Hours pile up, one after the other. From the second King Cyrus introduced me, I haven't had a moment to myself.

Most of the high ranked faes have been busy gloating and boasting, each chasing the agenda of proving who knew my parents better. If only they knew who my actual parents were.

As I grew up, learning more about the rule of Unison of Elements, I realised my parents were outlaws, considered by these people's stupid law. A fae and a human may never marry each other, something my parents had done.

Half-blood faes are not only frowned upon but often time killed too. They're deemed too dangerous.

Although I can't blame them for finding people like me dangerous. We're limitless. Hence, I was chosen to take this mission and not a human or a true-blooded fae.

Maybe that's why they killed my parents and my brother. Maybe in that village, there were more people taking refuge like my parents, the forbidden lovers, fleeing from these monsters.

One day I will find the truth, the real reason behind that massacre.

Once the relentless faes crowding around me get bored from bragging and move on to other sources of entertainment, I slip away from the ballroom and venture down the halls.

My cheeks hurt from the excessive duration of keeping a fake smile plastered across my face. The hallways are empty, save for the occasional guards situated. In every few steps, torches have been lit, casting a flickering orange hue, illuminating the area.

The guards don't throw me a second glance, as I venture farther down and the music from the ball grows fainter. A sensual tune from afar tingles my skin and twirls in my veins.

The fae melody, sung by sirens. Once a human moves to it, they'll dance themselves to death. Back at home, under strict circumstances, some could indulge in this heavenly tune, but beyond that, it was prohibited, for humans' safety.

Even though through my training I've been tested to ensure it doesn't affect me as much as humans, it still has a euphoric effect, tickling my senses to sway to it and let myself loose.

I clench my jaw and shake my head, trying to rid myself of it, but it's useless. I focus on the path and anything to drown out the sound and distract me enough to keep me safe. Gradually, I sense the music's grip over my mind loosen as I follow the sound, taking the turns needed to reach the source while memorising the hallways.

Finally spotting the room the music is coming from, I slow down my pace, my hand instinctively rests over the dagger attached to my thigh. Purple sheer curtain hanging at the entrance of the hall obscures the view inside.

Carefully, I tiptoe to it, keeping my footsteps light as a feather, hoping they can't hear the slight ruffling of my dress' skirt.

The melody is divine and despite my efforts, it causes goosebumps over the exposed skin of my arms. The soft chattering coming from inside makes me hesitate. Only one familiar voice is distinguishable, Princess Fyla's.

My brows furrow, I'm half tempted to walk inside and see what's going on, but I can't risk giving her the wrong impression of wandering around and crossing my boundaries.

A sharp clinking sound cuts off the soft murmurs of the other faes present in the hall. I frown and press myself closer to the wall.

"We have a little intruder, it seems," a deep voice announces and I instantly recognise it as Valoukai's. "Come in, Audriea."

I squeeze my eyes shut, cursing my luck.

"We don't bite," he says, making everyone chuckle around him. "If not provoked," he adds, and the plain threat lacing his words sends a chill down my spine.

Cursing my luck again, gingerly I move to the front, pushing aside the curtain and stepping inside the massive room.

Unlike the ballroom, the place is dimly lit. Purple and red flames flicker at every corner of the room. Three blue-skinned sirens are lounging on a stage draped with violet velvets and cushion propped around them at the side of the room. The trio stares at me with wide blue eyes, so deep it's like they can peer inside my soul.

I gulp and look away from them, resisting the urge to wring my fingers at my side.

Fyla is on a daybed. Her obsidian dress, with hues of red, is sprawled over the empty space, reaching the marble floor. Her blue eyes settle on me, glinting with intrigue. "Welcome, Audriea. You needn't stand outside and hide like a thief, you're soon to be family." She smiles at me, an unsettling sight.

A girl with fiery green hair and eyes perched on a bench next to Fyla giggles, her slender fingers covering her mouth but not fast enough to hide the two fang-like teeth sneaking from under her upper lip.

The man on Fyla's left, with golden hair and eyes like melted gold, with his skin holding a blueish tint, resting his large palm on Fyla's calf, scrutinises me.

Across from me, Valoukai's mismatched blue and amber eyes bore into me. The first three buttons of his black shirt are undone, and his arms are wide apart, placed on top of the backrest. He flicks his wrist at the sirens and they continue to sing. A faint blue mark is smeared at the corner of his full lips as though someone has kissed him.

A girl is laying her head on Valoukai's chest, a smug smile twisting her full lapis coloured lips. Her teal-coloured hair is pinned to her head in a shape that creates a crown, and the jewellery adorning her neck and ears are sapphires and pearls. The bodice of her indigo dress hugs her form perfectly, showing off her slender body and the skirt of the dress is silk and sheer. The way she's sprawled and her dress is surrounding her, appears like she's in the middle of an ocean.

Perhaps she's from the Air court? She doesn't look like the faes of the Water court, with her olive skin and pale blue eyes. Even her name sounds like it belongs to the Air court.

With the sirens so close and their unsettling melody, my brain fails to recall her full name and where she's exactly from.

She boldly holds my gaze, running a single slender finger down Valoukai's chest.

Looks like the prince has a lover. I smile at her, a genuine smile. She has no idea how her presence will be to my advantage. If Valoukai is occupied with her, he won't get the chance to stick his nose into my works. Perfect.

"Allow me to introduce you to our friends." Fyla's chirping voice pulls my attention away from the girl across from me.

"I go by the name Torilia," the same girl, still with her head on Valoukai's chest, says.

"And she is Oriane." Fyla points at the girl next to her. "He's Igan." Fyla waves her hand at the guy and he curtly nods at me.

"The name is Reesorus, but call me Reese, darling," a masculine voice from the far back of the room says.

I hadn't even noticed him. He steps out of the shadows. His jet-black hair, a staggering contrast to his ivory skin, is neatly pushed back, reaching his shoulders. As he approaches me with a goblet of wine in hand, I can't help but note his formidable appearance. The closer he comes, the bluish veins visible underneath his pale skin, and the hollowness under his eyes highlighting his diamond-shaped face become prominent. A face so dangerous yet alluring, a perfect fit for a menacing fae.

His black coat wrapped around his body shows off his well-built muscles earned through years of practice and training. But what gives me a pause is the house emblem drawn across the chest of his coat. It's a snake, ready to strike, with swirls of fire around it.

In an instant, it clicks in my head. Reesorus of house Vaemon, the next in line of the Fire court's throne if the current royals die.

He bows before me, holding out his palm. Hesitantly I accept his hand. His skin is hot to the touch. He raises the back of my hand to his lips, lightly kissing it while keeping his amber eyes, similar to flames, fixated on me.

I dip my chin as he straightens up.

"The most beautiful always hide the most dangerous of secrets, or so I've been told." A corner of his mouth lifts upwards. He leans to me, the glint in his eyes makes me gulp uncomfortably. "What is your secret, Audriea of house Redolfom?"

I force a smile, not wavering under his burning scrutiny.

Faes can lie, but true-blooded fae can also sense dishonesty, hence they avoid lying altogether. After all, what's the point if the person you're lying to is aware of it?

"If I go around telling anyone who asks me, 'what's your secret?' how will it remain a secret?"

A wide smile tugs his lips, almost too big for his face.

I sense Valoukai's gaze burning holes through me. Thankfully, not literally, yet. I'm hoping it won't ever get to that because the powers the Commanding Lords gifted me once they decided to send me here will protect me and my secret will instantly be out.

"Is it true you were raised by maids in a house far off at the edges of the kingdom?" Oriane asks, tilting her head slightly. Her dazzling green eyes latch on me, a sly glint sparkling them.

Torilia snort, "How many maids did you have? Were you treated like a wounded doe for your entire life?" She fluidly raises to her feet. A few strands of her teal-coloured hair reach past her chest as she glides to me, her long dress ruffling and trailing behind her. Her movements are too smooth and deliberate to belong to a low ranked fae.

"You must know nothing..." she muses.

I watch her blankly, setting my posture into a relaxed one, sensing everyone's eyes on me.

"So clueless, unaware of the world around you, loved and protected for being the daughter of a dead general... it's almost sad." She stops before me and I hold her stare with ease. "But surviving a court is nothing like living in a house in the thickest of a forest."

"Are you suggesting I'm not fit to become a part of the royal family?" I innocently ask her.

She lifts a shoulder. "Do you possess all the traits needed for the position? You realise it's not just about dressing up and looking pretty."

"Yes." I smile at her and take a step toward her, invading her personal space. Her expression pinches with annoyance, but she holds her ground as I lock my eyes with her. "Lady Torilia of Air court, it's incredible to see another court's ambassador be so concerned for the court they're working for," I pause, just to assess her expression changing with surprise. Her thin eyebrows jump up.

From the corner of my eye, I note Reese squinting at me, a smirk twitching his lips. Fyla is as curious as ever and Valoukai remains unaffected, observing us with a bored face.

"But I can assure you, I'm well versed in many arts, including the one where I can take a life if need be."

She gawks at me and I catch the guy beside Fyla, Igan, glancing at me and Valoukai.

Reese chuckles, throwing his head back and holding up his goblet. "A true legendary general's daughter."

Over Torilia's shoulder, I glimpse Valoukai, and he's no longer lounging instead he's sitting upright, but his face is devoid of emotions. We hold each other's gaze for a moment before he stands up and comes straight to us. He wraps his arm around Torilia's waist, pulling her to himself.

"Look at you, it hasn't even been a day yet and you're threatening everyone," he bitterly says.

I smile at him. "I'm not. In fact, I'm only informing what I'm capable of, which King Cyrus is already aware of, so there are no surprises or threats." I bow slightly. "If you would, your highness, I wish to be excused." I pull myself to my full height and glare at him. Not waiting for his answer, I spin on my heels and march out.

Bastard fae prince.

Plan A failed. I have to make these faes fear and respect me if I want to survive here. Appearing meek will not be the answer.

I shake my head and make my way to the room they've given me.

As the sirens' melody grows weaker and my mind clears, and reels back to Reese. He's the only person not blatantly hating me, yet there's an unsettling aura around him. I can't help but wonder if he can become a useful asset... maybe I can attain my goal faster through him?

With a sigh, I enter the room, and I lock the door. Plodding to the other side of the room, to the small desk, one thing grows apparent. My stay here will not be as short as I had assumed. I gaze out of the window and take in the night sky, pushing away the creeping ghost of doubts and fears daring to enter my mind.

I will succeed. Staying longer won't jeopardise my mission, I'm certain because I won't let it.

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Thank you for reading this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to vote if you did and comment your thoughts!

A few new characters were introduced, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on them, especially on Reese and Torilia =)

Stay safe, lots of love, happy reading ^.^