Chapter 11

I sat at a beautifully carved vanity as Nuala finally finished styling my hair in an elegant updo with tendrils that framed my face. A sudden pinch of deja vu caused me to turn my eyes away from my reflection.

"Does something trouble you?" Nuala asked as she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"No. Not really" I said as my fingertips ghosted over the amulet around my neck.

Nuala reached for a crown laying on a plush pillow and secured it on top of my head and somehow elegantly weaving it in my unruly curls.

"On the way here we passed villages burned to nothing but ash. The charred grass and dead trees the only evidence they existed. I seem to remember fields of green as far as the eyes could see. Sweet aromas from wild flowers floated on the breeze and there were so many Fae. It was so beautiful, so peaceful. Is it like those villages everywhere?" I questioned turning saddened eyes to Nuala's reflection.

"I am afraid so" Nuala said busying herself with my appearance. I took her delicate hands in my own as I turned to stare up at her.

"I am so sorry"

"It is not your fault" Nuala said with a melancholy smile.

"Now we must hurry my brother nor my father favor tardiness" She smiled helping me into my gown.

I looked at myself in awe of the full length mirrors in front and on either side of myself.

"Wow" I whispered.

"Even after your disappearance I did not have the heart to sell your things" Nuala stated.

"This is mine?" I questioned in awe as I continued to stare at my reflections.

I almost did not recognize the woman in the mirrors and found myself waving to make sure it was really me. I could feel tears brim in my eyes but I closed them swallowing down the feelings. Besides I did not want to mess up my makeup Nuala would kill me.

"Yes. This was a favorite of my brothers if I am not mistaken?" She chuckled as she zipped me up.

"Really?"

I took a better look at the dress that was crimson and gold. The front dipped down to a sweetheart neckline and fell just below my amulet. Nuala held my shoes out for me to step into. The bottom flowed and screamed Disney princess. I silently chuckled at this thought.

"You are ready" Nuala said softly.

I nodded and followed her out as Wink and her bodyguard trailed closely behind. We came to the doors of another hall as the Raven like Fae wordlessly opened the doors for us. I thanked them with a smile before heading inside. My walk was not as graceful as Nuala's but it had changed as if I had remembered some of the royal etiquette I was taught. Many Fae gathered in the hall all dressed impeccably well although my memories flashed pictures of them more elegantly dressed. Although their garments were still beautiful I could tell that they had seen better days.

Our appearance seemed to draw a few whispers and smiles as everyone we passed bowed slightly towards me. I looked at Nuala wondering exactly what to do but she only nodded her head slightly to acknowledge those that bowed and I copied her behavior thinking it to be slightly rude but I did not focus on the feeling too long as my eyes caught Nuada's.

I nearly stumbled a few steps as I tried to get my brain and my feet to work simultaneously. Nuala seemed to catch my slip up and smirked as we continued nodding every so often until we came to the thrones. Nuada and his father stood up as we approached closer. Nuada kissed the back of Nuala's hand although his eyes stayed on mine causing me to blush. Nuala then made her way to her father who kissed the back of her hand before she sat down. I extended my hand to Nuada and he held my finger tips as he softly pressed his lips on the back of my hand. I could feel the butterflies flutter in my stomach as my heart stopped. My chest heaved up and down a little harder as my eyes burned into his.

"Banphrionsa" Princess. Nuada said. His tone a little deeper than normal.

I opened my mouth to respond but a nearly silent squeak slipped through my lips. Finally he dropped my hand before the King took my hand and kissed the back of it. Nuala sat down while Nuada and the King remained standing. I glanced at Nuada who nodded to me making me take my seat. His focus returned back to the Fae within the hall.

The King began talking and I could barely make out what he was saying. Once he was finished Nuada extended his hand to me which I took without question. We began walking around the room speaking to people and I smiled and nodded becoming lost in translation. Nuada picked up on my confusion a few times and elegantly filled me in without bringing attention to the fact I was lost. I beamed up at him from time to time loving how he felt so at ease. Soon he became engaged in a conversation with a warrior he had fought side by side with in battle. The wife of the warrior chuckled before speaking to me in English.

"Reliving the glory days" She muttered.

"So I hear you have spent a lot of time amongst your people. I hear the Humans outside of Bethmoora are rather different than the few here" The Fae woman said curiously.

"Not as different as you would think. There are some humans that know about the Fae but most think you all to be bed time stories"

"How fascinating" She smirked with amusement.

"Yes well it seems that the few that are not completely foolish are too weak to tell the truth about destroying our lands" A male voice said interrupting our conversation.

All four of us turned in the direction of the voice. I saw the expression on the couples face sour but they tried to cover it up with weak smiles. I glanced up at Nuada, who turned to face the man, still gripping onto his upper arm.

"Smaodi" Nuada greeted emotionless.

"Prince Nuada" Smaodi said.

He was another elf with pearly silver hair. Most of the other elves including Nuada had bleach blonde tips but his hair was completely the strange color.

"I am sure you did not mean to offend my wife" Nuada said with a steely tone.

My grip tightened on his arm causing him to glance down to me. I could see the fury burning in his eyes and rubbed his forearm in a comforting way.

"It is alright mo ghrá. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Let us at least hear him out" I said gently. I nodded back towards Smaodi to continue and saw Nuada glare at him as if silently warning him to choose his words carefully.

Smaodi bowed to me as he continued his little elegant speech of fuck you and all other humans. I tried to keep my expression neutral and wait for him to finish but I could not let him continue on his one sided rant.

"Excuse me but is it not true that blood was spilled on both sides? It is true I have been away for a long period of time but that was not my decision and in my absence the rumor of a conspiracy towards my would be death sparked a war. Rage births stubbornness and from stubbornness comes blindness. Rumors become truth and everyone is looking to blame someone or something. It is not your fault that you have fallen victim of such a state of mind it is unavoidable really, but from a war that has lasted so long do you really believe only one side can continue to be the blame?" I questioned.

Nuada's razor thin brow hiked with pride at his wife's answer. It was true that Adharéal was not the same woman he had fallen in love with, although every now and again he would catch glimpses of her, but this woman that stood in her place was stronger and wiser yet still loving and able to see the emotions that he kept hidden from everyone. She still contained the power to ease his spirit with a simple smile. Nuada tightened his jaw to keep a smile from spreading across his lips as he watched Smaodi stagger to rebuttal his wife.

"I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with you Mr. Smaodi but I can no longer resist the temptation to dance with my husband. Perhaps we can continue this conversation another time"

I bowed at the couple we were speaking with earlier who nodded to us with smiles as I let Nuada lead me to the floor. I placed a hand securely in his as he wrapped an arm around my lower waist and pulled me closer to him. We spun around and danced as other elves and Fae I did not recognize twirled around us. I smiled as Nuada spun me away from him only to pull me to his chest again. I stared up into his onyx orbs as they stared into my honey colored eyes. There was so much behind those eyes that he did not even have to speak for me to know his thoughts. I could not contain a wide smile as the feelings of love and home surrounded me. I felt like I had found what I had been missing for so many years.

"Tar liom" Come with me. Nuada whispered into my ear. I nodded in agreement as he escorted me away from everyone and out of the hall. Wink followed closely behind as we slowly walked through the halls of the once majestic castle until we came to a door that lead us outside. I looked out to see a stone path that lead to a once magical garden. Most of the flowers were withered and dead but the few that survived seemed to stick out like a beacon of hope. I tightened my hold on Nuada's arm as I could feel fear course through me.

"I remember this place" I whispered locking my legs refusing to take another step towards the garden.

"I thought you would" Nuada said softly as he stood still beside me not forcing me move until I was ready.

"We had more good times than bad here, right?" I asked looking up at Nuada with unshed tears.

"Yes mo daor" Yes my dear. Nuada said as he stared out into the garden with nostalgic eyes.

"I...I can't. Not tonight" I pleaded shaking my head side to side shutting my eyes and focusing on the ground below me.

Nuada cupped my face with his strong calloused hands whispering for me to look up at him and I did so without much of a fight.

"Alright" Nuada said with a sigh before planting his lips upon mine. I clung to him and laid my head on his chest catching my breath.

"What is it you wish to do?" Nuada questioned.

"I just want to go to bed" I said.

"As you wish" Nuada chuckled showing me back into the castle.

I nodded goodnight to Wink as Nuada held our door open for me and closed it behind me. I looked around the room in recognition.

"Nuada can you help me?" I asked turning my back to him as he undid my dress making it fall off of my shoulders. I placed my hands on my chest keeping the fabric up enough to cover myself when Nuada grabbed my wrist.

"None of that mo daor" He smirked as lust twinkled in his eyes.

I released the fabric letting it pool at my feet. The thin two piece fabric underneath left little to nothing to the imagination. Nuada swooped me up in his arms as he laid me on our bed and kissed me. Soon I helped him out of his shirt and immediately attached my lips back to his. We spent who knows how long touching and kissing each other needing to feel as close as possible and it was never good enough. Nuada kissed my forehead as he gathered me in his arms. I wrapped my leg and arms around him as his hands gently brushed up and down my arm. He laid on his back as I rested my head on his chest.

"We probably should not have just disappeared like that" I said as my breath blew across his chest.

"Maybe not" Nuada said with a shrug before placing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Your father is going to give us an ear full" I said.

"I have spent years thinking you were dead. Years without your touch, your kiss, your beautiful heart. I could care less about his lectures, anyone's for that matter. I just need you" Nuada said full of emotion.

"I will not lose you again Adharéal" He said with steely determination.

"I am here Nuada. No one will ever seperate us again" I said pulling him into a passionate kiss. His tongue danced with mine and I submitted with a soft moan. Placing my hands gently on his chest I pushed him away but could not resist pecking his cheek.

"Whatever happens we face it together"

"Together" He said with a nod sealing our promise.