Page 33 of Fated Unkindness
I hold the updo in place with a delicate, yet intricate, copper hairpin. A large milky iridescent moonstone sits at the center and reminds me much of the dagger used for making the elixir to save Dax. As I secure it, my power hums, and a heavy feeling sits in my chest as I step back from the large mirror; I don’t even recognize myself. My light silvery blonde hair and sun-kissed skin are nothing like the alabaster tone of my mother with her deep chocolate hair and ice blue eyes or the more pink-hued skin of my father, his hair a deep crimson, and only our eyes a similar shade of green. A sadness washes over me, thinking about my parents. I wish they could see me in this gown and meet my mate chosen by the gods.
Leaning forward, I take a deep breath, and my brow furrows as I take in my reflection. I pull some baby hairs free from around my face and at the nape of my neck, twisting them around my finger to help the waves form. Through the sadness that weighs heavily on me, a smile tugs up at the corner of my mouth thinking of Dax. His words replay in my mind, “In a roundabout way this is like our first date.” The butterflies, which seem to have moved in and taken up residence, flutter about in my stomach as I take a deep breath and move to open the double doors leading to the antechamber. To Dax.
The door creaks, alerting Dax of my arrival. I see his head tilt as he stands with his back to me. His gaze drawn out the window at the back wall, but as I enter the room, his head slowly turns, his body turning too. He licks his lips as his eyes track up my body. When his gaze reaches mine, his eyes light up from behind. The quick change to molten copper is usually quick, but this time they stay that way just a little longer before he blinks, and what is left is just as hot. A smoldering hazel green, his eyes lock to mine. What I’ve recognized as my power—the magic coursing through my blood—sizzles at the sight of him standing before me, sending tingles through my limbs. It settles in my core. He watches through hooded eyes as I slowly approach the center of the room. His eyes track lazily up and down my body.
He wets his lips before he begins to close the distance between us. Dax is dressed in fine black pants and a tunic in the same shade of green as my dress. He’s kept his short swords belted to each side of his hips, and I see a knife strapped to his boot. Knowing that I have the dagger used for his cure strapped to my thigh as well, I smile, knowing we are both prepared for a fight if needed. The waythings have gone for us recently, I’d rather we be ready. However, these heels could cause some issues. A blush rises in my cheeks as his lips curl into a lopsided smile, his dimple appearing with a flash of white teeth.
When he reaches for my chin, I raise it on instinct, looking up and meeting his eyes. He traps my bottom lip under his thumb.
“I see you’re still biting this lip of yours.” I hadn't realized I was. A deep chuckle rolls through him as he presses our bodies together and tilts his chin, releasing my lip from his thumb and sucking it into his mouth. He bites down teasingly as a smile spreads across his face, my lip still trapped in his teeth. My breath hitches, and as my own lips curl, the motion forces my lip to be released from his teeth. Stepping back, he offers his arm to me, a grin still fixed in place as my cheeks flame from the moment we just shared.
“Shall we?”
I let Dax lead me from the antechamber back into the opulent corridor, where as far as the eye can see, many arching walkways stem from it. Naza waits for us under one of the arches, bowing halfway as we approach.
“You both clean up well.” Her lips press into a smile. “Ms. Raelle, you look stunning. Please allow me to show you both to the dining hall.” The flush deepens as I think of my lip trapped in Dax’s teeth moments ago. I clear my throat.
“Thank you, Naza.” I nod respectfully. She guides us further into the massive castle, the skirt of my dress billowing softly behind me as we walk, exposing my legs almost entirely.
Dax’s tongue swipes slowly across his bottom lip, drawing my attention there. When he also winks, I roll my eyes at him, and his smile broadens, causing me to stifle a laugh. He is insufferable. Aswe enter the dining hall, my eyes go wide from the mere size of the space, but as I continue to take in all there is to see, I know my mouth is hanging wide open. The whole room is lined with tables of Fae, all dressed so exquisitely. The tables are dripping in black, white, and gold fabric, with stunning centerpieces adorned with candles and amazing exotic filigree. Each one is loaded with fresh fruits, roasted vegetables, and meats. The scents floating through the room make my mouth water. I make a note to pay attention to my power as there are a lot of Fae in this room, and if it surges, I need to be able to decipher why.
At the far end of the room is a table fit for a king, and Maki sits at the center. When he sees us enter, he stands, and the many dinner guests follow suit. I look at Dax, confused, as he chuckles.
“He has a taste for dramatics. He is a lord, not royalty.” He says, under his breath, just loud enough for me to hear.
“Cousin!” Maki exclaims. “Please welcome Lord Fornax-Ravendene and the lovely Raelle to join us for supper tonight!” A light applause breaks out briefly but stops as Maki speaks out again. “Please! Cousin, come enjoy food and drink. Your return requires a celebration!”
I look up to see Dax’s full grin on display; the hum in my chest pulses as he turns his gaze to me and his smile reaches his eyes. He’s happy to be here. I feel pride radiating from him as he walks at my side, chest high. He bends slightly toward me as we approach the table to be seated in front of Maki.
“Your eyes are the most vivid green I have ever seen. This…” He looks me up and down, then gestures to the room with his head. “It suits you. Almost as much as seeing weapons strapped to yourbody and you fighting like a wildcat.” He grins as he pulls a chair out for me.
“Perhaps I do have weapons strapped to me and would be ready for a fight if the need arises, regardless of my fancy new dress…” I whisper for only him to hear as a smirk plays at my lips. I take a seat in the chair he’s offered, and as he pushes it in, he bends, brushing a soft kiss on my cheek. “I can't wait to find said weapons…” he says so quietly, I barely hear each word, and my pulse skitters. He stands, greeting his cousin and taking the seat to my right. He dishes my plate for me with all the food I love, and I make a mental note that he is attentive to details. It tells me, regardless of my relationship with Cano while in Ravendene and our minimal interactions, that he has still paid attention to such little things.
“Thank you, Maki, for treating us with such warm hospitality,” I say. Maki smiles broadly with all his teeth on show, his eyes darting to Dax, who reaches over and lays his hand on my thigh just above where I have the dagger strapped. His eyes sparkle as his fingers brush the edges of the hilt. My magic thrums and a sense of warmth washes over me as proudness pulses from him.
“Yes, cousin. Thank you. However, there is more to our visit than just catching up and celebrating that we would like to discuss. Perhaps somewhere more private.” Dax looks at the large room full of Fae, who can't take their eyes off us. The clatter of dishes and murmuring voices carry from all sides.
“Of course, Dax. Let us eat, then we will retire to my library for a nightcap. We can discuss whatever you would like in private.” Dax nods his agreement. Maki switches his focus back to me once more. “Please, Raelle, tell me how you came to be entwinedwith this poor soul?” He gestures to Dax teasingly. “No offense, cousin.”
“No offense taken.” Dax squeezes my thigh playfully, and my pulse quickens as I side-eye him.
“Well, let’s just say I wandered into his life and then saved it. Basically, I’m his knight in shining armor.” I tease. Dax narrows his eyes on me, his lips curling into a menacing grin. It sends desire coursing through me, and my core heats so inappropriately in the given situation.
“So, you two are an item? The famous Dax Fornax-Ravendene actually settled down?” A sultry female voice breaks through the clatter of dishes and hushed murmurs. The click of high heels is replaced by the scrape of a chair being pulled out. The woman who sits down on Dax’s other side is beautiful. Her tight red dress hugs her curvy figure and causes her breasts to almost spill over the fabric at the chest. Her long hair, the color of fine red wine, brushes against her low back in tight-ringed curls. As she sweeps her hair over one shoulder, a seductive grin spreads across her painted red lips, and the overwhelming scent of lilacs wafts to me, clogging my nose.
I narrow my eyes on the hand she lays on Dax's forearm. She leans in close to him, whispering something I cannot hear. My heart ramps up to a furious pace, but that’s not all. A tingle starts in my fingers that are sitting in my lap as I turn my head, making eye contact with Dax. His eyes flick down to my hands, and his brow furrows. There are sparks of white, like tiny lightning bolts, fizzing at my fingertips. He sees the panic rising in my face and reaches over, grabbing my hands and holding them in his large palm. Thesparks stop, and I take a deep breath, relaxing just a fraction. The hum in my chest sends me feelings of caution. This woman…
“Vi, this is Raelle. My mate.” My head snaps to Dax. We haven't discussed when or if we are going to tell anyone yet about the bond. Dax’s voice is filled with authority, and the entire room falls quiet after a series of quick, surprised gasps coming from various people throughout. After the shock of his not-so-subtle announcement, my gaze fixes on her, studying her expression. The woman in red, her eyes flash with a dangerous glint. The look she pins me with sends a warning to course through me, and the danger in her eyes intensifies as that label is attached. Her nostrils flare as seething hostility radiates off of her. This woman looks like she is about to carve my heart out with her teeth and eat it for dinner. I lift my chin, letting her see she doesn't intimidate me. If anything, she is pissing me off, and I am about to say something about her resting bitch face and her damn hand that is still on my mate's arm. Dax picks up on my emotions and quickly introduces the woman to me as well.
“Raelle, this is Violet Vulpecula…an old friend.” I didn’t miss the sparkle in her eye as he said her name, and it made my lip curl back in distaste, but I would not let her see my unease.
I could sense that Dax and this woman had a past. Jealousy is written on her face clearly enough. I clear my throat, speaking loud enough for the room to hear what I have to say. “I don’t like to think that Dax has settled down, but perhaps leveled up? The gods themselves have matched us so irrevocably that our bond can be untainted even by a poison disguised in the form of a mere apple.” My smile is coy, but I know she reads my comment for what it is. A warning to back the fuck off. Dax coughs, stifling a laugh, hearingthe threat in my words and my tone, and offers me more wine with a hiked brow.
I would tell him that more wine is inadvisable, especially in the current state of my emotions. Given this harlot who has tried to come in and make moves on my mate. I decide against that, and knock the wine back like a shot of whiskey. Dax’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline, and he reaches up and brushes his hand across his mouth, trying to wipe away a grin. I’m glad this is entertaining to him. I narrow my eyes on him as well.
I notice the hum in my chest and the tingle in my limbs, and I look around the room full of people. Worry builds in my heart. My intuition tells me that there is someone here who is causing my power to swell defensively, and it's not just the wench to Dax’s right. Someone here wishes me or Dax harm. Dax looks at me with his brow down in concern, but I shake my head and try to brush off the feeling as we eat.
The meal Maki had served for dinner is decadent. The fine cuts of meat and fresh fruits and vegetables pair perfectly with the wine. If only the stench of a surly redhead wasn’t tainting the otherwise perfect meal. At least after the initial outbursts, dinner has been fairly quiet. Only small talk and the occasional sly comment from the red fox on the other side of Dax. I hope that once dinner is over and we retire to the library, I don’t have to be in her company any longer. Having spent the rest of dinner quiet, except in my mind, where I have come up with the nickname Violet the Scarlet Harlot, for the whore who insists on touching him with each memory that she brings up of his time here at Loema in the past.
