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Cyn meandered through town, gawking at the quaint houses and buildings. It was like something out of a bloody storybook. There were stallions racing across a field in the distance. Their beauty was awe inspiring. As she strode around aimlessly, she couldn’t help noticing that she was attracting a lot of attention. Gazing down, she scrutinized her outfit, which was a silk sheet wrapped around her hips sarong-style, and the black corset-style blouse she’d worn on the fateful day when she first crossed over from the human world. The outfit was like most of Cyn’s sartorial decisions, sexy but still appropriate for the light of day. So why is everyone so bloody keen to stare?
“Milady!”
Cyn whipped her head around, eager to see who was being greeted in such a courteous manner. Much to her surprise, the man was bowing to her. Oh, for fuck’s sake, there was no need to bow on her account. Blimey, Cyn thought. He’s got the wrong idea on this one. Flustered, she nodded, and managed to sputter a ‘thank you’ before walking in a different direction. What a weird morning. Cyn was no longer upset by Maelíosa’s snarky remarks in the castle, but she was more than a little sad. She’d hoped to leave on a more positive note. And the trouble with Maelíosa this morning was the proverbial cherry on top of this cocked-up sundae.
Then it happened again. A group of male púca strode past, gazing in awe at Cyn. They all bowed their heads, respectfully. Cyn thought she heard one of them mention the chieftain, and suddenly it made more sense. Realizing they were paying respect to her because of Fallon’s position was flattering, but also a little awkward. Although, now that she thought of it, it wasn’t unlike being recognized for her modelling work back home. Cyn smiled self-consciously. Well, at least no one would ask for an autograph here.
“Cyn!” A familiar voice rang out, and she turned around to spot Darcy running after her. “Hold up.”
“I’m right here.” Cyn laughed, puzzled. “Where d’you think I’d be going?”
Darcy flushed to the roots of her hair. “I dunno,” she said softly, catching her breath. “I wanted to talk to you, though. I need to tell you something.”
Darcy shoved her hands in her pocket. She thinks I was about to run off, Cyn realized, feeling ashamed.
“Sure,” Cyn said, forcing herself to sound more cheerful. “Let’s walk together.”
Darcy smiled and nodded, already looking like her normal perky self. “I wanted to talk about Maelíosa. You need to know, she’s always been like this—”
“Really?” Cyn asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But she seems like she was such a picnic before I came around.”
Darcy continued on, seemingly oblivious to Cyn’s wit. “Aye, she’s extremely stubborn, and it can be hard getting to know her. I was afraid of her when I was little, but we got closer as I got older. Everyone says she was different before our mum died, but since I didn’t get to see it...” She shrugged. “Maelíosa wasn’t always so prickly or tomboyish. I think it’s her way of protecting herself.”
Cyn nodded. “I see.”
Guarding your heart was definitely something Cyn could understand, and she was suddenly sorry for what she’d said to Maelíosa earlier. The woman was right to feel protective of her father. She clearly loved him, and if the situation were reversed Cyn would probably feel the same.
Darcy was wringing her hands, and rambled on. “But it got worse when she was promised to Ryan. You haven’t met him—he’s awful. Like, really dreadful. Always chasing women and making an arse of himself.”
Cyn winced, feeling the tiniest bit of sympathy for Maelíosa. “I’ve known more than a few men like that.”
“So Maelíosa obviously fought our father on mating, and they’ve been very tense ever since.”
“What happened?”
“Well,” Darcy said. “I’m not exactly sure. Father wouldn’t tell me. But he stopped bringing it up all the time, especially after Niall mated your friend Felicity.”
“I wonder why that would make a difference.”
Darcy sighed. “I’m not really sure, but you should really just ignore her. I know she’ll come around if you give it a chance. Maelíosa’s headstrong, and she knows she can get her way because she misses our mum. Father knows how unhappy she is and usually gives in because he feels guilty. It happens all the time.”
“You’re awfully bright for being the younger sister, you know that, right?” Cyn said, winking at Darcy.
They both laughed, and then stood gazing out through the fog. There was a tower in the distance, its spire stretching toward the skyline. She’d passed it with Tomas, countless days before.
Darcy noticed her interest and grinned. “Would you like to go see it?”
“Sure,” Cyn said.
“I’ll race you,” Darcy said with a giggle.
Before Cyn could respond, the girl was running, shedding clothing as she went, and she shifted into a beautiful, coltish púca. Her form was both lanky and graceful at once.
Cyn laughed and ran after her. “That’s not fair, you know.”
By the time Felicity caught up with the girl, she was completely out of breath. Darcy had already shifted back to her human form. She was standing at the base of the tower with sun streaming down on her naked body, completely unabashed by her state of undress.
“You want to climb to the top?” Darcy gestured, already scrambling to the base of the crumbling stone. “I’ve done it loads of times, it’s quite fun. And the view is spectacular.”
“I dunno.” Cyn shielded her eyes from the sun, which filtered through the fog as she gazed toward the top of the tower. “I can’t really be going and breaking my bum now, can I?”
Darcy giggled. “Don’t worry. There’s steps, and I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
Cyn and Darcy climbed the stone stairway—or rather, Darcy scampered quickly to the top and watched as Cyn struggled a bit. She’d tucked the ends of her sarong up around her waist, but it was still slow going with so many decaying steps. Cyn had absolutely no idea how Darcy managed it stark naked, and wondered how many times she’d gone for a run that ended at the tower.
“Are you all right?” Darcy leaned over the edge as she waited for Cyn to catch up.
“Quite,” Cyn said, panting a bit. “I’m just not used to so much bloody exercise.”
As a plus-size model she could eat what she bloody well wanted, and though she wouldn’t consider herself out of shape, this was proving to be quite a workout.
“It’s worth it, I promise. You’ll see.”
Ten minutes later, Cyn hauled herself into a comfortable position on top of the tower. Her breath was taken away by the otherworldly, exquisite setting. The entire landscape blurred together in shimmering hues of emerald and cerulean. She could see whitecaps cresting the sea, and the sun casting shadows all over the Realm. She’d travelled the world for her career, but she’d never seen anything quite so beautiful.
“Wow,” Cyn said, her voice breathy. “It’s even lovelier from up here.”
Darcy beamed at her. “It is. This is one of my favourite places to come and think when I want to be alone. But I’m glad you’re here.”
Cyn was slightly choked up, and smiled so Darcy wouldn’t notice. She wanted to go home, but the thought of leaving Fallon—and Darcy, who she was quickly getting attached to—along with all this beauty, ripped her to pieces. She looked upward, blinking back tears. Darcy leaned her head on her shoulder, and Cyn closed her eyes, enjoying the sisterly moment and the sun on her face. Suddenly, Darcy giggled.
“What is it?” Cyn asked, luxuriating in the balmy heat on her skin. I’m going to have some interesting tan lines. My agent will bloody love that.
“Your stomach rumbled. Let’s go filch some food from the kitchen. I bet we can steal a bite of something delicious that they’re cooking up for tonight.”
“I can wait,” Cyn said, protesting even as she got to her feet and dusted herself off. “In fact, if waiting means avoiding the climb down, I can wait all bloody day.”
