked, then shifted into a completelydifferent faery man. His once ebony hair had morphed into a golden-blonde shade, and his skin now was warm-toned, similar to Lukas’s. I gasped, but then he changed again – this time into a pale blue-skinned faery with hair that resembled ice shards. Each second thereafter, he transformed over and over again, every new appearance just as attractive as the last.
“The real you is fine!” I insisted, swinging a hand up to hide my open mouth. I couldn’t take it anymore. This conversation had done nothing to steady my racing heart.
Arenn promptly shifted back into his usual charming self, a low laugh radiating from his chest. “I must say, you look exquisite when you’re flustered.”
I blinked. There was no hiding the burning blush that crept up my cheeks now.
“Come on, we should resume our walk.” He tugged my hand, leading me away from the window. “If we don’t leave now, I fear that your foolish prince will send an army before we reach the Crystal Caverns.”
The Crystal Caverns were even grander than I ever could’ve imagined. The prince led me through the cobbled faery streets and past a heavily-guarded entrance into a massive underground chamber. Despite its dark stone walls, the cavern shone brighter than any stars in the night sky. Thousands of crystals were embedded in the walls, each one sending the light dancing into a hundred different colours. Even the air was so thick with magic I could almost taste it – like sweet flowers and sugar on my tongue.
“I’ve never seen anything so wondrous,” I sighed as my gaze caught on a huge crystal formation, almost as big as mybedchamber, hanging from the ceiling. We’d headed deeper into the caves, but despite the dazzling beauty around us, Arenn’s gaze was fixed only on me.
“These caverns are the original source of our magic. All faery blood is infused with these crystals, granting us our power,” the prince drawled. “But I didn’t come here to give you a lesson in crystallography.” He tossed me a playful smile. “Let me show you the real reason I brought you here.”
Taking my hand, he guided me towards another guarded entrance hidden within the cavern.
“Welcome to my private chamber,” he announced, gesturing for me to pass through the small doorway.
My heart stuttered when I saw what was inside. This cavern was like an oasis of pure enchantment. It wasn’t anywhere near as large as the caves behind us, but what caught my eye first was the impressive waterfall. Its shimmering waters fell gracefully against the back wall from the ceiling high above, glistening like liquid diamond as it tumbled into a pool that covered most of the chamber’s floor. And while the pool itself was clear as glass, the surrounding crystals turned it into a kaleidoscope of different ethereal colours.
Arenn strolled confidently up to the pool, kicking off his boots and slipping his feet into the water. He sighed as the water lapped around his feet. “It’s quite warm,” he called over his shoulder. “Care to join me?”
I swallowed. Dipping your feet into water was innocent enough, and besides, if he was relaxed it might be easier to confront him on the possibility of his parent’s cursing King Ikelos. With a slow breath, I stepped over to the edge of the pool and gently slipped out of my boots. The stone floor of the cave was surprisingly pleasant under my feet, and it thrummed as though it was alive and breathing softly.
“This way,” Arenn said, curling his fingers in a come-closermotion. He wasn’t lying about the water being warm. Entering the pool felt just like stepping into a bath, but somehow the water seemed smoother against my skin.
“It really is lovely.” I smiled up at him.
The prince’s gaze locked onto mine. He grinned for a moment as something dangerous flashed across his smile. Then, he began to slowly unbutton his embroidered doublet, each movement deliberate and taunting.
