The Fox’s Tale

I forgot to breathe as I stared at her. Her hair was in an updo, but this time her ears and neck were jewelry free. Darcie had trussed her into another corset, only this one was a red satin brocade like my jacket, and it pushed her breasts up to where she probably could have balanced a teacup on them.

The corset was embroidered with black silk ribbon in a pattern of thorns and the detailing went up over each shoulder and behind her neck like a collar. Attached to the corset was a skirt of black and red tulle ruffles which only came to about mid-thigh.

Her boots were similar to Darcie’s, but laced up in the back and went over her knees. Tonight her claw was on her right hand instead of the left which surprised me until I saw the ring I had given her still firmly in place on the left.

She twirled out of the doorway making her skirt fan out. I was relieved to see that she had something on underneath it, unlike the last time we went to the Unseelie Court.

“Well, what do you think? Which do I most resemble: a prostitute from the wild west or Parisian can-can dancer?”

“Neither.” Lucas spoke before I had a chance. “You look like your mother did on the night of her first ball.”

“Do I?” she asked, her eyes shining.

“Yes.” Lucas’s voice came out in a gasp and he turned away. I saw Darcie shoot him a look of sympathy as she rubbed Ellery’s arm.

“Lucas is right. You do look like your mother.” She ground her lips together and blinked back a few tears. “She would be proud.” Darcie sniffled and flapped her hand in front of her face.

“Goodness me, we shouldn’t be mourning, not when we have such an exciting event to look forward to!” She clapped her hands. “Pick up your masks you two and let’s head to the ball.”

“Yes,” said Lucas as he held the door for us. “Get this evening over with.” He walked us to the portal but didn’t step forward to join us going through. “I have other plans this evening,” was all he said as he walked away.

My heart winced for him. His reaction to Ellery’s appearance confirmed what I had already suspected. Lucas had been in love with Rowan. I didn’t think I could have stood it, spending time with the child that the woman I loved had made with another man, and I marveled at his inner strength.

“He’ll be alright,” Darcie reassured us both as we watched him walk away. “He’s just unsettled. If I know him, and I do, he’ll take his motorcycle out for a spin and clear his mind. You’ll see. Don’t worry about Lucas.”

“Lucas has a motorcycle?” asked Ellery, her eyes lighting up.

“Uh-huh. He’s got at least five, last time I counted. His favorite is a 1957 Triumph Bonneville.” Darcie shrugged. “All of my brothers are gearheads. He used to race them, but he doesn’t do it anymore. The helmet laws cause him grief.”

“Why would they?” I blurted out.

“He doesn’t need to wear one, obviously, but feels like he should so as to not draw unwanted attention or encourage humans to not wear them. I’m not sure why he cares. Plenty of humans only obey the letter of those laws and not the intent.”

Ellery furrowed her brow in thought. “Why didn’t I know this?”

Darcie laughed. “Probably because you’d ask him to go for a spin and then he’d be in the awkward position of telling you no.” Darcie caught my eye. “Lucas doesn’t like to tell Ellery no.”

Ellery made a harrumphing noise. “At least this time I don’t have to wear a choker,” she mused as we walked through the portal.

“Do you not like them, babe?”

“I loathe them,” she said as we approached the designated meeting point.

Sir Aconite met us as before only this time he was completely shirtless. He’d chosen a silver half mask of a stag, complete with antlers. His black pants looked even tighter than mine did and disappeared into his gleaming black leather boots.

As he came closer I noticed silver nipple rings as his only other adornment. I suppressed a snort. Ellery and I had been instructed to not put on our masks until right before we were presented at the ball so I noticed Ellery notice his jewelry. So did he.

“Do you like them? I had them done just for tonight.” He preened under her gaze.

“Are they real or a glamour?” asked Ellery out of politeness.

“Everything on me is real, your highness,” he replied with a grin and a glance at her cleavage.

“Not the antlers, I hope?”

The smug look on his face disappeared. “Um, no, not those, they’re part of my mask.” He spotted Darcie trying not to laugh. “And just where do you think you’re going dressed like that?”

“Darcie is my attendant for this evening and I expect you to treat her with courtesy.”

Sir Aconite grinned. “We have a problem then. I was not informed I would be escorting a party of three by my superior. The little crow will have to find another way to the palace.”

“Oh, it won’t be a problem,” I said with a shit eating grin on my face. “Ellery will just ride in my lap.” This time Darcie did laugh and Ellery snorted as she fought not to. Aconite scowled at me and Darcie.

“A clever solution,” he said with a sneer.

“Cleverness is a hallmark of my species,” I replied. I offered my arms to both Darcie and Ellery. “What is yours known for again?”

“Alexander,” Ellery murmured. I was pushing my luck, insulting him, when he and Ellery shared a background, but he really was insufferable.

“The Unseelie are known for many things,” he snapped before leading us to the carriage.

Darcie vaulted up into the carriage without any assistance and settled herself in the backward facing seat. I climbed in next and patted my lap. “Come on gorgeous, your seat is ready.”

Ellery shook her head at me as she sat down. I wrapped my left arm around her and pulled her in closer, then snaked my right hand under her skirt to stroke her thighs. She gasped and wiggled and I took that as a sign to stroke higher. “Alexander,” she moaned, “you’re being rude.”

“I don’t mind at all, your highness,” chimed Darcie, while Sir Aconite’s shoulders tensed up.

“Of course you wouldn’t. Little slut,” he muttered.

“You know what else foxes are known for? Super acute hearing.”

I didn’t raise my voice, but my tone made my meaning clear. I’d heard him and I wasn’t going to stand for his shit. I also heard him grind his teeth, but he said nothing further on the ride to the palace.

I stopped fondling Ellery and she snuggled against me. After we had all managed to exit the carriage I let Darcie and Ellery walk ahead and I stopped him.

“I’ve got it. Cruelty. That’s what the Unseelie are most known for.”

He snarled at me. “Yet you provoke me.”

“Stay away from me and Ellery. And if you insult my friends again you’ll learn firsthand about the third thing foxes are known for. Our teeth.”