Macy POV
My makeshift outfit is a far cry from the gowns that Nyx tried to get me to wear. She practically begged me to change so I don't embarrass her in front of Cassian, and I kindly reminded her that I change no man. Not even my mates. She let me win this round, but I don't think this fight is over.
Nyx is grumbling under her breath about my outfit as we walk through the palace. My mother, on the other hand, looks pleased with my choice. She keeps elbowing me in my side and grinning.
"Who is Destin?" I whisper.
Mom shrugs her shoulders and a pit forms in my stomach. I don't think I am going to like him.
I try to keep my head held high as I pass by the wondering eyes of the Fae. They whisper as I pass by, no doubt wondering who I am or if the rumors are true. Sweat is forming on my brow because of the weight of my wings. Nyx was adamant that I keep them from dragging the ground, but it is a difficult task so much so that I am falling behind Nyx's fast pace.
My feet are dragging and the tips of my wings begin to drag the ground. I brace myself against the wall and catch my breath. This is harder than I expected.
Nyx doesn't seem to notice I have stopped. She continues through the door straight ahead, but Mom stops at my side. "Are you okay?" She whispers.
"These wings," I pant. "They are so heavy, and the air is so thick here. Isn't it?"
Mom gives me a strange look. "Are you having a panic attack?"
"Don't be silly," I snap, but my face feels flushed, and my body is shaking. I fight back the tears in my eyes. I know what comes next.
Slouching against the wall, I attempt to hide the panic that is raging inside me.
"Wait here," Mom says quickly. "I will get Nyx."
Before I can beg her not to, Mom rushes down the hall, leaving me alone. Sinking further down the wall, I close my eyes and count silently.
"One hundred," I whisper aloud and open my eyes.
A pair of black boots are positioned in front of me. Raising my eyes, I look up into a pair of the greenest eyes I have ever seen. For a moment, I can see nothing else. It isn't until a gentle hand wraps around mine. I am helped to my feet and let myself take in the rest of my rescuer.
"You must be Macy," he smiles. His eyes graze over my outfit. "This is an interesting choice."
"There was nothing in black in my closet," I grumble.
"Interesting," he snorts. "Cassian will not be pleased."
"I don't give a fuck," I hiss through my teeth.
He holds out his arm for me, and I eye him skeptically. His face is youthful, but his eyes hold the knowledge of a man who has seen it for many years. Unlike the other Fae men I have seen, his hair is cut short and is very messy. He makes rolling out of bed look good. Really good.
"Come now," he laughs. "I promise not to bite."
I purse my lips. I am not sure if I trust or even like this stranger. He does not give me a chance to say one way or another. He takes my hand and drags me down the hall.
My wings are rustling behind me, but I cannot lift them and run at the same time. My rescuer shoves the massive door open, and we walk in on an argument. No one turns to look at us.
Mom is on her tiptoes, pointing her finger at Cassian's chest and screaming. "She will never accept another mate!"
My rescuer tightens his hand around mine and clears his throat. The subtle noise seems to echo through the main hall, and everyone turns to us.
Mom steps away from Cassian, but the anger is still apparent on her face. Cassian looks amused with my mother's tantrum. "If only you had been born a fae, you would have made a mighty Queen," he laughs.
"Fuck you, Cassian," she hisses at him.
"Is that any way to speak to your father?" He retorts.
I hear them bickering, but my mind is still focused on what was said as I came through the door.
"Who isn't accepting another mate?" I demand to know.
Nyx sucks in a sharp breath, and no one has to answer my question. That's is what Destin is for, to replace my mates.
"Macy," Cassian says cheerfully. "I see you have met Destin. Your betrothed."
I look up at the man beside me, and his jaw is tense. He is glaring at Cassian. Without warning, Destin pulls away from me and touches himself at Cassian.
With a simple flick of his wrist, Cassian sends Destin flying across the Great Hall. He crashes against the wall with a massive thud, but he jumps right back to his feet. "I told you to stop with all of this matchmaker bullshit. You can't replace her!"
Nyx is already standing in front of Cassian, ready to do her duty. She has a fierce look on her face and even I feel intimidated.
"Give her a chance," Cassian yells from behind Nyx. "She is lovely, even though she is dressed- What in the Heavens are you wearing?"
I open my mouth to speak, but Destin storms past me. "What's wrong, Cassian? Still hiding behind Nyx."
"Everyone needs to calm down," Cassian shouts. "We can talk about this like adults, after Macy puts on appropriate clothes."
"Fuck you, Cassian," I shout back. "I am not some doll for you to dress up."
"Why do you and your mother have such potty mouths?" Cassian groans.
"I told her to change," Nyx tells Cassian.
The way she is fawning over him makes me feel sick. "Fuck you too, Nyx. You made me the way I am."
Nyx gasps, but Mom is cackling. "She's not wrong, Nyx. You made her a rebel."
I throw my hands into the air. "This is dysfunctional."
I plan to spin around dramatically and storm out of the Great Hall, but my wings ruin my moment. They tangle around my feet, and I fall to the ground. Everyone attempts to help me up, and tears of embarrassment rush down my cheeks.
"The first person to help me up is going to have flowers growing from their forehead," I grumble.
Everyone steps back except for Destin. "Why flowers?"
"Because that is the only magic I know," I spit.
Clumsily, after several moments, I manage to get back to my feet. Destin isn't even trying to hide his amusement. "I've changed my mind," he tells Cassian. "I like her."
My nostrils flare, and my fists ball up at my sides. "Too bad for you. I am not interested in you or any other male. I will wait for my mates until my body shrivels up and dies."
"You can't die," Destin laughs. "The world would be a lot less funny without you in it."
I bite back the scream in my throat. This time, when I turn to the door, my wings don't get in my way. I attempt to push the door open, but it doesn't budge. My anger gets the best of me, and I kick the bottom of the door.
"You have to pull," Destin yells from behind me.
With shaky hands, I open the door and step out of the Great Hall. Destin is laughing loudly as the door shuts behind me, but I don't care. The only thing I am concerned with is trying to get out of this stupid palace. Not caring about my wings dragging, I try to find my way out. Each hallway seems to only lead to another, and I am lost. I let the frustrated scream leave my lips, and a door to my left opens.
A man who looks curiously like Cassian peers out. "Why are you screaming?"
"Because I hate it here," I mumble.
He gestures for me to come into the room. I follow him in. What else do I have to lose?
"I told Cassian to let you settle in before playing matchmaker," he smiles.
When I don't answer him, he hands me a glass of wine. I sniff it. "Is it safe?"
"Are you Fae?" He laughs. "Let's get drunk and piss my son off. It is my favorite pastime."