Page 10 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

I couldn’t blame those with more power for doing what little they could to protect their loved ones. That didn’t stop me from understanding the contempt everyone else felt for not being as privileged.

It was a shitty situation, no two ways about it.

The guards at the gates at least acknowledged everyone that entered somewhat equally. They were dressed in royal blue tunics and pants, weapons holsters fitted over their clothes. Nothing lavish, which I assumed the king had intended. I smiled demurely as the one on my left appraised me. Half a second later his gaze moved on to the next guest.

So far, so good.

A thin gold line no one else could see led me toward my mark. I couldn’t see him, but I sensed his closeness. It wasn’t an exact science, my tracking magic. The closer I got to my target, the more restless I felt. It was an itch I couldn’t scratch. A trail of goosebumps rose along my skin. Mymagic drove me onward as if stuck in a compulsion I couldn’t fight.

The feeling was familiar, but always unsettling. I was rarely around this many people when on a job.Better than a sewer,I reminded myself. In an attempt to blend in, I paused next to one of the glass lilies in the garden leading to the castle. The translucent petals were so fragile. Ice clung to them, turning the glass slightly opaque around the edges. I’d always been enamored by this particular flower. So much so that my mom always got them for my birthday, one for each year that passed.

But like all beautiful things, they weren’t meant to last.

Glass lilies were bound to the magic of Faerie. Plucking them from the ground started the countdown and taking them to earth only hastened it. Still, I looked forward to those couple of days a year where they sat on my bedside table.

Someone bumped into me, pulling my attention back to my mission. They muttered an apology in my direction that didn’t sound all that sincere. Sadie would have tripped them and smiled. I had to grin and bear it.

Pricks.

Following the rest of the crowd, I headed toward the entrance. I wasn’t sure what the castle was made of, but it resembled white marble with streaks of dark blue and flecks of gold that shimmered and pulsed. I’d never seen anything like it on earth.

I was only a few steps past the door when a servant requested my cloak. I twisted my lips trying to hide my annoyance but handed it over regardless. It would be out of place for me to wear one inside, which would draw attention. That was the last thing I needed. Still, it was a pity. My fur-lined cloak was pretty, but once I had the prince, Ineeded to get the hell out of here. There would be no checking out with the guards or servants while dragging him behind me.

Hundreds of fae gathered in cliques inside the great hall, talking and drinking. Cold, stone walls rose to ceilings that must have been forty feet or more in height. Crystal chandeliers hung above me, glittering as though they were made of ice. Maybe they were. Anything was possible with magic.

People gravitated toward large double doors at the end of the hall. Music filtered out, indicating that it was the ballroom. Unease tightened my chest. I focused on the sensation, forcing my muscles to relax. I had this. Sure, it wasn’t an object I was taking. Yes, I had some moral qualms about kidnapping a person. I didn’t have much choice in the end. I either completed my job or I was enslaved to Lou. Permanently.

Considering fae were long-lived, death would be kinder.

Besides, I had a plan to make everything right again. I just needed to carry out the contract and then I’d be free of the consequences.

My hands smoothed over the silky onyx and ruby ombre dress, tightly fitted to my form. A black band hugged my waist, emphasizing my curves the flare of my hips.

I reached into my clutch for the last piece of my outfit. Pushing the magical handcuffs aside, I pulled out my mask. Red velvet with faux rubies, and black feathers protruding from the corner. It tied in the back with a satin ribbon, just above the chignon I’d styled low on my neck. With the price of everything else I was wearing, the mask wasn’t nearly as exquisite, but I was relying on the cut of my dress to keep the fuckboy prince’s attention.

With that in place, I stepped into the main ballroom.

Step one: enter the palace. Check.

Onto step two.

Find the prince.

Grabbing a flute of wine from a passing waiter’s tray, I took a small sip. Drinking on the job wasn’t usually advised, but in this case, liquid courage was needed.

I followed the gold string toward the food spread. It was modest, compared to the things I’d seen on earth, but an abundance for Faerie. I wondered if that was intentional, to feed the commoners that weren’t used to being full.

My heart hurt for them as I took in the thin forms of the surrounding guests. Fae were naturally slender due to a higher metabolism. What that meant in reality is that we not only starved but we also didn’t die quickly, prolonging the torture.

I had a good metabolism, but slender I was not. I didn’t care. I’d learned to love my curves long ago, and I leaned into the shape of my body. It suited me. As fighters in a realm where we didn’t starve, my recap family were built stockier and meatier. I didn’t know what I was, and maybe that played a part in my shape. We did well enough in the human realm, and many fae weren’t so lucky.

To simultaneously feel saddened yet thankful my parents had moved us away from this place was an experience that would overwhelm me if I let it, but I had to focus on the job at hand.

I couldn’t help them. I could barely help myself.

Thus the reason I was here to begin with.

The thread moved, veering off to the side of the ballroom.

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