It might have been a fluke.
She stopped breathing as she readied her arrow. Everyone else seemed to stop breathing, too.
The arrow whipped through the air and without a breeze stirring, struck its target, beating Deveron’s by five feet.
“Again,” he said, his tone harsh.
She wanted to remind him she was frail and their ruse was quickly being eroded away. “I’m tired.”
“Again,” he commanded. This time his firm voice brooked no argument.
Stubborn dark fae with an easily bruised male ego the size of the state of Alaska.
He fired an arrow that hit a stake ten feet beyond hers.
This time she would not play the game. Her arms were wearied, and she would not be commanded by any fae, dark, male, royal, or otherwise, what to do.
Damn his male ego.
She meant to shoot at a much closer target. That’s what she meant to do. But somehow her own stubbornness took control of her and made her do it. She aimed, pulled, and struck his arrow, splitting it in two.
Then she handed the bow to the servant and said, “Next game?”
Everyone was speechless. No one dared to congratulate the female fae, well human, but they didn’t know that. All they knew was she was creating a wedge between their princess and Prince Deveron, so no one would congratulate her. She suspected Deveron was mad at her. Ritasia seemed unduly concerned.
Maybe because Deveron was mad at her.
“It’s time for us to retire to our bedchambers and get ready for the ball,” Lorelei said.
“I’ll share the guestroom with my cousin,” Ritasia announced.
Alicia wouldn’t look at Deveron. He was a spoiled rotten dark fae who couldn’t concede she was a pretty damned good marksman.
Too bad.
“You seem to have regained your strength back quite well,” Lorelei said as she grasped Deveron’s arm and spoke to Alicia.
“It comes and goes,” Ritasia quickly said.
“Does Alicia have a change of gowns? Everyone will know her at the ball if she does not.”
Ritasia said, “I have brought a week’s worth to Venicia. I’m sure she will find one that appeals.”
“No one is to know who anyone else is,” Lorelei reminded her.
“I will know her, as I need to watch out for her.”
Lorelei nodded.
Ritasia took hold of Alicia’s hand and transported her to the bedchambers. The effect wasn’t hardly dizzying at all, considering the short distance.
“Are you all right?” Ritasia asked her.
“Yes. I guess we were so close by, it didn’t bother me as much.”
Ritasia pulled a chest open, then sifted through several gowns.
Alicia watched her, then said, “I guess no one liked it that I beat Deveron in archery. I assumed he didn’t either.”
“Other things were on his mind.”
Alicia studied her as she pulled out a sea green dress.
“To go with your green eyes and blond hair. It should be very fetching.” Ritasia handed it to her, then returned to the chest.
Alicia ran her fingers over the silky sheers that covered the satin gown underneath. “What other things were on his mind?”
Ritasia dug around in the chest some more, then pulled out a peach-colored gown. “Like who you are.”
Taking a deep breath, Alicia said, “Well, that I would like to know as well.”
Ritasia stood. “I think it best if we return you home.”
Gone was the fae friendship, just like that? One archery competition, no cheating, and she was no longer wanted by the dark fae? Had they lost interest in the human who could best them at a game? And why even bring her here if they were truly concerned about her safety? Was it all just pretend?
“I would be happy to oblige. Take me there now. Or return me to South Padre Island.”
“Deveron would have to approve.”
“Why? He doesn’t own me.”
“In a way, he does.”
Alicia squelched the urge to scream and handed the gown back to Ritasia. “Take me home now, please.”
“I can’t and I won’t.”
Alicia tapped her foot on the floor. There was nothing worse than being stranded in a place she had no way to get out of. And in no way did she belong to Deveron.
“You and Deveron are mad I did so well at the competition. Why? Was it because I bruised his male ego?”
“It is more than that.”
“What?”
Ritasia began to pull off her emerald green gown.
“What?”
“I can’t say,” Ritasia said with exasperation. “I need to speak with Deveron first.”
“I can’t return to South Padre or my home without your help, can I?” Or her father’s. But she had no way of knowing who he was or where he lived.
Alicia studied the fae who ignored her. “Fine.” She headed for the door.
“Wait!” Ritasia’s voice was desperate. She was half undressed and couldn’t very well chase after Alicia. But Alicia wasn’t staying if Ritasia wouldn’t confide in her.
“Well?”
“We’ll talk with…I’ll speak with my brother after the ball.”
“Right.”
Alicia yanked the door open and headed out of the room.
“Alicia! Wait.”
She closed the door behind her. She would have a word with Deveron. Why did Ritasia have to act as her intermediary? Was Deveron that mad at Alicia?
CHAPTER 11
Frustrated over having no control over her destiny, Alicia had every intention of seeing Deveron and forcing him to return her home at once. She would make her mother tell her who her father was like she should have done years ago.
She stormed down the hallway, wondering where Deveron could be staying. Then she saw the steward. His gray eyes caught sight of her immediately and widened, though he’d been talking to a guard.
Her skin crawled and an uncontrollable panic filled her with dread. She slowed her pace.
He headed for her with the guard at his side.
She stiffened her resolve. She would ask him where Deveron was located. Easy enough. And then the steward would answer her question in a very civil tongue. Right. There wouldn’t be any way he’d want her to visit Deveron at his guest bedchambers, not when he wanted Princess Lorelei to wed the prince.
“Alicia!” Deveron called from some distance behind her.
Relief to hear his voice washed over her like a warm South Padre Island wave, even though his voice was couched in worry.
Had he changed his mind about being angry with her over the archery competition? Didn’t matter. She was going home.
She headed in his direction, but he reached her first. Before she could utter a word, he dragged her back to her guest quarters. She tried to break free.
He tightened his grip.
“Let go of me!”
“You are never to be out of Ritasia’s or my sight, Alicia. I told you that already.”
“I’m sorry you can’t deal with my winning at the competition. Well, tying at the last of it anyway,” she said haughtily.
“You have no idea the trouble you’ve stirred up.”
“What?” Was this what Ritasia alluded to but wouldn’t speak of? What was the matter now?
They arrived back at the chambers, and he opened the door as Alicia squeaked, “Ritasia is changing!”
But Ritasia had already changed into her peach gown and was shoving her sandals on her feet.
“Thank goodness you caught her,” Ritasia said.
“Take me home,” Alicia said as he pulled her into the room and shut the door. She jerked her arm free.
“We need to discuss this, Deveron,” Ritasia said.
“I don’t know where else I can take her where she’ll be safe.” He ran his fingers through his hair.
“What is the matter?” Alicia nearly shouted.
Deveron considered her, then shook his head. ??
?You are a dragon fae. Our greatest enemy.”
“Bull. How could I be?”
“Half, I should say. It’s the only explanation. Only the female dragon fae can shoot like you can with the bow. No one who had never used a fae bow like that could do what you did. And no female fae could shoot as far and well as you, unless you were a dragon fae. It’s an inherited trait.”
Alicia sat down hard on a blue velvet chair. A dragon fae. Her father was a dragon fae?
“What if her father is someone of consequence, Deveron? What if he learns his sworn enemy has taken her hostage?”
“Mother will attempt to do the same thing. There could be war,” Deveron said.
“Why? My father abandoned me when I was five. He would never know I was with the Denkar as their prisoner or otherwise.”
“Spies are prevalent in a castle. Always. I’d bet a year’s worth of gold one is on his way to Morcalon right now with news of the female fae pretending to be a Neferon princess. Not only that, but the crown prince and princess of the royal family of Denkar guard her closely. Rumors probably already abound about your strange malady. Are we drugging you? Then as the time wears on you are your perky self again?”
“Then return me home.”
Deveron paced across the floor.
“Return me home!”
“No.”
“Deveron—”
“No.” He turned to Ritasia. “Can you ensure she stays here and changes her gowns?”
She nodded, but wrung her hands.
“Stay! We will take you from here during the height of the ball. Do not, whatever you do, stray from Ritasia.”
He stalked out of the room and slammed the door behind him.
She was not a dog. She would not be commanded to stay like a dog!
“You must get changed,” Ritasia said, in a much gentler voice.
Alicia folded her arms.
Ritasia’s voice changed. “I should have known you were a dragon fae. They’re notoriously stubborn.”
“Written from their history or yours?”
Ritasia managed a small smile. “If we are to leave here safely,” she tried again, “you must do as Deveron says.”
“Where are we going after that?”
Ritasia shook her head. “Deveron is the one who gets himself into complicated messes like these, though come to think of it, this is the worse one ever. And usually he figures a way to get himself out again. I’m sure he already has a plan.”
***
Deveron changed into a black tunic, black trousers, boots and a black wig. After tying his wig hair into a ponytail, he donned a black mask. Then he vanished and reappeared at the entrance to the grand ballroom. One good thing about fae travel, no one would have seen him leave his room while he was wearing his costume.
When he strode into the room, he found it crowded with exuberant masked courtiers eager to guess everyone’s identity. He cursed himself for not asking Ritasia what Alicia was wearing to the ball.
At least he’d paid enough attention to know Ritasia wore her favorite peach gown. The unusual color looked well on her. Very rarely did he ever see anyone wearing that shade but her. He assumed he’d find her easily. And where she stood, he’d find Alicia.
Because of the crowd, a good twenty minutes passed before he spied Ritasia. He vanished and reappeared next to her. “Ritasia,” he said taking hold of her hand.
The lady giggled and he released her hand at once. “If you wish to me to be the princess, my lord, I would be glad to take her place.”
His skin chilled. Where the hell was Ritasia? She wouldn’t have changed again unless…
Maybe she was fighting with Alicia to get her to change clothes. He took a deep breath and hurried out of the ballroom with a quick stride toward Alicia’s door.
CHAPTER 12
Alicia feared for her life more than ever, knowing that she was half dragon fae. Others, including the Denkar, hated her….or her kind.
Which would mean they hated her.
And all because she had wanted to protect her friend, Cassie, from the attentions of a gorgeous, drop dead, dark fae at the beach on their vacation. Next time, she’d let well enough alone.
If there was a next time.
She slipped into the sea green gown, hoping that no one but Deveron and Ritasia would know who she was. “Thank you for letting me borrow another of your gowns, Ritasia, especially knowing what you do about me.”
“I have to admit, Alicia, you are not at all like I would imagine the dragon fae would be. Maybe it’s because you were not raised by them. Or perhaps even my perception of them is incorrect. All I know is I truly care what happens to you. And so does Deveron.”
“He has an odd way of showing it.” Alicia smoothed down the wispy sheers that floated into place with seeming reluctance.
Ritasia clipped Alicia’s blond hair back with diamond studded hair fasteners. “I’m sure the shock of which fae kingdom you originated from upset him some. I’m not certain either of us would have ever suspected you were a dragon fae.” She returned to the chest and shook her head as she pulled two feathered masks from it. “We would never have suggested you take part in archery had we known. Though, I suspect if you came from one of the close lines of Denkar fae, he would be as ruffled.” She waved the masks at her. “Either of these? I have others.”
“The silver would be fine.” She considered Ritasia’s words further. “Why would it bother him if I were one of your close relations?”
Ritasia smiled a strange little smile, then handed her the silver mask. “Perhaps Deveron could explain better.” She attached a golden mask to her own face.
“I thought you hated me because I was a dragon fae.”
“No. Only we’re concerned, and rightly so, that the dragon fae will take revenge because we have taken you—with us—for your own well-being, of course. Only they would not see it that way. Are you ready to go?”
Alicia took a deep breath, trying to massage her raw nerves.
“Whatever happens, stay with me at all times.”
Alicia had every intention of doing what the dark fae wanted her to do. Despite seeming upset that she was a dragon fae, both Ritasia and her brother appeared to genuinely want to help her. Besides, what choice did Alicia have but to trust them?
Ritasia took her hand, but there was no smile on her lips. Alicia imagined the ball was going to be like entering the lair of the dragon fae for the Denkar kind. Only it was Alicia who had to worry about the Venician fae’s intentions.
One wrong move…and Alicia was history.
***
Deveron arrived at Alicia’s door. Rather than barging in this time, he knocked, not wanting to catch Alicia half-dressed and have her bite his head off in reaction.
When there was no answer, he shoved the door open. The women were gone. Panic spread through him like a twister tore across a Texas plain in the stormy spring.
He returned at once to the ball.
“Are you Joslo?” a lady asked as she grabbed his arm and smiled broadly.
“No, my lady.” He pulled away.
Then to his further alarm, he saw Micala, not in costume, of course. A guard was trying to remove him from the ballroom for not wearing a mask.
Deveron appeared next to Micala, then hurried him outside of the ballroom. “What’s wrong? Where’s Cassie?”
“Can we go to the privacy of your guest chambers, my lord?”
Had the royal guard come after Micala, looking for more answers about Alicia? Deveron took his arm and they appeared inside his guest quarters.
“Cassie is back at her home, my lord. But that is not the problem.”
“What?”
“Alicia’s mother came searching for her. Apparently, she was supposed to spend a couple of days with the girls, but she came early. Here I am entertaining Cassie instead, and there’s no sign of Alicia.”
“Then what?” Deveron’s heart raced as it was, worrying about the women. But if Al
icia knew her mother was concerned about her whereabouts…
Yet, Micala would have used his fae magic to make Alicia’s mother forget about her. The look on Micala’s face indicated it wasn’t the worst of their problems.
“She was like a mother grizzly. I’ve never seen a woman so irate. But that’s not all of it, my lord. She’s the fae.”
“What? I thought it was Alicia’s father.”
“Apparently not. The woman wore contact lenses to hide her eyes, but she grew so angry, not even the contacts could disguise the fae fire encircling them.”
“Does she know which fae you serve?”
“No, my lord. She seemed too shook up. She took Cassie with her, I assume home, and then I came straight here. I think she believed I was just interested in the human girl. We were sharing an ice cream sundae when Alicia’s mother found us. I told her I’d never seen Alicia, only Cassie, and befriended her, as I often did when I was bored with fae life.
“She grilled me some more, but I stuck to my story, that I’d found Cassie alone, and made friends with her. I felt sorry for her that she was by herself. I think Alicia’s mother believed that perhaps another fae had stolen Alicia away due to her abilities, and made Cassie forget all about her. Anyway, the mother didn’t seem to think I had anything to do with Alicia’s disappearance.”
Deveron paced. “Alicia’s a dragon fae.”
“What?”
“The mother wasn’t a royal was she?”
“I saw no medallion, but if she disguised her eyes, I would think she’d hide any other evidence she was a fae. The only thing that’s in our favor is she must have broken away from her people. They wouldn’t get involved, don’t you agree?”
“No. We can’t be certain of that.” Deveron pointed at a wooden chest. “Find another mask. We’ve got to locate Alicia and Ritasia in the ballroom and move them at once.”
“Where to, my prince?”
Deveron snorted. “Anywhere that we can think of that might be safe.”
***
As soon as Alicia and Ritasia arrived at the grand ballroom, she feared the worse. The place was crowded. Everyone wore disguises. The sweet waters the women wore scented the air like the faery garden, and faery tunes played, giving the deadly environment a sugar sweet coating. But Alicia knew somewhere in this crowd, Lorelei was waiting to strike at her…like a rattler poised.