To Owe a Favor

Lillianna’s POV

“But how did they learn all the words to make magic-infused...” my sentence trails off into a giggle when Selivan crash-lands onto the balcony near Prince Elik’s door.

He waves to us sheepishly, "How was the shift for my two favorite warriors?"

My smile is so wide when he calls me a warrior, even though it's a joke because I've been pestering Killian with questions for practically every one of his shifts for the past two weeks.

Killian doesn't respond to Selivan, instead, he walks away the second he can, grumbling, "You're an hour late."

Selivan winks at me, "I thought Lillianna was covering for me." He feigns innocence, only making Killian more annoyed.

"Wait," I call after Killian, his long strides having already taken him to the end of the hall that leads to the living area. "I still need an answer to my question!" I call out, running after him.

He rounds the corner to the living area, and I run even faster the laughter of Selivan trailing after me. When I round the corner to the living area, I'm not expecting Killian to be there and crash straight into his chest.

Killian puts his hands on my hips, keeping me still as I catch my breath. He leans down to my ear and whispers, "The words of magic were interpreted long ago by an Oracle, and written down and practiced ever since." He pulls away and my breath is hitched in my throat, making it even harder to catch my breath. "Satisfied?" he arches a brow, and I finally clear my head.

"What happened to the Oracle?" I ask.

Killian rolls his eyes and walks away, releasing his grip on me all at once and nearly making me stumble.

I follow Killian to the drink station where he's handed a drink immediately. Sitting on the bar stool next to him, I peer around his shoulder to wave at Yasmil on his other side.

She pretends to check her non-existent watch, and then asks, "Didn't your shift end an hour ago?"

Killian glares at her mocking tone, "Selivan didn't show up."

"Huh, he told me Lillianna took his place," Yasmil says with a laugh, knowing full well I'm not able to take his place.

Killian doesn't bother to look at me with my innocent smile, "He says that every shift." He takes a sip of his tea, "Selivan is the last fae I'd believe anyway," he smirks at Yasmil, "Like when he told me you're going to this year's Courting Ball."

Yasmil shrugs, suddenly very interested in her drink, "Maybe I am."

Killian doesn't look that surprised, instead, he nudges Yasmil, "Was he also telling the truth when he said you're going with him-"

"Shut up," she hisses, making Killian chuckle.

"What's the Courting Ball?" I turn to Killian to ask.

"Nothing to concern yourself with," he grumbles.

I stand with a big sigh, "Guess I'll have to go ask Lona and Adrin then." Before Killian can grumble at me to not go, I run off to find his mothers. Knowing they'll give me all the information I need and more.

"Oh, the Courting Ball," Lona mumbles, looking troubled. Not the reaction I was expecting from her. "There are rumors it will be mandatory this year."

Adrin shakes her head, "But not to choose a partner, just to attend and show support."

"But you know how Killian is," Lona presses.

Adrin turns to me, "Come, we can make a dress if you want to go."

I nod, "What is the Courting Ball? And why doesn't Killian like it?"

Adrin smiles, "The Courting Ball is a chance for all the fae, no matter the age or location, to meet a potential partner. It brings everyone together and ends with quite a few happy relationships."

"As for Killlian," Lona starts, "He's attended a few, but he always wore his armor, which you know is completely black. After three years in a row of being rejected by every woman, he vowed he wouldn't return." Lona sighs.

They lead me to the familiar sewing room where they made my previous dresses and clothes. Adrin shakes her head, "I will say, the dark colors are not the most appealing at the Courting Ball. But I know Killian has many skills he could show. He should've attracted someone."

Adrin continues to open the entire drawer of colorful fabrics, "But the Courting Ball has no dress code, besides looking your best. You can pick any color, Lillianna."

At the far end, past all of the bright reds and pastel greens, is a small bundle of dark blue, nearly black fabric. I point to it, "How about that color?" When I notice the far too-wide grins from Adrin and Lona, I add, "Cause it will match my wings." I hitch my thumb over my back to point out the still-crumpled wings.

Lona quickly grabs the fabric and waves her hands, "Yes, yes. Match the wings, we've got this."

Lona and Adrin take turns monitoring the design of the dress, occasionally placing input or grabbing my measurements.

They work together seamlessly, asking me questions here and there, and sometimes stepping out of the room to complete other duties. But they let me stay and watch the creation of the dress.

Letting me slip on the smooth fabric when it's done. Lona clasps her hands together when I gently skim my hands over the fabric and admire the shimmering of the dress. "Oh, Lillianna," she croons, "You look like the perfect fairy."

I squeal, twirling in the dress, sure to keep my hands at the hem because it naturally falls at my upper thighs. "We should show Adrin," I say, following Lona out the door when she agrees.

"I'm fairly certain Adrin will be downstairs," Lona guides me.

I'm beside her when we reach the top of the staircase and I walk down while she flits beside me. Halfway down, I hear Killian's voice before I see him round the corner with a scowl on his face and Selivan by his side.

Selivan is the first to notice me, and elbows Killian, "See? It is mandatory, even Lillianna is going."

Killian's brows crease and then he looks up at me from the bottom of the staircase. He glares. Turning his attention from me to Lona and crossing the distance between us in record time.

His voice is low when he says, "She's not going."

Lona doesn't respond besides a smile. She continues slightly down the stairs, "Good afternoon, Selivan. Did I hear that the ball is mandatory this year?"

Selivan nods his head eagerly, "The wolf shifters will be there as part of the treaty to understand our customs more. Everyone will be there." He follows Lona down the stairs, leaving me alone with Killian.

I look at Killian with a big smile, "Are you excited for the ball?"

"No," he resorts, grabbing my hand and yanking me up the stairs. "And it's a Courting Ball for potential partners," he reminds me.

"I know! Lona and Adrin told me. And they made me this dress," I tell me, nearly out of breath as he leads me swiftly down the halls. They look familiar and I recognize my room coming up, "Oh wait," I say, trying to tug my hand from his grasp, "I still need to show Adrin."

He doesn't respond for a moment, pulling me to my room and slamming the door behind us. I've barely opened my mouth again when he pushes me up against the closed door. His arm is around my lower back, supporting me and keeping me at an angle so my wings don't hit the door. He growls, "You will not be prancing around the kingdom in this dress."

"Why?"

His heated gaze runs down the length of the dress, a slight smirk on his face, "Really, Lillianna?"

I cross my arms awkwardly, still at an angle, but trusting him to hold me up.

He leans in closer, only a breath away and my eyes widen. He presses his hand against my lower back until we are pressed even closer together, "You don't even understand the effect you have."

"On who?" I play dumb, smiling at him, "You?"

He pulls back, holding me close as he straightens, but then releases his grip and opens the door, "See you at the ball, Lillianna."

I almost follow him out the door, asking, "Does that mean you'll take me to the ball? You know, since I can't fly yet."

He turns around and blocks my exit, "Only if you stay out of that dress until the day of the actual Courting Ball."