Chapter 16 #2
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Of course, I met your grandmother this evening. I’m relieved to hear she didn’t judge me too harshly.”
Nathaniel’s eyes twinkled. “Not at all. You made a good enough impression that she told me to find you.”
I laughed lightly. “Thank the stars, and I do promise that I shall never force you to walk upon the palace’s stone wall again. Well, at least, not anytime soon.”
His eyes twinkled at my humorous remark, and another rush of Kole’s aura hit my back.
Kole was trying to hide it, and since my parents hadn’t glanced at the warrior, he must have been doing a good job, but a moment of guilt stole over me that I was flirting with a young lordling, even if such things were expected.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Nathaniel replied, also seemingly oblivious to the warrior. “I’m not sure if my pride could take it.” A subtle hint of his magic wafted toward me, brushing curiously against my Shield.
My magic latched onto him, assessing his flavor and inherent strength. He wasn’t a weakling, that much was apparent, and I couldn’t be certain, but I got a hint of oscillating psychic magic that usually indicated someone was a seer.
I sucked my magic back inside me, not wanting him to detect my slight assessment.
Instead, I beamed at him, determined to win over as many fae tonight as I could, even if it required me to act coquettishly.
“I’m relieved to hear that my sins have been forgiven, at least with your House.
” Subtly, I shot Kole a wayward smile, hoping he’d understand.
But the warrior’s attention was locked onto Nathaniel, and his expression was impossible to read.
“Indeed.” Lordling Ryderdim stepped closer to me, and my parents backed up, not leaving, but giving the young lordling more room. Approving expressions readily formed on their faces. I had a feeling that Nathaniel Ryderdim was considered suitable on their list of potential betrotheds in my future.
In a slightly husky voice, Nathaniel added, “Perhaps you shall grace me with a dance later this evening? I would love to hear more about where you’ve been during the past thirty summers. And to think, we could have been classmates if you’d stayed in the capital.”
Kole’s aura soared, and I took a casual step back but kept my demeanor friendly. “Did you attend university here?”
“I did, and I have to say”—he scratched his chin—“you look very similar to someone I saw frequently at the Whiteolf Academic Library during the past few months. I would often admire her from afar. She was just as beautiful as you.”
A flush spread across my neck, and I couldn’t tell if he was being cheeky or if he truly didn’t realize that was me. “How interesting. Do you frequent the library often?”
“All of the time. I do most of my studying there.” He canted his head. “Stars, you truly look just like her.”
I ran a hand over my hair, my fingers encountering my tiara in the process. “That’s probably because it was me.”
“Primelle worked there,” my father cut in. “She was one of the youngest librarians they ever hired.”
Nathaniel’s lips lifted in a delighted grin. “That was you? Are you an academic as well?”
“I was trying to be.”
He laughed. “Oh, how brilliant. You’ll have to stop by our House this coming week so we can discuss my field of study. Tell me, do you have any interest in celestial magic?”
A genuine smile lifted my lips. “I do. That’s an area of magic that completely fascinates me.”
A vibration shivered through Kole’s aura, but I had a feeling only I could detect it because my mother pinched her lips together to hold back a smile, and she tugged my father back even more.
“We’ll leave you two to get better acquainted.
And feel free to venture outside if you’d like.
The gardens are open, and the maze has been altered so new challenges await anyone looking for a bit of fun this evening. ”
She winked, and my lips parted at my parents’ not-so-subtle hint that Nathaniel and I should spend more time together.
A moment of disbelief coursed through me, because while I was always delighted to speak with any scholar or academic, I hadn’t meant to give off the impression that I was interested in Nathaniel romantically. Especially with Kole right behind me.
I stole another glance over my shoulder.
Kole stood ramrod straight, his hands clasped in front of him, and his face was still completely devoid of emotion.
He was the portrait of a dutiful warrior, but he was staring at Nathaniel avidly, and even though his look was entirely veiled, beneath his Shield, his magic roiled.
Nathaniel, however, paid Kole no attention whatsoever, probably thinking of the Imperial Warrior no more than he did of the rosebuds blooming in the vases or the musicians playing in the orchestra or the staff at the door who continually opened them to admit more nobles.
“Shall we?” Nathaniel held out the crook of his arm for me to take. “I can introduce you to everyone.”
My smile stayed plastered to my face even though hesitation hit me, but I knew this was what I needed to do.
I needed to gain the ten Houses’ trust, win them over, put them at ease, and show them that I wasn’t to be feared.
My parents and I might need their aid at some point, given that someone was after me.
I slipped my hand around his forearm, forcing my smile to remain. “Thank you. I’ll follow you.”
Within an hour, my head was spinning. Nathaniel held good to his promise, while Kole followed us everywhere we went.
Small talk became my new best friend as Nathaniel introduced me to all of the House leaders and their families. Thankfully, I remembered everyone’s names from my studies, and being able to link a face to a name made those titles come to life.
Throughout it all, Nathaniel remained a steadfast companion, and since my parents hadn’t approached me with my aunt or uncles yet, I figured my relatives were running late.
Thankfully, Nathaniel helped me pass the time.
His flirtatious and friendly demeanor made him quite popular among the wealthy, and everyone readily greeted him.
The fact that he’d also latched himself to my side earned me a rite of passage that I had a feeling I otherwise wouldn’t have been granted, so despite feeling guilty that I was partaking in his flirtations, I also knew it was helping me win fae over.
But while some fae seemed open, if slightly hesitant, to being reacquainted with me as an adult, there were just as many who either avoided me completely or assessed me in ways that made my skin crawl, even with Nathaniel at my side.
I still shuddered thinking of my latest encounter with Lordling Messepire.
The middle-aged lordling had glided toward us and had kissed the back of my hand with his oily lips.
And Lordling Fillingmore had been rather obnoxious, acting like he and I were long-lost friends who’d already had many conversations prior to my celebratory ball.
All the while, Kole followed behind me, his aura roiling, but the warrior never made a sound.
“I would say the evening’s going quite well, wouldn’t you?” Nathaniel nabbed another flute of champagne off a tray. His eyes were slightly glazed, and I’d lost count of how many drinks he’d had. “And you handled Lordling Messepire so well. That one’s a bit of a cad.”
I raised my eyebrows and took a sip of my own drink. It’d been awkward to find a way to test it, but I’d finally managed when I feigned needing to use the restroom, and I’d been nursing the same glass of champagne ever since. “Is that so? Do you know him well?”
Nathaniel shrugged. “His House resides close to ours, and he’s an atrocious neighbor.
It’s not uncommon for his staff to venture to our residence to complain about one thing or another.
Of course, they always act like the complaints come from them, but we all know they’re directed to our residence by him. ”
“Complaints about what?”
He scratched his chin. “Well, let’s see. The last one was that my grandmother’s pet vox had been running loose on Lordling Messepire’s estate. The staff claimed that Filly attacked one of them, so they asked that he not be allowed outside.”
“A vox attacked someone?” My eyebrows rose.
The small animal was a common pet among siltenites.
The breed was small, usually docile, and made excellent companions for fae near the end of their lives.
It was said the pet would often sit with their elderly fae until they took their last breath, providing comfort by exuding their serene magic that many found peaceful, especially in their last hours.
The creatures were considered harmless, and I’d never heard of a vox attacking anyone in my entire life.
Nathaniel rolled his eyes. “Exactly. We don’t believe it either, especially because we never let Filly run wild, but Lordling Messepire seems to enjoy causing strife. He’s obviously not our favorite neighbor.”
“I can see why, especially when voxes need to be outside for a few hours each day. Isn’t their magic replenished by sunlight, especially at dawn?”
“You are correct. If my grandmother were to keep Filly inside indefinitely, he would probably grow sickly.”
“Then I hope she doesn’t.”
Nathaniel smirked. “Oh, she won’t. Filly still goes out every morning and afternoon, usually with my grandmother on the other end of his leash.”
I laughed. “I think I like your grandmother.”
“I do as well. It’s always wonderful when we can get along with our relatives.” He took another sip of champagne and eyed me over the rim, his brown eyes glazed even more. “Speaking of which, I couldn’t help but notice that you haven’t spoken to your sisters the entire night.”
My smile froze, and I hastily took another sip of my beverage. “Is it that obvious?”
“To most, probably not, but since I’ve glued myself to you, it’s impossible not to notice.”
I cleared my throat. “Things are rather . . . complicated between us.”
“Is that so?” Nathaniel lifted his chin, scanning the room. “Should we go and find them? Perhaps to say hello and try to uncomplicate things?”
“No, no need to. I appreciate your offer, but I have a feeling that’s a battle I need to fight on my own.”
“A battle?” He waggled his eyebrows. “How delightful. May I be in attendance when this battle ensues? I so love drama.”
I laughed. “I have no doubt you do.”
He sighed. “Well, if I can’t witness the battle, then may I invite you outside? The maze at these parties is always enjoyable, especially if it’s been recently reworked.”
My smile wobbled. I still had so many fae to meet, and I hadn’t yet met my aunt, uncles, or cousins. Besides, I reminded myself that tonight was about winning over the fae of my kingdom. It wasn’t simply a party for me to dance, drink, and enjoy myself at, exciting mazes or not.
“Oh, come on.” Nathaniel smirked, his aura playful. “I can see you waffling, but it’ll be fun. And I promise afterward to relinquish you to your royal duties.”
A low sound came from Kole at my back, and I didn’t know if it was from Nathaniel’s continual flirting or if being outside would make his job harder.
I wanted to seek his counsel, but I also knew that would be strange. Royal princesses didn’t turn to their Imperial Warriors for guidance, at least, not in public. Or did they? Truthfully, I had no idea. This entire role was still too new to me.
I gave Kole a small smile, but his attention stayed focused on Nathaniel. His blue eyes blazed, his face a mask of stone, and as he’d been most of the night, the warrior’s aura ran high.
I wanted to lay my hand on his arm and tell him to drag me away, but such wasn’t my life now. I had to face the reality that I was a princess, and things were expected of me.
Sighing, I finally replied, “I suppose one jaunt through the maze can’t hurt, but then I really should return to the ball and find my parents. I still need to meet some family members.”