Page 187 of The Fae Girl 1

Mira picked up the stringlet and began to play. Alice picked up another and joined in. I didn’t know the tune. As I listened I suspected it wasn’t from here, that it was from her world.

They finished and then Mira played another before stumbling and Alice gently showed her the notes.

Mira grinned before glancing at Ridley and continued onwards.

They looked comfortable, all of them, together. As if this were normal, as if they hung out like this often. Maybe Ridley had spent more time in her company than I’d realised. I hoped he hadn’t said anything further to her, anything about what my brother may or not do if he found out.

I finished my glass, ordered a second drink, and stayed where I was. It wasn’t that I was hiding but she looked at peace. She looked content. And besides I was more than happy to sit here, admiring her while I could.

Fingers slipped across my thigh.

“Prince Fain.”

“Chelsi.” I said as I tensed.

“I haven’t seen in you a while. One would think you were avoiding me.” She teased.

I sighed making a point of removing her hand. “Not avoiding you.” I replied. “I’ve been busy.”

“Too busy to even stop by?” She murmured. “Surely even a prince has needs.”

“Chelsi.” I said. I didn’t want to make a scene. I didn’t want to hurt her either but I’d been more than clear in what we were, what we had been.

“You’ve found someone else.” She said. Her face falling.

I nodded. Perhaps I should have sugar coated it more but what was the point?

She frowned glancing around and I did too. My eyes meeting Alice’s as she clearly watched us. Had she seen? Did she think I was cheating on her?

‘It’s not what you think.’I thought.

Alice frowned more.

‘I’m not interested in her.’

Alice nodded and I felt it, the concern, the twisting tension inside her relaxing a little.

“It’s her isn’t it? You want her?” Chelsi half whispered.

I tore my eyes away, forced myself to look back at Chelsi. “Yes.”

Her shoulders slumped. Her face showing everything that I’d hoped wasn’t true. That despite our assertions that it was just physical she had felt more.

“Chelsi.” I began.

“It’s okay.” She murmured forcing a smile on her face. “It’s okay.” She got up and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

If I were a better man I would have followed her. Would have explained. Would have apologised too. But I wasn’t. In that moment my only concern was for Alice.

I looked back and saw her seat was empty. She’d gone too.

I rushed from the bar, rushed down the corridor coming to a stop when I saw her staring out of the window at the far end. Her hands gripped the stone sill as if she was bracing herself.

“Alice.” I murmured.

She turned. Her face so pale with a look of fear across it.

“What…?” I began and then I realised, what she’d done. What had really happened weeks ago.

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