Page 12 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

The sound of my boots echoed softly in the empty hall. I needed to get away. Abort the mission. I didn’t know what had just happened, but I wanted to get the hell out of Faerie.

This wasn’t paranoia anymore. The anxiety coursing through me wasn’t unwarranted.

I’d drawn the attention of a predator. A king.

Like any good prey, I should run.

Except I was bound by a magical contract. I owed Lou—or whoever he collaborated with—a prince. Specifically, the crown prince.

I had a bounty to collect, but it was about more than just the money. My very freedom was at stake, and this might be the only chance I had to just waltz into the castle without anyone batting an eye. With my power, I could certainly find Prince Damon anywhere, but getting to him was another thing entirely. While this wasn’t my only chance, it was the easiest one by far.

I let out a quiet, but frustrated groan.

Tucking myself into an alcove next to a statue of a fae with large wings, I focused in on my power. It was easy for me to use enough to conjure the thread between us. To go deeper, I had to concentrate. My eyes narrowed, their hazel color shifting and glowing a bright, vibrant green. Myvision faded to black around the edges, painting the world in shadows.

Images flashed in my mind as I focused solely on finding him.

Damon’s voice was a low, deep rumble as he whispered to a woman about meeting him in another room. His smile was charming, quirked to the side. His hair was as dark as a forest at midnight, eyes almost as brilliantly blue as the king’s—I flinched at that detail, almost losing the trail.

Blowing out a shaky breath, I started to walk.

Moving carefully through one of the many doors and hallways, I treaded softly, almost unable to see the lights that danced and flickered from the chandeliers above. Everything was blurred and dark except for my direct path. Sounds were there but muffled.

All of my senses were dulled when I used this power, especially to this extent, but it was what made me so good at retrieving. While the thread was easy enough to follow for an extended length of time, the sight was harder. I saw the path like a map, knowing exactly where I would end up.

If he moved, the sight would follow.

Except it drained my senses.

All magic had limits and mine was no exception.

The more I used it, the longer I would be numb to the world after—which is why I rarely engaged it to begin with. The king’s gaze had forced my hand. Something deep within me said I was running out of time.

After a hazardous set of stairs, avoiding three groups of guards, and almost knocking into a statue, I spotted the prince. Letting go of the magic, my eyesight slowly returned to its normal state. Sounds were still warped. My sense of smell was shot. I couldn’t feel the chill of the realm,nor the heat of the blood pumping through my veins, but I was aware enough to remain upright.

I smoothed out my dress and adjusted my boobs, pushing them up for effect. My efforts were wasted when I stumbled over an uneven ridge on the floor. Or air. Honestly, I couldn’t feel it so either option was equally possible.

I twisted mid-air, my body falling in a way that I wouldn’t break anything. I hoped.

Upside? I landed right in front of the prince.

Point to me for getting his attention.

Downside? The undignified sound that came out of me was also unplanned and somewhat embarrassing. The very distinct rip of my dress as it tore from the floor to the top of my thigh didn’t help.

“Oh my,” a feminine voice tinkled with false sympathy. She looked down at me, blonde curls framing her face. A pale green and yellow dress swished next to my head.

The prince ignored her, squatting at my side to put us almost at eye level.Wow. The looks in this family were something else. He didn’t take my breath away like the king had, but he was gorgeous, and it was easy to see how a woman could get caught up in his charms.

I cleared my throat. “Apologies, My Prince. I wasn’t paying attention.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie, and Damon gave me a charming smile and offered to help me. “No apologies needed. Are you okay?”

Nausea churned in my gut once more as I took his hand.

I nodded and Damon pulled me up with ease. I placed a hand over my racing heartbeat, drawing attention to the keyhole of my dress where my cleavage was exposed. It worked. His hungry eyes flickereddown and back up to mine as I shifted closer, shortening the distance between us.

“Well, if she’s fine,” the woman said, attempting to wrap her arm through the princes as she tugged him in the opposite direction. “We’ll be on our way.”

---