Skye laughed, breaking the somber mood. “Oh, Tristan wouldn’t really hurt me.” She flipped her mass of golden hair over her shoulders. “Cade would kill him if he even touched me.” She paused. “Well, he would try.”
I smiled. “So, you and Cade . . .”
Skye nodded, beaming from ear to ear. “Isn’t he the cutest thing you ever laid eyes on?”
“He’s very sweet.”
“The winter festival is on in Iris and all the best entertainers and troupes are in town,” said Skye. “The theater is overflowing. But I managed to get us some seats. Best ones in the house.” She winked at me. “Being a princess does have its perks.”
I laughed at this. It was nice to have friends and a little distraction in the face of everything I was supposed to achieve.
She got up. “So are you coming with us or not?”
I grinned. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
I put on my boots and followed her out the door. Tristan and Cade were waiting at the foot of the stairs when Skye and I came down from my room, and the dark prince smiled when he saw me.
The city was spectacular at night as we walked down the hill along small flower-lined paths, over marble bridges and terraces that spanned the cascading waterfalls beneath. Iris was bustling as we traversed the wide roads and turned into smaller alleys. This part of the city was where many of the demi-fae lived: the artisans, the shopkeepers, the merchants and traders, the entertainers.
Tristan led us to an open area, a beautiful garden surrounded by a wall of trees right in the middle of the city. I had seen this from my room in the tower and always wondered what it was. Now I knew it was the theater.
Fae light danced over the open space as couples or groups sat under trees or on mats spread out around the circular stage, which was placed right in the center of the garden. Secluded benches dotted the park, but Skye had gotten us a place right near the stage. Vendors walked around with trays of delectable snacks, and I couldn’t resist the little lemon tarts and fresh roasted chestnuts. Tristan bought me a few, and Cade picked up two ice sticks dipped in berry juice for himself and Skye. We settled ourselves on a large mat Skye had kept ready for us.
The performers were all very good, showcasing an operatic rendition of the War of the Courts. Apparently Elfi had suffered civil war many centuries ago, when the Day and Night Courts were pitted against each other in a bloody war for power. It was easy to follow the story, and the music was exquisite, haunting, and full of emotion.
I didn’t realize how cold it would be that night; even with my cloak on I shivered and rubbed my arms.
“Come here,” said Tristan gruffly and pulled me closer to him, enveloping me in his strong embrace and wrapping his cloak around my shoulders.
For a moment I froze, unsure what to do, but he was so surprisingly gentle that I leaned back and snuggled into the warmth of his chest to watch the rest of the play, although I was no longer fully concentrating on it. Heat coursed through me as he held me close. His warm breath grazed my neck as he whispered snippets of fae history, explaining from time to time what was happening on stage.
I couldn’t understand what I was feeling. I loved being close to Tristan, although I realized that the attraction was purely physical. He was very handsome, there was no doubt, and his honed body was chiseled to perfection through hundreds of years of being a warrior. I knew it was wrong, but being away from Rafe for so long was difficult, and I had absolutely no idea what he was doing or if he would ever come back for me like he said he would. Still, I felt guilty, but I didn’t want to push Tristan away. I wasn’t sure how he would take it.
His change of behavior toward me had been gradual, but this was the first time he let his guard down. He was finally treating me like a person and not as an outsider, and I was glad he was more comfortable around me than when we first met. However, I would have to be more careful to make sure I didn’t lead him on.
Aiden came over during a break in the performance. Brianna hung on his arm, unashamedly falling all over the Prince of the Day Court. He looked most uninterested in her but didn’t seem to mind her tagging along.
“So you brought the half-breed to the theater,” sneered Aiden, glancing at me but addressing Tristan and Skye. “What a waste.”
My spine bristled, but I held my tongue. I had come here to enjoy myself, not get into a fight with an idiot.
I had caught Brianna sneaking looks at Tristan more than a few times and somehow that didn’t sit well with me. I had noticed before that Brianna had a thing for him, and it was so obvious she was trying to make him jealous by flaunting herself with Aiden. But Tristan never seemed to notice or care; he completely ignored her whenever she was around.
“Oh, go away, Aiden,” said Skye. “Aurora’s our friend, and if you don’t like it you don’t have to sit with us.”
“I don’t sit with half-breeds.” Aiden’s eyes burned a hole through me. “The stench is unbearable.”
Tristan was up in a flash. “Say that again, Aiden . . .”
“And you’ll what?” spat Aiden, clearly itching for a fight. “Fight me? Your own brother Elite, for her?” He gave me a disgusted look, as if I weren’t fit to wipe his boots.
I stood up. “No, he isn’t going to fight you,” I said, willing my voice to stay calm. “But since you obviously want to fight with someone, I’m sure I can oblige.”
A ball of silver fire
