Page 36 of Earthbound

Yeeran looked at the queen writhing and dancing next to the musicians. ‘Struggling with what?’

‘With a broken heart, like you.’

‘It was her choice to end things.’

‘Was it? Or was she simply grieving too many things to let herself be happy?’

‘You act like I did not fight for her. I did, I told her how I felt. How I still feel.’

‘When? The night her father was imprisoned?’

‘Yes.’

‘And since then?’ He was speaking gently, without judgement, but Yeeran was getting irritated–a feeling that normally only Lettle could rouse.

‘I do not take it upon myself to bare my soul every single day. I told her how I felt, and she didn’t care. I will not beg, I will not plead.’

‘Peace, Yeeran. I did not mean to anger you.’

‘I’m not angry.’

Golan smiled at that, which elicited a sheepish grin from her too.

‘Perhaps you should find yourself a partner this night. Pleasure is pleasure, after all,’ he said.

She looked around the forest. The fae were beautiful, that was undeniable, but no matter who she looked at, her gaze always led her back to Furi.

The queen stood next to Rayan by the fire. Now the fray had set, her glowing dress had turned opaque and Yeeran could see the darkened skin around her nipples. She held a chalice in her hand, which both she and Rayan had already sipped from. As she tipped the cup towards the fire her eyes found Yeeran’s and she thought, just for a second, that there was an invitation there. But as the water struck the flames, all hope sizzled away as Furi followed a red-haired fae into the cover of the trees.

The rejection felt like a bee sting, sharp and painful at first, then quickly spreading, leaving her skin throbbing and angry.

‘Maybe I will find someone tonight,’ she said to Golan. But when she turned the fae was already leaving. She watched as Motogo and Malak were pulled into the depths of the forest by the arms of the fae.

Yeeran walked quickly in the other direction. Though night had fallen, and the darkness had come, she did not want to stumble across either of them out of uniform.

‘Follow me,’ a fae whispered. Her voice was low and sultry and she smelled of mint tea, warm and refreshing. In the dappled light of the star glider glow, Yeeran recognised her as Cely, one of Furi’s royal guards.

She was beautiful, there was no doubt. Her blonde hair shone against the dark skin of her heart-shaped face. Who better to sate her desires?

If Furi will not have me, I will not swear a vow of chastity.

The fact that Cely led her towards where Furi had gone held no bearing on whether she followed the fae or not. None whatsoever.

But follow she did, removing her shirt as she went.

The shadows grew thick beneath the forest canopy. Branches and leaves tantalised her hot skin as she brushed past.

Yeeran could see a silhouette of people lying on a bed of moss ahead of her. Cely grasped her hand–calloused like Yeeran’s–and pulled her towards the writhing group of bodies.

Lips pressed against her bare shoulder, trailing down her back. Another mouth moved over her breasts and down her navel until it met resistance from her waistband. Yeeran undid the buttons and someone else pulled the trousers down.

I’ve gone from self-inflicted celibacy to revelling in the talents of three fae…maybe four? Well, I might as well enjoy myself.

She reached outwards, her fingers brushing across the jawline of the fae who had removed her trousers. Their mouth trailed down from her chest, the kisses firm and hungry.

Yeeran’s heart began to pound. She buried her hands into the fae’s curls, silky and familiar.

Could it be…?