Page 18 of Tasteful Anarchy and Tangled Auras
Chapter 7
Bryn
I’m dressed in a linen shirt with laces, leather bracers on my forearms, and the softest leather pants. I’ve added my usual belt, as it carries enchantments I’d rather not part from, and my actual sword. Bronwen has fussed over my hair, wishing she could braid or tie it back, but it’s too short for that, and too long to lay neatly. I wait, standing next to Bronwen in her cozy shop.
Adi emerges from behind a dressing screen and my breath catches. She’s wearing a linen underdress that exposes her shoulders but billows down her arms. My eyes land on her markings and rove over her shoulders and neck. Over the linen dress, in a rich green fabric, is a corseted, sleeveless dress, laced tight under her ample breasts but still cut in a way to show off her wonderful hips. There’s a flash of a rich orange layer in there somewhere. Her curls are loose except for small lengths from either side of her face which are pinned back with a moon-shaped clip at the back of her head. She’s absolutely ravishing, and I feel my body respond. She looks at me and I grin. She reacts with a big grin of her own.
“You look tasty in cosplay,” she says in a teasing voice. I have no idea what cosplay is.
I offer my arm. “We better get moving. We’re expected.” I thank Bronwen again and then we head outside into the brisk evening air.
I lead us back to the castle’s main entrance. We pass through several layers of hallways and come across excited nymphs dressed similarly heading the same direction. Eventually we emerge in the inner courtyard. It’s magically larger than its actual footprint, open to the sky, with intricate landscaping and trees spell-grown to appear large and old. It’s a rather “spendy” magic, but nothing is too good for the Court. There is a large open area for dancing and heavy wooden tables laden with food and drink, but also places in which to get lost for a bit of spying and places to sneak away to for a quick tryst.
“Are you okay alone if I make a quick round?” I ask Adi, though I don’t want to leave her side.
She raises an eyebrow. “I’ve survived almost eight decades without you. I think I’ll be alright.”
I duck away to hide my grin and stride towards a wooded path.
Adelaide
I’VE GOTTEN MYSELFa tankard of beer and managed to avoid a few of the Court males. I’m searching for Rory or someone else who doesn’t suck when Liam ab Quinn steps in front of me. Tall, trim, haughty. Dressed in some Robin Hood-looking outfit, complete with rakish hair in his face. I stifle a laugh.
“Princess. I’ve been looking for you. You are an elusive creature.” He smirks in what he surely thinks is an attractive way.
I’m still not getting used to being called “Princess.” While I technically have been one my whole life, I’ve never been called it, not being in line to the throne and all.
“Quite elusive. Yeah, that’s me.” I take a deep drink. Goddess help me.
“I hope Avilion and Olwyn are enjoying their tour. I bet Alaska is nice. Cold, I imagine.” His eyes are undressing me as he speaks.
“Hmm? Tour?” I’m distracted.
“Well, yes. We all assumed you had something to do with it. They left a few days ago for FEC5.” He steps closer.
My heart pounds and I turn slightly. I see Bryn, then, speaking to a lady of the Court. She has rich brown hair and is only a couple inches shorter than him. One of his sisters, I wonder. I still haven’t met them. The woman’s hand reaches out and snags his leather belt, pulling his hips to her. He quickly raises his hands, clearly trying to get away as she lifts her face to kiss him.
Hatred explodes inside me. I feel like there is literal fire in my chest. The word “mine” pounds in my head. Standing next to me, forgotten, Liam ab Quinn makes a sound low in this throat. I’d bet my coffee shop he just came in his pants. I stride across the grass towards this female and my consort. I don’t give a flying fuck who she is. I’d roast my own aunt for this. I hear her moan huskily. My anger? Bryn’s anger? Doesn’t matter.
She turns and, seeing me, smiles languidly. “Ah, Adelaide. I’ve just been enjoying your consort. I can see why—”
In a heartbeat, I’ve unsheathed my blade from my forearm. Floaty sleeves are wonderful for hiding weapons. Before I can contemplate the intelligence of my actions, I have my blade to her neck, my other hand twisted in her hair, pulling her down, since she’s a fair bit taller. I hear a few nearby nymphs gasp. A thick dribble of blood rolls down her throat. Bryn has frozen, his eyes on me.
My voice is low. “He. Is. Mine.” I shake my hand that’s wrapped in her hair for emphasis. “And we must not touch other people’s things, hmm?”
She hisses assent and I take some deep breaths. I shouldnotkill her here in the middle of Grandmother’s event. Maybe later, but not here. “I want you gone from Court,” I say. “If I see your face again, I will kill you. Then I will eliminate your house. Every single one. Is that clear?” She tries to nod, and I release her so abruptly she falls. I spin, sheathing my knife, and Bryn takes my arm and leads me to a pathway into the gardens.
“Nicely done, Priestess,” he says tightly.
I look up at him. He’s frowning. He practically pulls me further into the woods. His hand on me tightens and he spins me, my back hitting a large tree. “Do you have any other weapons on you?”
