We played tag in the gardens under the warm sun; it felt so freeing to play like a child. I couldn't help but feel happy around Nyx. Which made me feel guilty because I knew of 3 of men I was stringing along.

He crashed into me while I was deep in thought. "Why so sad Princess? Do you need someone to cheer you up?" The grassy knoll was soft and although Nyx laid on top of me I felt like he wasn't forcing himself upon me. "Princess, you know you can tell me anything, right? I work for the royal court, my loyalty will always be to you and your family." His finger tips traced the outline of my lips. Lust was clouding my judgement and I couldn't have that. Not right now.

"Nyx, this has been fun. And I haven't laughed like that in years. I nearly wet myself!" I giggled and his eyes lit up. "But you know I have other suitors and 1 of them is way out in front. I don't want to lead you on, or anyone else for that matter." I sighed, "and yet, I wanted to let the tip of my tongue taste your thumb as it's pad traced my bottom lip. And something in me, something I'm not fully used to yet, wanted to suck your thumb and watch your face change from delight to dark desires."

Nyx's eyes did darken as he looked deeply into mine and lowered his head. I felt almost panicked that he was about to kiss me but instead his cheek brushed mine. His hot breath on me and his scent intoxicating. "You forget I can read your mind. Not just talk to you through a mind-link or hear your thoughts, I can go through memories. Wants. Desires. Lustful fantasies of me taking you here by force in the gardens where anyone could see." I gulped and shut my eyes trying to shut my mind up. It was talking too loud.

"I've seen how you want me to taste you, where you want me to kiss you, claim you like the dark fae that I am." He pushed his pelvis into mine and I felt him. "But I want to show you that I'm more than that. Don't get me wrong, Princess," He nipped at my ear lobe and I withered beneath him, "I'm a great lover. I want to fuck you too. Not here. Not now. But soon. We'll be so caught up in tasting one another you will forget any other man or beast that has laid his eyes on you."

He lifted himself off of me like he could float, like he had invisible wings. He smirked and gave me his hand to help me up. "Right now we have a feast fit for a Princess waiting for us."

I took his hand and watched his every movement as he led me to the table set up in the gardens, servants ready and waiting for us to sit. He pulled out a white iron garden chair for me. A lavender cushion on the seats matched the linens on the round white painted iron table with intricate designs and a glass top. There was a teapot and all different loose leaf tea from green to black tea leaves and so many other dried flowers and herbs to add. I created a green tea with mint leaves and a pinch of hibiscus and jasmine. It was lovely to get to craft our lunch. Some might see it as work but it Nyx told me the properties of each plant and how everyone from humans to witches utilize them.

We ate a mix of fruit, freshly baked Irish brown bread with butter, assorted cheeses and vegetables. Almost like a high tea or brunch, yet very original. I have a feeling my father and Nyx had discussed this before. He winked at me as soon as the thought crossed my mind.

I took the last sip of my tea and thanked the staff that was taking care of my cup and saucer. Nyx put his hand over mine and whispered low into my ear, "They are your servants, Princess. They should be thanking you for the opportunity to be here with you." My grin fell immediately.

Nyx can see into my memories and read my mind but he doesn't understand my heart and soul. Gratitude and kindness for other beings is part of who I am. Nyx was being disrespectful and ungrateful for all he's been given.

He squinted and shook his head side to side while reading my thoughts. He huffed and got up, throwing his linin napkin on his plate. "This isn't the mortal realm, not that it matters because humans don't respect all living beings either. Order, status, duty, and loyalty matter here. Your station as Princess matters." He said while white knuckling his chair. "I know you are new to this but you are here now. Act accordingly." Nyx stormed off leaving me alone and dumbfounded.

"Pardon my reach your Majesty." A young fea server took my plate away while others were cleaning up the left over food.

"I'm not finished yet."

The look of shock and fear on her face was evident. Her trembling hands went to put the plate back in front of me but an older woman stepped in with a new clean plate. She gave the young feary a look of disapproval.

"Please don't dismiss her." I pleaded with the older woman who was obviously in charge. The faeries that were in a flurry to clean up stopped and stared at me like I had grown another head. "I'd be honored if you would all join me. We don't want this food to go to waste, now do we?" Hesitantly they looked towards their boss with questioning eyes. "If I'm the Princess and what I say goes, it doesn't matter what she, her, what is your name mam?"

"Joy, your Majesty." She bowed and I couldn't help be snicker. Her demeanor was far from joyful. But I pulled myself together and insisted she indulge as well.

"You've all been on your feet for far too long and like I said, food should never be wasted. You all deserve it for your hard work." I went to stand but stopped when I saw 4 chairs come out of nowhere. "So we will all sit, eat, and get to know one another. I'd like to start with you Joy." With her attention on me the others seemed to relax. "Tell me about your family." Her eyes lit up and her lips curved into an unnatural smile. She needs to smile more.

We spent the next 2 hours chatting. I learned about their families, likes and dislikes, what made them laugh, secret passage ways in the castle, and more. They wanted to know who I was leaning towards. Apparently my love life was the hot gossip after last nights ball.

"Well, I can safely cross Nyx off the list after this afternoon." I was startled by their silence and sideways glances. "What? The way he left here and the things he said were not okay with me." Why am I defending myself?

"With all due respect your Majesty, Nyx is a dark faery that has lived here his entire life. He's only known this way of living and has worked hard to get be where he is. Dark faes have a reputation about them. They tend to work alone, if they find work at all. Most see them as bad because they can wield magic in ways we cannot. If you truly believe in equality and respect you, give him another chance. Challenge him as he has you. You both could learn a lot from one another."

She was right. I wasn't raised here. Just like Fiona, Rian, and Oisin, Nyx needed a little guidance. We all do. He knew my deepest, darkest secret. I had to talk to him and make sure it stays with him. And how can I judge him after all I've done.

"Oh I am so sorry for overstepping, Princess Amelia. You've been nothing but kind and-" Maeve started to shake and the look on Joy's face was far from joyful.

"No, no. Thank you for your honesty Maeve. I needed to hear that. I'd like to make you a maiden like Violet. Would that be possible, Joy?"

"Anything you want your Highness. Maeve you will report to Violet starting tomorrow."

Maeve looked like she was going to explode with excitement. Her giddiness had us all in smiles. "Why don't we celebrate! Joy, do we have any champagne out here?"

"We are always prepared for you, your Majesty." She winked at me.

"It's settled, drinks all around. A toast to Joy for her leadership," I knew I had softened her a little bit today and wanted to keep that going for the ones working under her. "And a toast to Maeve, my newest friend. Cheers!"

Everyone drank and ate until all that was left to clean up was the garbage and the linins, making it much less work for them.

"Maeve, would you mind escorting me back to my room? I need to shower and change for dinner and my evening stroll with a very handsome Alpha." My body was relaxed from the champagne and full from the food. I glanced at her and became giddy, unable to contain my excitement now. "I do not know my way around this garden, let alone this castle! Oh and Joy, would you mind taking this personal message to my father. No peaking...it's the name of who I'd like to have dinner with tonight." I winked at her and she blushed. To hand deliver a message to the King was a huge honor. "Thank you all for the lovely afternoon. I enjoyed your company immensely."

And with one last wave we were off. Maeve didn't show me the ropes as much as pull me through the garden and castle halls in haste.

"Please, please, please tell me who?!"

"Who? Who what?" I teased her as we entered my room. Violet was waiting with a warm bath drawn that was getting colder by the second. Violet grew impatient and started to undress me while I continued to tease Maeve. "Oh, Violet this is Maeve. She will be working with you. And Maeve, you should know who, it's you who helped me make my decision. But here's a hint, he's a vampire." I winked at her.