Huntress

The first of the Winter Festivals was a huge ball with fireworks outside, music and dance until late. Tomorrow was another party then the day after there was a hunt in the never lands, lands that belonged to none of the fairy courts, and on and on until the New Year. Currently I was in a black and cobalt ball gown with long flowing sleeves, elegant with a slight sexy powerful flair, thanks to Sam’s glamour ability. She was in a soft ivory dress with gold accents and designs. I was excited, my energy bouncing after my nap. I felt all but normal so I risked simple warmth magick to fight the chill of the Winter Court.

We entered the ballroom together, ying and yang, dark and light. We were a matching set, powerful in our strength and bond to each other. I saw the realization of the Fae in their eyes and in their hush voices as Sam and I swept through the throng to pay our respects to the Queen. Sam curtsey but I bowed feeling more comfortable with the gesture, much to my surprise Sam rose just a moment after me as if taking her cue from me. I noticed the tightening around the Queen’s eyes; she noticed it as well.

“You both look lovely tonight,” the Queen commented.

“Yet you are far more exquisite,” Sam replied gracefully.

The Queen smiled and turned back to me, “Kitten Rodia let me introduce you to my children.”

“Your majesty if you would permit me, there is no need to use my full name, Ro is suitable,” I said before she could continue.

“Ro…I like it. Well then Ro let me first introduce my daughters, Adela and Lumina.”

Two beautiful Fae each with raven black hair, straight and flat with a blue hue and pale white skin moved forward, their eyes were green like a frozen pond. Adela wore a simple sleek gown of green while Lumina wore something similar in grey.

They gave me matching smiles, “it is a pleasure to meet the Pride’s heir,” they said as one.

I blinked before smiling back, “like wise your highnesses. You both look very lovely this evening.”

They giggled and stepped back as a male Fae stepped forward, muscular and an obviously fighter in royal armor of silver and ice blue, tall with bright blue eyes that seem to dance with laughter.

“My eldest, Ceron and general of my knights.”

He took my hand and placed a kiss on it, it took everything in me not to pull my hand away, it would have be disrespectful but unlike the Vampires the Fair Folk took what they wanted regardless of how they other felt.

Sam’s hand touched the small of my back, the exposed skin from the open lacing, it was enough to calm my stiff muscles but the gesture was easily hidden from viewers because she stood so close to me and her movements had been slow.

I smiled as he took a step back and another male Fae took his place just as handsome though not as tall and his eyes were green like his sisters he was also dressed in armor.

“My second oldest, Ifan.”

Ifan took my hand and placed a kiss on it like his brother but his touch linger more then my likely and the desire in his eyes made me sick to my stomach.

“My youngest, Owen.”

I wanted to laugh when he moved forward with a bounce, a large smile on his face, which was frame with curly blond hair, and the clearest blue eyes I have ever seen. He was in formal fairy attire; solid hunter green pants with knee high boots and a brown tunic with a decorated belt that held a sword.

He shook my hand instead of kissing it, “kissing a Hunter’s hand seems a little silly, especially with the entrance you made earlier today. I think you would be in that outfit if you could.”

I did laugh then I couldn’t help it, “I admit dresses are not my fancy.”

“My second youngest seems to be lat- oh there he is,” the Queen said her eyes filled with disapproval before steps behind me made me turn around.

There was Rhydian, dressed in black and silver, a sword at his waist, short black hair and black as a starless night eyes.

“Rhydian, one of the Court’s best swordsman,” the Queen said with obvious pride.

Rhydian stopped before me, “I thought the Pride’s heir would have be more then this. A frighten little girl who looks more like a boy, we even have similar hair cuts.”

I blinked at the insult, turning to the Queen, “May I?”

The Queen had a mix expression of anger and amusement as she nodded to me, I guess curious to see what I would do.

I smiled at Rhydian, “I am sorry you feel that way, your highness. Enjoy the ball.”

I turned my back on him as if he was nothing, and not worth my time, effort or anger. I could feel the waves of hate behind me; I had dismissed him as if he was nothing, which was more an insult then if I had slapped him.

“Your have wonderful children your majesty. It was a pleasure to meet them. “

“Yes, I am sure it was. Will you be joining in the hunt on the morning after tomorrow?”

“I believe I will your majesty.”

“The Court will enjoy seeing a Hunter’s skill. There is much talk of what your kind can do.”

“I can only hope not to be a disappointment.”

The Queen’s amused smile widened, “I doubt you will. Now go, enjoy yourself. We shall have chance later to speak.”

I gave her my bow and Sam curtsey, which looked stressed and hasty, before we left her presence.

“Ok what was that? Last time you stayed down until she gave you permission to get up, this time you didn’t.”

“She isn’t my Queen. The first time was out of respect for my father and his position and as a Winter Fae guest in her Court.”

“Something tells me you have always curtsied like that and this is the first time you didn’t.”

Sam sighed, “can we not talk about this now?”

“Fine but we will later.”

“When we’re home.”

“Fine.”

“Samantha?” said a voice behind us and we turned to see Ceron and Ifan.

Ceron moved towards Samantha and she smiled sliding towards him . I knew instantly this was not their first time together. He took her hand and pulled her towards him as he swept her onto the dance floor.When had that happened? And why hadn’t I known about it.

“Ro?”

I turned to see Ifan with his hand outstretch and I reluctantly took it. He lead me to the dance floor though really the entire place was a dance floor, Fairies and Fae danced all over the place but he pulled me into a group of what I called the pretty Fae, the ones from story books. He pulled me into his arms and I stiffen as his arm wrapped around my waist, the other holding my hand. He pushed me through the steps of a complicated dance I didn’t know. I allowed myself to be lead though everything in me screamed to run. I pushed it down and tried to enjoy myself. Ifan had done nothing to hurt me and there was no reason to let my past ruin my present or future.

“You are very beautiful,” Ifan said turning us expertly; I tried to keep my feet straight and not trip succeeding barely.

“You are kind,” I replied, careful not to say thank you.

I felt his arm readjust, his hand on my bare back his thumb caress my skin.

“This dress is wonderful but I enjoyed your hunter wear far more. The curves of your body and way you held yourself was very alluring. You should come to my bed. I will be a better lover then the man who had you before.”

I paled visible; I had forgotten Fae could tell maidens from non-maidens. I attempted to step back but his grip tighten like a vice pressing me to him. I was suddenly glad for the many layers of my dress.

“Let me go,” I hissed under my breath.

“Relax little hunter,” he muttered as he leaned forward, his eyes capturing mine.

I felt my body relaxing against his; why was I being such a prude, he was handsome, why shouldn’t I not go to bed with him. Like he said it would be worth it.

“That’s right little hunter, relax,” Ifan said softly, slowly dancing us away from the crowd towards a small door on the side of the room.

“Mind if I cut in?” another voice said.

I turned to look, wondering why someone was bothering us, we were dancing, couldn’t they see that and leave us alone.

Rhydian stood next to us, his ebony eyes cold.

“Go away little brother,” Ifan snarled.

“No. Let her go,” he replied.

“Go away,” I muttered, “we’re dancing. I don’t want to dance with you.”

Rhydian looked at me with a look of disgust before physically stepping between Ifan and I.

Rhydian said loudly, “my turn brother with our guest of honor.”

He forcefully pulled me away and back into the throng, moving us in time with the music, while I weakly muttered protests. I blinked several times as the weak protest began to die on my lips and my senses returned.

“Son of a bitch he was enthralling me,” I hissed angrily.

Rhydian shifted us from one step to another with ease and I followed easily enough.

“Yes he was and you were stupidly falling for it. What kind of Hunter are you that you can’t even fight off a simple enthrallment.”

“Oh yes because I fight them off every day,” I snapped back.

“Well if I hadn’t stepped in you would right now be in his bed and when he was done with you, you would wake to find yourself raped and with no protest because you went willingly enough. Enthrallment is not illegal and the worse that would happen is my brother would be punish with extra guard duty for enthralling a guest but really it was up to you to protect yourself. My mother’s protection only extends to make sure no one kills you.”

I thought I was going to be sick, I jerked away from him but he grabbed me, leading me out the door his brother had been aiming for and then through another door just outside that one and we were outside were I gasped for the fresh, freezing air.

I ran several feet away from Rhydian, grabbing a dead tree for support as I gulp the air trying to calm my nerves and panicking mind. I tried hard not to throw up as my stomach rolled. I was barely away of the voices behind me.

“Let me go to her.”

“She’s fine. Go back with my brother, enjoy yourselves you two don’t get enough chances together. I will watch her.”

“but-“

“You can’t protect her forever.”

I turned to see Sam re-entering the palace with a glance back at me, I gave her a tiny nod of my head to tell her I was ok and she smiled back before disappearing. I turned to Rhydian.

“She protects me too much.”

“That’s because she loves you and sees you as her Queen.”

“You know a lot of people have been saying that about her lately.”

Rhydian raised an eyebrow, “if that is true then it is only a matter of time before my mother tries to force her loyalty and allegiance. Otherwise she will be banished from Faerie forever and would never be able to be with my brother.”

“She loves him.”

“Not as much as she loves you and I have yet to see why,” Rhydian said with obvious distaste.

I growled at him, “well sorry I don’t meet your standard.”

“Are you always like this?”

“Like what?”

“This,” he waved his hand at me, “this holier then thou attitude?”

“Me!? You are the one who insulted me from the get go,” I snapped.

“That is because you piss me off!”

“How is that my problem? You know what, just leave me alone,” I shouted.

I stalked back inside slamming the door behind me, shaking from anger. Where did he get off rescuing me then yelling at me? I didn’t want to go back to the party so instead on wandered down the hall imagining the guest room I was staying at until the familiar door appeared. It was a neat little trick, which I found both amazing and disturbing. I used my magick to push the glamour off and slipped in two sets of PJs to fight the cold without magick. I collapsed on the soft sofa, which was much better then the bed provided, with a pile of blankets and fell asleep quickly.

Notes