Prologue- Part II
Her head was bowed, eyes lowered, as she carried a large, heavily laden tray through the crowd of High Fae, across the Hall towards the dais.
The gauzy, red layers of her skirts were gathered to one side and held in place by a golden belt that hung low, accentuating her wide hips and full stomach. The opening parted with each rolling sway to reveal short, slender legs.
A sheer, red scarf covered the thick braid traveling down her back, demurely covering her features and trailing lightly over the shoulders of her blouse.
The respectfully inclined head, the downcast eyes, the modest scarf: I didn't believe it for a moment, not when I could feel some inexplicable power emanating from her. Indeed, I watched the collective gaze of the room travel downwards, roving over the tight bodice, lingering on the voluptuous curves, following every undulating movement of her steps as she walked by.
Her small, wide feet were bare and spotless. As she moved gracefully across the floor, the crowd finally parted enough to reveal golden anklets, covered in a multitude of tiny bells that shimmered with a light, airy sound at every strike of her heels against the cold, black marble.
And there it was, that unbearable sensation darting up my spine, weaving itself around my nape, until every last hair stood on end. The shadows swirled around my head in a flurry, flitting about my ears, carrying the venomous words of the crowd that hissed after her footpath. 'Human filth.' 'What is it doing in here?' 'How dare it defile this sacred Hall.' Her large, deep-set eyes remained trained on the floor in front of her. The corners of her wispy scarf fluttered slightly as she passed, as if leaving the whispers of the High Fae trailing in her midst.
She was distinctly, ordinarily human. There was no denying it, not when she stood at least a head shorter than the room, not when her dark, flawed skin stood stark against the sea of fair, lean, perfect High Fae surrounding her.
The room seethed with jealousy. I could see it shimmering off of them like heat from sand. I watched as various glamours across the Hall dimmed slightly, and then were hiked back up, subtly recast to darken brows, lengthen lashes, tint lips, swell bosoms, deepen voices. I felt several pincer-like grips along my arms and had to hide my smirk as some of the males shifted slightly away from their female partners, grimacing and looking ruefully away from the small, ordinary human.
Predictably, the Fae compensated for their envy with vitriol. I could hear faint titters and insults coming from the crowd, though the High Fae were afraid of being too disruptive in the wake of Rhysand's clear allowance for the human to approach him. I saw several prickly auras of the High Fae who had tried and failed to gain counsel with the Lord of the Night Court, and who clearly resented this seemingly insignificant human for being able to do so.
As she passed, I could feel a dull twinge in my joints, as if the bones had once wished to grow but had been stunted. I sensed a delicate glamour gleaming off of her; like most of the residents here, she seemed to be hiding pallid, sun-starved skin underneath a façade of vibrancy. Though, it still couldn't explain the force reverberating from her; I could again feel it thrumming through me with each step, but I had no idea what to make of it. Before I was able to observe any more, she had passed and was heading towards the throne on the dais.
I glanced over at Rhysand, who had been studying her as she neared him, his elbow resting on the arm of his throne, slowly rubbing his jaw as he considered the approaching human. I could see his aura rustling with curiosity.
There had to be some reason as to why she would brave this Hall, when merely stepping foot inside of it might mean execution. I tried desperately to find one. But all I could detect was that slight sheen of glamour, that godforsaken shimmer of sound.
Perhaps it was the complete lack of fear that was distracting me. I could always tell when a human was nearby from the visceral fear wafting from them, even if hidden under lust or false bravado. Indeed, I could hear many Fae in the room sniff faintly, trying to sense that telltale, human fear. But neither they nor I could detect any. It put me on high alert as she approached Rhysand. I saw the ripples of curiosity emanating from his aura like drops of water in a pool.
Rhysand trusted me to detect any danger, any indication of a concealed weapon or planned distraction, but there was nothing I could read from this human. I was at a complete loss, standing helplessly across the Hall as she finally reached the Night Lord.
She stopped in front of the dais and dropped into a low curtsy before slowly straightening up again. I could feel her arms straining under the weight of the heavy tray, though she didn't let it show. Not a single drop of wine was spilled from the three goblets balanced upon it.
"Your Grace, I humbly request your allowance of the blessed offerings to the Goddess Naya on this sacred solstice," she murmured, as a smooth, velvety shadow wrapped itself around my throat. I swallowed against the feel of her purposefully down-pitched voice, at the taste of her accent, as she carefully sounded out the language of the High Fae. I felt myself start to salivate, and I glanced over at Cassian, who was staring slack-jawed at the human. I softly cleared my throat, and I felt his bristly, begrudging gratitude as he snapped back to attention to guard Rhysand.
Rhysand was still surveying the human like a cat with prey, rubbing his fingers slowly, contemplatively over his jaw. I then noticed the Lord Noble of the Court of Nightmares out of the corner of my eye, finally having shaken his initial shock and moving towards the dais, his aura bulging with rage and embarrassment.
"Leave this Hall at once! How dare you step foot in here. Filthy human!" he spat. I grimaced as a shadow shouted his already raised voice into my ear. "Your Highness, I deeply apologize for this unnatural presence on this historic day of celebration, she will be removed at once," he groveled to the Night Lord in a low bow.
Rhysand jerked his head at the Lord Noble, who retreated, staring at the human with a murderous look on his face.
She didn't even turn to look at the Lord Noble as she addressed Rhysand directly, "It is a sacred time for my people on this day, as the summer moon reaches its highest and most powerful form. You will not be in the presence of a human, but rather, a human vessel ready to receive the earthly form of the Goddess Naya. For this solstice, the Goddess Naya has chosen me, and will bless this sacred Mountain with her presence at the highest peak of the Divine Moon."
There was no simpering, no demurring from the human. She stated her words simply and without apology. I was taken aback; apparently, Rhysand was, too, as his hand paused its travel over his jaw.
"And your people are able to possess such magic?" Rhysand asked softly. I could feel the crowd straining to hear their conversation, and I hoped it would stay between them; I wasn't looking forward to the scene that would unfold if the High Fae found any exploitable information about this human.
"I come from the sacred temples, where ancient deities are called upon and embodied within those of us who have been chosen."
As she spoke, I felt a reverberating surge within my chest, as if a multitude of deep, powerful bells were clanging against my sternum and ribs, echoing around and around in an intense, disorienting frenzy.
She continued. "What we humans experience is only a fraction of the sacred magic of the High Fae," she said with a small bow. "However, the magic of the solstice is strong enough to cross from the divine to the human. It is incredibly potent, unpredictable, and magnificent."
Rhysand smiled. "Well, we certainly have an idea of that. And what will this Goddess Naya desire tonight?"
She finally lowered her eyes deferentially, allowing a slight blush to creep over her cheeks. "As the Goddess of Desire, Naya is powerful and…hungry. I can imagine it would be similar to a solstice celebrated by the esteemed High Fae.
"I understand," she added quickly as Rhysand raised an eyebrow, "I would not be an ideal for the esteemed High Fae, as I am likely considered a mere vessel, and therefore still human to the esteemed High Fae. Perhaps, however, the Goddess Naya will choose another higher being to commune with."
Although she was still facing Rhyand on the dais, I watched the smooth ripples of her aura reach behind her, towards Cassian and me.
"With your permission, of course," she added, and bowed deeply to signal the end of her request.
"Very well," said Rhysand. He waved dismissively at the slowly encroaching crowd to scatter, and they turned reluctantly away from the dais, some looking back over their shoulders as they made their way to the large tables now heavy with food. With a nod from the Master of Ceremonies, stringed music started up from the far corners of the Grand Hall.
She dipped into another low curtsy, and hesitated at the dais until Rhysand waved her to his throne. She stepped onto the platform and glided to him, finally dropping gracefully onto one knee as she balanced the tray on one arm, waiting for the Fae attendant to scurry from his spot nearby and hand the Night Lord a goblet of wine and small plate of figs, berries, and citrus. Rhysand nodded to the attendant to take the tray from her, leaving her with the remaining two goblets.
As the attendant returned to his post, the human murmured something to Rhysand, who started, then quickly composed himself and responded. I strained to hear the conversation, but the shadows around me were of no use, whirling over my ears with the rising buzz of the newly dispersed crowd.
After a few moments, she rose in front of Rhysand's throne, and after a nod from the Night Lord, gave another low curtsy and turned smoothly to step off of the dais, towards me.
I steeled myself as she approached, though I did not know why, and hated myself for doing so. As she gave a small bow and looked at me with her dark, deep eyes, I took in the heavy, golden jewelry adorning her: the pendant resting on her high forehead; the ring in her nose; the hoops in her ears, connected to tiny, delicate chains reaching back into her scarf to rest in her dark curls. Once my eyes reached the heavy necklaces resting against her collarbones, I refused to give her the satisfaction of looking further down.
Instead, my eyes traveled back up to her face, to the delicate dusting of glamour, to the high, proud cheekbones and strong jawline and full, rosy lips that needed no pigment. I couldn't detect a trace of fear, only that subtle, inexplicable power humming from her center.
As she lifted a goblet to my hand, I reached out my own, and as we were momentarily joined, I felt a feathery lightness move across my shoulder and down my arm.
I glanced down at my hand and saw that two soft, delicate shadows had unfurled from my wrist and were wrapped around the goblet, tentatively exploring her hand. I jerked my fingers back in shock, but the shadows remained, curling lazily over her fingers as she held the cup.
She smiled as she gazed down at her hand, gently lifting her index finger away from the goblet. "Beautiful," she murmured, as the shadows curled lazily around her fingers like tendrils of smoke. The golden bangles on her wrist clinked lightly against each other as she gently wove her finger through the air, careful not to spill any wine.
She finally looked up at me, lifting the goblet, and her smile faltered as she saw the look on my face. A shadow speared a sharp, female voice from across the room into my ear. 'Human filth! How dare she touch the food that should serve the High Fae.' A servant hurried to my side with a fresh goblet.
She quickly dropped her eyes, giving a small curtsy and murmuring an apology as she retracted the goblet. For the first time, I saw a small pang of shame start to roughen the smooth edges of her aura. The shadows begrudgingly retreated back up my arm.
Before I could say anything, she turned, making to step away from me, and to my utter horror, one of the shadows shot out from my arm, catching her by the elbow. She glanced down at the sudden brush of coolness, then quickly looked up at me in surprise.
I felt the fragile, brittle shame reverberating beneath her skin start to buckle, giving way to a stony resolve settling deep in her chest as she gave me a polite, detached smile and turned away. I felt the resolve strengthen as she approached Cassian, who had been watching her with a growing anticipation, waiting for his turn.
The edges of her aura seemed to brighten as she drew nearer to him. She dropped into an elegant curtsy before him, almost, but not quite as low as the one she gave to Rhysand. The action was not lost on the crowd, surreptitiously watching her as they pretended to acquire food, drink and company.
As she slowly straightened, she allowed her chin to slowly lift as well, and then her eyes, as they traveled up his strong torso, over the wide plane of his chest, further still to his hazel eyes, allowing them to drift over her exposed neck. She swallowed hard as her eyes met his, and I felt the growing desire like a warm, spiced wine as it traveled down her throat, into her belly.
He held his hand out for a goblet, and she paused for a fleeting moment before she handed him the one originally meant for me. I felt her aura grow still brighter and ripple slightly outward with relief and gratitude at the gesture.
He swirled the wine slightly as he assessed the human standing in front of him, then finally spoke. "How do I know this hasn't been poisoned?"
She was momentarily taken aback. He chuckled at the widening of her eyes and slight shake of her head, and continued, "You'll have to test it for me"
She immediately nodded, reaching for his goblet, but he raised it slightly, out of her reach, toying with her. She hesitated briefly, then took the bait, and smiled up at him as she understood.
She dipped slowly, smoothly, to place one knee on the cold, marble floor, then the other, and looked up at him. His grin broadened as he brought his goblet down to her parted lips, hungering as she tilted her chin up to meet the sweet, earthy liquid inside.
As she took a sip, he withdrew the goblet. A shining drop of wine remained on her lips. As she reached up to her mouth, he caught her hand instead, raising her to her feet. He brushed his thumb against her lips, catching the droplet, before bringing it to his own lips.
I felt the desire bloom in her belly as she tilted her chin, gazing up at him. Her aura continued to grow, becoming stronger and more vivid by the minute.
He smiled ravenously down at her, and I felt that same hunger ripple through the crowd, as they assessed the small, diminutive human looking up at the gigantic, powerful faerie standing in front of her. I wondered if she knew just what she had walked into upon entering this Hall.
This was a game, and it had only just begun.