The Honoured Guest by Aurelia Destiny Read Free Book Online

noticed, and their warm chuckles made her even more embarrassed. She cast her eyes towards a huge long table set on the left side of the ancient tree, that went from one side of the clearing to the other. It was more than half full of the Fae Court and their exquisite clothing, jewels, and their elegance, made her feel even smaller and insignificant.
    Why do they bring a human here every year? They’re so beautiful and magical, what could they possibly want with someone like me? I don’t get it.’
    She focused on the table and the more she looked, the more she discovered. The table itself was of a dark wood that she thought might be oak, or perhaps it was made from the very trees that surrounded them. Engraved into every inch of the surface was beautiful, elegant, scrawling writing. It definitely wasn’t English, or any other language that she could think of, though she thought that perhaps some of the letters were Irish in origin. But far, far older than the current language of the country. The engravings were clearly magical, because they glowed with a faint golden light.
    It was a spectacular effect, though the table was covered in platters and bowls of food. There were goblets and plates of pure gold, with rubies and emeralds and other precious stones inset into the goblets. Candleholders of gold also lit up the surface of the table and gave it a welcome glow.
    The wooden surface was covered with platters of fruits and nuts and flowers, with beautiful decorations of multi-coloured flowers, ferns, and grapes adorned the centres. The plates were overflowing with food that she could smell even from meters away and made her stomach grumble. She hoped that she would be allowed to eat soon!
    Other creatures stood around the table, there were so many of them that Chelsea felt intimidated.
    The atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful, with conversations and laughter everywhere she turned; a sense of excitement in the air. The stars glittered above now that the trees didn’t block them and the moon shone right down upon them, lighting up the area as if it were almost daylight.
    It looked like a scene out of a gorgeous renaissance painting.
    “Come.” Nuallán finally finished his conversation with the other Fae lord. He took her hand gently and pulled it over his forearm, then led her towards a man standing near the roots of the ancient tree, who was speaking with several men dressed in elaborate robes.
    She had begun to see the difference between normal Fae and those that were of noble birth, thanks to the lord’s helpful low tone addressed only to her, as they strode through the crowd. He pointed out the different creatures that she had not already learned of, and offered her comfort when she looked nervous, being surrounded by so many.
    The Fae man they were approaching, had his back to her and was clad in robes of gold, black and red, his silver hair tumbling almost past his waist. He was very tall, at least six foot five, and he wore a crown of gold leaves and wood into which purple and pink flowers were woven.
    “Say nothing unless addressed,” Nuallán advised her under his breath. “He is a prince of royal blood. You must show him the greatest of respect.” He released her hand, raised his voice and gave a low, respectful bow. “Prince Finvara, our most honoured guest has arrived.”
    The prince pivoted smoothly and Chelsea saw his face with its high cheekbones, sensual lips and strong jaw. He was as beautiful as were all the others of his kind; his eyes showed intelligence, and the shoulders under his clothing betrayed his muscled form. He was clearly a warrior. His long hair was as silvery, as all the other Fae she had seen, and she wondered if pale hair and skin was the norm for them.
    The prince had eyes of gold, whereas Nuallán, and the women who had bathed her, had eyes of silver. How odd. Was it a sign of rank?
    “So I see. You have done well, Lord Nuallán,” Finvara remarked in a silky tone, his gaze