Page 65 of The Fae Girl 1

He didn’t look at me. Didn’t even notice me which for once felt like a good thing.

The two of them started talking and within minutes they were walking off. I grinned to myself as I watched them, as I watched her. Mira deserved a good night, hell, she deserved more than that for putting up with me.

But I wasn’t denying there was an ulterior motive. That with Mira distracted, slipping away, sneaking out of this place would be easier.

I took another sip. Tasting the strange sweet drink that seemed familiar and yet so alien all at the same. The alcohol stung my throat as it went down but it warmed my belly.

For a moment I considered my options. With everyone here, with everyone focused on this ball, now would be a great time to escape.

I’d need to get back to my room. To get changed. To fully disguise myself and somehow find my way down into the Lower Castle. I had no provisions. No money. Not even the knowledge of which way to go once I did get out of the city gates. If I got out.

It would be all but a fools gambit. A stupid attempt that I knew would only end one way. Me facing the Prince’s wrath.

No. Tonight was not the night to do it. I needed to be smarter. I needed to lull them all into thinking I was on their side. That I wasn’t going to run. That I had accepted this.

I gritted my teeth at the thought.

Play obedient.The words echoed in my head.

That was exactly what I needed to do. Play the long game, and perhaps, if I learnt some magic, if I got more powerful, that would help me too.

“And why would such a delectable creature as yourself be all alone?” Someone murmured behind me.

I jumped turning around, nearly spilling the damn drink in my hand.

A man stood staring at me. Though that in itself was no surprise. He stepped closer.

And instinctively I stepped back. Further into the corner. Further from him.

“You’re just as pretty as they say.” He stated running his eyes over me, lingering on my curvier parts.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“High Prince Rillon.” He replied.

I frowned at that. Fain’s brother. The High King’s other brother. He didn’t look like Prince Fain although they had the same dark curly hair. While Fain had a strong jawbone and tanned, slightly weathered skin, this man had a pointier chin and paler skin, like he’d spent his time languishing in a spa.

“You don’t look like him.” I said.

“Who? Oh you mean Fain.” He laughed. “Of course I don’t. We have different parents.”

“But I thought you were both the High King’s brothers?” I said confused.

“We are. Fain is our half-brother. His mother was a whore.” He stated.

I blinked. Surely I’d misheard that?

“A kitchen wench no less.” He said smirking.

“Right.” I replied looking over his shoulder to see if there was any chance of getting away from him because everything about him was now making my skin itch.

“What was it about that you didn’t like? Me bad mouthing my brother or bad mouthing his mother?”

“I thought you said he was your half-brother?” I retorted now certain that I didn’t want to be near this man at all.

Rillon smiled. “You’re very astute aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what that means.” I replied.

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