The last night of the full moon is always the most chaotic for faeries. It's the night our powers are strongest, just before they wan until the new moon. Kelpies swarm the water like gnats, anxious to overcome the most resilient victim. Pixies go off to find any living thing they can to torment. Minotaurs, glamoured as humans, start bar fights to express their superior strength. Breena had left hours ago to find a new human--or several-- to entertain her, leaving me alone to figure out how best to get out of Tatiana's spotlight.
I lie on my bed, staring up at the ceiling as I contemplate ideas. I know better than to write anything down. There's too many nosy creatures in this court, and writing leaves evidence. If word gets back to Tatiana I plan on bailing, leaving will become impossible or require chaperones. I don't tolerate followers and house arrest has never sounded fun.
A buzz of energy trills through my veins and I know the moon is almost at its highest. There won't be any sacrifices tonight but my presence is expected regardless. In Tatiana's lesser Unseelie Court, everyone celebrates the full moon.
Heaving a groan, I head over to my closet, picking out black leather pants and a white tunic. Nothing too fancy, but Tatiana demands class when we act like animals. As if our fashion choice makes us less sinister. I settle on moccasins after the long internal debate to go barefoot out of spite. I don't want to deal with her wrath yet.
In the Great Room, several humans intermingle with the Fae. As with every full moon, I wonder how many will go home in the morning.
Breena's dancing in the crowd with a slack jawed human, drool rolling down his chin. The raunchy spider silk dress she wears barely covers her breasts or butt. Male Fae look at her in disgust but I know a few of them to be her former lovers. While I know she doesn't fornicate with humans, I think their jealousy gets the best of them.
Along the eastern wall, human women are atrung up naked, laughing gaily as they get cakes, fruits, and drinks thrown at them. Fortunately, there are no children present. Although it is mostly the Seelie Court who takes children, sometimes replacing them with changelings, Tatiana's Unseelie will take them once in a while for an added thrill. If I saw any children in our court, I would let them go home, usually involving a fight with the Fae who brought them here.
Seeing as the humans have already enjoyed some refreshment, which is why they're so compliant, I decide to get my own. If I am to be forced to attend these parties, I'll need to be drunk. By the spirits, I hope we have something stronger than wine.
Upon my arrival at the glamoured bar--fashioned to attract unsuspecting humans--I hear a familiar laugh. For the briefest moment, I think my eldest sister, Orla, has come to visit us, but she hasn't laughed since we were kids. I don't know anyone else who I'm familiar with...
My blood freezes. There is one more. I'm almost too afraid to look, barely turning my head so I only see her from the corner of my eye.
There she stands, garbed in her unflattering farm dress but still managing to glow with beauty. Her auburn hair is worn down, falling down her back in coppery waves. She's talking to the cat Fae again, Gaelish. A crystalline glass of wine is held delicately in her hand as she laughs again at something he said.
Anger surges so quickly my vision turns red. "Cara!" I roar, stomping toward her.
Gaelish backpedals in fear before disappearing into the crowd. Cara takes a moment to turn around, the laughter fading from her emerald eyes when our gazes collide.