“Be careful, the waves can become unpredictable,” Cade said. Not only did the waves have a mind of their own, but creatures roamed their waters. They should be safe this close to the castle, though. The water fae knew better than to attack here.
She ignored his warning and waded further into the sea. She twirled, water waist high, glancing at him with joy gleaming from her face. Scarlet held her arms out wide and tilted her face toward the sun. But she leaned back too far and fell back into the waves.
Cade rushed to her, pushing easily through the water with his fae strength. Before he reached her, her head surfaced. Scarlett laughed as she stood. “I knew that would get you in here.”
“How conniving.” Cade wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her close.
Scarlett’s hair, now wet, shined in the sunlight. “You’re a fae prince. You need to have fun.”
He lifted her, her face inches from his. Gently, Cade pressed his lips onto hers. “This is more fun than I’ve had in a long time.”
They didn’t kiss again. Cade didn’t feed from her emotion. Once out of the water, he used his magic to dry them both. Scarlett glided the dress over her curves and tightened the ribbons across her chest. Her hair had dried, but still held its natural wave. She placed the flower headband back across her forehead, and Cade swore—minus her rounded ears— she nearly looked fae.
After they were back in the courtyard, Cade made the gate vanish behind him. Only he and Raith could use it, and he doubted his brother even thought about the ocean any more.
Chapter Fourteen
Cade escorted Scarlett back to her room then excused himself to attend to royal duties.
He had dried her with his magic, but she still felt salty from the seawater. She removed her dress and slip and made her way to the tub. Scarlett turned the knobs and water poured out of the spout. She was glad to be able to tend to herself. Having someone wait on her made her feel like a princess, but it seemed wrong. Even if Peony had chosen to be here, Scarlett didn’t need a servant.
Scarlett climbed into the tub as it filled. The warm water soaked into her skin, relaxing and loosening her tense muscles. She dipped her head under. When it resurfaced and she opened her eyes, her heart raced. Raith stood there, leaning against the wall.
“What do we have here?” he asked, eyebrows raised.
“Get out.” Scarlett clenched her teeth.
Bubbles formed in the tub as the water turned off. “Better?”
At least her body wasn’t on full display now. “Can I help you?”
“You make me curious.”
“I’m glad.”
“And you’re spunky, too.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’m here to give you some advice.”
Peony’s warning played through Scarlett’s mind—I listen and you should, too.
“I’m listening.”
He stepped away from the wall, staring at Scarlett with his bright blue eyes. “Be careful of my brother. He’ll do anything to win the crown.”
“And you won’t?”
“I didn’t say you should trust me.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
He turned away from Scarlett. “And be careful where you explore alone from now on, lest you wind up something’s lunch.”
And then he vanished.
How’d he know about that creature?
Scarlett enjoyed the rest of her bath free of any more interruptions. When she went to the bed to slip her dress back on, she found an orange tipped fuchsia rose lying across it.
Cade didn’t return until the next morning, his mood so different than when they were together at the sea. It wasn’t that he was in a bad mood, but he was stiff compared to the free-spirited moment they shared just the day before. After a night of bad dreams, Scarlett wasn’t the girl at the sea anymore either. The pressure in her chest eased minutes after Cade arrived.
He told her that Peony would be in that afternoon to help her prepare. Tonight was the opening ball to officially commence the challenge for the Right of Heir and he wanted Scarlett to be his date.
She wondered if it was strange for a potential future king to bring a mortal to such a big event, but she didn’t voice her concerns. Scarlett spent most of the day reading a book she found on a shelf in her room. It was full of fae versions of fairytales, even darker than the ones the Grimm brothers wrote. She considered strolling out to the courtyard for some fresh air, careful this time and staying well within the castle boundaries, but decided to open a window instead. The last thing she wanted was to run into Raith again. She would see him soon enough at the ball tonight and be forced to listen to any more brilliant advice he had—if Cade allowed him to talk to her, that was.
Peony arrived as the sun dipped behind the forest, its orange glow still lighting the sky. “Miss Scarlett.” She curtsied when she entered the room, a large garment bag in her hand.
Scarlett curtsied back. Earlier that morning, she’d spent an hour practicing. It seemed like an important skill in the fae world. Peony’s eyes widened. “Should I draw you a bath?”
“I already took one.”
“Then I will do your hair.”
After Scarlett put on her slip, Peony curled Scarlett’s hair into long, loose curls. She pinned a strand from each side back at the crown of her head and added a silver leaf headband. Then, Peony painted Scarlett’s face with peach colors, light eye shadow and a glossy lip.
Scarlett followed Peony back to the bedroom. Once there, Peony opened the garment bag and pulled out a lavender dress. She held it up for Scarlett to see. The lacy top had a halter strap and heart shaped neckline. The skirt was chiffon and fell to the floor.
“It’s gorgeous,” was all Scarlett could manage to say. It was the prettiest dress she’d ever seen. Peony helped Scarlett into the dress, buttoning the long trail of buttons on the back. Scarlett took herself in as she glanced in the mirror. The dress’s silver belt cinched at her waist, matching the leaf headband, which sat perfectly like a crown on her head.
“You look lovely.” Cade stood in the doorway, in a deep brown coat with embroidered silver swirls paired with brown leather pants and boots. “Are you ready?”
Chapter Fifteen
Cade twined his arm with Scarlett and led her down the hallway. She felt good this evening, no twinge of pain creeping in. Were things getting easier? Or was Cade to thank? They walked down a set of stairs and through another hallway before arriving at the grandest staircase Scarlett had ever seen. The wide stairs with dark wood railing led halfway down the flight before curving the other way. Columns accented the top and bottom of the staircase. A male fae with platinum hair, dressed in a suit, stood at the top of the stairs and nodded to Cade.
“Announcing Prince Cade and his human, Scarlett,” the fae man said.
Cade’s human? He didn’t speak the word in a vile manner, but something felt off about it. But what did Scarlett expect? That she’d be announced as his date? She kind of did. Definitely not being thought of as his human.
There wasn’t anything she could do about it now, so she let Cade guide her down the staircase. Scarlett stepped carefully, fearful of tripping in the heels she wore. The room below was full of fae. All flawless and dressed elegantly. Scarlett could feel something buzzing in the room, an energy of sorts.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Cade led Scarlett to the side. The floor beneath her was a luxurious tile, a silver and fuchsia pattern spread throughout the room. They stood next to Kassandra and the king, who stared blankly ahead as if his mind was off in some distant land. Scarlett gave a small curtsy, which Kassandra returned.
“Announcing Prince Raith and his human, Natalie,” the fae man’s voice echoed through the room.