“Remember, Keira, do not be afraid, they can smell fear,” Katie whispers.
“Great pep talk, Kates,” I mumbled, as I began to channel my inner warrior queen. My posture changed with each step. I stood strong and graceful, my dress moved perfectly in sync with every stride. Like a perfectly rehearsed dance, my men bowed gracefully in front of everyone around us.
“Lady Raven, it’s an honor,” Patrick said, as he rose and kissed the top of my hand.
“Patrick, it’s so lovely to see you again. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting,” I replied in a dignified voice.
“Not at all, your guards have kept me company,” he replied, as he looped my arm through his. We continued into the chateau, with my guys falling into formation around me, and Katie at my side. We walked in and I immediately noticed of group of fairies gawking at us as we approached.
“Take a picture it would last longer” Katie snarked to the group of fairies who had fixed their gaze upon us. She always was kinda badass. I loved it.
Their stares were intentionally cold, and somehow, in this eternal summer, it felt frigid. As we made our way to the formal garden, others altered their paths to avoid crossing ours. Those who trailed behind us stayed farther back than customary. Then, I heard a feminine voice call out.
“Katie Gallagher! I was wondering when you were going to show up. I thought maybe all this talk about the Morrigan’s last heir was a steaming pile of shyte.” Quickly, the guys moved to block the young woman.
“It’s okay men, this is LeAna, our gracious hostess, and my dear, dear friend,” Katie said. I noted she could barely keep a smirk off her face.
The guys moved to the side, and a shortish woman approached. Her dark brown hair fell down her back in loose curls that reach her hips. It was layered around her face to accentuate her perfect fairy features. She had honey-kissed skin that made her golden eyes stand out. The light blue silk two-piece dress showed off her remarkably toned body.
“Katie, don’t be rude!” LeAna barked.
“My apologies, LeAna. Allow me to introduce you to my best friend, Keira Morrigan, last daughter of the Raven Queen.”
“Pleased to meet you,” I told her. “You have a lovely home.”
“I’m sure you are,” she said, and raised her eyebrow. She stepped forward as her eyes did a once over, reeking judgment. Then, she leaned in slowly to whisper “I do not care for you, or your family. The only reason I agreed to this is that I owe Katie a favor. Do not think for one moment I would have tolerated you otherwise.”
I smiled as if she’d given me a quiet compliment. “Why, thank you for saying so. I’ll remember that. Always.”
Her cruel smile suddenly looked forced, as she stepped back. “I have to go find Nichole,” she said to Katie. “I’ll come get you when it’s time.” She made a quick exit, spinning on her heels and strutting away.
“What the fuck was that?” Weylyn asked.
“That was one of us backing down,” I said. “Guess who?”
“Don’t pay too much attention to her,” Katie said. “She’s always a little on edge.” She lead the way as we continued our walk into the formal garden.
Once in the garden, the guys split up and made their way through the party, ‘socializing’. To put it lightly, they were trying to dig up the skinny about this mystery object. Did it even exist? Were we barking up the wrong tree?
Weylyn used his charm and good looks, trying to flirt his way into some useful information. Orin chatted up the guards and soldiers about the same. Patrick and Keegan engaged the older gentlemen, ones who looked sufficiently prosperous to handle items of value and antiques. Although, everyone here is an antique compared to me. Katie twittered away with her fairy friends. She’d claim she was trying to ply them with alcohol, but I’m pretty sure she was mainly just on her way to getting hammered. Brann stayed with me and kept me company, as some of the guests made their way over and chatted us up.
After what seemed like just a few hundred hours, the only thing that anyone of us achieved was a slight buzz, and that was Katie. I watched the men and women around me dance around with sharp precision and accurate grace. I glanced at my handsome hunk of an escort, and at that moment, all I wanted was to be a normal young woman at a party and to have fun.
“What are you thinking about?” Brann asked.
“Dancing,” I told him.
“Oh?”
I turn my head and looked him over, not even trying to hide my hunger. “Do you want to dance with me, Brann?”
“Remember the last time you were dancing?”
“No, I sure don’t, but I’m sure you won’t let anything happen to me again,” and my fingers danced across his shoulder, and down his chest. “Unless we want it to happen…”
Brann took my hand, walking me to the dance floor. “Lady Raven,” he said as he bowed.
I let out a delighted laugh as he wrapped one arm around my waist and took my hand. Then, Brann astonished me, whisking me around the dance floor like Fred Astaire himself. His movements flowed naturally and with a grace that took my breath away. I felt his soul become one with the music, as he unleashed his emotions into the dance. He moved with expressive clarity, pulling me closer with each stride.
“Brann, you’re an excellent dancer.” He flashed me a rare smile. “Who taught you how to dance?”
“Your grandmother.” To my surprise, he added. “Edna always said there are few things in life that all men need to know, and one of them was dancing.”
“Sounds like she taught
