Page 14 of The Dark Fae Princess
“Trey,” he says. “Catch you later, babe.”
He disappears from my sight, leaving me more confused than ever.
Although, I can’t deny the strong attraction I feel for him. It is bordering on pure lust. He looks just like Blayne so it’s not a surprise that I find him good looking, but that attitude is doing something to me. Yes, he’s a dick, that much is obvious, but it makes me want to know more.
With a small smile, I turn on my heel and head back towards the palace, only to be eyeballed by a very furious Ambrosia as I approach.
I sigh as I approach her. “What?” I snap at her. “What is it this time?” I just don’t have time for her drama right now. For a change, I seem to have some of my own that needs dealing with.
She grips me by my elbow and steers me back inside the palace, not saying a word until she shoves me inside a small waiting room situated next to the Great Hall. She slams the door and rounds on me with her hands on her purple silk-clad hips.
“Stay away from the new guy,” she spits at me. “I intend to make a play for him later and I don’t wantyouin the way of that.”
I raise an eyebrow at her. “Seriously?” I ask her in disbelief.
“Yes, seriously,” she snaps. “He is a Light Fae andIam the Dark Fae Princess. When I become Queen, I need to unite with a Light. I’ve decided it’s going to be him.” She flicks her hair over her shoulder and gives me a superior look.
This woman is so deluded it would be hilarious if she weren’t being deadly serious. “And he has no say in this?” I ask, trying to keep the laugh out of my voice.
“Of course not,” she scoffs at me. “He will be grateful for the chance.”
I roll my eyes at her. “I think you’ll find him a bit of a harder chase than you’re used to,” I inform her. “But have at it.” I push past her and leave the room, shaking my head. I doubt very much that Trey will fall at her feet in worship like she expects. I’m definitely going to be a thorn in her side where he is concerned though. I’m not backing down on learning more about him, just because she told me I have to. She can go straight to Hell if she expects that. If anything, it makes me want him even more.
I make my way back to my room and start planning what to wear for this party. Admittedly, my choices aren’t as colorful and sexy as Ambrosia’s, but understated seems to suit me better than decking myself out like a bird of paradise.
I eventually choose a slim fitting, black silk gown with a low back and pretty, delicate lace across the bodice and down the sleeves. I’m happy with it, so now I can go back to wondering about Jerrick and where he’s disappeared to. I look out of the windows to see if I can see him in the grounds, but all I see is that Ravens Keeper, Raize, playing with the birds.
I watch him for a moment, letting them perch on his arm before he flings them some carrion and they fly off to get it, before returning to him for more.
He is really graceful in his handling of them and his bright smile tells me that he is enjoying himself as much as the ravens are. I wish that I could go down there to join him, but I’m waylaid by my father knocking on the door, no doubt here to lecture me about appropriate party behavior and to steer clear of the booze as it makes you forget your true self.
He should know, he drinks enough to sink a ship most nights, drowning his sorrows, and if he thinks I don’t know about his affairs with the palace whores, he is sadly mistaken.
It makes me sad to see him so lost. But every time I try to bring it up with him, he shuts me down. I open the door to him and patiently listen to everything that he has to say with one ear open, while daydreaming about secret heated kisses with a man that I suddenly can’t stop thinking about.
* * *
As dusk is falling, I meet the rest of the Dark Fae that are going across to the Light Fae Palace for this party. There are hundreds already gathered and more joining by the second. It seems that everyone wants to see Trey and what kind of chaos his turning up has caused the Lights. They are a troubled bunch, to say the least. They are on their fourth King in twenty-five years and from what I hear, Anders is struggling to keep his grip on that throne.
I believe that Gramps killed his actual counterpart King, Aelfric, around this time and they haven’t been able to keep a King in place for very long since.
“Princess,” Jerrick says stiffly, appearing next to me. “I’m to escort you to the Light Palace.”
“Where have you been all day?” I ask him, as he takes my hand to Puffport me to the edge of the Dark Fae lands. We aren’t allowed to Puffport directly into the Light Fae lands, which is fair enough because they aren’t allowed to do it on our lands either.
We vanish in a puff of smoke and then we start walking, falling to the back of the crowd who are eager to get the party started.
“Staying out of your way. And the way of your father,” he grumbles, staring straight ahead.
I huff at him. “It’s not like he caught us kissing,” I hiss at him. “He didn’t even know you were in there with me.”
“Not the point,” he hisses back. “We came very close to being caught and that is unacceptable. We cannot continue with this.”
“I disagree. Strongly,” I inform him, folding my arms across my chest. “I want to continue kissing you. I enjoy it and it’s obvious that you do too.” I glare at his crotch to make my point.
He clears his throat and shuffles uncomfortably in his black combat pants and tight black shirt.
He looks so sexy; I can’t believe that I never even noticed it before. Talk about not seeing what’s right in front of you.
