"Is this drink safe for me?" Islinda asked as wine after wine was offered to them. As much as she was giddy with excitement and wanted to have fun, self-preservation still won in the end. If Aldric was here, he would check them for her without even asking.
"Sure, totally," Maxi answered without even looking, distracted by the other Faeries vying for her attention as well.
Islinda stared down at the drink in her grip hesitantly. What’s the worst that can happen anyway? If Maxi said it was fine, then it was, Islinda shrugged and gulped it.
The drinks never seemed to end and she took as much as she could knowing a night like this would be hard to come by again. This was the best girl’s night ever!
So when Maxi dragged her out to dance with the other Faeries, she did not resist. What was the point of tonight if not to have fun? Not to mention, her feet were eager to move to the flow and she danced alongside Maxi.
How long she danced, Islinda had no idea. The scenery was suddenly brighter and more colorful. The Fae realm was so beautiful tonight and Pixies danced around her like tiny stars. It was perfect and she did not want it to end!
"Oww!" Islinda exclaimed when a Fae male bumped into her. While he didn’t put too much force, she was still a human who didn’t have superior strength. Not that they knew that, not when Maxi dressed her up like a Fae.
"You must be having fun!" The Fae shouted so he could be heard above the loud music and chatters from others.
"Yes, I am." Islinda stumbled to the side, intoxicated and the Fae grabbed her waist to steady her. But he let his hand stay there even after righting her.
"Who are you?" Maxi interrupted them, giving him a suspicious look before giggling in the end, drunk out of her mind.
"Can I join you, pretty Faeries? Both of you seem fun and we can have enough of it together," The Fae said invitingly, his gaze roaming over Islinda’s body licentiously.
He couldn’t put his finger around it but there was something slightly different about Islinda, like an exotic meal and he wanted to have a taste.
The Fae was about to flirt further with her when he heard a cracking sound and pain so overwhelming shot through his body he lifted his hand, screaming just as someone said from behind, "I didn’t know it is the latest trend to touch while speaking."
Fae’s can heal quicker than humans, so it was no surprise that even though he screamed in pain, the Fae turned towards Aldric with anger,
"You! How dare you -!" The injured Fae lifted his other hand, sparkling with magic, and was ready to strike at the intruder only for Aldric to lower the hood of his cloak and his soul left his body.
"P-prince Aldric —" The Fae shouted, his magic stuttering out in a blink of an eye and the fear that overwhelmed him was far greater than the pain in his already healing hand.
"Did he just say, Prince Aldric?" The question echoed across the gathering till a death hush fell over the crowd and even the pixies seemed to vanish into thin air.
As if someone gave them the cue, all the Faeries took to their heels as pandemonium broke out and not one of them wanted to spend a minute with him.
"In the end, something did happen," Issac shook his head as he stared at the now empty field. The next time there is a great need to dispel a crowd, he knew who to call for the job. Even the Fae who had touched Islinda was nowhere to be found. At least, he’s smart enough to run for his life.
"Good work Aldric. I had that covered in case you didn’t know." Maxi said with sarcasm, glaring at him.
"Yes, obviously," Aldric retorted, his gaze falling on Islinda who was still dancing even with no music on.
"She’s drunk." Maxi added when she noticed Issac was present, staggering a bit, "We are both drunk."
Issac rolled his eyes, seeing through her act. Although her face did look flush, he pretended not to have seen it. Maxi seemed fine before he made his presence known, she should keep up the good work.
Aldric did not answer, pissed at the horse shifter. He had expected more from her and trusted she would have kept Islinda safe. Obviously, that trust was exaggerated.
"Come here," The dark prince drew Islinda to his side since she wouldn’t stay at a place.
"Leave me, I want to dance, "Islinda whined, struggling out of his grasp.
"Foolish human," Aldric looked at her darkly yet there was still a hint of warmth in there.
He made her stand still, cupping her cheeks, and made her look into his eyes, getting into her head and compelling her, "Get rid of the wine in your body."
Islinda felt an uneasy feeling in her stomach and she pushed away from Aldric, lurching to the side as she threw up on the ground.
"Good girl," Aldric said, watching proudly as she threw up half of what she had consumed for the night.
While Islinda was on all fours vomiting, Aldric moved towards her and pulled her hair out of the way, holding it up and using his other hand to rub her back to the shock of Issac and Maxi.
What did they just see?
At once, Maxi turned to Issac, "Can I throw up too?"
Issac scowled at her, such a fool.
Yet, Maxi would have none of it, so she stumbled instead and Issac had no choice but to catch her.
She said weakly, "I feel so tired all of a sudden, carry me." Maxi threw her arms around his neck and used him as an anchor to hoist herself up so Issac had no choice but to carry her in his arms.
Aldric and Islinda were being so lovey-dovey, she couldn’t be left out.