Avenged

♕ Chapter 1a

Chapter 1a

Unsurprisingly, Marissa was acting as the charming Princess. She was a natural attention magnet. Not exactly gorgeous, just pretty, and made even more so with the aid of the Kingdom’s rapidly depleting treasury and copious skilled maids. She was, however, quite cunning and the daughter of the King. That alone made her a prime catch. I’d seen her a few times in the last few years, from a distance, of course, since I couldn’t risk being seen before I was ready.

Tonight, Marissa, the false Princess, and my ex-best friend, sparkled in a gown of flowing red satin that caught the light as she moved and a feathered mask that could not even remotely hide her identity. She easily held the lustful gaze of all the men of the King’s court. Better her than me. I had only one man on my mind this evening.

The front of Marissa’s gown dipped in a deep V showing off her ample and sun-kissed cleavage, and another deep V down the back revealed her diamond-dusted wings. I couldn’t imagine how that dress stayed up. Nor could I imagine feeling comfortable in such a dress with all those roving eyes, but Marissa lapped it up graciously. Having said that, my dress wasn’t any less eye-catching. That was, after all, my purpose here.

Marissa also drew the eyes of most of the women in the room. A few in admiration, some with judgment but most held envy. All seeking to befriend her, use her, control her for their own advantage. Almost all of them wanted access to her brother, the handsome and eligible Crown Prince. The majority of these people didn’t really know her. I did, though. It was far more likely that Marissa would have these men and women bending to her will rather than the other way around. Cunning, clever, and corrupt: that was Marissa.

I wondered how long it would take her to choose one — or more — of these men as tonight's lover if she chose them before the night began or made her orgy arrangements during these events. Maybe there was an open invitation to attend her bedroom. Then I remembered: I didn't care. It wasn’t my business. Her active love life was never what bothered me. It was the betrayal that stung.

Growing bored of watching Marissa work her social magic, I plucked a glass of wine from a passing servant’s tray and melted into the crowd. Marissa’s time would come.

Even in this dress, being invisible was my skill. Perhaps not deliberately learned, it was one I easily acquired growing up in my new role and in the shadow of my effervescent brother. A skill acquired when it became necessary to hide from the public eye. Besides, it’s much easier to observe others if you are not being watched yourself. Marissa unintentionally provided a handy distraction for me. Any eyes not on the Princess were scanning the crowd for the Prince, new attractions, or gossip opportunities. The ball was in full swing now, making it easy to get lost in the large ballroom.

Traditionally, the first ball of the season was a masked ball. The masks were spelled upon entering the ballroom to blur any distinctive features to hide the identity of the attendee. You could still tell people who you were if you chose to, and when you did, the spell was lifted.

The mask hid your face but nothing hid your wings. A fae’s wings were like fingerprints—unique, impossible to fake without practice, and fatal if exposed. No one really noticed them in detail. Tonight though the palace guards were scanning wings upon entry as a precaution.

Maintaining the wing illusion was tricky. Along with the other light bending illusions that changed my face. Any lapse in concentration, and my natural features would flicker through.

Anonymity had been my great-grandmother’s idea over a hundred years ago. Her son, their only child, at 32 was yet to choose a mate. The story goes that my great-grandmother instituted this new aspect to the masked ball so that when he talked to people, he saw their true characters, their true intentions. Marissa, of course, the attention w***e that she was, had clearly broken the spell on herself.

Across the room, I spied my target heading toward the far wall, toward the row of balconies evenly spaced along a far outer wall. They were far enough apart to make each one seem private. I remember, as a little girl, thinking it would be romantic hiding out there with the right company.

I watched as my target, skirting the lively dance floor and avoiding eye contact, slipped onto a balcony “unseen”. His spell was intact, but I’d paid handsomely for information, and as a result, I knew exactly what he would be wearing. I’d also paid to ensure that no one else received the correct information.

The opulent ballroom, crowded with warm bodies and thick with the stench of power-hungry lustful nobles, was stuffy. I could use the fresh air anyway.

Stepping into the cooler outside air, a light breeze kissed my bare shoulders. Goosebumps rolled in pebbles across my body for a moment while I adjusted. Closing the curtain, I headed to the stone railing. Leaning over, I took a deep breath, pretending to be alone. I remembered that during the day, this view was spectacular. Even now, on an almost moonless night, the ground below lit with flaming torches, flickering mesmerizingly outlining the paths below. It was a stunning sight and one that almost brought tears to my eyes. For a moment, it felt like they could be here. But, thanks to the false King and his conspirators, they weren’t.

With the merest sliver of the moon reflected on the lake in the distance, the fresh air and privacy would have been blissful if I didn’t know the Prince’s gaze was burning into me.

Behind me, he cleared his throat to draw my attention.

Got you.

Resisting the smug smirk trying to rise on my face, I arranged myself to show shock and innocence. Not that he could see my face behind the mask. Still, this was the first test. We were once close. If he didn’t recognize me, it was doubtful that anyone else would. Of course, I’d taken precautions. My hair was dyed black, like every member of the Duke’s family I was pretending to belong to, hiding my natural light blond locks. Using my light powers, I’d learned to change my eye color to copy Ella’s blue ones. The natural, distinct violet shade would instantly give away my true heritage.

Turning, I saw his tall shape emerge from the shadowy corner of the balcony. My heartbeat accelerated and an unexpected shiver rolled through my body. It had been eight long years since I’d seen him last. Eight years of planning fueled by hatred. I did not expect his mere presence to send me spiraling down memory lane.

“Apologies,” he murmured with a disarming smile. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” He smiled softly, hands clasped behind his back. He didn’t approach me. His voice sounded deeper now, husky almost, deliciously smooth with his well-practiced charm. He still exuded that quiet confidence I’d once admired. Then I saw his rotten soul.

“I…” I stuttered a little, “I was just taking a break from the room,” I said, returning his smile.

“As was I,” he said slowly, “I’ll leave you to it.” He turned to go.

“No.” Oops, that sounded a little desperate. I’ll have to rein that back in. “I mean; I don’t mind sharing the space.”

He smiled again and nodded.

With the privacy curtains drawn across the balcony’s entrance, and the warm glow of the torch light slightly flickering on the balcony, it was difficult to see the man clearly. I couldn’t make out his eye color. In this light, they looked black, whereas in reality they are a deep ocean blue. Even so, I knew exactly who he was; Prince Adonis Blaze.

“Don't you like dancing?” the Prince asked. “I’m sure you would have plenty of offers.” He took a small step toward me.

“I’m not opposed, per say, just not interested in politics or husband shopping,” I replied with an undignified, and slightly embarrassing, snort.

“The other ladies would be happy to hear that,” he smiled. He was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome, not to mention rich, powerful, and the future King — the perfect package. I knew he was the goal of every unattached young fae lady in Kamir. I had my work cut out for me.