Ah, there was the arrogant elf I remembered. But somehow, right then, it didn’t bother me.
I placed one hand on my hip. “Only because you never let me finish.”
“I got distracted.”
“More like you did the distracting to save face.”
“A rematch then,” Jhaeros said, his eyes lighting up. A smile really suited him. It softened his features and made him appear younger. “One of many I hope to enjoy. Feel free to distract me anytime,” he added playfully.
He offered me his arm. I placed my hand on his sturdy arm and he opened the door, ushering me out—leaving the mask behind.
Torchlight flared along the corridor, its heat warming my arms. The hall didn’t seem as gloomy as I remembered when first walking it alone.
We passed through the archway, rejoining the crowd and music within the ballroom. A seductive melody played and amorous couples pressed against one another, many looking disheveled. Leave it to Jhaeros to look just as immaculate as when he’d arrived. Not one button undone. At least I’d managed to muss his lush brown hair a bit, but it was nothing compared to the number he’d done on my tresses, which now tumbled freely down my back and over my shoulder.
Jhaeros led me to the dance floor then pulled me against him by my hips. I wrapped my arms around his neck and sighed wistfully. “Suddenly I don’t want this night to end.”
“The ball must end, but we don’t have to,” Jhaeros said.
I chewed on my bottom lip. “I can’t leave my sister, Melarue.”
“That little hellion?” Jhaeros asked with a chuckle. “She’d be welcome too. I have several spare chambers for her to choose from.”
“You’d do that?”
“Of course, she’s your family.”
“What about my other family?”
“They’d be welcome to visit, if you wished it,” Jhaeros said gruffly.
“What if I never want to see them again?”
“Then I’ll turn them away.” He sounded eager to follow through with the promise as he said the words.
I leaned back and looked in Jhaeros’s eyes. “Even Shalendra?”
He dipped forward until his forehead was practically touching mine. “Especially Shalendra.”
My lips pressed into a soft smile.
“And what of my father’s bills? What if he wants you to,” I pressed, wrinkling my nose, “buy me?”
“Not a chance,” Jhaeros growled. “He’s a widower. If he wants to maintain his extravagant lifestyle, he can go find himself a wealthy mate. A father should look out for his offspring, not the other way around.”
I hugged myself against Jhaeros, not wanting to let go. He squeezed me back.
“Can I call on you tomorrow?”
I chuckled softly. “I believe it already is tomorrow.”
“Today then? This afternoon?” He sounded as eager as a young elfling about to open gifts on winter solstice.
My insides warmed and hummed. I still couldn’t believe it was Jhaeros Keasandoral causing this new feeling of weightlessness, comfort, and passion to take possession of my heart. I’d tasted his lips, had him inside me, and—most personal of all—been allowed a glimpse into the window of his soul. I’d seen a side of him most creatures would never know, and I wanted more of it. More of him.
“It’s your move, Jhaeros,” I said, lowering my voice.
When he looked at me, his brown eyes appeared to darken. The longing in that gaze stole my breath away.
“You’ve already captured my heart.”
My limbs turned pliant and I nearly melted into my golden slippers. To be loved so openly felt like the purest bliss. Like magic.
We pressed together and held one another, dancing amongst the beautiful creatures in the dim light until the music stopped and we were directed outdoors to watch the fireworks.
Bright lights exploded overhead as the fog thickened around our ankles. Jhaeros laced his fingers around mine as our heads lifted to the sky. Orangey-yellow light exploded and fractured into dozens of shimmering pieces.
The next burst of light expanded wider, filling the entire sky—casting the grounds in a blinding flash of white light.
When I next blinked, I found myself standing alone in the dark courtyard at my family’s estate in Sweetbell.
The lanterns had burned out and no one rushed forward to greet me, but I no longer felt alone. I could still feel the heat from Jhaeros’s hand in mine, see the promise in his deep brown gaze, and feel the warmth in my heart that Jhaeros was mine.
He’d come for me.
I would not turn him away.
The End – For Now
You can read more from Aerith and Jhaeros in Stolen Princess!
Turn the page for more Monster Ball…
The
Red Huntress
By Stacey Marie Brown
Chapter One
Riley
They call me Red.
Not for the color of my hair, mine’s black as night; nor the cape I wear when I hunt, that came after.
My name is Red…for the blood trail I leave.
I am a hunter, a rare magical witch gifted to destroy the werewolves that plague our land. A job I ate and breathed for the last year after the brutal death of my parents.
A few clouds drifted across the bright full moon suspended high in the sky, drenching the earth like the darkness decided to leave on a nightlight. My feet moved me slowly up the path, drawing me closer to an old dark castle looming in the distance. I looked down at the ticket in my left hand, which stated I had been invited to the most prestigious supernatural ball in the world, one you could only be invited to if you weren’t completely human.
I had grown up with witches and wizards in a tiny village, but they were still human, and most didn’t hold enough fae magic to be granted an invitation here.
A feeling of excitement in the air caused my nerves to dance along my spine. Around me, guests strolled up toward the stone archway, prattling with animation, their voices shrill and excited, merely adding to my anxiety.
“Maybe this year we’ll actually learn who the host is,” a woman squealed to her friend.
The mystery of the host, whoever put on the illustrious event of the year, was in constant speculation. The ambiguity only created more desire to be included on the guest list, hoping to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic host. But my excitement resonated from something entirely different than dancing and drinking or making guesses on which creature was the organizer.
I knew he would be here. His status would almost demand for him to make an appearance. No supernatural alive would turn down an invitation to the infamous Monster Ball. I’ve heard about it all my life, but this was the first year I got invited because I was now one of them. A “monster” of the night. Magic coursed through my body, giving me special abilities I never had until they had been passed down to me. Capabilities I would gladly give back if it meant I could have stopped what happened that night. To see my family again.
My fingers moved down my thigh, gliding over the silky fabric of my gown, finding the opening of the high slit barely a few inches below my waist, barely concealing the dagger holstered around my leg. I heard the rumors. No weapons were allowed at the ball, but our coven’s elder promised this one would get through, the invocation strong enough to hold up against the enchantment guarding the castle.