The prince bit his lip, flushing. Puck gave a final hot thrust, moaning into his lover's shoulder. A knock sounded. Dandelion jumped, shoving Puck off of the bed.

“Hide under the bed!” Dandelion’s voice was panicked. Puck made no move, only smiling up at him, a gleam in his apple green eyes. Dandelion scowled, climbing down from the bed and nearly tripping as the sheets tangled in his feet. He shoved the phuka under his bed straightening the covers to hide any evidence and crawled back into bed.

Dandelion flattened his back against the creamy headboard of the bed, feeling his trisected green wings shift and flutter in time with his heart.

"Who is it?" he called. Dandelion felt his throat tighten around the words. Damn them, I’m enjoying myself.

“It’s Ashara! I’m coming in!” The door opened. A petite, curly haired brunette with pale skin, doe brown eyes, a pair of bright, glowing azure monarch butterfly wings sweeping out from behind her, stepped in. Her dark brown hair held back by a black velvet ribbon. She stared at him, a bemused expression on her features. I must look hilarious; The sheets tumbling off to one side, my face flushed silver from the best kind of exertion, and my chest heaving. It’s quite obvious what I’ve been doing.

Dandelion’s shoulders relaxed, watching her come further into the room. Thank the Founder. It’s Ashara and not someone else. But she truly does have the worst timing.

"It’s time for out weekly tea with her majesty." One of Ashara’s hands wrung the other, a sarcastic frown tugging at her lips. Mother somehow thinks that by forcing Ashara and I to spend time together, we’ll like each other more. Can’t she see that a begrudging understanding is as good as it will get between us? Dandelion’s groaned, his hands releasing the sheets and coming up to run through his chin length curly, brown hair. He got off of the bed, the silk sheets pooling around his pale feet.

"Great," Dandelion replied, stretching the word. The two faeries shared a look, brown eyes clashing with green. This isn’t what I’d wish either, cousin. But we have a duty. Dandelion pressed a hand over his eyes.

Ashara walked over to the dark brown wardrobe, opening it and flicking through the garments. "The emerald green doublet with gold buttons." She took it out, laying it over her arm. Bending down, Ashara searched for pants, finding two pairs, she turned around and held them out for Dandelion’s approval.

“White or grey?” Dandelion shrugged, his mouth pinched a a frown and his shoulders tight.

“Grey.” Does it really matter so much? He took the pants from her, slipping them on. Ashara smiled at Dandelion before handing him a smock. Dandelion slipped the white linen over his head, tucking it into his pants. He snatched the doublet from Ashara, making her flinch and lower her eyes.

“Shouldn’t you go change? I doubt the queen would appreciate her niece wearing riding clothes and mens breeches to a frivolous tea party,” Dandelion said, slipping the buttons through the green brocade. Ashara nodded, her eyes still down, a frown twitching on her lips. The only noise that let Dandelion know she had left was the door closing. She’s been so subdued lately. Maybe the seven day ceremonies are getting to her more than they should. I don’t know how to help, or if I can.

“You can come out now, phuka,” The words felt like acid on Dandelion’s tongue. He glared at the glowing green eyes flickering like candles from under his bed.

Dandelion adjusted his wings, forcing them through the holes at the back of his doublet. He looked at his reflection in the beaten silver mirror. His nose was long, denoting his elvish heritage, and his eyes were dark forest green. His brown hair often made people think he and Ashara were siblings, rather than cousins.

I look too much like an elf, or an unseelie, with my high cut cheekbones and lean frame. Dandelion scowled at the thought, feeling his back teeth grind together at the thought.

He left his chambers, fists clenched. The halls of the Summer palace glowed white with veins of gold in the afternoon sunlight. The beauty of his home only made Dandelions scowl deepen. A beautiful cage. I don’t have the courage to break free, nor to help my soft cousin…

Dandelion slammed his fist into the wall nearest him. His lips clamped shut around the cream that longed to tear it’s way from his throat. He pulled his fist back, shaking small bits of marble off his hand. Mother will kill me. Dandelion felt fear snake it’s way up his spine and clench in an ugly fist around his heart, growing with every step he took towards the garden.