Page 25 of Slaying the Shifter Prince
“Yes.” She watched me over the rim of her cup. “He made me come, but then wouldn’t fuck me.” Her eyes narrowed as she took another sip.
“It sounds like her presence put him off.” The aspen-haired fae smirked, then approached. “She’s a sweet-looking thing—those large brown eyes. And such pretty hair.” Crouching, they held out their hand like I was a cat or dog who’d sniff it.
I arched an eyebrow, fighting laughter and indignation in equal measure.
“Shecantalk, Essa.” Celestine’s expression was unreadable, and I couldn’t tell from her tone if she was amused or pissed off. “And she understands everything you’re saying.”
Anya frowned, flicking a glance at me. “Sepher said she was incapable of speaking.”
Essa leant closer. “I’m going to stroke you now.” They said it slow and loud, like I had a problem with my hearing, then stroked my hair. “Look at these rounded ears.”
A couple of the others approached, craning to see.
I caught Celestine’s gaze. She shrugged and shook her head. The amusement glinting in her eyes was contagious and I found myself grinning.
“How cute!”
“Oh, and her teeth are so blunt!”
“Where? Let me see!”
Trying not to laugh, I bared my teeth at them. Their eyes went wide at my canines, which were a little shorter and flatter than a normal human’s.
After my accident, Zinnia had filed them down. But once, they’d been sharp and long, like Celestine’s. The only outward sign of my magic. Every gifted human had a fae mark. Sharp teeth or an unnatural hair colour. Eyes that changed from green to blue or an oddly specific birthmark. In some towns they were a source of pride—amongst aristocrats, especially. They valued the power and prestige magic represented.
However, in some parts of Albion, they were a liability—a marker of otherness. A sign of danger and a person not to be trusted.
On me, after my accident, they had been a danger—a distinguishing feature that would lead mobs straight to us. So, crying, I’d endured the rasp of the file in my mouth as Zinna had taken them away.
It made the fae’s wonder all the more amusing.
They examined my hands and ears and fed me treats from their plates—pretty cakes and rich pastries, delicate sandwiches filled with a bewildering complexity of flavours. One thing fae knew was food. I’d never tasted anything so good and that dulled the humiliation of being fed scraps off little saucers.
Eventually, they settled into their chairs and chatter. Essa had made great progress in their music and was excited to debut some new pieces at a forthcoming ball. Celestine clapped with delight and the others leant in, eyes bright and keen as Essa dropped a few hints of what to expect.
Anya had recently been to the capital, Luminis, but there was some tension in her shoulders as she spoke of seeing her siblings and visiting the shops. As the conversation drew on, the reason became clear. Barky fingers tapping on her coffee cup, she told the group that a few people had made cruel comments about her horns.
Several of the folk made sounds of disapproval.
“That city needs to wake up.” Celestine’s expression darkened, and despite the delicacy of her appearance, a low fury edged her voice. “We are fae. We come from Nature. WeareNature, and She contains multitudes and infinities.”
With a sharp click, she returned her cup to the table and swept to Anya. Kneeling before her, she took the woman’s cheeks. “Sheunderstands there is beauty in variety—it sweetens life—even if those fools in the capital have forgotten.”
Anya held still, but her eyes gleamed over bright.
Celestine nodded, fingers trailing up Anya’s temples to the base of her horns. “We are animals and there’s no shame in that. We are no better or worse than the wolf or the squirrel.”
“Speak for yourself,” someone muttered, followed by a brief chuckle that flitted through the group.
A slight smile edging into her intensity, Celestine continued. “The trees are our cousins—markers of our sacred bargains.” She followed the curves of Anya’s branch-like horns with her fingertips, making the woman shudder. “To be kissed by that is a blessing.”
Pressing her lips to Anya’s brow, Celestine rocked back on her heels. “The city-dwellers have lost touch with their roots, and I pity them for it. It is their failing, not yours.” Jaw set, she nodded at Anya and waited for her to nod in return before she rose.
Tears trailed down Anya’s cheeks, glistening in the bright fae lights. They tugged on me, making the back of my throat raw.
As Celestine returned to her seat, a number of the others expressed their agreement and sympathies. Essa squeezed Anya in a hug.
I pulled my knees close to my chest, a strange feeling twisting in my gut.
