When we walk out onto the patio I see my father is discussing business with his right hand man, Nyx. He's a dark faery. I've only seen him from afar, but being this close to him I can feel his pull. He immediately notices us and tries to step away but my father offers him to stay and we are formally introduced.

"Nyx, this is my daughter, the Princess Evelyn."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." He bows. His eyes are vivid green that grow dark as he looks me up and down. His long tangled raven black hair doesn't move when he lifts his head. I want to rustle it up. His eyebrow one quirks up like he knows what I'm thinking. His tight black outfit has a lot of unnecessary zippers I want to play with, I can tell my eyes have roamed a little too much when my father clears his throat.

How can he give off such a bad-boy vibe and be so beautiful?

He starts to laugh. "What's so funny?"

"You look very beautiful this morning and yet I think you have alterative motives." He sits directly opposite of me and has a knowing look on his face.

"Who asked for your opinion?"

"Usually your father, our King, does."

"He must not think that highly of you since I didn't see you last night." My eyes narrow not willing to lose this stare down.

"Wasn't I?" He smiles and drops his eyes. Thank god I can finally blink.

I thank the young lady who puts a plate filled with berries and pancakes. Fresh squeezed juice and tea are placed next to me. I need to drink my tea before I say another word.

"Speaking of the men at the ball last night, do you still have that list of suitable men for your daughter? You'll be happy to hear that it's not just the vampires in the running." My mom smiles at my father.

"I will make a copy of it immediately." He snaps his fingers and someone does it. I hand it to my mother who will add the other information I asked for. "That is the best news I've heard! See Nyx, she is more than just a pretty face." He smiles at me while he takes a bite of his pancakes, slapping his knee. He is in a good mood.

"I never doubted it your Highness." Nyx is talking to my father but looking at me like he knows all of my secrets. I feel very naked under his gaze. "Maybe I should take you up on your offer, if it still stands."

"HA! This day gets better and better." He hits Nyx's shoulder, "Yes, it still stands. I had a feeling about you two." My father squeezes Nyx's shoulder enough for Nyx's attention to be pulled away away from me and forced to look up at the King. "But take care, she has won the hearts of many men. Almost all of them have asked for an audience with her before leaving." My dad claps his hands together making me jump. "Let the games begin!" His laugh is infectious.

***

Breakfast is taken away and we sit finishing our drinks and recalling last nights events.

"So little one, who will you be having lunch with?"

"Me." Nyx speaks up quickly. His gaze is starting to annoy me. Can't he look elsewhere?

"Funny. You are at the bottom of the list."

"Am I?" He gives me that look again that is somehow sexier than a smirk. It gives me tingles all over, not that I wouldn't admit it to him. "I'm right here and your father sees me as a fit suitor. We could walk through the newest garden, it is supposed to give the Palace of Versailles a run for it's money. Some might say it gives them tingles."

"That's not a bad idea. I'd worry less if you are by her side. Get someone to bring out a table and chairs and serve you there. How about that Princess, you already have a romantic day ahead."

My mom almost chokes on her water. "Yes. Definitely a romantic day. Which reminds me, Alpha Knox would like to take a walk with her tonight, chaperoned of course."

"I don't see why not. He's one of the strongest Alpha's and understands the importance of finding your family and keeping them close by. An honorable young man." My father tells a page to let Jackson know that he will escort me on a walk after dinner.

Nyx stands up and walks over to me, offering me his hand. "Shall we?"

"Wait, like now?" My eyes pop out looking from my father to my mother. "We just finished breakfast, I'm not hungry for lunch yet." Not taking his hand yet. Nyx stays where he is but looks over his shoulder and when the king nods he extends his hand a little further.

"I have a feeling you will be famished after a walk in the gardens. Maybe even more so than you did this morning walking with wolf boy." He winks at me and a shiver goes down my spine. What can dark faeries do again? I take his hand and it's soft. He gives me a small boy and kisses my hand.

"What about a chaperone?" Check mate. I smirk knowing I've dampened his plans just a little bit.

"Well seeing as he was assigned to be your chaperone when he declined my offer to be a suitor, I think you'll be in good hands." Great. My father dismisses us, telling us to go enjoy the beautiful day.

"The best of hands." For some reason I get the feeling he means that in a different context.

His pulls me close to him and I see my mother and father sharing glances at one another like they had planned this.

Wait...did they?!

"Princess Evelyn."

"Evelyn or Evee is fine."

"Hmm, I don't think so, princess."

"Why are you being so weird?"

"You need to believe you are worthy of love princess, worthy of all of this and more, because you are, so I will continue to remind you of your title. Your worth until you feel it in your bones. You know how special you are and how you should be treated. But the truth is..." He takes a deep breath and licks his lips as he backs me into a wall and leans into me kissing me on the cheek and whispering into my ear, "I can only think of speaking your name in the throws of passion as I watch you cum, screaming my name. Only then do I want to say your name."

He steps away from me and puts his hand arm out for me to continue our journey to the garden. I swallow hard and clear my throat, running my now sweaty hands down my dress. Nyx waits for me smiling to himself. So that's what he was thinking about during breakfast.

"Uh, well, that's...um. Ok." What can I say?! I'm so turned on, my face is red and the heat pulling in my center is all his doing. He's like an anime character come to life. Maybe he attends Comic Con? It would explain the punk outfit.

"Wait until you see this garden, it is almost enough to rival your beauty Princess."

"Oh please." I laugh playfully hitting him. "If it's anything like Versailles, fat chance anyone would pay attention to me instead of wandering around such an enchanting scenery."

"I disagree. I believe many men here would agree with me."

"That's just because men would rather look at a woman than a plant. Pish-posh." I roll my eyes. "Give it a break, Nyx. You already have me for the next 2-3 hours, you don't need to butter me up."

"As much as I would love to eat butter off of you or maybe spread it around like massage oil, making your body glisten." My mouth drops as he seems lost in thought. "But no, I'm not buttering you up. Yet." His eye slowly look me up and down stopping before large doors. "I'm merely stating facts. Ready?"

Just looking at him my breath is ragged and all I can do is nod. The large iron and dark wooden doors open to a beautiful day and gardens that spread as far as my eyes can see. It seems like a place to get lost in.

Am I ready to get lost in here with Nyx?

"Wow." My eyes are wide even though the sun is bright. Fountains, green hedges, rose bushes, and long reflective pools, paths leading to the unknown. "Let's explore."

"For the record, I'd much rather explore you but I would like to keep my head attached to my neck." He says lowly as we start down a path.

I need to fan myself. Fuck. me.

"As soon as you agree to only be with me."

Dark faeries can read your mind.

"Yes, one of our many abilities, my Princess. You have an very intriguing mind. So witty, pure, kind, and innocent. You've been broken. Shattered. Lonely. Your parents don't deserve you. Nor do those bloodsuckers that can't walk in the sun. I didn't know about your past and won't pry any further until you want to share those parts of yourself with me. Just know you are quiet fascinating."

I sniffle. It seems a lot of people in this realm have a very different view of my mother and my upbringing. Holding back tears I quip back, "Fascinating huh? Like a display at the zoo or a carnival? I'm not a freak show-" I tease but don't let him know that yet.

"Of course not. Princess, I'm so sorry that is not what I meant to say and you are laughing...you playful little faerie." For once it's someone else who is blushing. "I think I like playing with you."

He puts his arms around me and my arms have a mind of their own, going to his shoulders as my hands tickle the back of his neck. I finally get to touch his hair. "You think?" I smirk.

"Princess, I know." He brings his head so close to mine are lips are just mere moments away from one another. "Tag, your it!"

And he takes off running into a maze of hedges.

I feel a twinge of sadness in my belly but at the same time my body comes alive with excitement. "So not funny Nyx!" I run yell running after him.