Chapter 1 - Theo
"Hey, Theo, where are you going?"
Theo simply waved the question away, too out of breath to answer. He needed a rest. Leaving the frolicking nobles to their fun in the shallows of the lake, Prince Theo drew himself up onto the beach and spread his wings to dry them. The silver tips glowed in the moonlight as he began to make his way up the beach toward the line of willow trees that protected their quiet clearing from the view of the palace only a stone's throw away.
There they had left silken blankets, picnic baskets and bottles of honeysuckle wine.
Sitting at the center of the semicircle of blankets, looking for all intents and purposes like a guardian of picnic baskets, was a mousy-haired girl with a heart-shaped face and a cute button nose.
Theo had mentioned her to his brothers a couple of times whenever they were talking of the ladies of the court and yet whenever he mentioned her, not one of them seemed able to picture her.
Theo on the other hand found he could not forget her. Ever since she had arrived at the palace six years earlier along with her mistress Lady Delilah, he had found her to be most intriguing.
Though he admitted there was nothing entirely special about her looks; her mousy brown hair that she often wore in a single plait down to her waist, or her rather ordinary brown and orange wings that reminded him of the wings of a butterfly, he often found himself drawn to her.
And he found just that occurring this evening. Though all his brothers, their friends and even Lady Delilah were splashing about in the lake, some of the women naked as the day they were born, Theo found himself happiest to simply drop down onto the blankets beside the lady's companion.
"Your Grace," she said politely with a nod of her head as she did so. She had always reacted differently to his presence. Unlike most women of the court who threw themselves at his feet, she simply offered him curt respect, only curtseying as others did whenever court was in session and all eyes were upon them.
Theo would never admit it to anyone else but it was a welcome relief.
"Why do you insist on playing picnic keeper?" he grumbled, a little more bad tempered than he had meant to.
Fleur looked him directly in the eye, seemingly unflustered and shook her head before responding, "I don't like to get my wings wet. They seem to take longer than anyone else's to dry and I'd hate not to be able to fly in an emergency."
Theo couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you always so practical?"
"I have to be," she said with a shrug and turned her attention back to the lake where she could see her lady enjoying herself.
Theo followed her gaze, easily picking out the silver-haired, slender Lady Delilah whose simple white shift dress was no match for the lake. It clung to her body showing every curve. Even her soft pink nipples could be seen, catching the light of the full moon.
Theo's groin heated at the sight just as any warm-blooded man's would but he quickly averted his gaze and turned his attention back to Fleur.
"You know, even lady companions are allowed a little fun," he pointed out. "You can't be expected to be on duty for her twenty-four seven."
Though she was silent, Theo thought he saw her suck in a breath. He was sure there was longing in her chocolate brown eyes.
"Do you ever do something just for the sake of a little enjoyment?" he asked her, already sure that he knew the answer.
"Shouldn't you be entertaining your betrothed?" Fleur answered his question with one of her own and he could hear an edge of irritation to her voice.
Theo cringed at the reminder. Though his parents had been adamant on his betrothal to Lady Delilah, it being the reason both she and Fleur had been brought to the palace in the first place, Theo had never been able to convince himself that it would ever truly happen. Fae marriages were years in the planning and yet even after six, something about his still did not sit right.
All anyone need do was look at Lady Delilah to know she was a fae fit to be a queen. She was beautiful, intelligent and demure, even now frolicking in the shallows, she had a grace about her like very few at court. But there was something about the whole thing that simply didn't sit right with Theo.
"She appears to be entertained enough at present," Theo pointed out, gesturing to where Lady Delilah was currently dancing for the entertainment of all his brothers. Unlike Fleur who was blushing awkwardly, Lady Delilah obviously loved to be the center of attention.
Perhaps that is what doesn't feel right, Theo suggested to himself even as he used his half-dried wings to help him up onto his feet and held out his hand to Fleur. "Come with me."
"I don't wish to get wet." Fleur shook her head, crossing her arms stubbornly over her chest.
"What if I promise you that I won't let your wings get wet? You can fly to your heart's content," Theo suggested, bending his knees slightly to put his hand directly in front of her. "Come on, your future king commands it."
This time when Fleur sucked in a breath and sighed, she made it very audible.
"Fine," she huffed before unfolding her arms and placing her palm in his hand.
Theo couldn't remember ever having touched Delilah's lady companion before but he had touched many other women both holding hands and so, so much more yet not a single time had felt like this.