Thirty Six
The past two weeks have been magical. Not because of the magic of the Fae realm, but because of its king—the king of my heart.
It’s astounding how blissful my life has become once I let him back in.
Being with him is as easy as breathing. As if we are two parts of a whole, aligning perfectly together.
There is one thing that dims my pure happiness at times.
My mortality has been in the back of my mind, a niggling reminder that our time together was limited.
I haven’t asked Lady May about the spell she mentions in her journal during any of our training sessions.
I see no point in bringing it up since the spell to turn Estelle into a Fae didn’t work.
I’ll spend the rest of my days soaking up every precious moment I have with Adrian, grateful for every second even if I’ve come to realize that my human life span won’t be nearly enough.
“It’s time,” Adrian’s deep voice drifted from behind me. “The guests are starting to arrive. Your family might already be here.”
My lips stretched in a smile as I wiped the dip pen clean and placed it nib-up in its designated jar.
I left my journal open for the ink to dry, knowing that Adrian would never invade my privacy by reading it.
When I rose from my writing desk and turned around to face him, his eyes lit up as our gazes met.
“You’re breathtaking, my star.” He smiled at me.
I was wearing a navy-blue dress with a full skirt, short sleeves, and a square neckline.
A standing ruff collar sat on my shoulders and at the back of my neck.
It was made out of the most delicate lace and featured scrolled floral motifs and decorative picots.
Airy and fragile, the intricate silver accessory had been reinforced with magic for durability but still felt weightless.
My hair was pulled up and pinned, with a few curled strands left down to frame my face.
“You look quite debonair yourself, my King,” I said as my gaze slowly traveled over his powerful body encased in a dark-navy waistcoat and black trousers. His crown sat on top of his head, and he was holding my crown in his hands.
“Thank you, my Queen.” He bowed slightly before he stepped closer to me and placed my spiky headpiece on my head.
I still hadn’t grown accustomed to its weight and I wasn’t sure I ever would, but having Adrian rule by my side made the burden of my title more bearable. The hole in my chest had nearly closed, and I had no doubt in my mind that whatever life threw at us, we would face it together and persevere.
“Should I siphon Silberium from you before we head downstairs? I know it’s almost time.” The shimmering silver design covering his skin had spread over the last few nights.
“We’ll do it after the banquet, and tomorrow I’ll take you home to release it into the land.”
“Home? My home is no longer in Emeraldia. It’s here with you,” I said, gazing up at him from beneath my lashes.
“Hearing you say that brings me so much joy.” He caressed my cheek before leaning in for a kiss.
At the first brush of our lips, my skin flushed, and I had to fight the urge to fist my hands in the silver-threaded lapels of his waistcoat to pull him closer.
The kiss was reserved, but a tantalizing promise of more to come tonight when we returned to the bedroom.
“I love you,” he whispered against my lips.
“I love you, too.”
“Shall we?” He turned and offered me his arm, which I gladly accepted.
A moment later, he glimmered us to the Banquet Hall. The grand space decorated in silver and blue was full of humans and Fae, and I was pleased to see that everyone was mingling.
“This is already off to a great start,” Adrian whispered, taking in the crowded room. “The banquet was a fantastic idea, my love. We shall make it an annual event for years to come.” His eyes were full of admiration when he glanced at me.
After the herald had announced our arrival, Adrian and I greeted my parents.
“Sunshine,” my mother crooned as we embraced, careful not to disturb each other’s embellished gowns.
She quickly appraised me when we pulled apart.
“You exude felicity, my dear.” Her eyes misted over as she cupped my cheek.
Since she knew about Adrian and I’s reconciliation, I was taken aback by such an emotional reaction until she said, “You have found your happiness, and Sebastian and Miri’s wedding is fast approaching.
My babies are all grown up.” She withdrew her hand from my cheek and swiped away a tear.
“Oh, Mother.” Tears also gathered in my eyes. “I am supremely happy. I’m right where I belong.” When I looked at Adrian, he met my gaze. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he pulled me to his side and kissed my temple.
“How are the wedding preparations going?” I asked my mother after Adrian had pulled away and returned to his conversation with my father.
“They are going well. I think Miri was expecting more help from Thea, but I hear your adviser has been preoccupied with something else. Or, rather, someone else.” Amusement twinkled in her eyes.
Tom had confessed his feelings to Thea on the night of the Garden Party, and she had reciprocated them.
The two had been sequestered in her bedroom over the past two weeks as much as Adrian and I had been in mine.
Smiling, I sought them out in the crowd.
They were in conversation with Bastian and Miri.
“Who knows, maybe Thea will be planning her own wedding soon,” I murmured as I let my gaze move on from them. It fell on Celestina and Tarn, who were talking to Zarana and Heiran, with Daelana standing nearby.
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about Adrian’s mate since the Garden Party. I had once, but only because Celestina had brought her up.
“Daelana was asking about you,” she had said to Adrian a few nights ago when she and Tarn had joined us for dinner.
“I’d prefer it if we didn’t talk about her. You know where she and I stand,” he had replied.
Tarn had smirked in the seat next to his mother. “If you don’t want her, there are plenty of other willing candidates. You’re the king. You could have a harem if you wanted.”
When I had choked on my wine at his words, Celestina had sneered. “Sorin and I were mates, and even he would sometimes seek another's company. It's only natural.”
A loud bang had followed her contemptuous remark as Adrian had slammed his fist on the table, rattling the dishes and silverware. “If you two can’t be respectful of your queen and the woman I love, then I suggest you leave.” He had glared at both of them.
“The woman you love? Are you hearing yourself? You, in love with a mortal?” Celestina had cackled. “Well, I suppose all Daelana needs to do is wait it out, and in a few decades, your wife will not be a problem anymore.”
“That's enough!” Adrian had snarled. “Get out!”
He had risen from the table to escort her out, but she had brushed him off. “I will see myself out, but you can’t run from the truth,” had been her parting words before she had glimmered out.
“Emelin?” Adrian’s voice pulled me from the unpleasant memory. “We need to make our rounds.”
We strolled through the Hall at a leisurely pace, engaging with the guests all through the evening.
When it was time for the meal, Adrian led me to the long banquet table laid out with a sumptuous feast. We stopped by our seats in the middle of it, and my father assumed a position to Adrian’s right as my mother found her seat to my left.
Celestina and Tarn stood opposite us, flanked by Aunt Lorraine and Luna on one side, and Sebastian, Miri, and Lady May on the other.
We didn’t immediately sit down, lifting our wine-filled glasses.
The hum of conversations ceased as everyone’s attention focused on Adrian and me.
“A month ago, Emelin and I entered into marriage to help unite our kingdoms. We have found love and trust in our union.” He placed his free hand on my lower back and looked at me, the love he had mentioned shining on his face.
I met his gaze and smiled, each word resonating with me because I no longer had to pretend.
My trust in our union and in him was stronger than ever.
“We have found hope. Hope for a bright future where the Fae of Aubrielle and the people of Emeraldia find love and trust in each other. All of us gathered here are a testament that we are on the right path toward such a future. Queen Emelin and I are overjoyed to start a new tradition of hosting the State Banquet every year. Here’s to many more evenings like tonight.
” He raised his glass higher, and I did the same as cheers and applause followed.
As Adrian brought his glass to his lips, I took a sip of my drink, frowning when my wine tasted tart and smelled strongly of flowers. I had grown accustomed to sweet, fruity wine here in Tardor. Smoothing out my scowl, I forced a few more sips down before we lowered to our seats.
Adrian reached for my hand and lifted it to his lips to kiss my knuckles.
“I’m in awe of you,” he whispered, the silver in his eyes surrendering to black.
I smiled at him, but my smile swiftly faded as a burning sensation started in my throat.
“Something’s wrong,” I said, suddenly lightheaded.
“What is it?” His look of concern swam in my vision.
His nostrils flared as his gaze darted to my wine glass.
Shock splashed across his features a second before he jumped to his feet and scooped me into his arms. “Lady May! She’s been poisoned!
” His roar of despair was the last thing that registered before darkness pulled me under.
I regained consciousness to hushed whispers.
“I don’t understand how that happened. How he let that happen,” I recognized my father’s voice.
“It’s not his fault,” my mother said.
“Isn’t it? He failed to protect her.”
“And I’m sure that nearly losing her will haunt him for a while. Don’t add to his anguish by blaming him.”
“I have to blame someone.”