The Mating Games

Chapter Four:

ELOISE:

My feet hit the muddy puddles of the lush evergreen hills in Shraya and with each pounce further down the wobbly path, I feel a new sense of peace and happiness. My eyes are fixed on my next steps as my legs guide me as fast as possible away from the large, stone house just at the bottom of the hill. It’s a beautiful day today, with the sun out and the birds singing, but alas, the grass is still a giant, green pot of mush under my feet. Even with my natural fitness, I can feel my lungs burning from the relentless pace my body has managed to muster up.

“ELOISE!”

I want to laugh so badly, but I know I cannot crack now. If I stop to laugh or if I lose just a smidgen of focus, I will get caught. The nearby birds rush off into the air as I swing my body past them and I can feel the buzz of electrifying energy in the air.

“GET HERE NOW!”

I push my legs more and manage to climb up the monstrous, stone wall that forms a diamond shape around my family home. My fingers hardly manage to clasp onto the rugged edges of the grey slate and I feel beads of sweat building up on my brow. I hear Mrs. Tatum’s huffs and puffs as she gets closer and a smile breaks on my mouth. My arm reaches over the final lip of the wall and I swing my leg over so that I am straddling over the wall. SUCCESS! My eyes look down at poor Mrs. Tatum, who is hunched over in exhaustion. Her whole dress is ruined with mud, just like mine and we are both sweating profusely. When her reprimanding eyes land on mine, I cannot stop myself from letting a giggle slip.

“Eloise, get down from there at once! Ladies DO NOT climb on walls.”

“No!” I giggle and this makes her whole face go red.

“You little brat! You ought to watch your tongue around me, young lady! Your mother…” Mrs. Tatum carries on and my laugh gets louder and louder. A small huff of wind twirls just behind the poor, old maiden, and my eyes sparkle as my father sifts to where we are.

“What of my wife?” He asks before stepping closer. Mrs. Tatum looks between the two of us then sighs.

“Sir, Eloise here won’t let me help her pack for your departure. The carriage is arriving in just under an hour and she keeps sifting about the house. Look at her dress. Is she to meet the royal wolves with such?” Mrs. Tatum huffs and my father looks at her with a glint of humor edged onto his lips.

“That’s alright, Mrs. Tatum, I will speak to my daughter. You can go join everyone else and get ready to leave for the festivities.” My father replies and Mrs. Tatum then nods and looks at me with a scowl. I know she isn’t really upset with me. Mrs. Tatum is like a second mother to me and I have enormous amounts of respect for her. I do sometimes push her a little far though and I know running out in my fancy dress and messing up all of her hard work at doing my hair this morning has made her feel upset.

“Bye Mrs. Tatum. I will see you in the carriage!” I squeal as she sifts back to the house. That’s one of the great things about being a part of the fae clan; We can sift through time and space whenever we want! Our magic may not be as crazy powerful as the witches, but we are the reason that all the flowers have color, we are the creator of the winds, the seas, the skies, and the rains. We add energy into the world. We make things feel alive, instead of merely just allowing them to exist. Manipulating the elements comes naturally to us, whereas witches have specialized talents and so. Still, we are under-estimated. My eyes look down to my father and just as I catch his smile, he appears in front of me on the wall. It takes him a few moments to balance himself before he looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

“I haven’t been up here in years.”

His laughter is contagious and one of the many things I love about my father. He is a wild and free spirit, much like I am. My mother on the other hand is the most perfect lady of the house and never dirties a fingernail. I love her all the same, but my spirit is just something else in comparison to hers.

“I always thought this view was the best of our lands…”

My eyes dart back to my father, who is smiling out into the air as he looks upon the green, rolling hills and plentiful chimneys down below. The fae community is small but packed with love and warmth. The sandy paths and the stone houses make for an incredibly quaint village for our people. They aren’t really OUR people, but more the people that my family have been helping for centuries now. We may not be royalty, but we dedicate our days and nights to these villagers, their well-being, and their training in magic.

“I still do think it’s the best.” I say and my father nods then looks at me again with apple-green eyes.

“Eloise…”

“Dad, I know what you’re going to say. I don’t want to go, though. Fae doesn’t get mates and I am not ready to take a chosen one either. I know this event allowed you and mom to meet each other, but I am not like every other sod from other Kingdoms. I don’t like partying, dressing up, and engaging in meaningless political debates. I just…”

“I know, Eloise, but rejecting King Augustus’s invitation will put the fae and him at odds with one another. Now, you must know that I am more than delighted that you have no desire to participate in the Spring Equinox or be part of some scandalous love affair. As your father, I cannot imagine having to watch you…”

“EW, DAD!” I retort and his face becomes softer than his previously shocked one. I can see the care twinkling in his eyes and it warms my heart. His soft sigh makes us both laugh a little. This is how it is with my dad.

“Look, my poppet, I know that you don’t want to go…”

“That’s an understatement. I did just make Mrs. Tatum chase me all the way up this hill to avoid her painting my nails.” I laugh and he laughs with me before giving me a mocking-stern face.

“You really need to stop giving Mrs. Tatum such a hard time. She looks like she has grown some extra grey hairs because of you.” He laughs again. I really do make her run around a lot. My father grabs my hand and squeezes it. He doesn’t need words for me to understand what he is saying. I can see the desperate plea in his eyes and as much as I want to throw a full-on tantrum, I know I can’t. Besides, I am twenty years old, not three anymore.

“Dad…”

“Please, Eloise. We cannot be out of sorts with the Apreez.”

I sigh and look back down at the view of the village.

“Fine. I will go.” I whisper and when I look back to the front of me, I can see my father smiling softly as he also watches Shraya go about their day.

“Thank you, Poppit.”

“Shall we go then?” I ask and we both laugh again before sifting back to our home. It hardly takes Mrs. Tatum three minutes to find me and drag me back to my room to paint my nails. My father only gives me an apologetic smile as he watches me disappear behind my bedroom door. I can see the mint green polish waiting for me at my dresser and I can smell the earthy perfumes in their little viles on the shelf. This can only mean one thing.

“We are going to make you look just as the lady you are, Miss Eloise!”

I roll my eyes and plaster a fake smile on my face.

*~*

The trotting starts to come to a halt and the horses whinny loudly as I hear some chatter outside.

“Welcome to Apreez.”

My eyes go wide as a guard pops his head through the carriage door. His hair is shaggy blonde and his smile is almost representative of your typical, wolfish grin. My father and mother have already exited their carriages up ahead and I can hear them chatting to some other people outside.

“Well, aren’t you a pretty little fairy? I wouldn’t mind a little taste of you on the equinox!”

His words should offend me because wolves tend to have this overinflated idea of fae being lesser, but I bite my tongue and smile instead. If only he knew how annoyed I really feel. I don’t want to cause a scene here though, especially with my father finding this trip so important and all.

“Ah, no need to blush! You never had a guy f**k you before?”

I quickly stand up and lean closer to him, allowing my cleavage to get impossibly close to his face. I can see his eyes darkening as they drink me in. Stupid, horny male! Does he really think I will let him speak to me this way?

“Something wrong with your crotch. Wolf?” I whisper in his ear and he quickly looks down to his pants. Colorful daisies are falling around his crotch and leaking through his pockets to create an absolutely, delightful looking nappy around his most manly jewels. I giggle as he tries to rip them off, but it’s magic so they don’t go anywhere. With a quick jump, I find myself exiting the carriage and my breath is taken away as I take in all of the strong walls and royal grandeur around me.

“YOU LITTLE…”

My father turns to the guard, who is now red in the face and his eyes go down to the posy of flowers wrapped around his bottom half. I can see confusion in his apple eyes, but when he realizes that this guard came from my cart, his face quickly becomes one of anger.

“Did he touch you?”

My eyes snap to my fathers and he is looking at me sharply.

“YOUR DAUGHTER HERE…”

“Well, well, who do we have here?” A loud, powerful voice booms from the distance. Everyone stills and lowers their heads, so I quickly follow suit. I try to understand my father's expression, but I can’t really tell. Is he happy? Nervous? A small flicker of resentment flicks through his aura but he quickly masks it with excitement. What is going on?

“If it isn’t a long-standing and most loyal friend. It is so good to have you here. Rise, everyone.” The voice says again. My eyes lift and land upon a large, dark-haired, and a perfectly muscled man who looks friendly despite the strength illuminating from him. I know his face. He is the most famous magical across all of Zenox.

“King Augustus, it is such a pleasure to be here. It has been such a long time.” My father says.

“King Augustus, thank you for having us.” My mother now adds.

The Kings smile moves between them and then lands on me with burning emotion that goes from rage to softness, to warmth, and then finally humor. His gaze doesn’t miss the bouquet of flowers flowing from his guard's girth and a flicker of curiosity surrounds him. I gulp down the knot in my throat.

“King Augustus, it is an honor to meet you.” It comes out as a croak.

“This is my daughter, Eloise.” My mother now introduces us and the King nods, his eyes never leaving mine.

“A very beautiful daughter you have here. Such unusual eyes, almost as if she…” The King says. My father’s whole body stiffens and he takes a big breath in.

“Your majesty, if you are implying that my daughter is a hybrid…”

The king lets out a loud laugh that growls across the whole area. I feel too shocked to say anything. A hybrid? I am just a plain fae! My father and mother both look at me seriously but then slowly start to laugh with the king.

“Old friend, I can smell that she is nothing more than a simple fae. You needn’t concern yourself. You should have seen the look on your face!” the king booms and we all smile in relief. Seriously? A hybrid? I always knew my eyes were unusual, but they aren’t how hybrids' eyes are. I used to be teased relentlessly as a child for having these eyes. Perfect, apple-green middles with the darkest brown rings around them. It is so unlike any other fae’s eyes, which are all different shades of green. I was mocked many times for being a “hybrid” but I am not. Multiple tests have been run on me and besides, hybrids have eyes that are solidly different colors to represent their two magical counterparts.

“Mind explaining why you wrapped flowers around me guard’s groin, lady Eloise?” The king asks, knocking me out of my thoughts.

“Your majesty, he was being sexually inappropriate.”

This seems to gather everybody’s attention.

“Did he touch you?” The king asks stiffly.

“Well, no, but…”

“I only told her she is pretty and that I wouldn’t mind getting to know her before the equinox!” The guard now says. My eyes almost bulge out.

“No, you didn’t! You said you wants to f**k me AND you called me a fairy! In your dreams wolf!” I spit out.

“Eloise!”

My eyes snap back to my parents who look shocked. The king is wearing an expression of humor.

“My apologies, your Majesty.” I whisper and look down. I wish I could have just stayed at home.

“You have quite the daughter. With her physical charm, she may attract quite a few suitors at the games.” The King mentions. I keep my head lowered.

“Let us get inside, shall we?” The King booms again and only when I hear footsteps, do I look up and face my parents. My mother shakes her head and walks ahead and my father gives me a sad smile.

“Poppit, many men are going to be saying things to you that are a bit out of line. The Spring Equinox is soon and s****l energies are high. You know the wolves are particularly inclined to be more hyped up by this all.”

“So I am supposed to just let them all say what they want to me and do nothing?” I ask and my father chuckles.

“Of course not, Eloise. I would be disappointed if you did nothing. Perhaps just lessen the theatrics? We are in the presence of the most elite now and this isn’t Shraya where people are forgiving of little magic tricks.”

We both decide to start walking across the path.

“A flower nappy, really?” My father laughs and I look up to see him eyeing me with a glint of humor. I laugh too.

“I suppose it was a touch too far.”

He nods and we both chuckle all the way to the castle door. I guess I could turn it down a notch. I only just arrived and I have already made a name for myself. When I look behind me, the guard is walking with our bags in a way that covers up his bottom half. He sees me looking and lets out a curse which only makes me laugh more. A little snap of my finger allows all the flowers and vines to release around his groin and drop to his legs and in the shock of it all, he almost trips over himself.

I know I am not participating in the games, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun in my own way!

As I take my first steps into the castle, I cannot help but take in a deep breath as my eyes rake in all of the beauty around me. Tall, prehistoric-looking walls of stone lie in perfect harmony against lavish artwork, grand vases of flowers, drooping silk, and plush carpets. Every candle has been lit inside the golden lanterns. Even the slight, black hue on the stone which was from the attack on Apreez all those years ago add a sense of mightiness and history to the structure of the building. My parents told me about the time when the Queen went against her people and how they were there to help build up the realm again. They always said how cleaning up the hybrids was something they never entirely wanted, but they knew was necessary. This all happened over a century ago and I have only been walking on these soils for twenty years. My dad always said that’s why I have such a wild and crazy spirit because I have yet to learn of life.

“My lady…”

I swing myself around and come face to face with a maiden who is neatly dressed in brown clothes. She does a small curtsey and then stands up to smile at me.

“I have placed your belongings in your room. Should I show you there?”

I nod and she quickly scurries ahead, hardly looking at me along the way. We pass a large staircase, which looks dark and brooding. The carpet changes color from bright to more dull. The more you look up, the darker the wood becomes. The stairs spiral up and up and up until all you can see is a blackness.

“This way, my lady.”

I realize I stopped a little too long and nod again. I wonder what is up those stairs? We walk a little more and pass by a passageway that has many doors.

“This door is yours.” She says and then opens the door for me.

When I walk in I can’t help but smile at how beautiful it all is. The room is all in whites and greens as if the King knew these colors were a touch of home for us fae. There is a large, round bed in the center of the room with white drapes coming down to form netting around it. I take a few more steps in and see flowers laced across the tables and even my bags have been placed neatly next to the most gorgeous window where a view of the forest can be seen. Stunning!

“I will just unpack these then, my lady.”

I turn around to see the maiden beginning to unbuckle my bag by the cupboard. I quickly snap my fingers and she lets out a little shout as my things fly through the air until they are neatly hanging in place. All my perfume bottles and jewelry bits are also resting on the vanity.

“There. Isn’t that better? Please call me Eloise, as that is my name. What is yours?”

The maiden looks at me with shocked and wide brown eyes.

“I have been instructed to call…”

“Nonsense. Behind these doors I am just Eloise, okay? Now your name?” I insist.

“My name is Kiko.”

I smile at her and she returns the gesture.

“Well, Kiko, thank you for everything and for showing me my room. I look forward to getting to know you whilst I am here. I am sure with all the crazy events ahead of me, I could do with a friend.”

Kiko and I laugh together.

“A friend is a good thing to have when the games are on, my- I mean, Eloise.”

We both laugh and nod again.

“Hopefully I don’t get too much attention. I didn’t really come here to participate.” I shrug and huff down onto the chair. Kiko looks at me and I gesture for her to sit too. She looks at me as if I have grown three heads and I can’t help but giggle at her.

“Want to tell me what's on your mind, Kiko?”

“Well…” She looks nervous.

“I am just confused as to why you came then.”

“My parents are nobles and we got invited. Can’t turn down a royal invite without turning heads now can we?” I ask and Kiko nods.

“Okay, but surely you also feel the s****l pull every year? I hear a lot of the guys coming are going to be absolutely mouth-watering to look at. Surely there may be someone who will catch your eye? I know fae don’t have mates, but you guys get to choose. Sometimes I wish we also had that luxury. Spending countless years waiting to meet your other half is exhausting and there are so many divine guys out there who I would have been more than happy to have.”

I nod and smile at her little rant.

“I take it you haven’t found your mate then,” I ask and she nods.

“And I am over three hundred years old!”

I grab her hand as she looks out the window and I give it a squeeze. She looks a little upset so we sit in silence for a bit.

“There is so much pressure for me to choose wisely, as whoever I take as my chosen will be the ruler of Shraya alongside me. Ever since I turned eighteen, all the boys in my land have looked at me differently, as if I am some trophy that needs to be earned. Even guys who were my friends started avoiding me and when they weren’t doing that, then they were flirting and wanting more. I know it sounds crazy, but I want that story-book type of love. The one where you are best friends and passionate lovers. The type where you are each other's most raging storm, but just as you are the calmness that echoes in the night.”

There is a moment of silence.

“Wow.”

I look up at Kiko and shrug.

“I guess I am waiting for someone and until then, I am quite happy by myself!” I say and jump up.

“Now, where can I find something to eat in this place,” I ask, and Kiko giggles.

“Let me go fetch you a plate from the kitchen. I will be right back, okay?”

Kiko heads out quickly and I start to look around the room, noticing the fine, golden threads on the linen and the ornate little wooden features of the furniture. It really is a beautiful place. I decide to take a seat on the couch and look out at the view again. It really is beautiful here.

THUMP.

My eyes flash to the door where I hear some knocking and shuffling.

THUMP. THUMP.

The door handle turns and I quickly slouch down into the couch.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

The door bashes open and I hear frantic ripping. I peep over the couch and see two people standing only a few steps away from my bed. The platinum blonde girl is now standing in nothing but her underclothes as he ripped dress pools on the floor. The guy is tall, his dark hair messy and hanging in loose curls. She steps closer to him and he holds a hand out to her.

“No kissing.”

I gulp down at the sound of his voice. Its huskiness is like liquid gold. The girl pouts.

“On the bed on all fours. Don’t be difficult, else I won’t f**k you!”

I should stand up and protest against his use of words and condescending tone, but something in his words and voice makes me melt back down into the couch and feel like a hot mess. My breathing picks up as I hear her moan and the sound of slapping skin and grunts fill the air. Hers is just noise, but his is like music to my libido. What the f**k?

“OOOHHHH YEEESSSS!” The girl screams and I have to hold my mouth from laughing. A few more slaps and I hear him grunting too as the once noisy room becomes a bit more still. The silence begins to creep into me and a sense of nervousness takes over. What just happened here? The girl says something and the energy in the room shifts.

“I am not your baby…” His voice becomes muffled and I hear some shuffling.

“Get dressed and leave. This won’t happen again unless you are fine with remaining friends.”

I peep back over the couch and watch as the platinum-haired girl grabs her things and runs out of my room. The man rubs his face, showing off all of his chiseled and perfect physiques and man does it do something to my lady bits. I frown at my thoughts. I need to pull it down a notch if I am going to get through the equinox unscathed.

“Enjoy the show?”

Silence. Dread. Horror.

“I know you are there. My wolf can smell you.”

I slowly sit up at his words as my mouth runs dry. The man is now fully clothed and still reeks of s*x. In fact, my whole room does. My nose twitches and the man notices. As I move closer I take in all of how tall, broad and strong he is. A true and fine specimen, perhaps even more perfect than the King of wolves himself. I look up and bite my lip as his tanned skin meets the flush of his cheeks. He just slept with another woman in my bed and his unkempt beauty is something else. Something inside me stirs at the smell of the other girl on my sheets. The same feeling becomes a tinge of pain too and I have to shake my head. No use being jealous here.

“You are?” He asks and my eyes snap up to meet his deadly and dark ones. I have never seen a man more gorgeous, but the way he treats people based on what I just witnessed is disgusting.

“I should be the one asking you that, don’t you think?” I manage to find my voice.

Silence fills the room. His gaze never falters.

“Besides, this is my room, which you have now ruined.” I say again.

“You speak as though I am infected.” His voice booms with a hint of irritation.

“Ripping girl's clothes off, telling them to not kiss you, f*****g them like they are rabid dogs, and then telling them to leave only a few seconds later is something only vermin could do.” I say strongly.

His jaw ticks in irritation and I see his mouth opening to say something, but instead, his eyes glaze over and he becomes a bit lost and detached for a bit.

“Lucky for you I need to go. Don’t think that this conversation is over. Perhaps next time there will be less talking and more, you know?” He winks and starts to walk away, leaving me completely stunned. I am not even sure how much time has passed before Kiko arrives again with food.

“Everything alright?”

My eyes glare at her and I feel my senses coming back to life.

“Kiko, are all wolfmen such s****l dogs?” I gasp.

Kiko only laughs as she opens the lid to my food.