The Phoenix and the Fae by FD Everly

Author:FD Everly [F.D. Everly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: FD Everly
Published: 2022-09-07T00:00:00+00:00

It was growing late by the time I made my way back to my apartment to dress for dinner. Brigit had left out a sapphire blue dress I instantly recognized.

I shed tears of nostalgia as I held it up in front of the mirror, remembering the night I watched my mother glide down the hall towards a dinner party in it. It was a long silk dress with a slit that travelled up the right thigh. Rather risqué for dinner with my father, but exactly the dress that might catch Paul’s attention.

Grateful for Brigit’s forethought before leaving for her night off, I dressed quickly and loosely pinned my hair up before donning my tiara. One last look in the mirror had me searching for the mascara. I swiped it over my eyes and a knock came at the door. I hurried into my stilettos with my gloves in hand, then swung open the door.

“You’re early! Thank you for coming at the last minute. Dinner was horrendously lonely yesterday,” I greeted Charles breathlessly.

Charles grinned sheepishly, the corners of his eyes crinkling. Light glinted off his dark hair, and wordlessly, he offered his arm. “Anything for my best friend. You should never have to dine alone in a room full of your father’s subjects. However, I’m afraid I must point out, Your Highness, that we are very late. I was trying not to rush you.”

A glance at the clock in the hallway showed he was right, and I flushed. I hated being late for dinner. Unless my father was there, everyone was obligated by formality to wait for me before entering the dining room. It was a tremendous change from life in the country and something I doubted I’d ever get comfortable with.

“Damn,” I muttered.

Charles laughed, sending his silky black hair flying rakishly over his forehead. He was rather handsome, I suddenly realized, with his dark brown eyes and pale complexion. He towered over me, but then, most men of my acquaintance did. When had he grown out of my childhood friend and into a man? Whoever he married would be a lucky woman, and he flushed when I blurted it out.

“Maybe. But I doubt Charlotte will look my way soon. She’s far too enamoured with your bodyguards,” he answered sheepishly.

“Charlotte’s an idiot. You deserve better. Do you remember the girl from the countryside? The one who rode her father’s horse across three counties just to spend an hour with you? That is the woman you should be with. Someone who would do anything just to be near you.”

“That girl married last year and now has a baby,” he said with a shrug.

“Oh. Well, maybe we could find you someone like her,” I offered, cringing internally as I cursed my stupid mouth.

“I don’t want someone like her. I want to be with Charlotte,” he said, his head dropping.

I didn’t even try to understand my best friend’s fascination with my horrible cousin. As far as I knew, she’d never even looked his way. I wish she paid Paul the same lack of attention.

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