Unknown POV

Little moron. Thinks that everything is so simple. Nonetheless, she looks stunning. Still, I should control the urge to cover her up. She can’t know about me yet.

I wake up at twilight, Jade learned that Vadas will be at Flora’s, a rather small but fancy restaurant a few streets away, at midnight. I killed the time by getting ready, we decided upon a sparkling soft blue maxi skirt with an assorted crossed crop top, a big part of my breasts open for sight. I got 3 of my daggers and hid them between folds of my skirt with an absurdly deep cut on one side, fully exposing my left leg when I walk. Seriously I’m not an amateur to show up my body. My hair was falling in loose pinky curls past my waist. So I was ready.

I was at Flora’s an hour before midnight, waiting. When I saw Vadas approaching, I was prepared to leave the restaurant. Faking an annoyed attitude, I paid the bill and left my table. Upon opening the door I purposely bumped into him letting my purse drop to the ground. He wanted to get it for me but I already bent down for my purse letting him have a good view over my chest, and looking up from this position I murmured:

“I am so sorry sir, this is entirely my fault.” Then I lowered my gaze in submission. He froze for a moment, most likely thinking what more I could do from this position. Finally, he extended a hand to help me up, I accepted it with a smile. His yellow eyes were sparkling, so I hit a nerve then. Typical male.

“It is fine, perhaps I should see that coming, you looked so sad if may I say this.” his curtesy surprised me, it doesn’t fit with his predatory smile. Despite this, he looked stunning. His golden hair braided on one side and the rest combed back from his rather sharp features. Vadas’s brown with golden accents suit perfectly adjoined his 6,7 ft high, well-built body.

“Yes, I was going to meet an old friend but she couldn’t come I suppose,” I said a bit shyly.

“Not so old after all” he replied caressing my cheek with the back of his hand. I hold my brief for a second, blushing slightly. He smiled, pleased with my reaction.

“Thank you-?”

“Oh, where are my manners, my name is Basil. And you are-?”

“Lylia.”

“What a wonderful name, I am in a hurry but may I see you again, Lylia?” he tasted my name on his lips, and it sounded so good in his deep voice.

“Maybe, I came for the coronation, and will remain for a while.”

“I can arrange an invitation for you for the reception at Lord Sheridan in two nights.”

“It isn’t necessary, I am already invited.” I smiled.

“This is a lucky day indeed. I shall go, hope to see you there soon.” He said, leaning down to kiss my hand. Then he leaned closer to my ear “and maybe we will get to know each over better.” That cause a shiver down my spine and a new blush.

On my way home I was thinking about my reaction. Yeah, well I wasn’t with a male for a while but to lose control like that was unacceptable. I should stay objective. Fuck Sky, stop thinking about him this way. He may be a beautiful fae male but I couldn’t think about fucking him, or he-me? This was so frustrating!

Arriving home I go straight to the training room yelling for Jade. He showed up in a minute.

“What happened, you didn’t find him?” he asked.

“Oh no, I did, and he is fucking hot and I’m fucking burning!” I yell. That causes him to laugh so hard he was almost suffocating.

“Stop already, I need your help!”

“Sky you know we can’t do this anymore, Jocelyn-“

“Wow stop!” I interrupted him, “I was talking about a fight on swords idiot”, “and let’s forget about everything between us, for Jocelyn.” I whispered the last part. We were lovers a few years but ended as friends. Well, fucking occasionally but nothing more.

“Yeah you are right, sorry” he mumbled taking a sword, “let’s get started.”

After a few hours of training, I wanted nothing more than to collapse on my bed, and so I did. Thinking about my next move until I fall asleep.

Next night I follow him all over but this time from shadows. Nothing unusual happened however, some meetings and that was it? At dawn when I thought he was going home, he surprised me by attending one more restaurant with a private zone. I climbed window by window finally reaching the one he entered. There were three males and Vadas, when the silver-haired one turned to greet him I almost fell from my spot. Dumarque. What was he doing here, they were supposed to be enemies. Vadas was for war, Dumarque against it, or not? What were we missing? Anyway, I couldn’t hear them or read what they were talking about. So I waited for them by the exit, however just Vadas left. Dumarque must take another way out. Shit.

The last day before reception didn’t give any clues either. Just more meetings, but nothing important. That was annoying. But I understood why creatures were attracted to him, Vadas was charming, smart, funny, and beautiful on all over. He changed his attitude depending on whom he met. However that gave me a new problem, how could you get to know someone if he was constantly adjusting his behavior.

Almost at dawn, I arranged to ‘accidentally’ meet him on his way home.

“What bless upon me,” Vadas exclaimed approaching me. I gifted him with a shy smile. “Where could a young, little fae like you go at this late hour?” he asked, arching a perfect brow at me.

“Well, we just parted ways with a friend, now I was on my way home,” I answered faking slight guilt as he expected from me.

“Such beauty may encounter a lot of troubles, may I escort you home?”

“Oh, thank you, but I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Believe me Lylia you are nothing close to one.” He told me with a smile. I accepted with a nod and took his elbow telling my address.

“You know I am surprised you remembered me, Basil.”

“How could I forget you?”

“It’s just you don’t seem like somebody who has time to notice an insignificant stranger”

“Firstly you are not such, and yes I am busy indeed, but you caught my attention, I thought about you every day from then” he confessed avoiding my gaze. That made me smile. As a female, I was flattered.

“You are cute.” I giggled

“Oh, seriously? And that when I thought I was awesome?” he mimicked an offended tone.

“That is some confidence.” I laughed

“It would be a lie to say I am not, I know how I look, as you know about yourself, so the point to pretend is?”

“Hm, you are right, however, most creatures won’t see it that way”

“But you do, and that is why I was honest, because you can take the truth and don’t judge me for it, and because you are honest as well”

You have no idea, I thought to myself looking at him.

“So, are you coming tomorrow?” he asked.

“I can’t miss it, I just returned from my residence in Northfey, and this is a good opportunity to renew old connections.” I lied.

“I see. That’s why I haven’t met you earlier. I’m a newbie here. Just a few weeks as the right hand of Lord Allaway.”

“I met him a few times, long ago, but that’s it.”

By this time we reached my house and Jade dutifully opened the door for me.

“Thank you for escorting me.”

“That was my pleasure. But I demand a reward.”

“Interesting-“I said eyeing him.

“Promise me a dance tomorrow.”

“That’ll be my pleasure, Basil.”

Vadas smiled wide, and kissed my cheek, caressing it with his lips, causing a shiver through my body.

“Sweet dreams, Lylia.” He whispered in my ear.

“You too” I whispered back. He waited there until Jade closed the door after me. We both looked silently at Vadas departing. After a minute Jade talked:

“You like him.”

“What? No!”

“Don’t lie to me, I know you better than anyone else!” he growled. I huffed.

“Maybe a little bit. He doesn’t seem to be the villain here. Besides, what is his business with Dumarque? What if he is an insider? And can’t I have some fun?” I scoffed.

“Just don’t get too involved in this. Vadas is your work. In the end, you may kill him. Don’t forget your role in all this.” He advised me, walking away.

Heading to my office I write a magic note to Tamor. It works as an email, vanishing and appearing at the destination. Reporting all that happened today, and details for tomorrow. Thinking about Jade's words for a while, I pushed them at the back of my mind. I need a bath and a cup or two of wine.