The Dark Fae (The World of Fae #1)(21)

Or not.

It might have been a fluke.

She stopped breathing as she readied her arrow. Everyone else seemed to stop breathing, too.

The arrow whipped through the air and without a breeze stirring, struck its target, beating Deveron’s by five feet.

“Again,” he said, his tone harsh.

She wanted to remind him she was frail and their ruse was quickly being eroded away. “I’m tired.”

“Again,” he commanded. This time his firm voice brooked no argument.

Stubborn dark fae with an easily bruised male ego the size of the state of Alaska.

He fired an arrow that hit a stake ten feet beyond hers.

This time she would not play the game. Her arms were wearied, and she would not be commanded by any fae, dark, male, royal, or otherwise, what to do.

Damn his male ego.

She meant to shoot at a much closer target. That’s what she meant to do. But somehow her own stubbornness took control of her and made her do it. She aimed, pulled, and struck his arrow, splitting it in two.

Then she handed the bow to the servant and said, “Next game?”

Everyone was speechless. No one dared to congratulate the female fae, well human, but they didn’t know that. All they knew was she was creating a wedge between their princess and Prince Deveron, so no one would congratulate her. She suspected Deveron was mad at her. Ritasia seemed unduly concerned.

Maybe because Deveron was mad at her.

“It’s time for us to retire to our bedchambers and get ready for the ball,” Lorelei said.

“I’ll share the guestroom with my cousin,” Ritasia announced.

Alicia wouldn’t look at Deveron. He was a spoiled rotten dark fae who couldn’t concede she was a pretty damned good marksman.

Too bad.

“You seem to have regained your strength back quite well,” Lorelei said as she grasped Deveron’s arm and spoke to Alicia.

“It comes and goes,” Ritasia quickly said.

“Does Alicia have a change of gowns? Everyone will know her at the ball if she does not.”

Ritasia said, “I have brought a week’s worth to Venicia. I’m sure she will find one that appeals.”

“No one is to know who anyone else is,” Lorelei reminded her.

“I will know her, as I need to watch out for her.”

Lorelei nodded.

Ritasia took hold of Alicia’s hand and transported her to the bedchambers. The effect wasn’t hardly dizzying at all, considering the short distance.

“Are you all right?” Ritasia asked her.

“Yes. I guess we were so close by, it didn’t bother me as much.”

Ritasia pulled a chest open, then sifted through several gowns.

Alicia watched her, then said, “I guess no one liked it that I beat Deveron in archery. I assumed he didn’t either.”

“Other things were on his mind.”

Alicia studied her as she pulled out a sea green dress.

“To go with your green eyes and blond hair. It should be very fetching.” Ritasia handed it to her, then returned to the chest.

Alicia ran her fingers over the silky sheers that covered the satin gown underneath. “What other things were on his mind?”

Ritasia dug around in the chest some more, then pulled out a peach-colored gown. “Like who you are.”

Taking a deep breath, Alicia said, “Well, that I would like to know as well.”

Ritasia stood. “I think it best if we return you home.”

Gone was the fae friendship, just like that? One archery competition, no cheating, and she was no longer wanted by the dark fae? Had they lost interest in the human who could best them at a game? And why even bring her here if they were truly concerned about her safety? Was it all just pretend?

“I would be happy to oblige. Take me there now. Or return me to South Padre Island.”

“Deveron would have to approve.”

“Why? He doesn’t own me.”

“In a way, he does.”

Alicia squelched the urge to scream and handed the gown back to Ritasia. “Take me home now, please.”

“I can’t and I won’t.”

Alicia tapped her foot on the floor. There was nothing worse than being stranded in a place she had no way to get out of. And in no way did she belong to Deveron.

“You and Deveron are mad I did so well at the competition. Why? Was it because I bruised his male ego?”

“It is more than that.”

“What?”

Ritasia began to pull off her emerald green gown.

“What?”

“I can’t say,” Ritasia said with exasperation. “I need to speak with Deveron first.”

“I can’t return to South Padre or my home without your help, can I?” Or her father’s. But she had no way of knowing who he was or where he lived.

Alicia studied the fae who ignored her. “Fine.” She headed for the door.

“Wait!” Ritasia’s voice was desperate. She was half undressed and couldn’t very well chase after Alicia. But Alicia wasn’t staying if Ritasia wouldn’t confide in her.

“Well?”

“We’ll talk with…I’ll speak with my brother after the ball.”

“Right.”