Chapter 30 – Vale
VALE
“You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going?” my mate asked, her eyes hidden behind a silken sash.
“Would it be an early nameday surprise if I did?” I eyed her appreciatively.
Isolde favored amethyst, but for tonight I’d requested that she wear a deeper purple gown that I picked out. In the right light, the material shimmered like oil on water, and the gown hugged my wife’s curves to perfection.
It was an exercise in restraint not to rip the dress off of her then and there, so I gave my hands another job. One slithered behind her back, and I bent my knees to ready the other behind her legs. “I’m going to lift you.”
She squealed as I swept her off her feet. I tossed a glance back at Halladora, giving her a nod so she’d know it was time.
The faerie grinned back, pleased to be chosen for such an endeavor.
I’d known Isolde would want one of her Valkyrja at our door, guarding Sassa’s Blade, and at least one with us.
I’d taken care of both aspects of the evening, just as Thantrel had done for Thyra.
I hoped only that my brother’s plans were going as smoothly as mine.
After tucking her skirt against me so that nothing but her calves would show, my wings unfurled. One beat, two, and we took to the air.
“Stars! You didn’t tell me we’d be flying.” Isolde gripped tighter around my neck. “We’re leaving Ramshold?”
“We are.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I’ve planned it all. Where we’re going there will be no crowds, and Halladora is behind us. We’ll be safe.”
Though there had been no sightings of Red Assassins or word of any fae sent to kill my mate, we could never be too careful when she or Thyra left the castle.
We soared over the Golden City, and I was half-tempted to remove Isolde’s silken sash so she could see the glittering lights and the fae walking along the streets. Perhaps those walking in pairs were also enjoying an evening for lovers. Though our alone time was only the beginning of my surprises.
The wind gusted against me, stealing my breath in spite of its warmth. Isolde inhaled deeply, taking in the scents of the nearby mountain pines.
“Descending,” I announced minutes later. “Hold tight.”
We lowered into a neighborhood alive with fae. Many of them held hands or stole kisses. Sian hadn’t steered me wrong in pointing out this part of the city. Not that I’d ever doubted him. He, like Thantrel, had always been well-versed in romance.
Upon landing, I set Isolde down and placed my hands on her shoulders before turning her into position.
I removed the blindfold. “Behold The Frosted Rose. It’s known as the most exclusive restaurant in Myrr. Popular among young fae who are courting.”
Isolde caught my eye. “No one seems to be dining. Are they not open yet?”
“They are. Just for us.”
Her lips parted. “How romantic!”
“I never took you out in Avaldenn. If I had, I would have made sure our date was private.”
“Always?” she asked.
“Not always. But at first, yes. I wouldn’t have wanted others to watch me fall in love with you.”
Her face broke into a luminous smile. “We had Ragnor’s cart.”
“And now we’ll have this.” I wove my fingers through hers. “Come. Halladora will watch the front. Astril is already at the back.” Inside The Frosted Rose, workers had begun gathering near the door and window. “Don’t keep your people waiting, my queen.”
She blushed, and my heart gave a hard thud. I was married and mated to the most beautiful fae I’d ever known. Inside and out, Isolde was my perfect match. I didn’t think I’d ever stop thanking the stars for tying our fates together.
We entered the restaurant, and the warm, savory aroma of the place made my stomach rumble. Whatever they were cooking was sure to be as delicious as Sian had assured me it would be. Beyond the food, the restaurant was also a feast for the eyes.
Candles covered every surface, basking the room in an ethereal glow. A staghorn chandelier hung in the center of the circular room, further illuminating the space. And while there was no longer snow outside, some talented fae had enchanted crystal snowflakes to hang, suspended in the air.
“So lovely,” Isolde said as a server showed us to a lone table in the middle of the room. I pulled out her chair, and she settled in, taking in the tabletop and glancing up at the server. “The flowers smell wonderful. I don’t know what they are, but your establishment has good taste.”
The server gestured to me. “Not us, Princess Isolde. Prince Vale picked those out.”
My mate beamed. “He has good taste then.”
“Impeccable.”
Once we were both seated, the server informed us they’d be bringing out courses—pre-selected by me—and she hoped we enjoyed the entertainment.
She left us, and Isolde barely had a chance to ask what the server meant by entertainment, when the three-fae band emerged from the adjoining room.
The singer stood in front and crooned a haunting song.
Isolde melted in her seat. “Her voice is magic!”
I’d noted many things regarding my mate.
That night the rebels broke into the Royal Theater—the very same evening Thyra almost killed her sister without knowing Isolde existed—had started off magical too.
A ride to the theater in a reindeer-pulled sleigh with a beautiful female at my side, commanding the attention of those in the room, though she did not notice it.
And Avalina Truso, a rebel sympathizer and undeniably talented singer, had enchanted my mate that night.
Guilt rose inside me. Truso had been among those taken to the dungeon of Frostveil the day before the king murdered her and many other performers.
I’d spoken to her and suggested she deserved what she got.
I pushed my guilt down. There would be time to examine it later, but not tonight. This night was for the love of my life.
“I requested the best singer in Myrr.”
Isolde let out a long hum and sipped from a glass of wine that had been brought to the table. “You miss little.”
I raised my glass. “Happy early nameday, my love.”
“To many more with you.” She toasted me.
The servers swept in with a salad, the produce grown in the many greenhouses in Myrr.
At the first bite, I made a mental note to thank Sian, and my gratitude only grew as the night progressed.
With each course, each song, each smile my love bestowed on me, I could not help but feel as though I were the luckiest damned fae to ever live.
And the night was only getting started.
“I can barely move!” Isolde stretched as the carriage I’d arranged to pick us up at The Frosted Rose pulled through the gates of Ramshold Castle. “I can’t wait to kick up my feet in front of the fire. Do you think Thyra will still be up?”
“It’s before the eighth bell,” I replied. “As your sister isn’t an infant, I think it’s likely she’ll be awake.”
Isolde slapped me on my shoulder. “We’ve been busy! Maybe she’s tired.”
If that was the case, that was too bad because I was not the only one with a surprise for the Falk twins.
While Isolde and I ate at The Frosted Rose, Thantrel had taken Thyra to another luxurious part of Myrr.
They should be arriving back at the castle in minutes, which meant I needed to get Isolde into position.
“Thantrel planned something for her tonight since we have your dinner with our court and the lords and ladies tomorrow,” I said. “I know where they are. Shall we find them?”
“Yes, we should.”
The carriage came to a stop, and I took her hand and led her into the castle. As usual, the corridors of Ramshold were alive with fae, though tonight there were a few more than was usual at this hour, which Isolde could not fail to notice.
“Is a lord visiting Lord Balik?” Isolde asked, eyebrows pinching together. “Should I have been at a diplomatic dinner?”
Yesterday, the Warden of the South had forgiven her, but I got the sense that she was still on edge. Likely because we’d soon march north.
“Everyone knew I was whisking you away, and that you needed time to relax.”
“I can’t deny that. But diplomacy is important.”
I laughed. “Right you are, love. You didn’t miss anything.”
She didn’t look convinced, and only became more curious as we neared our destination, so far from our wing. I listened only to hear dead silence. Had someone put a barrier of air up against the door?
We’ll soon find out. My hand landed on the handle. I opened the door to find that the lights were out. Normally, faelights remained lit late into the night until servants put them out. In some parts of the castle, they stayed on all night. To walk into a room so dark was an anomaly.
“We’ll have to find candles,” Isolde said.
“Seems so.” I strained to hear the bell outside, and when it chimed, the faintest squeal of a hinge on the other side of the room followed. Perfect timing.
Faelights illuminated the room. Isolde let out a squeal of shock and grabbed my arm as dozens of fae appeared and yelled, “Surprise!” in unison.
“Stars! I almost wet myself!” my mate shouted and then punched me in the arm. “Oh! Thyra is here too! This is your doing, isn’t it, Vale!?”
Across the room used for middling feasts, Thyra had entered by a second door. Immediately she lifted her fists, always prepared to fight. Her balled up hands lowered as she looked around, blinking hard.
“It was a group effort,” I replied. “Anna was the one to first bring up a party for just our friends. Something more casual than dinner tomorrow.”
“But Vale wanted it to be a surprise!” Anna shouted, a wide grin on her face as she leaned into Arie’s side. “Exciting, isn’t it!?”
My mate smiled back. “Very!” She turned her face back up to me and stood on tiptoe, bestowing me with a long kiss. “Thank you.”
“You deserve it.” My fingers entwined with hers. “Let’s party, shall we?”