Chapter 1
Max pulled at his shirt, Kieran slapping hand away.
"Little warlock enough. You will be fine."
Max sighed he hated this, he hated being the center of attention. He'd loved it apparently as a child, but as he gotten older he'd become self-conscious even with all the love from his family... He was different. Papa could at least pass off as normal, he didn't have weird skin and horns...
"Are you done being insecure?"
Max looked up to see Mark's kind smile. He sighed and nodded. He wished Rafael had been allowed to come, but it was a Downworlder only revelry and they had all more or less forced him to go.
Kieran rocked on the balls of his feet, looking resplendent in his silver dress shirt, jacket, black leather pants and riding boots.
He finally stopped moving giving them both a blinding smile,
"Shall we?"
"Don't run off this time."
"Try and keep up Shadowhunter."
Their easy banter slowly relaxed Max as Kieran drew back the lichen curtain. Max looked from them and gasped. They had come to a huge clearing, tables lay haphazardly in a loose circle. Giving ample room for a huge dance floor. Max could see an orchestra setting up. Looking up he could see the nightsky, it was beautiful no light pollution...
"Prince Kieran."
A pixie Fae came toward them, Kieran nodded taking the glass of wine she offered him.
"My apologies, I was unaware the royals would be arriving so soon."
Kieran took a sip and shook his head,
"My apologies my lady, The Unseelie Court will not be arriving soon, I cannot speak for the Seelie Court. However, I and my Mark are here because it is this little one's first revelry and he was nervous."
Max blinked, he knew Kieran was a prince but he hadn't ever seen act like it, and he spoke beautifully. Max made a mental note to tell him to talk to him like that, he didn't think Kieran liked talking so casually. Max cut his eyes to Mark who was looking at the sky with a smile, he gave a small smile. Kieran had been able to delicately say Mark was his without there being a huge misunderstanding. Max was starting to love the Faeries more and more, they had their faults but they were able to avoid petty squabbles.
The pixie Fae dipped her head, smiling at the sly Seelie comment, Unseelie then.
"Ah my lady will you get Mark and Max a drink as well?"
She murmured an of course and moved away.
"What has gotten you so fascinated by the sky? Gwyn will not be joining this revelry."
Mark looked back at Kieran and smiled.
"Why? Isn't this a big deal?"
Max cringed. Mark and Kieran looked at him.
"It's just Kieran sounded all poetic and you kind of ruined it."
Mark laughed.
"My apologies young warlock. I did not mean to offend. Though I think there is no need to flatter our Prince's ego anymore."
Max smirked,
"So much better. So what's the occasion?"
"The girls are having their debut."
Max blinked looking at Mark for an explanation.
"The girls of both courts who are of the age of sixteen are having their debutant ball today. Kieran's sister is one of them."
Kieran nodded smiling as the pixie came back with their drinks.
Max looked at them suddenly nervous.
"Would it be rude if I refused?"
Kieran nodded, Mark glared and shook his head.
"No, it's okay. You need to take everything in your own time."
"If he does not have some wine he will be too sober."
Quipped Kieran.
"The night is still young my highness, surely he will have wine soon?"
Kieran turned to her his eyes wide. Mark placed a hand on his arm keeping from opening his mouth. She ducked her head.
"Ayla thank you I will take my glass. If I need anything I will ask for it. You can leave."
She handed him the glass and scurried away. Kieran hissed.
"How dare she? She is meant to be invisible."
"Ah Kieran I see you have already found the fault of the night."
Kieran whirled and inclined his head,
"Father, I was just saying—"
"It is nothing Sir, Kieran was merely over exaggerating."
Kieran turned to Mark, who sipped his drink. The King rose an eyebrow, his voice was mildly annoyed.
"Now Kieran is my son Mark, I would like to know what he over exaggerated. Please refrain from interrupting him again."
Max slipped away then he didn't think he could take the tension. He found Ayla after a few minutes. She jumped when he tapped her shoulder.
"My apologies, I just wanted to say I appreciated the kind words."
He knew Kieran would disapprove, would say the servants didn't need anymore reasons to revolt he but Max ignored him, he wasn't here anyway.
Ayla gave him a half curtesy.
"It is the least I could do for Magnus Bane's son."
"You know my father?"
She nodded,
"He helped us, helped me personally a couple decades ago. Send him my thanks will you?"
Max nodded slightly dazed. The party was starting to come to a full swing.
A soft violin melody was wafting over the clearing, Max held a glass of wine when he saw. He didn't think he'd ever seen anyone so perfect.
Kieran slipped to stand next to him, making him jump when he clinked their glasses. He laughed quietly.
"Has someone caught your eye?"
"Her."
Max motioned as discretely as he could to the other side of the clearing where a girl with silvery white eyes was standing. Her pale yellow dress adorned with a sprinkle of rose petals. Her hair changing color depending on the light.
"Ah, that's Lila. A princess of the Seelie court. She's been admired by my brothers for a long time. I would go speak to her soon... Before someone steals her away."
Max sighed draining his goblet he walked toward her. Her eyes watching him. She drank a little of her goblet,
"Hello."
She said, and Max blinked. She was so quiet.
"Uh Hi—"
"Lila is fine warlock."
She gave him a small smile looking to the side.
"Max."
He finally said,
"My name is Max."
She smiled but didn't say anything. He heard as the songs started to slow, a waltz. He thanked Papa for making him learn that.
"May I lead you in a dance Lila?"
She drained her glass, was she nervous around him? And took his hand.
They swayed, the dance not the real focus. Her eyes went to his horns and he suddenly felt self-conscious.
"I assumed the art of dancing has been lost."
Max felt himself relax, no comment on his horns. Maybe she didn't care? Or maybe she just found it so disgusting she couldn't bare to look at them?
"My father taught me."
She nodded as he spun her, he needed to salvage this conversation.
He opened his mouth but she beat him to it.
"Walk with me?"
"Whatever the Princess desires."
He beamed when she giggled. She led him away. Toward a small path, he could feel the eyes of all the Princes on them.
They walked for a while, she seemed determined to lead him somewhere so he let her. They stopped in a clearing. It was shielded on all sides by trees, the moonlight reached her in such as a way that her turned a light silver.
The forest floor was covered in moss and petals from the trees, it was soft to the touch Max guessed.
She let go of his hand and started to unclasp her dress. His heart thudded, what was happening?
"What are you doing?"
He blurted out. She stilled and watched him.
"Do you not want me?"
He did. Max took a deep breath, he didn't want to lie to her.
"I do. Just not know, not like this."
She looked at him confused, even so she reclasped her dress.
"I do not understand? If you do not want me why did you approach me?"
Oh that's why everyone was looking at them, why Kieran had laughed at him. Max clenched his fists, he was going to kill him.
"I think your beautiful Lila. I approached you because I wanted to get to know you."
Max looked away his voice soft.
"If you do not feel the same way I understand. I know I can't compare to the numerous Prince's who will surely begin to court you."
Her laugh made him look back at her, she shook her head. Giving him a huge smile.
"My suiters have always courted me, even when I was too young. I chose because your different."
Max unintentionally recoiled. Different, he understood different.
"Max do not fret. I love your skin, it is the color of the sea, or the sky before a storm. It is beautiful."
"And my horns?"
He whispered,
She smiled at him softly,
"I've wondered all night what they would feel like under my hand. Would they be smooth or rough? Would it hurt if I were to pull them gently or would make you gasp with pleasure?"
Max blushed looking down, he's forgotten how free the Fae was with their love.
"You can, you know,"
He looked up screwing up the remainder of his pride.
"You can touch them if you want."
She beamed, and hesitantly ran her hand over one of them. Max shivered, he'd never felt this before. It felt like a fire was swirling through his body.
"It is so beautiful."
She whispered and as Max looked at this beautiful princess before him he had to agree. It was beautiful.