‘Ava, I’m strong but I’m only a man too, so pull it away.’ Michael grinned, finding the situation hilarious. ‘Holy fuck, River is going to lose his shit. I need to see this.’
‘What the hell are all of you talking about? You’re all acting like a bunch of lunatics!’ I accused him, starting to think the problem was not me; it was them.
Arm hooked through mine, he escorted me to a slightly secluded area behind the trees, shielded with luscious bushes and clearly prepared for family members to retreat and relax from the chaos.
‘Wait here, love. I’ll fetch him for you, and… watch him explain,’ he teased before disappearing.
Confused and feeling out of place, all I could do was sink into one of the cushioned chairs and wait for the king to clarify what was going on.
When a red-haired man walked in, for a moment I thought it was Rob, but this man was shorter and stubbier. ‘Who do we have here?’ Well-dressed in a deep-red tuxedo, he reeked of whisky. ‘I’m happy to see you too.’
He sank into the chair beside me, the sharp odour of alcohol making me nauseous, an unpleasant reminder of my indulgence the night before.
Leaning forward, he found it appropriate to invade my space. ‘You’re very attractive. I’m so happy I found you he—’
‘Leave, Matthew.’ Not once did River’s eyes stray; their weight made me wonder whether I was in trouble too.
‘My friend is thrilled to see me, cousin. Or are your senses failing you?’ the drunk argued.
Eyes darkening, River’s tone was final as he commanded, ‘Now.’
The man was getting up before the king’s mouth even snapped shut. ‘Oh, seems our king wants you for himself.’
‘Ava! What the fuck?’ Emily all but screamed from behind River as sternness faded from his gaze and turned into intrigue.
But Emily didn’t matter at the moment. I needed to know what was going on. ‘What happened last night?’
A flicker of consternation crossed his face as his nostrils worked overtime. ‘What do you mean?’
‘They’re all treating me like some seductress! Did I…’ It was difficult to speak with my tightened throat. ‘Did I do anything inappropriate?’
It seemed to finally dawn on him. A shy smile escaped as he ran a hand down his neck. ‘No, Ava, you haven’t done anything inappropriate. At least, not yesterday.’
At his soft laughter, Emily shot him a sly look before chastising, ‘Ava, I told you to spray yourself. What are you doing parading like this?’
Once again, bewilderment overwhelmed my senses at the implication. ‘I honestly don’t know where all of this is coming from. I took a shower, I washed my hair, and I’m clean. I don’t smell. Do I smell?’
I was either losing my mind or one of my senses.
Emily and River exchanged a look.
‘Honey, did you never spray yourself in Ortensia?’ Tone significantly milder, Emily questioned.
This was ridiculous. ‘Like perfume? Of course, I use perfume!’
Emily sighed. ‘No, not like perfume, Ava. Fae women who can’t control their pheromones spray themselves with a liquid hormone blocker. It doesn’t have a scent, but it stopsmen from smelling that you’re ovulating. As you might’ve noticed, it affects fae men.’
‘I never had to do that before.’ The men I’d encountered must have smelt it. That’s why they’d behaved so out of character. ‘It’s that strong?’
‘It is.’ River’s short answer made me spiral. How many men had I almost seduced?
Michael entered, laughing. ‘Ava, darling. I’ve heard about your sister’s ways with men, but you—’
‘Piss off, Mike,’ River barked, and I felt my cheeks redden. Fidgeting with my necklace and unsure what to do with myself, I watched as the king asked his brother, ‘How’s security going? Do you have a guy to spare?’
‘Not a chance. Everything’s secure, and to keep it that way, they’re all staying where they are.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘In fact, I need to get going too. Ava babes, try not to drive too many people mad with lust.’
I would have gladly jumped into the eye of a cyclone rather than stay a moment longer, but it was clear the event was serious, and every single one of them was expected to attend.
