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Bayleon’s brow creased in worry as he shook his head. “No,” he said softly.
Bastian heaved out a sigh, and despite his best efforts, I could hear the fatigue in his voice. “Nothing yet—but we’re keeping an eye out. I can’t remember ever feeling something like that before.” He briefly hesitated before he continued. “Let’s hope it stays away from here.”
“Let’s hope,” I agreed, my gaze darting between them. Bastian’s jaw ticked and his fists clenched, mirroring Bayleon’s gesture. Then, a heavy silence descended over us, making their clashing auras of energy and desire almost tangible. “Will you both save me a dance at the ball tomorrow?” I finally said, breaking the silence.
After a long pause, Bayleon nodded, and even though I couldn’t really see his eyes behind the mask, I could tell he was searching my face as he stepped back.
“As you wish, my queen,” he said softly, bowing his head.
Just as he finished speaking, Bastian spoke up, too. “I would be honored.”
Without another look back, they strode away in opposite directions to their rooms which were connected to mine. I was tempted to use the secret passages between our rooms to try and get some answers, but I knew it wasn’t the right time. They were hiding something from me, and I was determined to find out what it was.
Chapter5
Bastian
Sleep had eluded me once more. I watched the sun rise over the Blossom Court, its brilliant beams signaling a new day. I was surrounded by life and beauty, but all I felt in my heart was a pit of burning despair. I had been struggling against the torment for ages, pushing through it with all my might. I didn’t know how much longer I could last. Giving into the temptation would be so easy; I could just leave and go back to the Tyvar, get my fill of women and then return to the Blossom Court. I’d have my strength back and the pain would be gone. The thought seemed simple, yet it was anything but. If I left the Blossom Court, it would betray everything I loved and held dear. Even if I were allowed to be with those women, it would never be Lia; she was the one thing I desired more than anything else.
The Equinox Ball was taking place at the worst time possible. I was already on edge and now had to witness all the suitors vying for Lia’s attention. It was only a matter of time before she would choose her future king and I would have to leave—I had promised to remain by her side and protect her, but my grip on sanity was slipping away. I couldn’t watch her with another man without crumbling.
I grasped onto the window ledge until my skin split and bled, hoping that if I inflicted enough physical pain, it would nullify the emotional pain, but it didn’t work.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly exhaled, surveying the thousands of fae from the different courts gathered at the borders between the Blossom Court, the Spring Court, and Kale’s Court of Rivers. My warriors were all in place and I could feel the swell of pride in my chest. I stood before the full-length mirror, fastening the bronze buckles of my vambraces, each one etched with a design of a warrior slaying a dragon.
As soon as I was finished, I’d join them to do my duty as one of their captains. I had promised Lia that I would save her a dance, but there was no way I would stay at the ball any longer than necessary.
There was a gentle knock on the door, followed by the gentle hum of a young voice.
“Bastian?”
It was Shaylah, one of Lia’s servants. My hair was still damp from my shower, and I quickly ran my fingers through it before slipping on my mask. When I opened the door, Shaylah’s smile widened as she held out a black tux with the Blossom Court crest stitched into the jacket with silver and gold threads and glittering jewels. It was something a royal would wear, not a warrior.
“What is that for?” I asked.
Shaylah stood in front of me, her honey-colored eyes sweet with innocence. She came from a long line of wood nymphs who had served the royal families their entire lives, and she was one of the first to ask Lia if she could join her court when she became queen. I remembered Lia’s joyous smile that day quite well, and I knew many other fae would soon follow suit.
“I’m so glad I got here before you went downstairs,” Shaylah said, her voice slightly shaky. I took the tux from her, and she sighed in relief. “The queen asked me to give this to you. She wants you and Bayleon to be her escorts to the ball.”
It was the last thing I wanted to hear. Lia and I have been to many lavish galas together in the past seven years, but I wasn’t expecting her to need an escort for the Equinox ball. It was the one event every year she’d go to alone so that potential suitors could court her. I knew Lia was tired of people pressuring her to find a spouse, and typically, I would’ve been thrilled to fill the role of her escort. But tonight, I wasn’t sure I could muster the strength to be near her.
“Thank you,” I replied, nodding at Shaylah, praying she hadn’t noticed my hesitation. “I’ll go get dressed.”
Shaylah bowed and stepped back, and her braid, adorned with various flowers, swayed lightly behind her. “Have a wonderful night,” she said with a warm smile.
She disappeared down the hallway, and I shut the door so I could quickly change. When I opened the door again and stepped out, I saw my brother down the hall, leaving his room dressed in a tux similar to mine. His long platinum hair hung straight down his back and had intricate braids on the side. I ran a hand through my short tresses, and a part of me missed who I used to be. There was a time when I wanted to keep with the old traditions, but it wasn’t as common anymore, not with Lia’s generation. The Land of the Fae was evolving, and I didn’t want to be left behind. Bayleon kept with the old ways, and it worked for him, but I wanted to be a part of Lia’s world, to make her see me differently.
We stopped in front of Lia’s bedroom door and even though the silver mask hid Bayleon’s eyes, I could see a tiredness in them that I’d never seen before.
“Good evening, brother,” he called out.
“Same to you,” I replied. “Did you know this was going to happen?” I asked, flourishing a hand between us.
Bayleon shook his head, the muscles in his jaw clenching. “No. I was just about to join our warriors when Shaylah came to my door.”
I nodded. “Same.”
Bayleon stepped forward, his voice low but demanding. “I know something is going on with you. You’ve never been one to keep secrets. Do you have anything you need to say to me?”
