Disclaimer: All belongs to Joss, except the fairies who are mine ….
Notes: SOOO Sorry to keep you waiting. Had to write the DAMN exam, but am done no …so more soon! Hope you enjoy …Than k you all sooo much for the good wishes an d the patience and the lovely feedback!!!!!
Glimmer
„ Oh my …" .
It was all Buffy could say in order to not gape as Selena stepped out of her room. Selena was dressed to go to town on her cousin, a modern version of a gloomy fairy-tale princess. She wore a midnight blue gown. Every step made the billowing skirts rustle, hinting at several layers of black taffeta underneath the shiny, soft material of the dress. The upper part consisted of a tied up bodice, riding low on her hips. Black velvet ribbons were used to lace the bodice up and hold it together, but the ribbons were tied loosely enough to show off more than just the deep plunging neckline and the prefect skin of Selena´s cleavage. A fine line of white, almost iridescent skin shimmered through the velvet ribbons every time the princess moved. Her hair was arranged in a neat pile of shining colours atop her head, elaborate tresses framing her face. There was no tiara, in her hair, only little silver combs holding it all together. Buffy realised that a part of her had almost expected to see her wearing a little crown, the little girl inside her, that had loved to play princess when she was young. The only jewellery Selena wore was a wide silver-collar around her neck, studded with sapphires of different shapes and sizes. The blue fire of the jewels reflected the colour of the fairy´s stormy eyes.
She could feel Spike falling to his knees behind her, could see Siobhan kneeling in Selena´s room, hairbrush still in hand.
She could hear Len´s sharp intake of breath next to her, as he bowed deeply. She saw the wicked smile on Liath´s lips, hovering somewhere between malignant anticipation and satisfaction. The lord of snow bowed curtly, extending his hand towards Selena at the same time.
" You shine, princess of mine …..how you shine….." His whisper was like a caress sliding across the room. Selena smiled, her storm- grey eyes meeting Buffy´s gaze and for just one moment the glamour fell. The slayer took two steps backwards before she even realised what she was doing. The impact of seeing the fairy in all her glory was close to fearsome.
She doesn´t need a crown, Buffy understood, for right there, right then…..Selena was royalty. She was regal and majestic and everything that should imply. Selena was power, raw, unbridled, primal, a thing of legend and myth. She was a fairy, Oberon´s daughter……a bedazzling, startling, magnificent thing to behold, frightening in her beauty and grace ……and far from human.
Selena smiled at her still, giving her a small nod as though they had come to an understanding. She did not seem to mind that Buffy would not kneel or curtsy for her.
" You are the slayer….", Buffy could hear Selena´s breathy voice blowing through her head like a cool breeze.
" You are the chosen one, Buffy Summers. The one slayer who started to walk in this world… in a manner unlike all the ones who came before you. You are the one that prevailed. Your power is as primal as mine, a living thing. You are the slayer …..you will never have to stoop before me."
Then the princess took Liath´s outstretched hand and everything fell back to place. It was as though time started to move forward again, the glamour was back in place.
Spike got back to his feet, his eyes never leaving Buffy. Something had just happened. He had felt the building, the exchange of power like on electric current flowing over his skin. A look at Siobhan´s pretty face told him that the banshee had felt it too.
" You alright, pet?" he whispered.
Buffy tore her eyes away from the fairy, fixing Spike with a confused stare until she shook her head.
" Yeah …..fine!"
She rubbed her hands over her arms as though she felt cold.
" I didn´t know we were supposed to get all dressed up…." She gave him a weak smile. She had simply put a pair of black suede leather- pants and a tight, black sweater. It looked great, but in no way comparable to Selena´s stunning appearance.
In his eyes she could read it was enough……for him it would always be enough. Suddenly the urge to touch him was almost unbearable. Buffy stepped forward, taking a hold of his hand. The skin was smooth and cold, she could feel the strength in those fingers as they squeezed hers tightly before he let go.
Selena laughed softly, the sound of a gurgling well Buffy had become accustomed to, but underneath the laughter Buffy could still sense Selena´s concern.
" Do not worry. It was not required for you or the others. I asked for an audience with the most vain and narcissistic woman I have ever known. Io needs to see that I have not her realm to beg but to demand."
" We are putting up a little show…." Liath said still grinning in a way that made Buffy uncomfortable for some reason. He was dressed in a modern designer suit that Buffy would have guessed to be Armani.
" Doesn´t hurt to remind her that you are the princess after all, ha?"
She lifted her eyebrows in doubt.
" Will it help us?"
Selena´s ethereal features were blank and empty again, her voice neutral as she answered Buffy´s question.
" I don´t think it will, but it does not hurt to try. Io has forgotten many things since she left the royal court, manner and restraint are just two of them. She might not return Cay to me, but you are right, Buffy. She needs to remember that I indeed am the princess."
This time Selena did not travel magically with them. A dark, posh limousine complete with chauffeur took them straight through downtown L.A to a premise outside the city. The site was surrounded by giant, green hedges. As they drove through the tall iron gate, Buffy could see that hedges belonged to an elaborate labyrinth which looked like it took up half of the lush, green garden.
The slayer crossed her arms in front of her chest and scowled. Those fairies truly liked to live in style …..it was almost too clichéd to be true. The house itself was even grander than the one Selena used while she was in town. It was an impressive three- story mansion with white walls columns. Two armed guards awaited them in front of the huge wooden doors. Liath chuckled under his breath as he helped his cousin out of the car.
" Vainity……it´s all pure vanity. She could never resist making a spectacle …."
Buffy got out after Selena, checking the surroundings. She looked at the giant doors, the wood decorated by an intricate design, then her eyes wandered to Spike.
" This is almost like some nightmare version of The Bold and the Beautiful"; Great houses, Great cars, intrigue….."
" And we´re right in the middle of it, pet!"
Out of the blue he leaned down to her, his hand sliding down the side of her neck. He brought his face right next to hers, close enough that they almost touched. If Buffy just turned her head to her side ever so slightly, her cheek would touch is. Spike drew an unneeded breath.
" Please, Buffy, whatever happens …..try to hold your temper in check. If things get nasty in there ….."
She swallowed hard moving back a little to look into his bright blue eyes. Having him so close made her heartbeat quicken.
" I don´t need you to lecture me now, Spike."
She knew he meant to protect her and the thought appealed to her, but it annoyed her too. He of all people should know that she could handle herself …..
" Slayer….."
" It´s ok, Spike. I´m not afraid!"
She could see his lips being pressed together until they were nothing more than a thin , white line. Spike took a steadying breath, his free hand balling into a fist. His other hand was still touching her neck ever so lightly, like a butterfly's touch.
" I know …..that´s the problem, pet. You´ve dealt with beasties before ….but this is different."
He withdrew himself slowly, eyes never leaving her face. Buffy´s eyes fell on Siobhan who stood next to them, obviously aware of their little exchange.
The banshee just nodded in Buffy´s direction.
Selena straightened herself, taking Liath´s hand once more as the approached the door. Buffy realised that the four of them…Len, Siobhan Spike and herself were fanned out behind them like some kind of honour guard. Liath and Selena looked as though they were going to a ball, her hand resting in his, arms outstretched like he was leading her on the dance-floor. The doors swung open and a tall, blond man stepped into their way.
" Who may I present?"
The lord of snows face was serious, almost arrogant as he took a step forward. Buffy had seen it before in Selena …..Witnessed all the other feeling draining away from their features until only a detached mask remained.
" Her ladyship Selena Amoret Indajaan, stormborn of the fairy- court, princess of the ancient blood, keeper of the dusk and twilight, lady of the shadows, here to see the Lady Iolanthe Miriamel, the sun-kissed one of the fairy-court, lady of the morning–dew……"
He stopped in the middle of his sentence, his face blank, as though he had suddenly grown bored of rattling off her other titles too.
The blond man stared at him for a moment, waiting. When he realised that Liath had no intention of continuing, he pursed his lip and sunk into a deep bow.
" Your majesty …..the golden one is delighted to see you again and surprised to find her in your realm. If you will follow me ….."
His eyes roamed over them all before he turned around, leading them down a marble stairway.
Selena turned her head to look over her shoulder to Buffy.
" And now, Buffy Summers you will meet my infamous cousin…..I hope you like suprises."
