The Dark Fae (The World of Fae #1)(24)

“She was like a mother grizzly. I’ve never seen a woman so irate. But that’s not all of it, my lord. She’s the fae.”

“What? I thought it was Alicia’s father.”

“Apparently not. The woman wore contact lenses to hide her eyes, but she grew so angry, not even the contacts could disguise the fae fire encircling them.”

“Does she know which fae you serve?”

“No, my lord. She seemed too shook up. She took Cassie with her, I assume home, and then I came straight here. I think she believed I was just interested in the human girl. We were sharing an ice cream sundae when Alicia’s mother found us. I told her I’d never seen Alicia, only Cassie, and befriended her, as I often did when I was bored with fae life.

“She grilled me some more, but I stuck to my story, that I’d found Cassie alone, and made friends with her. I felt sorry for her that she was by herself. I think Alicia’s mother believed that perhaps another fae had stolen Alicia away due to her abilities, and made Cassie forget all about her. Anyway, the mother didn’t seem to think I had anything to do with Alicia’s disappearance.”

Deveron paced. “Alicia’s a dragon fae.”

“What?”

“The mother wasn’t a royal was she?”

“I saw no medallion, but if she disguised her eyes, I would think she’d hide any other evidence she was a fae. The only thing that’s in our favor is she must have broken away from her people. They wouldn’t get involved, don’t you agree?”

“No. We can’t be certain of that.” Deveron pointed at a wooden chest. “Find another mask. We’ve got to locate Alicia and Ritasia in the ballroom and move them at once.”

“Where to, my prince?”

Deveron snorted. “Anywhere that we can think of that might be safe.”

***

As soon as Alicia and Ritasia arrived at the grand ballroom, she feared the worse. The place was crowded. Everyone wore disguises. The sweet waters the women wore scented the air like the faery garden, and faery tunes played, giving the deadly environment a sugar sweet coating. But Alicia knew somewhere in this crowd, Lorelei was waiting to strike at her…like a rattler poised.

Couples danced in the center of the floor, the ladies’ gowns rustling with the fae movements, smooth as ballerinas dancing with their gents in a faery all-star cast.

Ritasia nearly cut off the circulation in Alicia’s hand she gripped it so tightly. She whispered to Alicia, “Deveron will wear black. As in the bad fae, like your Westerns always depict the unscrupulous cowboy. Bad to the bone in black.”

Alicia couldn’t help but smile at the thought. He was bad. His kisses were so divinely good they were sinfully bad…good, whatever.

And whatever brought that to mind, she had no idea.

But what she wouldn’t have given to have his arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her safe right now. Though she appreciated Ritasia’s “protection,” Alicia was certain her fingers would drop off within a matter of minutes from lack of circulation.

“I don’t see anyone wearing black tonight. The fae here appear to like the lighter colors,” Alicia said, straining to see the taller males.

“That’s precisely why he would wear it. Besides he’s trying to keep his dark fae image with you.”

Alicia stared at Ritasia. “I don’t understand.”

Ritasia’s lips turned up. “I believe he thinks you are intrigued by the notion he is an evil dark fae. He isn’t evil, you know. Any more than I am. Some are, of course, just like some humans are. But, for whatever reason, he is trying to please you. You didn’t hear that from me, however.”

Twice now Ritasia had alluded to this idea that Deveron cared for Alicia. But how could he, being that she was only half fae, and a dragon fae at that?

Still, her heart beat faster as she considered the possibilities. She and a dark fae? Nah. He was a prince of the dark fae. No way could he see her as anything more than an intriguing mission, an interesting dangerous diversion. Even if he did have…feelings for her, she was certain his queenly mother wouldn’t permit him to do anything about it. And what about Alicia’s mother? She’d have a fit to think Alicia had fallen…well, she hadn’t fallen, maybe was developing a slight crush, a big crush on the dark fae, when Alicia’s own fae dad had left her mother so many years ago.

She and Ritasia moved through the standing crowds, trying to see some sign of Deveron. Once Alicia pointed at a man, but Ritasia shook her head. “His clothes are very similar to Deveron’s. A nearly black navy blue.”

Then Alicia thought she spied Micala. But how could it be Micala? He was supposed to be at South Padre Island with Cassie.

Just as soon as she saw the man who looked like Micala, another man pulled her away from Ritasia.

“Dance with me,” he said, and swung her away on the floor, swirling her to the unfamiliar steps. Her feet barely touched the floor as he glided away from Ritasia.

She only glimpsed the dark fae female briefly, dancing nearby with a man with a blond-haired wig, but a few strands of red hair poked between the blond strands. Prince Phillinois?

If she kept her eyes on Ritasia, and Ritasia watched out for her, maybe they’d be all right.

The blond she danced with held her so tight, she didn’t think she would be capable of freeing herself from his grasp. Though she wanted to look for Deveron, too, she figured she’d better keep her eye on Ritasia as Alicia at least knew where she was.