The Dark Fae

CHAPTER 2

Deveron, crown prince of the fae kingdom of Denkar, rubbed his naturally smooth cheek as he considered the petite blonde’s backside. She wore a dowdy T-shirt and hid how she truly looked, and he normally wouldn’t have given her a second glance. He was much more intrigued with a girl like Cassie. But what really grabbed his attention was the strict animosity Cassie’s girlfriend had shown toward him—as if she knew just what he was and what he had planned for her friend. A case of jealousy? Or something that went deeper?

He’d sent his bodyguard Herlenkis in close to her to see her reaction and he couldn’t decide. It was as if she had seen him, and then quickly realized her mistake and had tried to cover up her reaction.

He had to know for certain. The way she looked at Deveron’s medallion and acted so hostile toward him, he swore she knew what he was up to, what he was, and where he was from.

Yet how could she?

Mortal humans had no way of knowing about the immortal fae. But the way her gaze shifted to observe his bodyguard, forced him to consider otherwise. What if by some strange coincidence, she could indeed see his people?

He glanced up the beach. A hundred yards away, Herlenkis studied bathing beauties, tanning under the strong rays of the sun.

“Herlenkis!”

The golden-haired fae turned to face him.

Deveron motioned for him to join him in the water.

Herlenkis vanished, then reappeared chest deep next to him in the gentle swells of the Gulf. “Yes, my lord?”

“I have a task for you. Get Tandora. We have a date.”

“Date, my lord? You know what Queen Irenis said about stirring up the humans.”

Deveron cocked a brow as he folded his arms. “Do you not work for me?” He was the crown prince after all, and he had hand-picked Herlenkis for his loyalty and his good natured ways—for a dark fae.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Good, remember that.” Deveron considered asking Herlenkis if he had ever known of a human who could see the fae, but dismissed the notion. He had no intention of telling anyone his plans, yet. If the girl could see them, she’d expose her abilities within the hour. Then he could have some real fun. But not with Cassie as he’d intended. With Alicia instead.

Herlenkis looked after the two girls, turned to Deveron, bowed low, then vanished.

In fact, it didn’t really concern Deveron if Alicia knew what he was. Because she had anointed him with sticky sodas, she was all his to do with as he pleased. Didn’t matter if the queen had forbidden him to trifle with the human girls.

This one had declared war on him. To think she hadn’t even apologized, just stood there trying to suppress a giggle as her blue eyes sparkled with pixie mirth.

He looked back at the stucco Spanish-style hotel as the sunlight glinted off the red tile roof. When his reinforcements arrived, he’d see if she thought the situation was truly that funny any longer.

He smiled, dove under the water, then vanished.

*   *   *

Alicia tugged off her oversized T-shirt as Cassie took her shower first. The salt and sand felt grimy on her skin and hair, and she couldn’t wait to wash it all off.

Cassie sang some nonsensical tune at the top of her lungs. Alicia shook her head and smiled.

But then her smile turned bitter.