The Beating of a Thousand Wings

Chapter 3

The Duchess led us outside and into the garden with pride over her accomplishment. My eyes quickly darted around to find my father standing near a small fountain talking with my brother. Without a second thought, I marched over to the both of them, this time they could see the irritation all over my face.

***Keiren***

I was not pleased to be here. Not only was my sister to be flaunted around like some prized animal, I was supposed to be set up with some dumb puppet of a girl. Dad was trying to convince me to go along with it. “Just humor your mother and go along with it. You don’t have to marry any of the girls here. Just be polite.” He gently pleaded. I was annoyed that we were being set up, they painted up Fae and shoved her into a poofy sparkly dress. I knew that annoyed her which made me feel better, the problem was, she looked absolutely stunning. I knew she had no idea how pretty she's always been but the last thing I wanted was men falling at her feet and having to beat them off.

My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the mastermind of the “mating party,” the Duchess followed by Fae and 9 other girls her age. Every person in the guardian turned to watch them and I grumbled when I realized most of the men focused on Fae a little too much. Although she was looking around too much to notice the stares and when she saw Dad and I by the fountain, I could tell she was pissed which was borderline comical. It was a bit of a struggle to keep my expression blank as she made a beeline over here.

“What the actual heck, Dad???” she drilled. Why are we doing this? I’m not interested in being paraded around like a meat cow! The fact that you’re okay with this is outright insane!”

I stifled a chuckle and she turned towards me, her eyes blazing. “And you! I have no doubt that you’re one of these ‘eligible bachelors’ waiting to snatch up one of these dimwitted girls like a peach ripe for picking!”

“I am not interested in a single one of those ‘peaches’ as you want to call them” I retorted now annoyed.

“Oh yeah?” she fired back, then why are we here?!”

“Fae, Keir, enough please,” Dad cut in. “I’m not fond of the basis behind this gathering either but your mother is taken with the idea of the two of you finding a prospective marriage partner and even more thrilled that her cousin, Duchess Emberleit, is hosting it. Especially with all of her contacts and influence.”

Fae let out a breath and I allowed myself to relax my shoulders.

“Your mother will give me grief if the two of you don’t at least pretend to play along,” he continued. “Please for the sake of my sanity, try to enjoy the evening and indulge yourself in the food to placate your mother.” He manage to smile but his eyes pleaded.

Fae smiled and stepped forward kissing him on the cheek, “alright, I’ll try to indulge her.”

I plastered a smile on my face and nodded in agreement. Unfortunately, my smile drew the Duchess’ attention. “Keiren dear! Come over at once! I simply must introduce you to someone!” she cheerfully beckoned and I mentally rolled my eyes.

“Well go on Keiren, dear. Don’t keep the Duchess and her chosen peach waiting!” Fae sang seeming quite tickled with herself. I sent her a quick glare before resuming my forced smile and moving in the Duchess’ direction.

Fae

A server came by with a tray of champagne and Dad grabbed two glasses, passing one to me and keeping the other for himself. I took a sip as Keiren made his way over to the Duchess. He leaned down to kiss her hand in greeting and her songs of praises could be heard by half of the party which only made me roll my eyes. It had always been clear that she favored him. Not that I or anyone could blame her, he was tall, handsome, and a social butterfly, the exact opposite of me. Everyone wondered why he wasn’t already married, especially at the age of 26.

My stomach rumbled, interrupting my thoughts. Thankfully my mother was several feet away deep in conversation or I knew I would have gotten a dirty look. How unladylike of my body to audibly declare a need. Dad just chucked and gestured to a table set up with hors d’oeuvres. I made my way to the corner of the table as Dad moved toward Mom’s side. I grabbed one of the small crystal plates and scanned over the lineup of foods. There was no way I was touching anything with salmon or tomatoes which didn’t leave me many options. I decided on a small triangle of cucumber sandwich, some kind of soft cheese with bacon, and reached to grab a large strawberry but a chubby hand darted across and snatched the last one. I quickly looked up to find a mess of red curls swarming a cute little round face with devious blue eyes, her little head was barely taller than the table. If the platter of fruit wasn’t near the back of the table, I highly doubt she could have reached anything. I let out a surprised chuckle as she quickly took a bite out of her pilfered snack.

“Merrie! The child you can’t just snatch things from people's reach,” a voice gently chided. Merrie giggled in response. I looked up to see a tall, muscular, mountain of a man, peering down at the little girl with a forced look of sternness. Heavens he was larger than Keir and had to be a good half-foot taller than him. “My apologies for my niece, ma’am,” he said before looking up at me. His endearing smile instantly dropped leaving nothing but a cold expressionless face.

Oh God, I thought. He thinks I’m just some chubby halfwit that has caked herself in makeup to attract a husband. I can’t breathe. I need air. “She’s fine really, I'm not really hungry.” It wasn’t a lie. Seeing him made me forget I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. “Excuse me, I should probably allow others to be able to fill their plates.” No one was waiting but I felt the need to run away. I quickly grabbed a napkin and hurried to the opposite side of the garden. Thank goodness it was large.

I noticed a narrow walkway in the bushes and followed it to find a small bench in front of a fountain that was surrounded by daffodils. I could still hear the murmurs of people talking but I was far enough away to not embarrass myself. I wonder if I can get away with hiding here for the rest of the evening?

***Evander***

I see Merrie stand on her tip toes to look on the table and her tiny hand shoots out and snatches the last strawberry just as a lady reaches for it. I shake my head and chuckle. She’s something else. “Merrie!” I call out as I move towards her. “You can’t just snatch things from peoples reach.” She looks up at me with a devious look in her bright blue eyes and giggles while taking a bite of her prize. I can’t help but smile. She reminds me so much of her father, my younger brother. Though it painful at times to remember him, this little princess seems to soothe the burn.

“My apologies for my niece, ma’am.” I turn to look at the Lady in the other side of the table. My eyes rise to meet hers and I freeze. I can hear the fluttering of a million wings and my heart started to beat out of my chest. I panicked and tried to keep my expression neutral but pleasant.

“She’s fine really, I’m not really hungry.” I can barely hear her over the sound of wings. She suddenly looked uncomfortable and said something about allowing others to fill their plates and then hurried off. Shoot I did something wrong, she doesn’t like me. She was so beautiful. Her ebony hair delicately curled and pinned back with loose tendrils framing her perfect diamond face. Her eyes were the deepest shade of blue that drew you in like deep tides and her lips were painted a deep red bringing attention to the perfect ‘M’ shape of her lips. Her gentle voice had told me not to scold Merrie.

I groaned and looked down at Merrie who beamed at me in return. She truly looked like a princess tonight, her wild red curls hung past her shoulders and cascaded over her forrest green velvet dress, her mother even gave her a little gold tiara embellished with pearls.

“She’s pretty Ev-der.” I smiled at her pronunciation of my name.

“Who’s pretty Merrie?” I asked feigning ignorance.

“That lady” she replied pointing in the direction of the dark hair beauty that was quickly disappearing down a side path of the garden.

“Ah I see. She is very pretty.”

“Can you marry her?” She asks her eyes sparkling with hope.

“Marry her? Merrie darling, why would i marry her?”

“Momma said you need to get married. She said you need a lady to keep you home.”

My eyebrow shot up in surprise. “Did she now? Hmm, maybe I should tell her that you’ve been listening to her talk to other people.” I feigned a frown at her and her eyes widened in fear before taking off running towards the other children playing near the chateau.

I laughed watching her take off and made a mental note to talk to Esna about why she has a problem with my traveling. My mind drifts back to the nameless woman and O debated on chasing after her but decided against it. She didn’t seem to want to be in my presence. I needed to find out where she was.

I turned and scanned the crowd of people. There had to be at least a hundred people here, many I didnt recognize. I saw the Duchess over to the side chatting but I wasn’t about to ask her. That woman would be able to sniff out my interest immediately and the last thing I wanted was her meddling. She apparently had nothing better to do now that her husband had passed.

I kept looking around until I spotted an old college buddy, Keiren. I hadn’t seen him since graduation since I’ve been traveling so much but he looked the same. He had about 3 women circled around him, each one practically foaming at the mouth. Apparently, nothing has changed. If he hadn’t been almost a foot taller then them, he’d be breathing in the same air they exhaled, they were practically standing on his toes. I shook my head and chuckled. I could tell he wasn’t interested in any of them but was too polite to show it. I shouldn’t have any issue rescuing him in exchange for information on the woman.

I moved over to them quickly. “Keir, my friend! I haven’t seen you in ages.” I place my hand on his shoulder and turned towards the ladies who eagerly leaned towards me in response. I barley managed to hide my annoyance. “Ladies please excuse us, I need to have a word with my old college friend.” I gave them a wink and all they could do was bob their empty heads. I quickly turned on my heels to hide that i was rolling my eyes.