Fire and Ice (17 page)

“Good evening, Princess. May I be the first to tell you how lovely you look tonight?” He bowed.

“Thanks, Julien. You're too kind,” I replied dryly.

“That is a stunning dress you're wearing.” He circled slowly, with those all-seeing eyes that made me want to cover myself with the nearest blanket. “Where
did
you get it?”

“You should know. You delivered it.”

Stopping in front of me his head angled to the side. “Ah yes, the mystery package. Someone certainly has exceptional taste,” he remarked, his eyes sweeping appreciatively from top to bottom. The corner of his lips pulled into a curl. “I believe you promised me a dance this evening, you haven't forgotten, have you?”

“Actually,” I corrected. “I promised to think about it.”

“Oh, now surely you're not going to make me beg. How will that look to my adoring public?”

A group of young Faerie girls scampered by with open invitation grins. One of them with pale blue skin winked a thickly lashed eye at him.

“I guess it will look like you finally met someone too smart to fall for your act.”

Ignoring both my comment and the flirty girls, he pressed, “At the absolute least you owe me for delivering your sensational gown. The one partially responsible for stealing the eyes of every alpha male with a pulse in the room.” His fingers toyed with the airy ruffle on my shoulder and I pushed his hand away, stealing a quick glance around us.

Adrius had been cornered by members of the Elven council, and their father, the king of Mythlandria, had arrived creating even more chaos. I didn't notice the male eyes on me, but there were a large portion of the female eyes following Julien. Both he and Adrius were considered a catch, for noticeable reasons.

“If you will not indulge me I will be forced to plead.” His voice was rising, catching the attention of those nearby. He dropped onto one knee, clasping onto my hand in a dramatic gesture.

“Get up, Julien. I'm serious, no scenes. Please.” My face flushed with heat as I tried to pull him up off the ground. “Okay, I'll dance with you. Just this once.”

He flashed a victorious grin and sprang to his feet.

“You can drop the smirk, Julien. You're only getting your way because I hate being the center of attention, and I'm guessing the second heir to the Mythlandrian throne groveling on his knees for a dance would probably not go unnoticed.”

Leaning in toward me he whispered. “I don't know how to break it to you, Princess, but nothing about you goes unnoticed. You are the most ravaging creature in the palace tonight.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” I scowled.

Laughing he took my hand, leading me to a dance floor coated in a thin layer of glistening mist that swirled to the rhythm of the music. Several eyes stared in our direction, including Taryn, who did a poor job of hiding her resentment. Most noticeable of all was Adrius, who throughout his numerous conversations and polite exchanges with his guests, never once took his eyes off us.

“See, this isn't so bad. I told you I don't bite.” Julien smiled, turning on the charm.

“I'm still not convinced you don't have some ulterior motive.”

“Are you blind, Princess? Every male in the room is jealous of me. Including my dear brother. Hmm… I wonder if he'll recover from that horrible shade of envy-green. Clashes with his eyes.” He snickered.

“Looks more like red to me. And would you please stop calling me Princess?” I said, as he pulled me into a spin. “Why do you want to make your brother jealous? I mean, I know you have your differences, but I thought you got along. So what's the deal?”

“The
deal
, as you so eloquently put it, is we have never gotten along. It's tiresome being second at everything. Second in line for the throne, second in command, second favorite…” His brows pulled together briefly then he flashed a dazzling smile. “Tonight, I finally get to be first. First to dance with the Faerie Princess.”

I glowered at him.

“Oops, sorry.”

He pulled me in closer, making a point of twirling toward Adrius who was still locked in conversation, nodding absently as he watched us, his face an expressionless mask. He didn't look upset, and yet clearly wasn't thrilled by what he saw — more like detached, as though carefully avoiding any show of emotion. Jealousy was likely the least of what he was feeling, but Julien was smugly satisfied to assume that was true.

He spun me out and back into his arms. Surprising how someone so obnoxious could be such a good dancer. I considered sharing that observation with him, but thought better of it. He was, after all, using me as a pawn in some strange feud with his brother. Besides, even though I wouldn't admit it to him, I was having too much fun to spoil the evening by inviting more of his shameless flirting.

The melody came to an end. “Thanks Julien, that was… nice.”

“Careful, Princess, you actually sounded sincere. Perhaps I could persuade you to indulge me once again?”

“I'm afraid that won't be possible, little brother. It's my turn.” Adrius placed his arm possessively around my waist, turning me toward him. “That is if you would like to,” he whispered, his lips brushing my earlobe.

I nodded numbly, as he led me away from Julien's knifing glare.

“You're late.” I smiled.

“Think of it as a chance to practice patience.” He threaded his fingers with mine and delicious warmth traveled up my arm.

“Well, thanks for the save — again. What is that, number three?”

“Four." His eyes locked on mine.

“Right.” I laughed.

“Not that you looked like you needed saving.”

Was
that
a hint of jealousy?

“I figured Julien would monopolize you all evening if he had the chance. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to persuade you to dance with me.

The intensity in his voice made my knees weak. “You thought you would have to persuade me? Dancing with you gives me another chance to ask questions.”

“Of course,” he mused. “I see you met Taryn.”

“Yes, I did. Although, one doesn't exactly
meet
Taryn, so much as orbit her.” My chest throbbed. I wanted her to be right about his feelings for me.

He laughed. “What did she say?”

“She told me I should stay away from you.” I met his gaze head on. I didn't think I'd ever be brave enough to tell him the rest of her theories.

“Well… she's probably right.”

I stared, amazed, as his gaze dropped to the floor. Spasms of fear shot through me, fueled by memories of his hostility a few days ago. Part of me felt disappointment at the idea maybe they were both right, but the overwhelming security I felt when I was with him pushed it away. He could never be a threat. This had to be something else.

“So are you going to?” he asked, slicing through my thoughts.

“Going to what?”

He moved closer. I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

“Stay away from me?”

“I-I'm not sure if that's an option.” I swallowed, forcing myself to stay calm. “Given the circumstances.”

He blew out a long breath. A million different emotions crossed his face before he looked away.

The music dropped into a melodic lilting tune, sounding vaguely like the Celtic love songs Neil played in the kitchen at Lemon Balm. It made my chest tighten just thinking about home.

“Here, I have something for you.” Adrius held out a tiny box similar to the first one he'd given me.

“Another gift? What's the occasion this time?”

“Does there have to be a reason for everything with you?”

I didn't know what to say, so I let him place the box in my hand. This time, when I opened it, the contents startled me. Pulsing in a bed of moss was the most exquisite oval charm. The center was an opal and it was coiled with silver tendrils. As I stared at the charm something shifted, and the center of the stone became an eye, crimson and lidless. I gasped nearly dropping it.

Adrius made eye contact with Hawthrin across the room and exchanged a subtle nod. “It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't believe in prophecy.” He smirked. “But essentially this charm can only be activated by the Chosen One. And it gives the wearer the gift of insight. It's called the Inner Eye.”

I gawked at it like he'd given me a live tarantula. “What do you want me to do with it?”

“Trust me. Just try it.” With deftly moving fingers, he attached the charm in place on the silvery chain, where it nestled at the base of my throat. A surge of warmth radiated from it, causing my chest to flush with blotches of redness.

“Don't worry,” he said, stroking my flaming skin. “That reaction won't last. It's the energy realigning yours. Now, listen.”

I squinted with pursed lips, but tried to do what he instructed, not sure what I was supposed to hear. At first there was the usual party noise, laughter, music, tinkling glasses. But then I listened deeper, and there were voices… but not words,
thoughts
. I'd been able to see pain in people for years, but it was never like this. This was a front seat in the minds of everyone around me. I looked into his eyes and as clearly as if he'd spoken them aloud I heard.
You are so incredibly beautiful this evening
. I smiled, embarrassment flooding my face and slipped the necklace off. “That's… wow—” I didn't know how to finish. “Thank you.”

“It is something that may prove useful, until you've come into your own powers as a seer. And it evens the playing field a little. Direct eye contact amplifies and tunes in to thoughts.” He touched my hand. “Keep it on. You'll get used to turning it on and off at will. The same way you can keep people out of your thoughts at will.” Then he grinned and the thoughts I could hear so clearly, faded away.

A provocative drumbeat caught our attention as the music shifted, deepening into a slow sultry rhythm. Adrius held out his hand. “Now, would you like to dance?”

“Um, sure.” I laughed nervously, crooking an eyebrow at the hordes of couples already swaying and grinding on the packed dance floor, pressed up against one another in sensual tango-like moves.

Taking my hand, he led us past the crowded dance floor, out onto the balcony, under the balmy starlit night. Rows of yellow-flamed torches flickered to the slow beat of the music. He twirled me under his arm toward him, in a classic ballroom dance move.

“Impressive,” I said, wishing I'd taken Mom up on it when she'd pushed me to take dance lessons. “But not enough to distract me from my mission of getting answers.”

He drew me in tighter. Close enough to hear the rhythmic thudding of his heart. Or was it mine? His fingers trailed down the length of my spine, stopping at the small of my back.

I shivered.

“Really?” There was a sparkle of amusement in his voice. “That sounds like a challenge.”

“Bring it,” I muttered, already finding it difficult to think clearly.

Spinning me around so my back pressed into his chest, his fingers splayed across my abdomen, pinning me to him as his hips rotated slowly to the music.

"Are you still thinking of your questions?" he murmured against my neck.

Tiny goose bumps spread across my skin under the tickle of his breath.

"Uh-huh."

He lifted my arm up to graze the back of his neck, then with a feather light touch, his fingertips traced the length, under my arm, tricking down my ribs. "What about now?"

“Unfair.” I gasped. My arm floated down involuntarily.

“What do you mean?”

“I can't think clearly when you do that.

With another sharp twirl, I was facing him again, his arms locked around my waist. “You mean
this
?” He anchored his hand under my thigh, drawing my leg around his hip as he dipped me back in a deep plunge. His nose swept the arc of my body then he pressed his lips to the hollow of my throat. My breath hitched as he placed the briefest kiss, before pulling me upright.

“Yes,” I exhaled, breathless. “
That
.”

He laughed, taking pleasure in the strange effect he had on me. It was like the dizziness of Faerie wine, only so much better. He was a far more skillful dancer than his brother, leading me in ways that totally camouflaged my own total ineptness.

Julien watched from the sideline. His scowl deepened, then he twisted on his heels, marched to the bar, and ordered several flaming drinks in crystal shot glasses. The satyr lined them up in front of him, and he downed one after another.

I rolled my eyes. “He needs to drink just in case we didn't already know he was bad?”

Adrius gave a dark laugh and shrugged. “Classic Julien. It'll be even more amusing when he's too drunk to find the door.”

He twirled me under his arm again.

“It is so amazing in here. Like a scene from a movie.”

“You need to get out more,” he said with a dark chuckle.

“Hey, I get out plenty, thank you very much.” Not that I'd gone to many dances. I had taken Davin to Abby's brother's wedding. We danced and laughed for hours before taking off at midnight to hang out at the beach. Those were in his pre-Brianne days. That night had been one of my best memories, but it didn't come close to touching this one, being here in a fantasy place, tucked in the arms of a fairytale prince.

“Where did you learn to dance like this?”

Adrius spun me away from him in a graceful pirouette that made me look like I knew what I was doing. Layers of iridescent chiffon twirled around my legs, as he pulled me back into his arms.

“I'll tell you a secret, but you have to promise not to laugh.” He sounded serious.

“I promise.”

“I can't dance.” His face was deadpan.

“You're not serious.”

“At all,” he whispered.

I pulled back to look into his eyes, certain he was joking.

With arched brows, he nodded. “It's true. I took endless lessons from Hawthrin as a boy, and again from tutors in the village Amourent, where we attended what you'd call school. My father decided it was unacceptable for his sons to not be skilled in all the finer social graces, so he insisted they find a way to teach me.”

He twirled me under his arm.

“But it was hopeless, I had two left feet. Julien has always been more apt at things like that. He has a talent for the social refinement, in spite of his sociopathic tendencies.” His laugh was bitter.

“So what happened?” I asked, catching sight of Julien roaming his hands over the girls hitting on him earlier.

“They were running out of time and patience, with one teacher giving up after another, and I still was no further along than when I began. It didn't help I had no interest in learning. But the instructors were terrified of my father's wrath, so they consulted with the high order of the witches to spell a potion.

“A
dancing
spell?” I fought back a giggle.

“This is the first time I've really put it to use since it was cast. Glad you think it is working.” He smiled, his amber-olive eyes reflecting the warm candle flicker.

“Hmm… Magic…
Very
useful.” A small snicker escaped.

“You promised no laughing, remember!”

“Sorry.” I lowered my voice to sound artificially somber. “I am deeply sorry for your challenge. Actually, I can empathize. Social graces have never been my thing either.”

“
You
, the Faerie Princess… the Chosen One, who captures all the panting puppy-dog-eyes of hormone-riddled, human boys… lack social graces? I disagree. You obviously do not see yourself the way others see you.”

How do you see me, Adrius?
I searched his face, desperate for the answer to a question I'd never have the nerve to ask.

We waltzed away from the archway leading to the hall, the humid twilight air caressing my exposed back, as we danced under the blanket of a starlit sky.

“May I be the hundredth one to tell you how beautiful you look?”

“Technically you'd be the second. But I appreciate the thought. I kind of feel like Cinderella.” I laughed.

“A fairytale for a Faerie Princess. Seems fitting.”

“Let's see… wicked great aunt, check. Handsome prince, check. No fairy godmother, but I do have a wizard. Now if I can get my hands on a pumpkin coach and a glass slipper…”

“I'll see what I can do.” He laughed.

As we moved in each other's arms, a sudden cold chill ran through me. It was the sensation that we were being watched. From the corner of my eye I saw something move against the dark shadows of the trees. In a place where trees could move, it seemed silly to be concerned, but the chill I felt wasn't going away, rational or not. It darted through the tree tops, invisible in the darkness, yet I could make out a vague silhouette of wings… but the span was too large for a bird. I drew closer to Adrius, who either didn't notice or was unconcerned.

I was going to mention what I saw, or didn't see, but decided against it, not wanting to give him yet another thing to tease me about. Everyone already joked I jumped at my own shadow when something went bump in the night. And here in Mythlandria, something
always
went bump in the night.

I'm not sure if it was the night air or the stars or the crazy fireworks exploding inside me, but when the song ended and Adrius led us to the bar on the veranda, a burning question came to mind, and with an unprecedented act of bravery, I forced myself to spit it out.

“This may sound crazy,” I said as he ordered two electric blue drinks with floating petals. “But what's with the static charge I get anytime you touch me?” The second the words were out of my mouth I felt like an idiot and my cheeks flushed with heat.

Adrius scanned my probably bright red face and held back a grin. “It's the frequency difference between immortals and humans. But lucky for you, you're only half human. Otherwise, my touch might fry you like that.” He snapped his fingers.

I couldn't tell if he was joking or actually serious. “So, if I were to, say, lean in and kiss you—”

“You want to kiss me?” His eyes lit with wicked amusement.

“Hypothetically speaking,” I countered, my pulse accelerating.

“Alright.” His mouth twitched into a faint smirk. “Well,
hypothetically,
it would be like a mild electric shock… not strong enough to stop your heart, but you would definitely feel it.

“I see.”

His face inched closer. He didn't make any move to touch me, yet my skin tingled from the nearness of him.

“Basically, you're saying it would be a bad idea then,” I said, tilting my face upwards.

He shook his head from side to side but mouthed, “Yes.” His gaze dropped to my lips.

Lifting onto my toes, I bit my lower lip to settle my swirling stomach. “Guess I should stay away,” I murmured.

“Mmm hmm…”

His head tilted forward and his lips lightly brushed mine. It didn't last long, but in that swift moment thinking became impossible and a million tiny sparks surged over my skin like fireworks. Wasn't sure if I was glowing, but I felt like I was.