Kiss of the Dragon Read Online Free Page B

my hair down, I always have. It was what landed me in hot water with Queen Sofiq. Among other things. She was the only one who was permitted to wear her hair down when in her presence. I'd waltzed on into the throne room, ignoring Sora's warnings, with my hair loose and down past my shoulders. When I left the throne room and the Dökkálfa Royal Court, my hair was half the length and brutally blunt. I was sure Aliath wouldn't be as picky, but for some reason I allowed the fīfrildi fairy this small moment. Maybe it was an apology for last time, I don't know, but she seemed to want to play with my hair. And truth be told, I was craving contact. Any contact would do.
    The finished product was equally as elaborate as the dress, my hair curled delicately in thin strands to frame my face, but the bulk of it was swept up making my neck look longer than it usually did, accentuating my cheekbones and finishing off my appearance with an almighty full stop. Wow. Even I didn't know I could look this good. I wondered briefly, what Michel would think if he saw me now. How hard would it be for him to ignore my neck? Michel liked me to be covered up, with just a hint of flesh showing here and there. It was the enticement, the possibility, the fact that his imagination could fill in the blanks, that did it for my beautiful vampire. I was thinking this outfit, my hairdo, everything about me right now, would feature in his fantasies for sure.
    Somehow that gave me confidence and bolstered my courage, so much so, that I knew the instant I walked into the dining hall to meet Aliath, he would be mine. I am not a vampire, I don't focus on prey. I hunt, sure, but I have never really considered a rogue to be my prey. I am capable of those thoughts, but it is not natural for me like it is for a vampire. Tonight though, the Fairy King was most definitely my prey.
    I followed behind a silent Sora, with four hyrða guards as escorts, as she led the way. Tapestries hung on the walls, colourful and detailed. Depicting battles and landscapes, pretty women and men. A mixture of strength and serene beauty. The Dökkálfa might dress in black, but with their colourful skins and their vibrant interior decorations, they could not be confused with something Dark. There is a brightness to their lives. They are the Dark Court of Faerie, but they have as much Light as the Ljósálfar . And more honour than their lighter brethren could ever have. That was why I had aligned myself with Aliath. Even though at the time it appeared I had little choice, I wouldn't have done it, if I hadn't seen some good in the Dökkálfa Prince. I hadn't considered an alliance with Lutin. It had simply never entered my mind as a possibility at all.
    I tried to focus on those thoughts now. I needed to believe Aliath would not be like the former Queen. She had been cruel and sadistic, I couldn't see my Grey Lord being as bad as that. But power can corrupt. I've seen it before. It's like a festering wound, it eats into the psyche of the one in power, until very little of the man - or woman; think the Champion here - is left. I prayed Aliath was stronger than that. He was definitely more intelligent, so there was still hope.
    We entered the room to an amazing chorus of chimes. The Fey chime when using power, but I couldn't feel any magic on the air now. It was simply an announcement of my arrival. Beautiful, captivating, entirely uplifting and I soon realised, already trapping me in its enchanting grasp.
    So much for no magic.
    I stood swaying slightly in the centre of the room, aware that none of the multitude of black clad, colourful fairies present were moving at all to that compelling and intriguing sound. I wanted to dance, to throw my arms out and twirl. It would be so easy to spin here, to fly around the room on winged feet. I felt the thin material of my dress move; a swish, a flash of reflected light off the crystals...
    ...and then I was spinning.
    Laughing and spinning in a