Chosen by the Fates

Fate's Design

Aisling ~

Tiffa and I share a room together while we help one another into evening gowns the brothers had chosen for us. Tiffa is giddy, in part because she has been riding a caffeine high all day. She is literally still pausing to take sips of another coffee as we get ready.

However, it is also because today has felt like unprecedentedly magical.

“It’s like the brothers are our fairy godmother…” Tiffa says, helping to touch up my makeup.

“I mean, last I checked, the princesses never wanted to make out with their fairy godmothers?” My quip is rewarded with a giggle from my best friend.

“Oh, I want to do more than to make out with him.” She sighs.

I laugh at that, “I assume you mean Cian?”

She blushes and grins teasingly, “Am I not being obvious enough?”

“Oh, he hasn’t exactly been subtle with you either.” I retort.

“You’d never know it from the way he hasn’t kissed me yet. I’ve been practically throwing myself at him.” Tiffa rolls her eyes, but still is glowing with excitement for tonight. She likes Cian more than I’ve seen her like anyone before. For all her joking about being forward, I can tell she thinks his shy behavior is sweet.

“What about you and Ashleigh, hmm? I swear when I first saw you two, I could cut the tension with a knife. But last night it was tangible and you both seemed into it. But today it seems as if Sionainn is making eyes at you as well.” She loops some pins into my hair in a style she has perfected on me with years of living together and helping me with my hair. “It’s scandalous.” She grins.

I blush. “Ashleigh… is something. I’m not sure why, but I just feel comfortable and safe with him. Sionainn is easy to be around, and he is just being a gentleman.”

Tiffa snickers, “Are you so sure about that?”

I quietly consider her question. Then I wasn’t the only one who noticed Sionainn’s behavior with me earlier today?  “I suppose for now that’s all I’ve got until I get a chance to unpack it. There’s a lot going on. I probably need a few more hours sleep before I can process anything beyond tonight.”

Tiffa nods, “That’s fair. Well, I wish you all the best of luck.” We switch places as I help with any final details of her makeup and hair. “Just remember –“ A mischievous twinkle dances in her eyes, “-If you start a harem, let me know where to sign up. You know I’ve loved you forever.” I snort a laugh and Tiffa winks at me.

When ready, we look one another one last time. Tiffa’s dress is comprised of sheer, dark gauzes. The tight body suit elements beneath leave everything to the imagination, while the flashes of skin through the gauze keep you wanting more. Every time the light hits her dress from various angles, it looks as if stars are twinkling in a night sky.

My own dress looks like a net of sparkling lights and gold gilding. Pale raw silks fall in structured waves around my curves, while tasteful lengths of skin throughout my body are revealed beneath the gilded netting as I move. “These dresses are stunning.” My tone reflects the disbelief I feel as I look at us in the mirror.

Tiffa lets out a low whistle. “We are stunning.” Her excited smile encourages me to appreciate the moment, and I can’t help but return her smile.  

When we head down the stairs, the brothers are already waiting. They are talking in hushed tones, but when they hear us, they turn together to face us. Seeing them all standing together, eyes lifted to ours, and dressed like princes certainly paints a captivating scene.

Sionainn’s luminous hair is matched by an equally white A-symmetrical tuxedo, trimmed in various silks and laces. Ashleigh’s tuxedo is classic but accented in various bits of leather and dark satin. Cian’s dark features are highlighted in a tuxedo made of the silvers found in the sky after it rains, accented tastefully in brightly patterned silks.

Each is also wearing a mask that fits perfectly with the specific designs of their tuxedos. Sionainn’s mask is a white leonine looking dragon, its mane radiating in etched leather details around sweeping golden antlers like the sun. Ashleigh’s bright eyes watch me from behind the visage of a black fox, prominently painted in gold with Japanese Kitsune markings. Cian is adorned with the leather stylization of a misty silver leopard with unpolished silver gilding.  

Sionainn and Cian are holding elaborately designed masks that perfectly match our dresses. Cian climbs up the last two steps to meet Tiffa. Her hands cover her mouth in a silent gasp.

Cian smiles shyly, drawing her hands gently away from her face with one hand before stepping even closer to put her mask on for her. His eyes never leaving hers.

Tiffa’s blush is darker than I’ve ever seen. Cian reaches around her shoulders to tie the mask. When he is done, my best friend is adorned with the mask of a black leopard, complimenting his. The molding and cut of the design are flattering on her features. Silver flecks of stars and opalescent galaxies comprise the black leopard’s markings.

“These are gorgeous! And it’s so comfortable on. How on earth did you find these in one day?!” In all the years I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her look so happy or surprised. It warms my heart to see her this way.

Sionainn’s bright smile is practically radiant as he explains, “Well, I must confess. We chose these dresses and masks for you some days ago. It was a blind leap of faith that you would acquiesce to joining us for this event.”

Tiffa is beaming, “Thank you so much.” She reaches for Cian’s hands, and he takes hers in return.

Sionainn meets me at the bottom of the stairs as I step down from the last step. His cool hands brush my skin as he places the mask in my hands, and something I don’t understand stirs within me. It feels entirely new. My heart skips, my eyes lingering on his.

I drop my gaze, turning the mask over to admire its ornate stylings. My mask is a design that reminds me of a mix between an eastern dragon and a unicorn, with an intricate singular golden antler sweeping up between long ears. Sionainn’s answers my unspoken question, “It is meant to be a Kirin.”

I am in awe of the detail and intricacy of the design. “It’s amazing. Whoever made this did an incredible job. I can’t believe they only had a few days.” My voice is a whisper as I take it all in. Tiffa was right, it feels as if we are in a fairytale.

Ashleigh approaches, hand outstretched in a polite offer to me “May I?”

Our eyes meet. The intensity of his bright gaze sends my heart fluttering.

I nod.

Ashleigh takes the mask, moving behind me. He carefully ties the mask into place, adjusting my hair carefully around it. His fingertips are warm where they brush my neck in the process. The comfort of contact with him always sets me at ease. My eyes follow him when he rejoins Sionainn in front of me.

I glance back at Tiffa, who winks at me.

The five of us certainly look ready for some big event as we leave.

***

We share a glass of mixed drinks in the limo, while Tiffa keeps inquiring about clues for what the plans are. The brothers tease her while expertly avoiding any direct answers.

The limo slows in front of a massive historic building with mythological figures carved up the columns. Huge banner illustrations hang between each column, lit up like beacons and fluttering in the winter winds.

Cian takes Tiffa’s hand, and they step out together. Ashleigh and Sionainn each take one of my hands, escorting me from either side.

Snowflakes drift down from the sky, sparkling as they reflect the spotlights encircling the architectural wonder before us.

We’ve made it through the entire day without the brothers being recognized by reporters, and now I realize why the brothers weren’t worried about an event of this magnitude in the metropolis. We are surrounding by hundreds of ornately dressed, masked individuals, all making their way towards the entrance just as we are.

The long steps seem endless. When we arrive at the entrance we are greeted by men and women dressed entirely in simple formal clothing with matching masks like a uniform. They offer us programs, which Tiffa and I both take.

‘Paper Faces on Parade – A tribute to Phantom of the Opera.’  The pamphlet describes an evening of dinner and dance as scenes from the famous musical play out around attendees as if they are immersed in the story themselves.

“An interactive masquerade with a musical theater performance?? Something like this even exists?” Tiffa squeals with glee, then without thinking kisses Cian’s cheek, her mask bumping his. Cian’s cheeks darken noticeably, and I can’t help but smile.

Sionainn leans in, whispering in my ear for me to hear, “Would you like a drink?”

I turn to look at him as I answer but find myself nose to nose with him. My heartbeat skips and picks up its pace, causing me to falter for a moment before answering. “Yes…please.” My voice is barely audible as I watch Sionainn’s gaze cast downward. Then he pulls away with a nod and a smile.

Ashleigh watches him go, expression unreadable. When he looks to me, there is only concern in his eyes, “How are you feeling?”

I consider his question. My headache faded sometime earlier today and seems to be gone entirely now. “Good. My headache has been gone for a while.”

Ashleigh’s lips are drawn into a faint smile, “Good. Let’s enjoy the evening together, shall we?” He offers me his elbow/

I raise an eyebrow as I regard him, “Oh now you’re a gentleman?”

Ashleigh feigns mock shock, “I have been nothing but all day.” I laugh at that. He offers me a sheepish grin, “I had a childish moment this afternoon. I hope you can forgive me.” He rubs at the back of his neck.  

I give him my best smile, “There’s nothing to forgive, I felt a little bad for teasing you anyway. So, I’m sorry, too.”

Ashleigh laughs and shakes his head. Before he can reply, a familiar voice behind me sends sparks across my skin, freezing me in my tracks.

“Aisling?”

I find it difficult to swallow around the lump that has formed in my throat. I close my eyes, taking a slow deep breath to calm my nerves. Even just his voice makes my body haywire.

Sol.

***

Sol~

My wolf stirs at the lingering smell of Aisling in the elevator.

Mate.

It defies reason. I very carefully push the elevator button for the floor to my suite as the wolf’s strength floods through my body. I maintain tight control of myself as my wolf continues to stir and rustle within me. With a slow breath out, I fall back against the elevator wall. I close my eyes to think.

How can Aisling be in the metropolis? I just saw her last night with – I cut that line of thinking off as it sends my heart into painful knots. Why would she be here in this building?

In the legends, our mates are chosen by the fates. But that’s just myth.

I take a long deep breath in, my heart aches at the feeling of her scent enveloping me. My wolf awakens, savoring her scent as we breathe. Every part of me calls out to her. My wolf also notices other smells swirling through the elevator, mixing and mingling with our Mate. The smell of her friend, and the three men from the coffee shop.

The elevator chimes, and my eyes snap open. I practically flee the space, taking long strides from the elevator toward my suite.

Some part of me is filled with a sense of dread. There is only one big event tonight that they might travelled into the metropolis for. I don’t know how, but if she’s here it means there is a chance that event is why she came. She could be there tonight.

My wolf wants to seek her out. My mind races with all the things I want to say to her, how to even begin to approach her after vanishing wordlessly after our date a week ago.

I can’t even begin to understand how this has happened, nor do I have time to dwell on it. I have one last wolf to meet, and she will be the most difficult to get information from if I do not adhere closely to her polite customs.

I grab a duffle bag with a spare change of clothes, calling for a lift to a remote park within the metropolis.

As exhausted as I am, I need to run my wolf. My wolf must stay dormant tonight.

 ***

Aisling~

I fight the urge to pretend I don’t hear him, or that I’m not who he is asking for.

When I turn, it is with the best smile I can manage as my heart is twisting in my chest at the sound of his voice.

My breath catches. His mask if that of a beautifully gilded golden wolf with a round golden circle etched between sweeping ears. Eyes of the deepest blue hold mine. My mind reels over the events of the past week. All I can see in my mind’s eye is the golden wolf.

Sol is dressed in a simpler tux made from all the colors of the dusk sky. The colors accentuate his eyes. For what his tuxedo lacks in fancy stylings, it more than makes up for with the quality of the materials and how fitted it is to all the curves and angles of his body. My heart hammers in my chest.

How would he even find me here, or know it was me? Why would he ghost me and show up now? Like this.  I take in a slow breath, emptying my mind, pushing back my imagination.

“Sol?” I keep my tone a polite inquiry. I don’t need to ask. My body would know him anywhere. But I hate that he has any sway over me.

Some expression I don’t understand flits behind his eyes, followed by a curve of a wry smile at the corners of his lips.  

“Yes.” He bows his head low. The gesture feels deeply significant to me, but I don’t know why. Something within my stirs awake. Submission. The thought feels as if it is my own. But why would I know that?

“I owe you an apology, and I regret to have to make it under these circumstances.” Sol’s eyes return to mine.

I barely hear his words over the din of more people arriving. But I can’t believe what I do hear. Is he apologizing?

I find it difficult to find the words to reply. It’s only been a week. There are plenty of people who would think nothing of his silence. Even after he asked for a message. Heck, I’m not entirely sure why I am so upset about it. I tell myself it is because I refuse to play games. Life is hard enough, and people don’t need to add to that difficulty for others. A good partner is someone who can bear the weight of hardship with you instead of adding to the load or being unavailable.

But some part of me I don’t understand has been feeling something else. Something I have shoved away and let myself be distracted from because it doesn’t may sense.

We felt betrayed.

My heart stops. Why? Why would I feel betrayed by someone I just met? I close my eyes, unable to think through all the noise. When I finally open my eyes, I drop my gaze, still feeling put on the spot.

Unable to explain my tangle of thoughts, I speak the only words that will come to me, “It’s fine.”

It’s fine.

HAH.

It’s not like that reply is a loaded cliché or anything. What else I can I say to recover this exchange if I can’t even explain why I’m so upset?

My mind churns, and as I breathe in to sigh a familiar scent fills my senses. Sage, pine, and the forest just after fresh rain. I feel my mind quiet, the noise around us fades as if miles away. The scent is intoxicating, but also calming. I take in another deep breath, slower this time.

When I lift my eyes, Sol has stepped closer. His expression is soft and filled with unspoken meaning, “It’s not fine, Aisling I –“

Suddenly my view is blocked by Sionainn and Ashleigh. As if the spell is broken, Sol’s scent fades and the noise surrounding us hits in full force.

Sionainn’s smile is as bright and charming as ever. “If you’ll excuse us, we have others to meet up with.” They don’t recognize him. I am ushered away by Ashleigh as Sionainn bows low.

Sol’s eyes are on me as we vanish into the crowd.