The Changeling

Chapter XVII- pool party

Ciardha POV:

Ok so, we had a plan. Sorta. Joining sides with a merrow sure as hell wasn't my choice, but I'd do anything to see her again. I needed her. And the thought of what she was going through- who'd hurt or touched her-

I felt my jaw clench, suppressing a growl at the thought of other males touching her. Or hell, anyone else touching her in an intimate manner. She was mine.

"Ciardha, get it together," Conrí scoffed.

I rolled my eyes at him, as I tied back the back cloth mask over my eyes.I had my classic, even if cartoonish, look with my black boots, black blouse, black pants, and mask on.

Our horses rounded the curb towards the once- great palace of the Samhradh Court. It's former glory washed away with this new form of rivalry. It disgusted me, but I set my jaw. The sky was already beginning to darken, and I felt more comfort in the darkness.

My eyes flickered to the moon in a silent prayer. No sunset, as there was no sun, but this was the norm for the past 20 years, even still, it bothered me nonetheless. I never was fond of the sun, but it's disappearance surprisingly left me with my own sense of emptiness.

I tossed some stable boy the reigns of my stallion, and walked confidently towards the door with Conrí in tow. Nothing could stop me from being with my mate, even death. So I sure as hell wasn't going to let some faux-queen think she could beat me.

The doors were opened for me by two scantily clad girls, and I had to keep myself from rolling my eyes at their batting eyelashes. I slipped them a devilish smile, flirting back, careful to not let anything slip.

As we walked through the white hallways, flashes of memories when Conrí and I used to frequent these halls. Even before Étain, the parties were wild and never ending. But there wasn't any of the sex slave bullshit. It brought in the scum of the fae towards it. Those who willingly sought pleasure, knowing it was forced or coerced, should burn.

I listened as the music began to filter down the hallway, reaching my ears. It was that damn music that would make mortals dance until they died. A lesser fae would even partly succumb to it's trace, going all glass eyed and throwing their body and purses into the music.

Thankfully, I was no lesser fae. There was no being in this realm that matched my power, and if necessary, I would remind Étain of that.

Double doors opened to the center of the party. People were dancing and swimming around in the huge pool. Almost immediately, I sensed my mate, the scent of Jasmine and mint floating through the air. I forced my eyes towards the thrones at the opposite end of the room, where the two queens were perched.

Étain was seated on one of red velvet and gold, highlighting her porcelain skin and black hair, and signature red lips. We meet eyes and a sly smile spreads across her face. I offered her a nod, never a bow. She simply flickered her eyes towards Conrí.

I turned to look at the second queen, Queen Niamh of the Merrows. She was seated in a throne made of mother of pearl and shells, assuring everyone around that she was queen of the sirens, selkies, Oillipheísts, Fauths, and all other sea and water dwelling creatures. She was said to be the pinnacle of beauty with her doe-like brown eyes, long, waist length black hair in its many small braids, her full lips, high cheekbones and dark skin. She was impossible to mistake.

We also nodded towards each other, but when I caught her eye, a knowing glance between the two of us was past for only a split second. Then I wandered around the room to an open seat where I could watch the scene unfold. I first glanced towards that same damn Merrow girl that claimed to be friends with my mate. She had her gaze on some dark haired girl dancing in the pool. I looked to her, wondering if she was my mate, but knew immediately she was not.

Suddenly, that same smell was so pungent, I couldn't help but look towards where it came. I saw my mate dancing, and it took everything in me not to run to her. She was dancing on a platform in the pool. Her wild golden hair was swinging as she danced, moving her body in ways that drew the attention of every male in the room. I had to suppress a growl.

It sure as hell drew my attention as she swung her hips, and rolled her body. She shook her ass, and my face paled. For some reason, I imagined this girl as submissive, shy, and gentle. This woman dancing in front of me was none of those things.

The first time I saw her, I barely saw much more than those eyes because of the darkness. Here, there wasn't much I couldn't see. She was wearing a orange swimsuit, with a white sheer dress over it, doing nothing to hide her body. She had a thin waist, and was certainly well endowed in the chest. My eyes bee-lined to her hips, thighs, and behind. They were seemingly impossible, even for a fae.

Most fae were thin and extremely fit, and she seemed to be fit, but in no way extremely thin. Her thighs were round and irresistible, and by some unheard of force of nature, they didn't brush against each other, even when her knees were together. Her behind... well, let me just say it took everything inside of me not to stare at it.

I forced my eyes away to Conrí who was watching me like a hawk. I nodded towards her, pride swelling in my chest. But just as I felt some sort of happiness, I remembered she was forced to be here, who knows how many males had touched her, and I couldn't claim her as mine.

"Well, she's here without a shadow of a doubt," I scoffed, and sipped on my liquor, returning my face to it's stone cold emotionless expression. 

Do y'all like Sophie's POV or Ciardha's better? any thoughts? Comment! Vote! ignore my spelling mistakes!