Through the Eyes of a Fae
chapter 14

A hush fell over the room as she started down the stairs, and she felt unsure, seeing all eyes on her. She should have saved the dress for court, even if it was cotton. She now felt overdressed. Thankfully, it was comfortable and cool, so she held her head high and continued down. Royce would break the silence with a loud whistle and applause, her friends smiling at her. She laughed and came towards them, and the room seemed to return to normal. She saw the maidservant in the corner, looking like sour milk, and she smiled cheekily at her, even wiggling her fingers at her in a small wave. Ben looked like someone had hit him in the face with a pan. Mouth slightly agape, he just stared. She felt her confidence boost as she sat down next to him, and he still turned to stare down at her.

“That’s- you look-the dress is really nice.” Ben finally managed to get out. She smiled up at him and with their proximity, heat bloomed between them, and she saw the change in his eyes. He seemed completely unaware of the crowded room and started to lean down. Like a splash of freezing water, Kora turned, suddenly ashamed of herself. How dare she lead him on, just to get a rise out of a maidservant? What was wrong with her? The food arrived, and she began talking to Ludis, determined not to acknowledge Ben until she could sort out her feelings. Royce was now poking at Stella, begging for a dance. The music was going, and so were the drinks. Stella was giggling, claiming clumsiness on the dance floor.

“Stells, do you think I would ever let you fall?” Royce pulled her to her feet and practically dragged her to the dance floor. It was almost comical how short she was in comparison to Royce, but for some reason they fit, like two pieces of a puzzle. Stella had worn a dress too. A beautiful blue, and her blonde hair shined in the lamp light, her cheeks a rosy pink. She looked surprisingly relaxed, and happy. Ludis hummed next to her and sipped her ale, cheeks also a little pink. A man wearing a hood approached, and Ben grinned as he looked down at Ludis. It was the king, hiding his face from the crowd. He took Ludis’s hand and pulled her to the dance floor as well, and she could not help it, she started to smile and twirled gracefully. Kora felt Ben stand beside her and she looked up. His face was shadowed, but his eyes gleamed. They looked like storm clouds, with lightning dancing within. He pulled Kora up, and she could not say no. Walking onto the dance floor, he spun Kora slowly, before pulling her close. One arm wrapped around her waist, hand splayed on her back, the other clutching her hand to his chest, over his heart. She rested her other hand on his arm and looked into his eyes. They were burning. Feeling his heartbeat quicken, she felt her palms get sweaty. Ben was very well-built. She could feel the hard muscles of his chest beneath her hand, and the rest of her was pressed against him. She looked up. Kora had never felt something like this before, it was not even this way with Drew. She felt soft and delicate, heat pooled in her belly. The music ended, and he still held her, looking into her eyes. Searching. The applause from the crowd startled them and Kora stepped away quickly. She needed air, and now. She smiled up at Ben, who was still watching her, and she turned and headed for the door. A hand grabbed her, and she turned. It was Stella. She felt relieved and they both walked outside. The breeze was refreshing and helped to clear her head. Kora was no stranger to what happened between a man and a woman, but she had never felt heat like that. It was still there, a deep ache that she could not reach. She squeezed her thighs together and muttered frustrations under her breath. Stella too seemed frustrated, her cheeks glowing faintly.

" Is it always like this? When you … like a man?” Stella asked Kora, her voice tinged with embarrassment. A sound from behind them made them turn, and Ludis came towards them, in a soft pink gown. She sighed and wrapped an arm around each woman.

“It appears we are all suffering the same illness,” Ludis said softly. Kora agreed.

" Any cures magic healer?” Kora quipped, looking at Ludis. She shook her head sadly.

“I’m afraid not. We either succumb, or we burn.”