Chapter 18 #2
My face flushes. “I am so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m not offended.”
I offer a shaky smile and relax just a little. Until raucous laughter at the end of the table catches my attention.
The deep, smoky timbre of the Shadow Prince's amusement shoots awareness through my entire body.
The rope wrapped around my soul grows taut as the woman beside Rian plays with the shining bands on his forearm.
He doesn’t move away.
Rather, he places a strong hand over hers, keeping her touch there.
Pain stabs my chest.
“That is Lady Iris.”
I tear my eyes off Rian and the woman batting her ridiculously long lashes. “I’m sorry?”
Anders tips his head toward Rian. “Lady Iris. The beauty beside your friend. She is the mayor’s daughter.”
“Oh.” Against my better judgment, I look at the pair once more.
The woman, Iris, grins at something Rian says. Her sultry eyes bore into his handsome face. Anders is right; she’s a beauty.
I hate that…
Why do I hate that?
“Iris is the next candidate to take over her father’s role as Virendrell’s mayor.”
My attention snaps back to the Mountain Fae. “Is the title inherited?”
If it is, why wouldn’t Jason get it? Is Iris older?
“No, our mayor is elected.”
I blink. “Virendrell elected a human mayor?”
“Half human, technically.”
A servant appears at my side and places a sweet-smelling dessert in front of me.
A different servant places one in front of Anders.
I manage a weak “thank you” while my head spins.
So, a city where humans and Fae live together willingly chose to elect a human to represent them. And there’s a chance they will elect a female to succeed him.
There are many ways Virendrell is different from Verdanthia, but those two might be my favorite.
“I understand your surprise.” Anders turns the stem of his water glass between his long fingers. “Prejudice between races isn’t tolerated here, but that is not the case in most of our world.”
No… It isn’t.
I grab my own water glass and bring it to my lips, saving myself from the need to respond.
“You don’t say!” A masculine, exuberant voice rises into the air. “That is incredible!”
All eyes turn to the head of the table.
Augustus’s bright eyes lock on me.
“Miss Stonebloom,” he calls out.
I stiffen.
How does he know my name?
A cold realization follows.
They’ve been talking about me.
“Is it true?” the mayor continues. “Do you possess magic?”
Excited gasps and titters float up among the guests at the table. At Augustus’s side, Jason grins with knowing.
My gaze darts to Darius for guidance, but his dark eyes hide any emotion.
I look to Silas then Draven. Neither gives me a hint on what to say.
With no other option, I meet Rian’s stare.
Onyx greets me. No hints of silver. I search the dark depths for a clue how to respond. But his impassive face reveals nothing.
Jerk.
Rian told me not to discuss my magic, and yet one of the Fae must’ve told the mayor.
Why?
The mayor’s stare remains, along with the rest of the guests’.
I resist the urge to sink down in my chair. The corset wouldn’t let me even if I tried.
Shoving down the bile crawling up my throat, I lift my chin, aiming for confidence, but the words come out meek. “Yes, sir. I do.”
Gasps ripple down the table. Whispers follow.
Anders leans closer. “Now, that is a surprise.”
I peer at him from the corner of my eye, not turning away from the mayor and his probing stare.
Anders taps his chest. “I understand now why I was drawn to you. Like recognizes like.”
I’m not given time to dissect that odd morsel before Augustus demands my attention once more.
“Am I mistaken,” the mayor begins, “or does that mean you are the famed healer from the continent?”
My heart stops.
My eyes, once again, search out Rian. His expression gives nothing away. My frustration with the Shadow Prince grows.
I choke out, “Y-you’ve heard of me?”
A foolish question.
Of course he has.
Just like Rian and the others had.
How did I not realize how far my reputation had traveled?
Because the Elders kept you and the rest of town subdued within Verdanthia’s borders…
“Of course.” Augustus’s lips pull wide. “Just because we are an island nation doesn’t mean we don’t know what goes on in the rest of the world.”
And yet you allow humans with magic to be murdered without bothering to help.
I shake away the negative thought.
At least, I try to.
But it reveals itself in my hard tone. “So you receive regular communication from Astloria?”
Several people around me inhale sharply, but my focus remains on the mayor and his wife beside him. Her pretty eyes narrow.
“Indeed.” Augustus’s grin tightens. “How else would we ensure our borders remain safe?”
A faint memory of my parents’ flashes through my mind.
Then Ferria.
Then every human born with magic who is hunted down for something they never chose to possess.
“What a luxury.” My voice strains. “To be safe behind your wall while those of us trapped on the continent suffer.”
Silence slams over the dining hall.
Eyes widen. Frantic looks are exchanged.
I hold Augustus’s stare, allowing the firestorm building in my chest to flow throughout my limbs, warming my chilled blood.
“Forgive our companion, mayor.” Rian’s voice punctures the quiet, the smooth tone and deep cadence pulsing through my core. “Elara is…spirited.”
I swing blazing eyes to the prince, only to find approval flickering as silver specks in his otherwise black irises.
I yank my gaze away.
The mayor studies me a moment longer before turning those knowing brown eyes to Rian. “Your companion?”
Once again, even though he wears magic-suppressing cuffs, I swear a shadow encircles the prince’s neck.
“Yes,” Rian clips out. “Mine.”
The possessive word wraps around my heart, cinching tight.
Iris stiffens and pulls her hand away from him with a pout, flashing me a glare sharp enough to cut.
Whispers begin to travel down the table. Curious eyes assess me anew.
I don’t know why Rian made the claim, but I have to imagine it was strategic. Maybe he’s trying to protect me from the attention Anders warned me about.
Yes…
That has to be it.
Helen leans forward and rests her elbows on the table, lacing her fingers.
“As a healer, I’m sure you are eager to improve your skills, Miss Stonebloom. Especially since you were likely not afforded adequate training.”
Juniper gave me all the training I could ever need. At least for human ailments.
I clench my skirt. “Of course—”
“Wonderful.” Her smile is thin. “Anders, would you be willing to help Elara hone her skills?”
I jolt at the male’s name.
The blond beside me clears his throat. “Of course, my lady. I would be honored.”
I gape at the Mountain Fae.
Confusion must be written all over my face, because his smile turns sly. Or maybe sheepish.
“I’m the mayor’s personal healer.”
“Of course you are.” The words slip out before I can stop them.
Anders's smile grows.
I don’t know why, but it feels like I’ve just stepped into a trap.
Of what, I can’t say.
But I’ve trusted men before—leaders, just like Augustus…
And look where that’s gotten me.