Chapter 13
DESPITE THE KING’S attempts to drive into me the dangers of his realm, the next night, a little buzz of energy flows through me as I get ready.
“You’re keen.” Laughter laces Min’s voice as she arrives and finds me rifling through the armoire.
“I’ve decided I’ve been too miserable since I arrived. I’m going to enjoy my time here and really play the part.”
“His Majesty will be pleased.” But her eyes narrow like she doesn’t quite believe it.
I can’t blame her.
Still, I channel every scrap of cheer I have, and it isn’t entirely faked. Tonight I will make Drystan take me home, because keeping me here will be even worse.
As she’s coiling and my hair and trying to explain the importance of distance in fae society—how far you stand from someone signifies the nature of your relationship—there’s a rap at the door, which is a new experience for me. Annem normally just enters without warning.
I glance at Min in question and she gives a nod that prompts me to call out, “Yes?”
Drystan pauses in the doorway, giving me a long look that makes me shift in my seat. My heart speeds, anticipating my plan for the evening. He is going to be so furious.
For now, he says nothing. A ripple of something cold runs through me, smothering my excitement. Min promised to keep my secret, but has she found a loophole in that way fae do?
She also remains silent, careful hands smoothing and twisting my hair, so I’m the one who has to raise my eyebrows at the king. “Is something wrong?” Please say no.
He draws a quick breath and moistens his lips.
“No. I’ve come to collect you.” He enters together with his ravens, easing the door shut behind him.
His gaze remains on us as though he’s fascinated by the process of dressing my hair.
The white raven lands on top of the mirror, its claws tapping gently.
“After all, we wouldn’t want you to take a wrong turn and end up running through the gardens, now, would we? ”
“Gods forbid.” I widen my eyes and flash him a grin. This excitement has me as giddy as belladonna, and it’s a strange kind of triumph to see his gaze skip to my mouth. He adjusts his cuffs.
“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Min murmurs, hands leaving my hair. “I can finish this later, if you wish to have a private moment with Lady Rhiannon.”
“Don’t stop on my account. A future queen must look the part.” He gestures for her to continue as he takes a seat by the fireplace. “I can wait.”
In the mirror, I catch the tiniest flash of surprise on Min’s face before she resumes braiding a string of dusky purple pearls into my hair.
A shaft of light from the setting sun slants in through the window, warming my face. Despite this place’s sun being dark, it does carry some warmth. I close my eyes and soak it up.
Gods, I’ve missed that sensation. Gentler than a fire. More penetrating, more powerful than curling up in a blanket. It soaks into me, soothing my stiff joints.
Sometimes I wonder if I’m more plant than human. The books say they draw strength from sunlight. I’ve certainly noticed everything in the garden springs into growth as soon as we get a few bright days.
I feel the same.
Through my eyelids, the light dims as a cloud passes over.
When I open my eyes, I find Drystan watching me, unblinking.
It’s the kind of watching that feels like it should be written with a capital W, setting my nerves on edge, mingling with the anticipation already zinging through me. All I can do is stare back.
Surely he doesn’t know my plan. Min has made a few cryptic comments about the king’s power being tied to the land, but I can’t imagine he knows everything that goes on in it, thoughts included. That would be enough to drive anyone insane.
When Min passes between us, I huff out a breath, shoulders easing.
She presses something cold into my hand, the blue bottle of belladonna, and continues fussing with the tendrils of hair framing my face.
She’s blocking Drystan’s view, I realize, giving me the chance to slip the bottle into a hidden pocket she’s sewn into the bodice of this gown. One of the ravens caws.
“There we are. All done.” She steps to one side, giving me a lopsided smile that avoids the scar on her cheek.
I squeeze her hand. “Thank you.” Tonight is all about breaking the rules, and I do owe Min, so I don’t mind being beholden to her.
Still, her eyebrows shoot up, and she gives Drystan a sidelong glance.
He wears this thoughtful look as he stares at my fingers wrapped around Min’s.
As though feeling my attention on him, he flows to his feet and inclines his head to Min.
“Yes, your work is appreciated. Go and get yourself ready for the night’s celebrations.
In your room, you’ll find some clothing options fit for the royal sartor. ”
She opens and closes her mouth as though she can’t decide how to reply.
I can’t blame her. So far, she’s always melted away when I’ve reached the great hall, and although her clothes are elegant, I’ve never seen her in anything as formal as the fae wear to their events. Her status isn’t enough to earn her space in the court gatherings… at least not normally.
Drystan might not be saying thank you, but he’s showing his gratitude all the same. I squeeze her hand again and nod for her to go.
Once she disappears, I take up the necklace I chose earlier and fiddle with the fastening.
“Here.” His voice right there makes me jolt, but he catches the necklace as it falls from my grasp. The violet sapphires glisten as he takes a moment to examine the piece, before inclining his head in what might be approval.
With the lightest touch, he brushes a loose curl from the nape of my neck.
There is a practicality to it, yes, and yet it’s nothing like the firm, functional touch of Annem bathing me or my brother helping me up the stairs.
This is something entirely different. Hidden by the sheer sleeves of my gown, goosebumps lift the delicate hairs.
In the mirror, I note his gaze lingering on the nape of my neck. Those hairs must be betraying my reaction to his touch. Little bastards.
I draw a long, slow breath as he loops the gold chain around my neck. “You like her, don’t you?” He nods toward the door Min disappeared through.
“So far she’s the only person here who’s been kind to me. And… I feel like we understand each other.”
He frowns, and I’m not sure if it’s at my reply or the clasp. With a soft click, it closes, and he pauses before taking half a step back. “Haven’t I been kind to you?”
I blink, barely holding in a laugh. “You do remember you’re keeping me here against my will, right?”
He opens his mouth to argue, then shuts it, exhaling through his nose. “You said you’d come willingly, not that you’d stay willingly. Of course.” He offers his hand and pulls me to my feet, but instead of stepping away, he keeps my fingers caught in his. “That is… a bargain I had no say in.”
“You had a say in locking me in my room.”
“Yes, and I could have done much worse.”
This time I do laugh, and the odd look from earlier returns to his face. I raise an eyebrow at him. “You… really believe you’ve been kind, don’t you?”
He frowns, and for a moment I feel bad, because he looks confused, maybe even hurt. But the look is smoothed away in an instant, leaving me doubting what I read on his face. “Perhaps the idea of kindness is different between your world and mine. Come.” He turns away and offers his arm.