Page 53 of The Iron Fae
"Relax," I tell them both. "I gained powers, I didn't somehow get new legs." Even if they do shake a little with each step.
"Just a precaution." Kai continues to hold his hands out.
Lincoln's steps stop, his boots firmly planting to the ground, and his arms fold across his chest. He watches me, all emotions wiped clean from his face.
There is a mirror just inside the bathroom. I don't bother to hide my very bare backside as I drag myself over to the other room. Bright white light turns on in a flash as I enter. My eyes take no time to adjust and I realize... I could see the room clearly before the light even turned on.
I grab the mirror and pull myself toward it. My hair falls over my shoulders, not even slightly tousled from the long sleep I'd just awoken from. The strands perfectly align with one another, the honey hues of the brown appearing much moregold.Even my lips looked stained with some sort of color and my skin is that much clearer.
Small points of blue clasp over my shoulder. I squint at them wondering if the lingerie is multicolored. Looking over my shoulder, I give the mirror my back. My lungs fill with the rush of air and I almost jump away from the mirror entirely. It’s not lingerie. It’s… it’s wings.
Stretched membranous blue wings glitter in the light. They’re tucked flat against my back and curve down over my hips I quickly realize. With the thought, they shudder, a foreign feeling that’s almost outside of my body all together. The edges peel up from my shoulders and off of my hips floating behind me. Almost as if I’m moving an arm or a leg but shaky. More like… I’m learning how to walk.
They flap in small strokes behind my back. The movement isn’t smooth, every sway of the wings looks more like a twitch or a jerk.
"You said that I look the same!" I shout. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ears and stare at the pointed edges, still baffled by my wings. "I look a thousand times different."
Maybe it's the outfit but... I totally look taller. I feel taller.
Kai pokes his head in, stepping aside to make room for Lincoln who follows. Lincoln's arms are still crossed over his chest as he slouches in the doorframe.
"Your ears have changed." Kai points a finger at me.
I huff and lunge forward grabbing the prince by the sleeve of his arm and drag him with me into the mirror. He watches me in the reflection, his attention safely staying on my face. I turn and find Lincoln's attention traveling farther down my body.
"I'm taller." I face him.
My nose pretty well aligns with his and he leans forward till we're touching. "Would you look at that?”
"So you got taller?" Lincoln interjects. Kai stiffens and leans away. "Everything else is seriously identical."
"So my hair was always this perfect? My skin without flaws?"
"Yes."
I narrow my gaze and turn to Kai. He clasps his hands in front of him.
"I think your human eyes may have been broken." Kai tucks his hair behind his ear and leans forward, whispering out the corner of his sly smirk. "You've always been this lovely, Briar."
“I have wings!” I scream with a bewildered laugh.
“You’re a true Shadow Fae. What did you expect?” Is the best Lincoln can offer.
My lips curl because I'm certain they are pulling my leg. I lean into the mirror, picking apart my appearance. My body, that I would typically consider not all that curvy unless I create some sort of optical illusion with clothing, is now more defined. I can't imagine that these men have both seen me like I am now.
"I don't believe either of you." My ears catch foreign footsteps, and I straighten as I narrow down where exactly the steps are coming from.
Someone is coming to fetch, Kai.Lincoln whispers only to me. His words in my head are quickly followed by a swift knock at the door.
"Duty calls." Kai bows low before me then escorts himself out of the room.
Lincoln places his hands on his lean hips and turns to the side to let him through, watching his brother as he walks away. There’s a hush that falls in Kai’s absence. The static between us is thick with unspoken words and thoughts we both ignore. The door clicks shut behind the prince and I can hear him and whoever came for him mumbling in the hallway.
I turn to Lincoln. His arms fill the sleeves of his button up shirt, making the curve of his biceps more apparent. It takes all of me not to reach for him.
"I'm glad you came."
Lincoln drops his arms, pinning me with a dark stare. I drop my chin. He sways as he walks, every movement predatory, every step full of staggering confidence. His gaze meets mine at my newfound height. My tongue darts out to moisten my bottom lip. Is it enough to convince him to kiss me? Or are we nothing now?
