Page 12 of Courting the Fae Captain
What. The. Fuck?
The room was bedecked in cerulean and emerald accents, with gold trimming, over a tasteful ocean mural on the walls. Silk comforts adorned every corner. Ornate brushes for hair and makeup lined a gorgeous pearl vanity, with jewels, accessories,and everything a noble lady could dream of thoughtfully laid out, as if in supplication.
I gasped as I took in the view from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the ocean on one side, unable to hide my awe. The view was mesmerising, if a little frightening. The castle had been moulded into the cliff face, carved from the very rock it nestled upon. Likely, the foundations were more solid than they looked, but it was still alarming to see such a drop before me. Above, the starry night swirled with mist from the ocean spray far below, circling jagged rocks that poked up like toothpicks from the water’s depths. I loved the ocean and had spent much of my youth by the beach, but I never tired of its beauty. There was something so powerful about the ocean. It ebbed and flowed. It crashed before it calmed. It gave permission to let go of every awful thought or memory, washing them away forever. I loved the ocean … and I hated it.
For all its beauty and might, it always reminded me that I was not in control and never had been. My father had seen to that long ago. For a while, I accepted that as the way things were … until he took Avadir from me. And now more than ever, I wondered if he’d taken my mother, too. More mysteries. More heartbreak to unpack.
I threw one last glance at the jagged rocks and paused. I hadn’t noticed it at first, but tucked behind an outcropping, just barely peeking out, was a dock. It was a tiny thing, suitable for nothing bigger than some rowboats. Anyone coming and going would need to navigate treacherous rocks, and those waves were coming inhard. Still, it was the perfect little spot to ferry someone—maybe a few someones—out under the cover of darkness.Interesting.
I turned, tucking that information away as I scanned the rest of the room. Everything was unnaturally perfect, and I wondered as I strode through the chamber if all of the roomslooked like this. I jumped on the bed, notably free from any chains, and groaned as my head pounded in answer.Assholes couldn’t let us have one night to rest before dumping us straight into the competition? Captain what’s-his-face was off to a great start.
The bed, on the other hand, was the epitome of comfort. I groaned again, only this time out of longing, tempted to bury my face within the covers and fall immediately to sleep, before thinking better of it. I was covered in grime. The bed didn’t need to wear it as well. With a huff, I sculled the glass of water left on the bedside and hauled my ass up. I was almost afraid to check the giant wardrobe across the room, but … curiosity got the better of me.
It was true that I enjoyed experimenting with deadly potions and a spot of blade play or rock climbing in my spare time, but a girl could just as equally enjoy the finer things in life, too. And oh, did the wardrobe deliver.
“By the gods.”
The most beautiful dresses stared back at me as I gazed inside. I squealed a little, gathering them in my arms. Each one was a masterpiece, thoughtfully detailed and carefully lined with beading, embroidery, lace and—oh?Some had armour, while others were lined with scales, feathers and the like.
I checked the drawers, curious to see what treasures awaited inside. To my disappointment, there was little in the way of practicality. A combat suit and some boots for physical training, but beyond that, there were no weapons within the vicinity that I could see. I would search every nook and cranny for something sharp, just in case.
A knock sounded suddenly at the door, followed by a flash of paper slipping inside. The people here were big on invisibility, it seemed, and less interested in chitchat or exchangingpleasantries. Fine by me. I trudged to the envelope and ripped it open without ceremony. The letter read:
Your presence is requested for a Midnight Masquerade. You will find evening wear in the wardrobe, along with a mask in the bottom drawer. A servant will collect you before midnight.
Remember, this is a game only one can win. Ride the swelling tides or sink beneath dark depths. Merciless is our ocean. Murderous are her makers.
I rolled my eyes. Pretty prose, but it was just another threat to keep us uncomfortable.
A masquerade ball was the last thing I felt like after today’s events, but it was highly probable that the captain would be there. Hells, it was worth attending just to get a glimpse of the male we would be dying for. Besides, I imagined the ‘request’ so kindly mentioned in the letter was anything but. I had no choice in the matter.
Fine. They’d seen us with blood on our hands and grime in our hair. Now they wanted beauty and pageantry. I smiled slowly as I ran my fingers down a silk dress, an idea coming to me.They want a show? I’ll damn well give it to them.
CHAPTER EIGHT
‘Males are like predators. Dangle some prey in front of them and they’ll pounce at the first opportunity.’
Fake It Till You Make It: Romance Edition
Ihated to admit it, but the ball was spectacular. No extravagance had been spared, and I couldn’t help but stare in awe at the vast hall filled with countless wonders. Chandeliers lined the ceiling, which was supported by marble columns running the length of the room. From those, pine furs mixed with lilac and baby-blue florals hung in garlands or twined around the walls like the ivy. A fire crackled in a huge grate on one side of the room, warding off the chill of the crisp evening air.
The scent of roasted meats and gravies climbed my nose as I stood gazing at the scene, and my stomach grumbled in earnest, reminding me I hadn’t eaten for a day. The exotic spices, notably from the western lands across the sea, only made itworse, causing my mouth to water. That’s when my gaze fell on the jellies, candied fruits, and other desserts calling my name from the dining table. It spanned the length of the damn room and was topped with enough food to feed a town. Most of the food would likely go to waste, and I doubted our hosts would be so kind as to offer it to the city folk who would appreciate it more. This kind of excess could save lives, but then, a bunch of murderous males didn’t seem like the philanthropic types. This ball had been carefully crafted like a winter wonderland. It was almost easy to forget that predators stalked the room at every turn, waiting to sink their teeth into fresh meat.
I smoothed out my dress, a multi-faceted green gown that changed shade depending on the light and angle from which one regarded it. The silk was heavenly against my fingers, and the cut was exquisite, with a sweetheart neckline and a tight bodice that flowed out from the waist. The real treasure, however, was the intricate details—and the fierce ones. The bodice was covered in small golden scales, hard like armour and shining like a beacon. Gilded pauldrons shaped like small wings lined my shoulders, tied to the bodice with tiny gold chains that looped over the bare skin of my arms. My shoulder injury, which had been tended to but not healed entirely, stuck out as an angry mark on an otherwise perfect vision of femininity.
I wore a fox mask that covered half my face and tied back my golden hair that I’d styled in soft curls cascading down my back. My lips, I’d lined in red to catch the eye. The mouth was a female’s most well-regarded—and often dismissed—weapon, depending on how it was used. Compliment a male, shower him with praise, offer pleasure with lips and tongue. But a female’s mouth can just as easily be a male’s downfall.
“Aeris?”
My gown swept across the polished floor as I turned to find Sherai peeking out from her swan mask. She was stunning.Her gown was dove-white with the barest blush hue tipping the feathers that lined it. Dainty little cords of silver swooped down the bust, matching the pearl beads that tinkled together throughout her coils. Her makeup was natural and soft, accented by her rosy lips and cheeks.
“You are…” She sucked in a breath and whistled. “It’s just unfair, really.”
I laughed as she handed me a goblet of wine. “You’ll make me blush. Careful, Sherai, or I might start to think you’re buttering me up for something.”
Her cheeks turned a brighter shade of pink. “No, I?—”
“Oh, alright, you’ve convinced me. I’ll dance with you.”
