Hunted by a Night Fae

Chapter 24

When I woke, I remembered dreaming of Ronan. I frowned as I blinked away the images, brows creasing, part of me still in the dream, fiery hot hands tracing circles up my...

I rolled over, squeezing my eyes shut.

Now was not the time to start getting the hots for my Faerie husband.

Eaven returned to retrieve me from my room. Silver chains decorated her antlers, tinking like bells as she walked. Her pale eyes nearly glowed against the silvery grey dress she wore. It had long billowing sleeves and a train that followed her as she glided through the halls.

She took her time fussing over me, dressing me in the outfit she had selected, and tending to my hair. Like a child, she was more than eager to dress me up and show me off.

I was no faerie or high goblin, but with all of Eaven's efforts, I couldn't shake the strange wildness that had somehow caught in my eyes. Silver paint shimmered against my skin in swirling patterns. Small white flowers and purple butterflies were woven into my hair, which she had twisted and braided up off my face. My eyes widened as I had looked into the icy vanity mirror.

Something was different, but I couldn't place my finger on it.

Once we were ready, we departed for the dining room. More of the small, glowing orbs of light floated all around it. They careened through the air, a few of them hovering closer to me, inspecting the new intruder. If I squinted, I could see small pixies within them. I waved my hand to fend them off.

"They won't harm." Eaven was closer than I had expected. "They just want to look at your pretty mortal face."

I looked from the lights to Eaven. She had managed to turn a compliment into something that sounded darkly threatening. The goblin smiled at me. I wished she wouldn't.

"I'm sure they have plenty else to look at, living in Faerie." I replied with a small smile as we walked into the room. In the clothes that Eaven dressed me in and my skin cleaned from the bath, I felt the most refreshed I had felt in days. Part of me could almost forget that I was captive to a terrifying and mysterious Night fae now stuck in a wintry High Goblin court.

Almost.

A long table made of clear translucent ice sat in the middle of the room. It reached from the door we stood at nearly through to the other side. The four chairs gathered all to one end appeared almost comical. It looked more fit to feed a hundred guests than just a small few.

Especially with all of the food that lay upon it.

Plates upon plates were heaped with food. Aromas of every kind floated to me, each more intoxicating than the last. A roast spiced to perfection. Vegetables of every variety buttered and herbed. Fruits stacked high in colorful assortments. Sweets and pastries of every flavor. I had not realized I was hungry until I felt saliva pooling in my mouth.

"Have a seat. Brother and Fire Bastard are coming soon."

That name again. I felt myself bristle at it, even though the insult was directed at Ronan, for some reason it made fire bite at my tongue. Like I wanted to actually defend him. I resisted the impulse, and I sat in the chair Eaven indicated, settling myself right in front of a plate filled with what I hoped was turkey legs. They looked like turkey, but the meat was a bit darker. It smelled delightful, whatever it was.

The door on the other side of the table swung open, revealing Ronan. His hair was damp, and he was wearing a new tunic, this one much nicer than any I had seen on him before. The fabric was a deep red silk, with golden embroidery along the cuffs and collar. It made the red of his irises stand out and highlighted the crimson strands of his dark hair. His skin, which had always appeared dark, was now a few shades lighter, glistening golden.