10. Lily

Ijerked my hand away from my inner thighs guiltily and sat up quickly, making the warm water slosh against the sides of the tub.

"Princess?" Seldarin called again. "Did you fall asleep in the tub?"

Hardly. Still feeling guilty, I called back,

"Uh, no. I'm about finished. Let me just dry off."

I opened the drain—which was a golden disk shaped like an elegant little frog—and rose to wrap myself in one of the thick, fluffy white towels piled on the edge of the tub.

I dried myself off but was reluctant to put back on my dirty clothes. Luckily, just then Krynn came back as well. I heard him and Seldarin talking together in low voices from the other side of the screen. Then he came closer and called to me,

"My Lady, I have a gown and robe for you to wear tonight. The seamstress is hard at work on some garments that will be suitable for you to wear when you attend Court tomorrow. They should be ready in the morning."

Yeah right—as if I was actually going to show up in the Fae Court. I was already planning to wake up early and sneak quietly away before anyone was the wiser. But of course, I couldn't tell that to the two Fae on the other side of the screen.

"Oh, er, thank you," I called back as Krynn hung a diaphanous silky robe and gown over the wooden screen for me to get.

It felt strange putting on the clothing he had given me. The robe and gown looked like something you'd wear for a boudoir photo shoot—not casual lounging attire.

I don't mean that they were extremely revealing—there were no plunging necklines or anything like that. It was more that the fabric they were made of was so delicate and silky they seemed too rich and expensive for everyday wear.

I put on the gown first—it had a V neck, spaghetti straps, and a slit up one side that went up to my mid-thigh. The silky fabric was a warm champagne color that almost seemed to glow. It clung to my body in a way that made me blush—you could certainly see every curve I owned as well as the sharp points of my nipples poking out against the thin material. I considered putting on my bra under it and rejected the idea. I simply couldn't bring myself to put back on any of my dirty clothes—not even for the sake of modesty.

Luckily, the matching robe—which was trimmed in golden lace that was surprisingly soft—covered the gown completely. It tied with a long silky sash that had golden tassels at each end.

There was even a pair of soft little slippers that looked a bit like ballet shoes to go with the outfit. I slipped them on gratefully, glad that I could keep my feet warm on the chilly marble floors.

My hair was still damp around my shoulders but I finger-combed it, doing my best to look presentable, before stepping out from behind the carved wooden screen.

I found that the guys had been busy while I was getting dressed. The white wood table I had noticed earlier was set for one and there was a large silver platter covered with a round golden dome in the middle of it.

Beside the platter was a tall, fluted carafe made of silver and covered in raised golden roses and flowers with golden hummingbirds sipping nectar from them. There was a cut crystal goblet as well—which was the only word that fit the drinking vessel sitting beside the carafe.

"There you are—I was beginning to think the food would get cold," Seldarin growled. He swept the golden dome off the silver platter and an amazing smell filled the cavern.

"Oh my God," I whispered unsteadily. While I was washing my hair and soaking, I had almost been able to forget my hunger pangs. But now my appetite came roaring back and I was suddenly starving again.

"We hope you will enjoy your evening repast, my Lady," Krynn said courteously, leading me to the carved wooden chair placed at the table.

I don't know what I said to him—I think I might have just nodded. I was too eager to eat to make small talk. I sat down at the table, looking at all the delicious food with wide eyes and feeling like Beauty on her first night in the Beast's castle.

There was some kind of roasted bird—I don't think it was chicken or turkey—maybe something in between. But the skin was a perfectly crisp golden brown and it smelled amazing. There was also some kind of creamy whipped white stuff that was too light and airy to be mashed potatoes and delicious gravy to pour over it.

Other bowls contained fruit—most notably more of the glowing berries I'd eaten in the clearing. I popped several into my mouth, enjoying the way they burst on my tongue and released their sweet juices. There were other fruits and vegetables too—as well as some gorgeous flowers that Krynn assured me were edible. I tried one and found that it melted on my tongue like candied rose petals, leaving a delightfully delicate aftertaste.

But mainly I wanted the roasted bird that wasn't quite chicken or turkey and the airy, creamy almost-mashed potatoes and thick, silky gravy.

As I began to eat—using the golden cutlery beside the silver platter—Krynn and Seldarin took seats on the other side of the little square table.

Normally, I would have been self-conscious about eating in front of two such gorgeous men, but I was too hungry to let my insecurities get in the way. I savored every bite and it was only after I had taken the edge off my hunger that the two of them began to talk.

"Krynn and I have been wondering where you've been all this time," Seldarin said, arching an eyebrow at me.

"Oh—in Asheville mostly," I told him.

He frowned.

"But I searched there—so many times. In fact, Krynn and I have been searching for you ever since you disappeared, just a few weeks after the old Queen died giving birth to you. Why did we never find you?"

I didn't know what to say to that. It seemed weird to think of the two of them searching for me—or for the Lost Princess, whoever she was—for almost fifty years. Neither of them looked a day over thirty, if that.

They had a perpetually young quality to them—no wrinkles or gray hair anywhere. Just gorgeous features, muscular bodies, glowing eyes, and pointed ears. Aside from those last two things and their platinum skin, they could have been Instagram influencers.

"I, uh, don't know why you never found me," I said awkwardly. "It's not like I was hiding or anything. I mean, I was a mostly a housewife but I didn't stay in the house all the time. I went out to Target and ran the kids around to their different sports and activities and went to PTA meetings…"

"There may have been some kind of spell cast on her." Krynn looked thoughtful. "But it would take powerful magic to conceal one of Royal blood."

"Especially since we took the Markings to help us locate her and still couldn't find her," Seldarin remarked, still frowning.

"We also took them to show our devotion and willingness to serve," Krynn reminded him. "You and I both know the possible consequences of the Markings we bear."

I thought about asking what he was talking about, but honestly—was it really any of my business? They thought I was the Lost Princess—I was sure I wasn't. After I left, they could go back to searching for her, whoever she was. So I just kept eating and didn't ask what they meant—a decision I would regret later, though of course I didn't know it at the time.

I was beginning to get full but I popped another glowing berry in my mouth and moaned happily.

"Oh, this food is so good. And I'm not just saying that because I was so hungry—it's really the best thing I've ever put in my mouth," I told them.

"That's because it's true Fae fare," Krynn said. He lifted the silver carafe and poured some wine into the goblet. At least, I thought it was wine. It was a deep, rich red that was almost black. When I sipped it experimentally, it tasted as rich as melted berry jelly—though what kind of berry or grape it was made from, I couldn't tell—only that it tasted even better than anything else I had yet put in my mouth.

"This is delicious!" I exclaimed, taking another sip. It was so good I was tempted to gulp it down, but at the same time I wanted to savor it.

"It is the Nectar of Lolth—distilled from the berries of the Heart's Blood vine," Krynn explained, pouring me a bit more. "Its blossoms open only on nights when the moon is full and the vine produces berries only once a century, so the vintage is exceedingly rare."

"Well, I feel bad drinking alone—you two should have some too," I said, taking another sip. Was I beginning to feel a bit tipsy? Maybe I should slow down. But the dark red wine was so good. Maybe just a little more…

Krynn and Seldarin exchanged looks and shook their heads.

"Only those with Royal Purple blood in their veins may drink the Nectar of Lolth," Krynn told me.

"He's right—even High Fae of the Court can't touch it," Seldarin added. "Let alone half-breeds like us."

"Half-breeds?" I asked, frowning. "What do you mean by that?"

"Surely you've noticed the differences between ourselves and the other Fae of the Midnight Court," Krynn said dryly.

"To be honest, I didn't have time to notice much of anything except that you're all unnaturally gorgeous," I said candidly. "Oh—and the fact that everyone I've seen has pointed ears and glowing eyes."

"Those are the marks of our people—the Dark Elves or Dark Fae," Krynn said. "But there are ways to tell when someone is a half-breed. Hair color…skin color…"

"A pure-blooded Dark Fae should have platinum skin and hair the color of moonlight." Seldarin sounded like he was reciting something that he'd heard many times. He pointed to his own skin—the platinum tinged with olive green and then his hair, which was thick and black.

"Oh, okay," I said. "So you're…"

"Part Orc," he said flatly. "My grandsire lusted for a Fae maiden he saw bathing in a stream in the moonlight. So he stole her away and raped her."

Krynn winced.

"That's an ugly word, my friend."

"An ugly word for an ugly deed," Seldarin growled. "My grandmother killed herself—but not before she bore my sire. The Orc blood wasn't so obvious in him," he added. "So he was able to blend with the other Dark Fae and find a wife—my mother. He never told her about his own parents. So imagine her surprise when I came out looking like this." He gestured at himself again.

"So what if you have black hair instead of white and your skin is kind of green?" I demanded. "You're still gorgeous."

Which is definitely something I never would have said if I hadn't sipped so much wine. I told myself I needed to slow down again…and then took another sip.

"Actually, Sel is considered quite ugly in the Midnight Court," Krynn said, not unkindly.

"Ugly?" I frowned, looking at the big Fae's square features. Seldarin stared back, his bronze eyes unflinching. "Well, I mean he's not as pretty as you," I said to Krynn after a moment. "But he's still quite handsome."

"Maybe by human standards. Fae have a different set of rules regarding appearance," Seldarin said stoically. "I was such an ugly baby my own mother could barely stand to look at me. She used to make me wear a mask when I was younger—it's one of my earliest memories."

"What a horrible thing to do!" I exclaimed indignantly. "What mother would treat her own child like that?"

"One who was desperately ashamed of having Orc blood in her family lineage," Seldarin said. "She left my father because of it eventually—as soon as I was old enough to fend for myself."

"How awful. I'm so sorry, Seldarin." Reaching out, I put a hand on his arm and squeezed gently. "No mother should treat her child like that."

He shrugged stoically.

"It is what it is. And you can't change the past—or the ways of the Court."

"Appearance is very important to the Dark Fae," Krynn explained. "Almost as important as pure bloodlines."

"Well what about you?" I asked, turning to him. "You don't look that much different from the other Fae I saw in the clearing."

"I have these…" He pointed to the blond streaks in his long, silvery-white hair. "And I have…other differences. I'm half Fairy," he added.

"Which is why he's so fucking pretty," Seldarin growled, but a teasing smile was tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Krynn really was gorgeous—even considering the Fae standard of beauty, I thought, studying his perfect face. Only the squareness of his jaw kept him from being as beautiful as a woman.

"I still don't see how being extra pretty and having some blond in your hair makes you an outcast," I remarked.

"Well it didn't help that I first came to Court as a servant—a pageboy to Lady Elgiana. Also…" Krynn hesitated and I could see all kinds of emotions crossing his lovely features.

"You might as well show her, Krynn," Seldarin said. "She's going to see them sooner or later."

"All right." Krynn tugged at the long robe he was wearing and shrugged his shoulders. The front of it fell down to his waist, revealing broad shoulders and a muscular chest, though he clearly wasn't as built as Seldarin. But the back of the robe seemed to snag on something. Krynn reached back, but Seldarin was already there.

"Here—be careful, I know they're sensitive," he said. With surprising gentleness, he pulled down his friend's robe and let it fall all the way to Krynn's waist.

When I saw what had been caught in the robe, I gave a little gasp. There, sprouting from the Fae's shoulder blades were two small, withered growths. At first I couldn't tell exactly what they were, but then Krynn flexed his back and rolled his shoulders and they began to unfurl and grow larger until each of them was almost as big as my whole body.

"Wings!" I breathed as they flapped delicately, stirring the air in the cavern. They weren't bird's wings—more like butterfly wings, I thought. They were blue with swirling golden patterns and a gorgeous iridescent sheen. They threw rainbows on the walls when he moved them.

I was up and out of my seat before I could stop myself.

"Oh my God, they're beautiful," I exclaimed, coming around behind the lighter Fae to examine his back more closely.

"Thank you, my Lady, but the High Fae of the Midnight Court don't think so," Krynn said dryly. "I must keep them hidden under my robes at all times—if I didn't, I would be thrown out of Court."

"What? But that's ridiculous!" I protested.

He shrugged, his wings fanning the air gently.

"It is the way of the Midnight Court. If I hadn't kept my wings hidden all these years, I would never have risen to the rank of Keeper of the Royal Records and Court Historian."

"Of course my differences can't be fucking hidden," Seldarin remarked, going back to his seat. "But nobody cares since I'm the Captain of the Guard—they like the idea of an ugly Captain, I think. To frighten our enemies," he added.

"You're not ugly and neither of you should have to hide anything," I said indignantly. "Doesn't it hurt to keep your wings scrunched up under your clothes all the time?" I asked Krynn.

He sighed.

"I've grown used to it. Luckily, they lie fairly flat against my back, which makes my deformity easier to hide."

"I've always said we should go to the Seelie Court—the Court of All Seasons," Seldarin remarked. "They welcome misfits like us there—or they have ever since the Summer and Winter Court joined after King Liath and Queen Alira married and brought them together. But that was only twenty years ago," he added. "And we were still looking for you." He nodded at me.

"Now that you've finally come home, we wouldn't even consider abandoning our home Court," Krynn added, clearly trying to reassure me.

I frowned.

"But…how many Fae courts or kingdoms are there?"

"Many," Seldarin said. "As many as there are magical planes of existence."

"Which is to say, nearly infinite," Krynn added. "None of them exist in the exact same place or time, though they may overlap at certain times and places." He sighed and flexed his wings once more. "I should fold these away. They get difficult to conceal if I give them too much freedom."

"I wish you wouldn't put them away just yet," I said, bending closer to get a better look. "They're so beautiful."

"Well…thank you, my Lady." Krynn got an odd expression on his face—a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty, I thought—as he turned his head to look over his shoulder and watch me examining his wings.

"But what are those?" I bent even closer, frowning as I did so. There were white marks on his silver skin—they looked almost like… "Are those scars?" I asked, pointing.

Krynn quickly closed his wings, covering the white ridges that marred his otherwise perfect back.

"They are, but they need not concern you, my Lady," he said quickly. "They are from old wounds, long healed."

"Krynn has…needs," Seldarin murmured. "You can thank his old Mistress, Lady Elgiana for that."

"Who's Lady Elgiana?" I asked, frowning.

"She was my Mistress. When I first came to Court as a child, it was as her servant," Krynn explained.

"Alright, but what is Seldarin talking about when he says you have needs?" I asked, not understanding.

"Never mind." Krynn shook his head. "My needs or wishes don't enter into it. The fact is, I must fold these away before they become too hard to hide."

He flexed his muscles and rolled his shoulders again and the big, gorgeous wings began to shrink and shrivel once more until they lay flat against his back, hiding the white scars completely.

I wanted to ask who had hurt him, but he had a closed look on his face. Clearly he wanted to keep the source of his scars private. I wondered if some horrible person had beaten him for being different—the same way Seldarin's mother had made him wear a mask, just for not looking pretty enough.

It made me glad that I was sure I wasn't this Lost Princess they were looking for—I didn't want anything to do with people who could be so cruel to their children just for being different.

I started to go back to my own seat and stumbled.

"Whoa there, Princess!" Seldarin shot out a long arm and caught me from one side just as Krynn was reaching for me from the other. The lighter Fae was somewhat constricted though since he had been in the act of pulling his robe back up.

"Oh…I feel dizzy!" I put a hand to my head as the world started spinning around me. "What's wrong with me?"

"Yes—what the fuck is wrong with her?" Seldarin growled. Dragging me into his lap, he cradled me against his broad chest and shot a look at Krynn.

"Possibly it's the Nectar of Lolth working on her," Krynn said, looking worried. "We knew that feeding her Fae food would help her shed the human dross that's collected around her true form. We need to get her to bed and let it work on her—it's apt to be a long night."

"All right—to bed it is." And Seldarin rose, lifting me like I weighed no more than a feather pillow—which was absolutely not the case.

"What's in that stuff, anyway?" I mumbled as the darker Fae carried me to the huge four-poster bed and laid me carefully in the middle of it.

"The distilled essence of the Heart's Blood berries which were blessed by Lolth herself," Krynn told me. "The Nectar you drank will help you assume your true form. Don't worry," he added. "Sel and I will stay by your side the whole night and be sure you are well."

"I don't feel…so well," I mumbled. I had a passing thought that maybe they had drugged me somehow. And then everything went hazy and I couldn't think at all anymore.