The Court

Chapter One: Lord Colm

       Waking up with the hazy, yet nagging thought of "what the hell happened last night" is never particularly pleasant, nor is it a sign of anything but trouble. While I tended to pride myself in my talents of keeping to myself and staying well clear of the Court's web of drama and gossip, I had to admit that when it came to men, my judgment may have been known to occasionally lapse.

       Part of my confusion probably stemmed from the fact that I wasn't wearing my glasses, which, being practically blind without them, meant everything around me was rather blurry. And dark. Given the fact that I was also trying to piece together the previous evening's events confused might have been an understatement. I certainly wasn't in my room at home. Considering the lack of a hangover (and a lack of alcohol anywhere around, period) I hadn't gotten drunk out of my mind, which had happened about once in my entire life and wasn't a particularly likely choice anyway.

       A more likely choice was quite simple and yet quite unfortunate at the same time. To we fae, love is a drug.

       This was a very possible situation; a situation I internally prayed I hadn't landed myself in again. My presence in someone else's room was bad enough, but as long as it wasn't--

       "So you're awake." I started a bit, internally groaning. The familiar, dusty voice to my left confirmed my suspicions. Goddamnit.

        "Glasses," I mumbled, groggily rubbing my eyes. I couldn't see him, so maybe my mind was simply playing tricks. Someone placed the spectacles in one of my hands and I rather quickly put them on, blinking a few times as my eyes came into focus.

       Maelgwyn sat rather calmly to my left, wearing pajamas, legs crossed and tucked up underneath him, silvery hair hanging over his unseeing eyes and giving him the appearance of a sheepdog. Straightening up slightly, he ran a hand through his unkempt bangs, pushing them back off of his freckled face. His lips drew back in a small smile. Why the hell are his fangs so long?

       "Lord Colm." He inclined his head to the side as if in greeting. I fought the urge to faceplant onto the pillows.

       "Maelgwyn."

       "I'm glad we still remember each other's names." I made a sound that resembled a strangled groan, then made my best attempt at carrying on a casual conversation.

       "What a relief."

       "I wasn't worried. You certainly didn't forget my name last night." He went there. Great. I coughed awkwardly a few times.

         "Right." I tried to look anywhere except at him. Has he redecorated? The ceiling looks different. My eyes danced around the room. Chairs, bed, sofa. He definitely redecorated.

       "You uh...changed the design." I cleared my throat again. This is going well.

       "Hopefully it's less dreary." He paused, thinking, clicking his tongue as appeared to be his habit. A sly smile slid across his face. "You said it was last time you were here."

     "I...I did?" I choked on nothing. Maelgwyn laughed.

       "You did." I continued trying to look at something else.

       Under normal circumstances, I'd most likely have completely ignored him, gotten dressed, and marched off into the sunset--or at least back to my own halls--instead of sitting here stuttering like a complete idiot. Unfortunately for me, it appears I might have actually fallen for this one. For someone dedicated to minding my own business and staying away from pesky court drama this was a problem, a problem made worse by the fact that Maelgwyn liked me back.