Chapter 5 The Princess- Leora

I couldn’t look away from the petite female beside me. She exuded an undeniable authority, as if an invisible force field surrounded her, naturally keeping others at a respectful distance. She was completely engrossed in her journal, her pen moving swiftly and decisively across the pages, without once glancing in my direction.

To catch her attention, I flashed my most charming and confident smile, the kind that usually captivated others with ease. However, she seemed immune to mere physical charm, her focus unbroken and her demeanor unaffected by my efforts, aside from her quickened heartbeat.

Behind us, a group of Human females began to raise their voices, becoming more noticeable with their boisterous behavior, clearly seeking attention. Although they were all quite attractive, my focus remained on the female beside me.

Leo’s copper hair was intricately styled into braids, elegantly pulled back from her face, though a few rebellious strands had escaped to frame it. Her hair appeared so soft that I had to resist the urge to reach out and tuck a strand behind her ear. She defied all my expectations. Her attire was devoid of any extravagance; no lavish clothing or ostentatious jewelry adorned her, save for a modest pair of blue sapphire earrings and two small gold cuffs on each wrist. Her clothing was as unassuming as any Human or Fae’s, and one would never suspect she was the Seelie Fae Princess.

Her skin was strikingly fair, with cheeks kissed by the sun, and a delicate constellation of freckles adorned her face. And then there was the scar, a detail around which many tales had been spun. It traced a distinct line along her jawline on the left side of her face, stretching down her neck and vanishing beneath the collar of her sweater, a silent testament to her past that only deepened the mystery surrounding her.

A delicious scent enveloped me, reminiscent of the delicate, sweet fragrance of jasmine flower petals that blossomed near my childhood home. The aroma was intoxicating, like a warm summer breeze carrying whispers of memories long past, evoking images of sun-drenched fields and carefree days. I felt myself leaning closer to her, drawn in by the invisible tendrils of fragrance, breathing her in as if she were the very essence of nostalgia.

She noticed my approach and turned her head, offering me the faintest smile.

“We should have gotten food.” Connor’s words cut through the haze of my reverie, shaking me out of my daze. I looked up and met his steady gaze, his eyes reflecting a mix of amusement. He had flung himself into the seat in front of Leo. She didn’t even look up.

In the blink of an eye, Leo swiftly snatched up the bag that rested beside her. Her movements were fluid and precise. She handed it to Connor, who sat in front of her, without even sparing a glance in his direction, her focus unwavering and her actions seamless, like a well-rehearsed performance.

Connor responded with just a grunt of approval, the sound gruff but satisfied. He started digging through the bag with eager hands and soon pulled out a fresh, red apple. Connor bit into it with a satisfying crunch.

After a few tense moments, Leo drew the worn journal onto her lap, her fingers tracing its weathered cover, and placed her hands over her eyes, as if to shield herself from the chaos around us. Her knee was bouncing quickly up and down. “Are you alright?” I asked, my voice tinged with genuine concern. She had ceased her restless movements, and I was at a loss, unable to decipher her intentions. I had to admit, I felt a twinge of unease in her presence. The tales I had heard were enough to instill trepidation in even the bravest of souls.

“I can’t think. Those females are too damn noisy,” Leo murmured, leaning closer to me, her voice a whisper that sent a shiver down my spine. My throat seemed to constrict as her words sank in. “Look, all they want is your attention, yours and that handsome giant sitting in front of me. Go back there and ask them to be quiet. Tell them I have some type of medical condition that is aggravated by loud noises. Go work your magic, pretty boy.”

Her gaze locked onto mine, intense and penetrating. We were so close. Her golden eyes were like molten amber, drilling into me with a light that was both enchanting and disconcerting. They held an enigmatic power, as if they could see straight into my very being, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable under their unwavering scrutiny.

I found myself unable to refuse her request. Almost instinctively, I rose to my feet and began making my way toward the rear of the tour bus, driven by a want to please this female. I did as she asked. Then I found myself surrounded by the Human females, making them laugh and bat their eyes. The entire time, I could smell Leo’s sweet scent. I felt the warmth of her breath on my skin as she spoke to me. I could see her sweet smile.