"Well child, I think you could make up for your transgression by doing me the honor of keeping my son company for the evening. For some odd reason, he still fancies you."

  A rumble emanated from Flynn. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see his face now registered a scowl.

  "Of course, I would respectfully ask your husband's permission."

  Husband. It was still weird to hear that, especially when it referred to Flynn and not Luke.

  "So Flynn, would you allow my son to have the pleasure of your wife's company. He won't bite."

  I didn't like the sound of it. What did she mean? There was no way I was going to do anything with Larrison even if it meant my death.

  Boldly, I turned my head in Flynn's direction silently pleading with him to say no. When he met my gaze, his frown inverted. And I didn't like the ugly smile on his face. He lifted his hand, and it was empty. A solitary finger rose up. "One dance," Flynn announced to the silent room. "One dance and nothing more."

  Narcissistic Foul Mouth Pig. But I didn't say it. I narrowed my eyes and wished we shared telepathy. He only continued to smirk as if he were getting me back for something I’d done.

  Larrison appeared before me, just before I caught Madeline inclining her head. Music rose in the room and once again the guest parted. Larrison took my limp hand and put the other at my hip. With no help from my feet, we were off. I floated, guided by his hand and will alone to the center of the ballroom. There, in front of a small stage, were four violinist dressed in ivory furiously playing a haunted song that gave me goosebumps.

  At once, I was manipulated like a marionette doll, twirled to the beat. Others gather on the dance floor, and we all moved as if in a choreographed number. I hated the feeling of no control. My body flowed and arched with no help from me.

  During one turn, I caught sight of Flynn leaving the ballroom with Morgana. Jealousy overflowed my gut making me want to spew the contents of my empty stomach. He left me. How could he trust that his word would be followed if he weren't there?

  "You are beautiful."

  Larrison broke the silence between us garnering my attention. I'd tried not to look into his black eyes as he gripped my hip tighter and clasped our hands in an unbreakable hold. If I wanted to deny his words, with him pressed so tightly to me, there was no denying his interest.

  "Why are you so interested in me?" I was truly curious why after I turned him down twice, would he continue to pursue me. With all the perfection of every fairy present, I certainly couldn't be that beautiful or that interesting.

  His head dipped to my cleavage and my stomach revolted again. Envy had me notice that all the females of the Fey were perfectly proportion like ballet dancers with long, lean lines. They had gentle curves not ostentatious ones. I cursed my luck of the gene pool with my oversized chest and how it drew unwanted attention. I longed for my oversized shirts and a way to hide myself from ogling stares or the rolled eyes of those who disapproved of my disproportioned figure.

  "You have the most amazing pair of..." I tried to lift my hand prepared to slap him from what was about to come out of his mouth. Unfortunately, I still had no control. He met my heated stare. "Eyes. You have lovely green eyes with hints of gold."

  I relaxed in his embrace wondering if I had read him wrong or he had done the most incredible save in the history of male blunders. As our eyes locked, I couldn't find a hint of a lie.

  "You should consider giving me a chance. I can make all your desires come true.” I pressed my lips together. “He can't possibly love you enough for you to stay with him. He left you with me and went with another."

  So he’d noticed Flynn’s departure as well. A deep ache formed inside my heart. Hadn't I been thinking that very thing? I just wanted to get away Larrison. I needed to find Tristrom and convince him to leave. There was no need to drag out our stay in Fairy. However, the never ending song continued to play. I wasn’t sure how long we danced thus far, only the sense that it the longest song I'd ever heard.

  But of course, I thought. The Queen would play by Flynn's rules, but using her own game. One dance. If that dance went for eternity, she wouldn't have broken an unsaid vow.

  And where was Flynn? He seemed to garner more respect than I could. And the ass was gone. It would totally suck to dance forever.

  "Brother."

  I glanced up at the same time as Larrison. Somehow, even though we were dancing on air slightly above the ground, Tristrom remained standing at our side, even as the music twisted our movements in a dance that felt as old as time. What kind of magic surrounded us?

  Chapter Fourteen

  A tug of war with their eyes played out until finally Larrison released me. My feet settled lightly on the ground as I took in the brothers. Dressed up, Tristrom reminded me of a Red Coat in the British Amy to Larrsion, Navy get up. Somehow, Tristrom upstaged him despite that Larrison may have been in more physically perfect in the face. That didn't matter to me. I wasn’t sure I could trust either of them. But Tristrom was the one I’d come to Fairy for.

  I let my hands briefly rest on Tristrom’s chest when he took hold of me. My fingertips made contact with the white strips of his jacket as we began to dance. When I gazed up and caught sight of the blonde curls at the nape of his neck, I could almost lose myself in the illusion that he was Luke.

  Unfortunately, the music came to a screeching halt. The violins sounded as if nails raked across a chalkboard and hands smashed the final note on the keys of the piano. I pulled back to find Larrison’s dark stare on us like the world ended, and we were the cause.

  I met Tristrom’s gaze squarely. "Can you escort me back to my room?" I actually had no idea if I had a room or where. But I needed to get away from Larrison. I kept my fingers crossed, and hoped Tristrom would comply. The song was finally over and had my one dance with Larrison. It couldn't be said that I didn't do what was asked of me.

  "Of course." He offered me his arm, and I threaded mine through the triangle space he created. We strode out of the banquet hall, and I didn’t look back. Without asking, Tristrom's pace was a determined as my need to get away.

  “I’m not sure where my room is,” I whisper sheepishly.

  Tristrom nodded.

  “But if you know where it is or where Flynn’s room is, that would work,” I added

  When he only gave another curt nod, I wondered how I was going to get him home to his mother when I couldn’t get him into any sort of conversation.

  We turn down a hall, and walking in our direction was a servant whose downcast eyes lifted. Her cheeks immediately turned pink and her eyes shifted from Tristrom to me. She turned out to be the same girl that had helped me into my dress earlier.

  “Mam, I can help you to your quarters if you like.”

  Slyly, I glanced at Tristrom, who had his gaze fixed on the girl. Well, love was certainly in the air. My estimation of him increased because he obviously wasn’t that shallow. She wasn’t the perfection of every Fey I’d glanced, and she wasn’t royalty or whatever they called it around in Fairy.

  “Yes, please. I think I’ll need your help getting out of this dress too.”

  She nodded and turned. Apparently, we’d been heading in the right direction after all. I kept my bearings along the way. I wanted to be sure I could remember my way back if left to my own devices.

  We stopped at a door about three down on the right from our last turn.

  "Thank you," I said to Tristrom, who’d escorted us the whole way.

  He nodded but quickly glanced to the girl and noticed their eyes met briefly. She turned an embarrassing shade of cherry before he pivoted on his heels and headed away from us.

  “Are you two together?” I asked once we were in the room. I needed intel, and she may be my only hope on getting some about the mysterious boy.

  “Oh no, mam,” she protested, while her fingers busied unbuttoning me. “He’s the Queen’s consort’s son. It wouldn’t be proper.”

  “Who cares about proper,” I said conspiratorially. “I saw how you two looked at each other.”

  I glanced over my shoulder to see her shaking her head in disbelief.

  “Oh, he’s just nice that’s all. He’s nicer than the rest. He’s not like them. You should choose him over the other one.”

  “Me.” It was my turn with the denials. “I have someone. And I think he’s interested in you.”

  The banter made me long for home and talks with Maggie. When the dress slid off my shoulders, my mind shifted to the present. I caught it with my arms and hugged it to my body not ready to stand naked in front of another person even if she’d seen me earlier.

  “You’re nightdress is in here.”

  Nightdress was an odd term. She talked odd, not only her accent but in words.

  Still, I followed her finger to the wardrobe she stood in front of. It was ivory with gold trim. Clearly, the Queen liked everything in shades of white. I kept my eyes on the girl. I wanted to talk to her more. I thought I might find an ally in her.

  “Do you know where my clothes are that I came in with?”

  Her head shook. “No mam, but I’ll go check the bath where you were first brought.” Hurriedly, she left as if I’d spooked her. I was just about to let the dress fall and change into the nightgown that was folded on the shelf, when a knock came.

  I cracked the door open to find Tristrom on the other side. Why was he back so soon? I stood wondering how to invite him until I realized my dress was still hanging off me. Before I could speak, a hand landed on his shoulder.

  "Brother."

  Betrayal splashed me in the face like cold water. Had he led Larrison to me? Not that the guy couldn’t find out where my room was. But he’d led me to Larrison in the garden, didn’t he? Why did he even bother ending my dance with Larrison?

  Tristrom faced Larrison, who looked positively gleeful. Larrison cleared his throat. "Your father the consort has requested your presence."

  Tristrom's weary eyes met mine before he turned and silently walked away. What did that mean? Was he trying to save me or lead me to slaughter? There was no way to find out with Larrison there leering at me.

  The tension rose in my body while all the blood drained from my face. Larisson looked like a man who won. I moved swiftly to close the door. However, Larrison stopped it with a palm flat against it.

  "Goodnight," I gritted out.

  "Just because the dance ended doesn’t mean the night has to be over—"

  Cutting him off, I said, "It is for me."

  "Is he here with you?” His eyes held amusement like he was pleased with himself. When I didn’t answer, he said, "He doesn't love you enough."

  "I’m not in the mood for your games.” I deflected because I knew who Flynn was with. And even though he had every right to be with whomever he wanted, he had set up the ruse that we were married. So I was left to look the fool while he carried on with whatever girl he wished.

  "He still gave you up." He paused and then quickly said, "Goodnight."

  That was too easy, I thought as I watched him walk away. I wondered what he'd meant by his last comment. Had Flynn reneged on the bargain with Madeline? I gripped the door tightly about to slam it shut out of frustration when the servant appeared cradling clothing.

  "I found your things, mam.”

  I nodded.

  “I suggest you don’t wear them in the Queen’s presence. She’s partial to females looking female if you know what I mean."

  She held out the bundled and I struggled to take it without my dress falling completely down exposing me to whoever might pass in the hall.

  "Yes," I said, thinking that based on everyone’s clothing that I’d seen, thus far, with the exception the Queen. She was partial to everyone dressed as if it were still medieval times.

  "I’ll be back in the morning to help you get dressed."

  She walked slowly, and I noticed she had a limp that immediately brought pity to my heart. Her right leg dragged with each step forward, and I wondered what happened to her. Respectfully, however, I said nothing. Though, I didn’t remember her having the limp earlier. What happened to her in the short time she left my quarters?

  I closed the door gentler than I'd previously planned. It didn't make sense to slam it now. The girl would think that I was displeased with her. And crap, I forgot to get her name. I’d have to ask her in the morning.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Alone, I had nothing but time to take in the large room. Other than the wardrobe, there was a large bed, white covers with a small bench at the end and a night table. There was nothing else in the expansive room except for the creepy three-dimensional sculptures that appeared as if they were trying to free themselves from the wall. It reminded me of hell. Even though I hadn’t seen any details of tortured faces or bodies writhing my time there, I’d felt it. And as mouths on the art opened with unreleased screams, it sure seemed like an accurate representation. So much for sleeping.

  I finally let my arms fall, releasing the dress to gravity because I was tired of holding it. It puddled to the floor in a whoosh of fabric. I stepped outside of the ring it made, and headed to grab the only thing in the closet except for the clothes I’d worn here. I’d deposited them immediately after closing the door on the retreating form of the servant.

  The nightgown was cotton and of course lacked all color. It wasn’t pristine white; it was dingier if anything but I didn’t care. It smelled clean, so I pulled it over my head. Dressed, I picked up the gown from the carpeted floor. Off of me, it felt like it weighed a ton.

  In front of the mostly bare wardrobe, I deliberated what to do next. There were shelves on one side and a rod to hang things on the other. With no hanger in sight and not wanting to take the time to fold the gown, I dropped it to the bottom of the empty side. I might have cared more about the thing if Madeline hadn’t basically forced me to wear it. It had been gorgeous.

  Nothing else to do, I padded over to the bed and flung myself on it. It turned out to be rather soft, which was a positive. I lay back and stared at the ceiling, which was flat and free of the creepy art.

  My eyes drifted closed more easily than I thought. When I opened them again, I was standing on the top of a mountain overlooking the ocean as the sun warmed my skin.

  “Mercy.”

  I turned towards the voice and was greeted by the sight of my grandfather. His ash blonde hair was a bit spiky like my Mom’s. He wore a white tank with an image of the grim reaper on it with legs clad in black leather pants. He appears as though he were going on stage at any second. When I looked down at myself, he said, “Do you like your tank and shorts, love? I like pink on you. You don’t wear it often enough.”

  I didn’t allow him to distract me with compliments. Demons couldn’t be trusted. Hadn’t I learned that from him? “Ryck.”

  He laughed. “So now I’m Ryck and not Grandfather.”

  I frowned not liking being drawn into a dream without my permission especially by him. “You made things pretty clear when you said I had to buy honesty from you.”

  “Touché.”

  He walked over to me where I stood soaking in the sun. The sunlight wasn’t any more real than in Fairy, but in the dreamscape felt a hundred times better.

  I studied him as he got closer because there was something different about him. Then, I realized I could see fine lines on his face as if he’d aged since the last time I saw him.

  He cupped my cheek and for a second I allowed myself to nuzzle into the warmth of his hand. “Ah, little one, there are so many things you deserve to know.”

  His words only reminded me of how in the dark I still was. Irritation leaped like hives to the surface of my skin. I pushed his hand away, frustrated by all the secrets. “Then tell me,” I shouted.

  His eyes lacked the vibrancy of life. They were dull and sad around the edges and created pity I didn’t want to feel. “I deserve that.”

  I wanted more than anything to believe in him. Perhaps the idea of having a grandfather like normal people was a bit of a fantasy for me. But I knew better. “Are you going to tell me something or let me out of this nightmare?”

  “Mercy,” he whispered with such remorse, I didn’t know if it was my name or the word he uttered.

  “Did you bring me here to torcher me?”

  Sadly, he shook his head no. “I’m the one’s that being tortured, love.” He closed his eyes tight, before focusing his gaze back on me. “And there isn’t time for you to berate me about my tactics. You need to know—”

  Suddenly, the ocean view disappeared, and darkness overtook everything. Ryck was no longer the handsome rock star. Instead, he diminished before my eyes into a glowing ember that resembled humanoid shape.

  A crushing weight pressed on me, forcing me to my knees. The pain of loss made my eyes burn, but no tears came to cool the fire. I pulled at my hair trying to stop the ache deep in my chest that made me want to slit my wrist to stop the pain. Luke’s dull eyes turned from summer blue to black as a vision filled my head. NO, I screamed over and over for what felt like eternity.

  “Mercy, Go!” Ryck yelled.

  I was barely able to turn my head with grief like a tangible force. Ryck lifted his hand as he moaned out his personal agony. And I saw him. Sebastian. I shot up in bed gasping for air.

  The door crashed opened, and Flynn jogged in. I jumped off the bed and flung myself in at him. His hands were slow to take me in. I didn’t care. I clung onto him making him my anchor.

  “What. Happened. Now? I heard screaming.”

  I burrowed in tighter not saying anything yet. Had I been in hell? It sure felt like it.

  “Ryck,” I stammered. “My grandfather. He… he was trying to tell me something.”

  “Okay,” Flynn said, not sounding at all convinced I should be so freaked out.

  “I think he took me to hell.”

  “Mercy,” Flynn sighed.

  “No, I mean it. He dreamwalked me. But there was something different about him. He wasn’t as young as he was the last time I saw him,” I babbled.

 

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