Chapter Eleven
I fidgeted uneasily in my seat at the long table. Caom was drunk already, but he’d stayed true to his word and hadn’t left me alone. He was laughing hysterically at something with the selkie on his other side while I sat in silence, uncomfortable and totally out of place.
The majority of the Folk had ignored me completely all evening, which I didn’t mind in the slightest. I may have been the reason for this party, but to them it was just an excuse to eat and get drunk and dance. I’d been terrified that I’d have to make a speech, or stand up and be introduced to everyone, but the party had kicked off on its own, the Folk too eager to drink and eat themselves silly.
I couldn’t stop glancing over at the spot where I’d seen Lonan, and I had no idea why. He wasn’t even there anymore. I had no idea where he was, but I was sure he was still watching me from somewhere hidden.
Would he eat or drink anything? If he approached the long table filled with Folk, would they ignore him, cower, or fall over themselves to fill his plate? They acted like they were unflinchingly loyal to their ruler, but Caom’s words made me think that they all actually hated the Carlin and her children.
Did he care that he was kept separate from everyone else? Was he lonely? The thought made me sad, maybe because I was lonely. I was completely alone in the world, especially this one that I didn’t belong in.
I couldn’t sit here any longer, watching Folk stuff their faces while my stomach squeezed with hunger. I didn’t want to touch any of the food. The food in my cottage felt safer for some reason. Away from everyone else, away from eyes watching eagerly to see what the mortal would do.
I nudged Caom’s arm, grabbing his elbow to steady him when he spun round with a sloppy smile and glassy eyes.
“Um, I need the bathroom,” I muttered, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. The fae on my other side was the wild-haired man I’d seen with the selkie before, and he was calmly talking to a hairy, pig-faced creature beside him.
“Oh.” Caom laughed, too loudly, even though I hadn’t said anything remotely funny. He pointed in the vague direction of the village. “The café. Grab yourself a drink while you’re there. I haven’t seen you touch anything.”
“Maybe,” I said, moving to stand up.
He grabbed my arm, peering up at me blearily. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, it’s okay,” I said quickly, patting his shoulder as I stood. “I’ll be right back.”
He nodded, blinking too slowly as he turned and grabbed a white apple from the bowl in front of him. I left him to it and walked quickly towards the village, even though I wasn’t actually going to the café. I kept my head down, veering right to slip behind the tents and the backs of the buildings. I just needed a few minutes alone, away from all this noise and music and peeling laughter.
Fireflies danced above all the tents, their greeny-white glow winking in and out when they settled for brief moments before lifting back into the air. I exhaled in relief when the sounds faded as I slipped behind the building, but I was no less tense. Even though it was just a party, this whole thing felt dangerous. Like something bad would happen to me if I let my guard down for even a second.
“F-fuck.” I jumped out of my skin when I noticed the tall figure in the shadows, leaning against the back of the building.
My heart started to pound when I realised who it was. I stared at Prince Lonan. He didn’t move, but I could feel his eyes on me.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“You’re not enjoying the party my mother has thrown for you?”
His voice was scarily soft, and still husky, like it had been before. I shivered.
“No, I am,” I said quickly. “I just—needed a few minutes. It’s a little… overwhelming.”
“You haven’t eaten or drunk anything all night,” he said with just as little inflection.
Fear spasmed in my stomach. He had been watching me then. The whole time. I flushed at the thought of this assassin prince watching me sit there miserably.
“It all looks great, I just… I’m not hungry,” I said in a mumble.
When he remained silent, I licked my lips and chanced a look at him. I couldn’t see much. He was standing in the dark, but as a firefly flittered past, its glow reflected in his black eyes for a brief moment, lighting up the planes of his face.
I couldn’t stop staring at him, even though I was fully aware that doing so might have been seen as rude and make him threaten to kill me. I didn’t even know why. He was beautiful, yes, but most of the Folk were. Even if he was themostbeautiful, he was still… cold. Ruthless. A killer.
“Don’t you… Do you not want to join in?” I found myself asking, flushing when the question made me feel exposed. As if I cared whether this fae had fun or just stood alone at the side, watching everyone else enjoy themselves.
“No.”
This was the most uncomfortable I’d felt all night. I could tell he didn’t want to talk to me, so I had no idea why I was still standing here instead of just walking off, back to Caom and the party. I could feel that he hadn’t taken his eyes off me once, but the disdain rolled from him in waves. He probably thought I was nothing. Mortal scum. Most of the Folk felt that way, but this one was High Fae. Royalty. He probably resented the fact that his mother had ordered him to spy on me.
“Well, I… I should probably go back.”