Burnt Magic, page 19
I scanned the crowd for any sign of Asper but couldn’t spot him anywhere. So I began wandering—and before long, hours had passed, all of them spent floating around the ballroom, being pulled into conversations with strangers who wanted to ask me things about the human lands, and eventually tracking down a banquet table where I grazed on an extravagant spread of cheeses, meats, and fruits.
I continued to sip the faerie wine as I made my rounds, noticing a floaty feeling that crept up on me faster than I was used to with regular wine. It left me lightheaded and giggling in almost every interaction I had.
Eventually, a fae stepped into my field of vision, and a wide smile formed on my face as I recognized him. Finally.
Asper was dressed impeccably in a glimmering silver suit that matched his hair—and strangely enough, complemented my indigo dress too. We were the midnight sky and the stars and the moon combined in our attire.
“I’ve come for that dance,” he purred, his eyes twinkling, and I wondered where he’d been this whole time. I let out a light laugh in response, matching his energy.
Fun, I reminded myself. You can do this. Just keep it fun.
“I’m afraid I’m a terrible dancer,” I responded with a wry smile. “I must warn you in advance, I’ll embarrass us both.”
“Nonsense,” he replied smoothly, extending his hand to me. “Nobody will notice your dancing since everybody here is more mesmerized by your beauty, I’m sure.”
I glanced around, feeling my cheeks heat, but that buzzing feeling in my head had me thoroughly distracted. Biting my lip, I accepted his outstretched hand and put down my drink on a nearby stone bench. Then he led us out to the dance floor, a strange tingling sensation coating my hand at his touch—and Leira’s warning about fae dances long forgotten.
As the fourth hour rolled by, my server found me and handed me another glass of blood. This had been the most I’d drunk in one night since turning... and it wasn’t lost on me how addictive it was.
Not just because it was blood. But because this blood made me feel different. Lighter, almost. And the overwhelming noise level had gradually become more muffled the more I drank of it. It was a strangely welcome relief not to pick up on every single sound at all times—from glasses clicking, to shoes tapping on the floor, to each and every individual conversation.
In fact, now that I thought about it, it was quite similar to how alcohol used to feel, before I turned...
Holy shit, am I drunk?
I didn’t even think this was possible anymore. I let out a low laugh as I made my way through the crowd, marveling at how muddled my senses felt. Of all the joys vampirism had stolen from me—my enjoyment of fine dining, the ability to get drunk, hell, even the ability to get high—to get even one of those things back had vastly improved my night.
I never thought I’d feel human again, feel this good again... well, with exception of how Fleur made me feel.
She made me feel...
I couldn’t finish the thought, my mouth turning sour at the thought of what she was probably doing right now. Ever since arriving here in Faerie, I’d struggled to get a read on her. She kept telling me she didn’t want anything to do with me, but her actions said otherwise.
It was confusing, and I hated it.
It was also why I’d tried to stay out of her way this evening. I didn’t think I could stomach the sight of her with Asper if I saw them together. And I couldn’t afford to fuck this up for us. We needed that dragonfire.
Simmering quietly, I downed the entire glass of blood and left the glass on a nearby stone bench, continuing my way through the crowd in search of another distraction. I caught sight of a woman who I’d spotted a few times now throughout the night. She wore an extravagant teal gown and had bouncy red curls that were held up by a glittering clip. Every time we’d caught gazes throughout the night, she’d given me a suggestive look, which I’d ignored.
It wasn’t that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind. Knowing what Fleur was doing tonight... perhaps it would have been easier to distract myself in a similar way. And there were plenty of women here who I was sure I’d have no problem taking to bed—including the one who kept giving me those looks.
But I just couldn’t bring myself to go through with such a thought. In fact, now that I’d let my mind go there, I couldn’t get the thought of Asper and Fleur out of my mind.
Would they go to bed together later? Would she bring him back to our room?
My claw-like nails dug into my palms, fists clenched. Feeling that jealousy snake through me again, I made myself think of Caleb and Oliver; the only reason I was tolerating this stupid plan at all.
They were my friends, who had been by my side for years. I couldn’t leave them to suffer at the hands of Margot, trapped in that world she had created...
So, that makes it okay?
My jaw locked at the intrusive thoughts.
It’s okay to tolerate this for your friends... even if Fleur has to suffer through it as a result?
I slowed in my tracks. I didn’t even know what Fleur wanted anymore.
The urge to find that server and get another glass of blood came over me, stronger than ever before. It was only a tiny voice of reason that pushed through the haze that managed to catch me in my tracks.
Addictive, Leira had warned me.
Because it was getting me drunk.
I needed to stop.
The one downside of getting drunk as a vampire is that I couldn’t have food—and that was one thing that tended to soak up the effects of booze. Though, when it came to fae blood, I wasn’t sure what it would be soaking up or what the best equivalent of food might be.
Maybe I simply needed to call it a night and let Fleur do what needed to be done.
Turning on my heel, I made my way through the crowd, music and chatter still blaring in my ears, and through the entrance doors toward the palace foyer. I waited until I’d climbed at least three flights of stairs before I began to move faster, just to be sure no large crowds of fae might spot me.
I made it back to our suite. A single lamp in the corner was lit, but otherwise the bedroom was shrouded in darkness. I stripped off my jacket and had only just started unbuttoning the rest of my shirt when a knock at the door sounded. I hadn’t even heard the footsteps approach, thanks to the effects of the fae blood, which immediately made me uneasy.
Turning, I made my way to the door and opened it, my stomach dropping at the sight that greeted me. That woman with the red curls and the teal gown had followed me here. But she seemed more familiar than I’d first realized, and it took a moment before it clicked that she was one of the fae Leira had hired to supply me with blood.
“Retiring so early?” she asked, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. I grimaced.
“I’m tired,” I replied simply. I didn’t want to deal with this right now. I went to close the door on her, but her hand flew out to stop me, holding it with surprising strength.
“One last drink before you sleep?” she offered, tilting her neck toward me.
“I’ve had enough,” I said, more firmly this time. The hair on the back of my neck stood up.
“You look like you could use a distraction,” she purred, taking a step toward me. Her hand came up to my chest, tracing down the exposed skin beneath my shirt buttons. “I can think of many things we could do to take your mind off the celebration below.”
I scowled at her now.
“Did Leira put you up to this?” I asked, taking a step back from her. I didn’t want to hurt her... but I did want her to leave me the fuck alone.
She angled her neck toward me again.
“One taste, and I can help you forget everything,” she promised. “Forget her.”
I was going to kill Leira.
“Get out,” I growled, stepping around her toward the door.
Except I stumbled, smacking my shoulder into it instead. Shit, I really was fucked up. My situational awareness had never been this bad, even as a human...
Then the pain started. Like a slow burn, creeping through my veins, seeping all my strength. Before I’d fully registered it, I’d fallen to my knees, and sheer panic shot through me. I knew this feeling all too well.
Lace root.
Had it been in the drinks the server had been feeding me? Had I been poisoned?
With easy strength that now made more sense, the woman rolled me onto my back using her foot and held me there, her heel digging against my chest. She looked down at me, a smug smirk on her lips.
Something about her face bothered me. But the hazy feeling from the fae blood mixed with the lace root made it hard for me to pinpoint. I struggled under the weight of her, trying to reach for the door, for anything I could use as leverage. My body’s strength was completely gone.
“You should never have set foot in these lands, vampire,” she crooned slowly. “But I suppose we should thank you... your female companion is the most perfect gift for my master.”
Master?
I strained, trying to harness my magic. I only ever used it to warm my body temperature... I’d never attempted to summon actual flames before. Reaching up, I gripped the woman’s ankle and directed the thrumming energy toward that spot.
She shrieked, toppling away from me, and I grunted as I pushed myself upright. It took all my effort to stand, and I felt sweat forming on my forehead, my legs wobbling.
The woman had stumbled back against the bed now and was staring at me with fear in her eyes.
That’s when it registered. I’d seen her come out of Asper’s shop this morning. Had she been there getting the gown she now wore? After all... Leira had said that Asper was one of the best dressmakers in town. And that she’d paid the brothel fae a lot of coin to supply blood to me, putting them in a fortunate position to afford the best dresses for the ball.
“Who is your master?” I demanded, my voice hoarse from effort as a wave of dizziness washed over me, threatening to send me toppling back to the ground. That fear remained in her eyes, but she kept her lips firmly shut, even as her lower lip trembled.
I growled, “You have three seconds to tell me before I kill you.” I advanced on her, holding up my hand as it grew hot and red, like a branding iron. She let out another shriek, cowering backward.
“Please—I can’t tell you!” Tears brimmed in her eyes now. “He made me poison your drinks. He sent me to distract you,” she admitted, her words flooding from her mouth now as she stared fearfully at my hand. Her ankle was red and blistered, a fresh reminder of what I was capable of.
“Distract me from what?” I thundered, and tears streamed down her face now.
“He controls all of us... the whole brothel house. We’re his consorts, we have to do his bidding.” She sobbed, her fists clenching the sheets as she slowly backed further onto the bed.
Consorts?
I was already moving as it clicked, had already reached the top of the staircase in a single blur, but the action sapped all of my strength. I stumbled down the first few steps, gripping the handrail to catch myself as my legs gave out. My grip weakened on the handrail, and next thing I knew, I was sliding down the remaining steps until I hit the railing hard on the landing below.
After that, all I could do was lie there in a tangled heap, my eyelids drooping no matter how hard I fought to stay awake.
Damned lace root.
I tried to lift my hand toward the railing, but it didn’t move an inch.
Straining hard, I listened instead. I knew the sound of her feet—knew the rhythm of her walk. Knew the way she breathed, knew the sound of her voice. But it was fuzzy—everything was fuzzy with my senses dulled by the drunken effects of the poisoned fae blood.
Black spots appeared in my vision, even as I struggled to stay awake. But it wasn’t long before the effects of the poison finally pulled me under once and for all.
Despite me never having taken a dance class in my entire life, it had been surprisingly easy to follow Asper’s guidance on the dance floor. We’d been talking, getting along, and he’d been fun and flirty the entire time.
With one hand on Asper’s upper shoulder, the other at his waist, I’d felt myself relax quickly, swept up in the swell of the music and the lighthearted banter.
Though my thoughts occasionally drifted back to Percy as we danced, I blocked him out and shoved him down every time. I needed to focus tonight.
Stepping closer to Asper, I brushed my body against his, and a look of delight crossed his features as he smiled, his voice smooth as he said, “I have to confess while I have the opportunity... you haven’t left my mind since you left my shop.”
“Well, that makes two of us,” I replied, letting my gaze soften slightly. I plunged down deep into my magic, letting it rise like a wave. I’d never attempted anything like this before, but... I focused on bringing him under my control. Creating such a level of intense desire and lust that he’d tell me anything I wanted to know.
I felt the magic spread through my chest, my arms, to my hands that were still on Asper. His expression hardly changed, and I fought to mask my disappointment. Maybe I needed to be more direct about it...
Tilting my head coyly, I bit my lip and leaned a little closer as I added, “Forgive me if this is a forward question, but... do you only make formal wear? Or do you design lingerie too?”
His eyebrows rose in surprise, but to my relief, he let out a laugh before throwing me a wicked grin.
“My, you are quite the little vixen,” he replied, his voice lower now. “Of course, I make whatever my clients need. Lingerie is a specialty of mine... an art, if you will.”
“Hmm,” I mused, letting the corner of my mouth rise up. “Well, I have to say, I’m disappointed I didn’t receive any to go with my gown. You could have put me in anything you like.”
I grinned fiendishly at that as I emphasized my words. His eyes darkened, and my magic sparked in response. Again, that sensation like something was hooking rippled between us, the way it had with Percy.
A moment later, I realized my magic had sunk in, slipping past any walls that had been up.
“And what do you like, Fleur?” he purred, my magic vibrating in response to his words. Then, an unfamiliar wave rushed through me as images appeared in my mind.
The words were almost out of my mouth before I clamped it shut, realizing what intimate things I’d been about to confess. Things I hadn’t even told Percy about. My cheeks heated, and he laughed again—this time, it was softer.
“You don’t have to hide anything from me,” Asper coaxed slowly, spinning us as we danced. “It’s endearing, seeing you do this for the first time.”
Seeing me do... what? Surely, he couldn’t understand what I was attempting to do to him, right?
I pressed my lips together thin, noting the easy smirk on his own lips. It reminded me of a cat toying with its prey, and unease spread through me.
All of a sudden, I needed space. I needed to get out, to put something between us. Whatever playful energy that had been building within me was smothered in an instant, and I blurted out, “Forgive me, Asper—I should be clear and honest with you... My companion and I are here together.”
He raised an eyebrow at me as I made an attempt to step back, but his hands tightened on my waist.
“You say that... but the way you’ve both been acting this evening, avoiding one another, indicates otherwise.”
So, he’d been watching us? I shook my head, deciding it didn’t matter. I just needed to get away from him right now.
“It’s... complicated,” I said stiffly, and he let out a hmm.
“Yes, that much I can see. Though I can’t say I’m surprised, given your... differences.” My brow creased, my lips pulling thin now. He simply continued to smirk at me, his gaze raking over me before adding, “You see, I’ve always been fascinated by humans, and there’s just something about you that I couldn’t put my finger on. It took me a while to figure it out when you were in my shop... but when I finally did, I must say... it was a shock.”
Panic seized me. He knew what I was? Discarding my initial shock, I let out a breathy laugh, shaking my head in what I hoped was an innocent look of confusion. But I couldn’t help the way my muscles instinctively tensed at his words as I tried to riddle what he, a fae, could possibly want with me.
It dawned on me all of a sudden that maybe I hadn’t hooked my magic into him after all. Maybe I was the one who had been hooked...
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said slowly.
“Of course I do,” he purred back. “Like calls to like... and you and me? We’re very alike.”
It was as if his entire image flickered, only for a second. But in that split second, his silvery butterfly wings appeared bat-like, his blue eyes swirling with a hint of purple, and my throat dropped into my stomach.
The leathery wings. It was just as King Branton had said.
He was like me—hiding behind a glamour. That was why Asper could lie.
“I never thought I’d meet my female counterpart,” he admitted in a low voice, his glamour back in place like it had never happened. “Not after what the vampires did to our kind. And I have so many questions about how you survived.”
I blinked quickly as the shock passed through me.
“You’ve been hiding here in Faerie since Nolan’s massacre?” I asked, wincing at the waver I heard in my own voice, and he nodded slowly.
“The vampires don’t come here. Or at least, they didn’t... until your red-eyed companion showed up, and one of my consorts reported back to me that she’d been tasked with feeding him.”
He let out a tsk of disgust at that.
“So, I do have to wonder what the nature of your relationship is, given our kind’s history with those bloodsucking monsters.”
I tried to put space between us again, but his grip on me was ironlike. My heart hammered, and he narrowed his gaze.
“Now, now—we’re just getting to know each other better,” he said slowly. Calmly. As if taming an animal. “You do realize I can’t let you go now that I know what you are? My chances of finding another you are... well, unlikely. And you would look so pretty among my other consorts.”
