Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Kole arched an eyebrow at me the following morning. “I’ve heard that your parents are allowing you to begin researching.”
Nodding, I replied, “They are. I was hoping to begin today and see Ree too.”
He canted his head. “Actually, I had something planned first, if that’s okay with you.”
“Oh? What did you have in mind?”
He cupped the back of his neck, and his aura spiked. “Well, I was hoping it would be a surprise.”
“A surprise?” I raised my eyebrows and eyed him playfully. “I adore surprises.”
His lips kicked up. “Something told me you might.”
I looked at Kole expectantly. “Well, what is it?”
He chuckled softly. “Tell me, Princess, have you ever been to the Solis continent?”
My jaw dropped. “No, are you taking me to see your childhood home? Or to meet your family?”
Kole laughed, truly laughed. “No, not today. What I had planned is more of an activity, and given its importance, your parents allowed it as long as we’re back by your newly imposed curfew.”
Despite my confusion, anticipation began to dance within me. “Now I’m really intrigued.”
He grinned and took my hand. “We have to mistphase to get there, obviously. Ready?”
I laughed. “I think so?”
In a flash of magic, Kole mistphased us, and we reappeared in a wide stone walkway.
Above, a tall ceiling rimmed with frosted glass windows soared, and several fae nearby bustled about.
Wings graced all of their backs, silver or white hair colored everyone’s heads, and each fairy wore servant’s attire.
Many carried baskets of linens and cleaning charms, and pleasant aromas of freshly cooked foods and searing meats floated through the air.
I slowly spun around and took everything in. It appeared we were in another palace or castle, probably near a kitchen, given the mouthwatering smells, and a quick peek out one of the lower windows confirmed we were definitely on the Solis continent.
Not only did everyone have wings, but snow, frost, and ice covered the landscape, and in the sky, hundreds of Solis fae flew through the air, carrying on with their northern life, none the wiser that a princess from a foreign kingdom had just reached their shores.
But I still had no idea what city we were in or whose castle we’d mistphased to.
A smile danced across my face as I peered up at Kole. “Where are we?”
Kole watched me, his lips curving. “Solisarium, the capital of the Solis continent in Prinavee Territory. I was granted permission by a friend to mistphase here, which allowed us to bypass their wards. He’s been quite helpful with my surprise.”
“A friend of yours? Is it someone you grew up with?”
“He is. We attended the Academy of Solisarium together many summers ago, and even though we don’t often see each other now, we’ve kept in touch.”
I wanted to ask more, but I grew distracted again by the passing fae.
Each servant who hurried by gave us a wide berth, and most immediately began to whisper.
I wasn’t surprised. Given our coloring and lack of wings, it was obvious we were foreigners.
And on top of that, we’d mistphased into a hallway that was apparently warded off to other outsiders.
Despite the staff’s suspicious glances, I was still enjoying my surprise. I hadn’t met many Solis fae in my life, but all of them had similar startling, vibrant blue eyes like Kole.
I gave Kole an impish look and pinched him playfully. “So are you going to tell me more? Or are we to stand in this hallway all day?”
Before he could answer, an enthusiastic-sounding male exclaimed from down the hall, “Ah, there he is! The dastardly male who I love so much!”
A male I’d never met before sauntered toward us. He was beaming and staring directly at Kole. Like so many other fae here, he had silver hair, black leathery wings, and vivid blue eyes.
But unlike the serving staff who continually passed us, this male wore expensive looking and stylish clothing. His tunic, crafted from fine cobalt-blue wool, reeked of wealth. And his breeches were so black they shone as dark as night.
When he reached us, I had to tilt my chin back. He was almost as tall as Kole, was equally broad, and his face was ruggedly handsome. Tall black wings rose from his back, and I had to make myself not stare at them.
“Old friend!” The male clapped Kole on the back, then pulled him into a hug, and the fact that Kole let himself be hugged, and even hugged the male in return, had my eyes widening in delight.
When they finally pulled apart, the male looked down at me, and he arched an eyebrow as a smile curved his lips.
“And who is this stunning creature you’ve brought along?
” He clasped my hand and brought the back of it to his lips.
All the while, his gaze raked over me, stopping momentarily at my breasts, their size evident in my dress.
“Stunning indeed,” he said with gusto, and his kiss lingered on the back of my hand.
Kole nudged him. “Don’t be getting any ideas, Nuwin. She’s mine.”
My insides fluttered at Kole’s possessive tone, and after his lingering kiss, the male drew back.
Nuwin lifted his eyebrows in surprise, his face the portrait of innocence. “Get any ideas? Whatever do you take me for?”
Kole snorted a laugh. “Oh, I think we both know exactly what to take you for. I remember our younger days all too clearly.”
Nuwin waggled his eyebrows. “T’was fun, was it not? So many females attended our academy, but alas, there was only so much time to enjoy them all.”
My eyebrows shot up, and Kole placed his hand on my lower back, his expression instantly serious. “Nuwin enjoyed his fill, but I didn’t.”
Cheeks heating in embarrassment, I smoothed whatever jealous expression I wore, and Nuwin barked out a laugh.
“Oh my, I can see you have it bad if you’re trying to reassure her that you only have eyes for her now.” The Solis male grinned, and his aura was so playful and infectious that I couldn’t help but laugh.
Nuwin beamed. “And without further ado, I should properly introduce myself.” He brought a fist to his chest and bowed.
“Prince Nuwin Achul, at your service.” He straightened and relaxed his fist. “I could go on and on and give you the multiple names I was born with, along with all of those ridiculous titles that go behind it, but I’ll spare you from the boredom. Please, just call me Nuwin.”
I cocked my head in curiosity. “You’re a royal? Does that mean we’re in the royal’s castle?”
Kole inclined his head. “It does.”
Composing myself, I replied happily to Nuwin, “I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Nuwin. I’m Princess Primelle Manafold of Mistvale Kingdom on the Silten continent, and I’ll also spare you from my many names.”
Nuwin’s eyes lit up, and he slugged Kole in the shoulder. “Well done, old chap. You’ve landed yourself not only an absolutely ravishing female but a princess on top of it.”
Kole gave him a flat look, but his eyes danced with amusement. “She’s not officially mine. We’ve had to keep our relationship a secret since I’m technically her assigned Imperial Warrior.”
Nuwin gaped, then clapped his hands. “Truly? A forbidden relationship? You do realize I’m going to need all of the juicy details before you leave. There’s nothing I love more than a secretive tryst. It does make the relations rather exciting, if you know what I mean.” He waggled his eyebrows.
I burst out laughing, but Kole just rolled his eyes.
Nuwin sighed. “Ah, dearest Kole. You so remind me of my brother with your broody seriousness. I think that’s why I always liked you so much.
But as for you . . .” Nuwin slung an arm around my shoulders, and the Solis prince leaned down and whispered in my ear, “Did he warn you that I love riling up my dearest friends? What do you say that we have some fun and provoke him a bit?” He kissed me softly on the neck, taking me completely by surprise, then pulled his arm back.
Kole’s nostrils flared, and he growled at Nuwin, “Don’t think I won’t take you down if you touch her. And for the love of all the gods, don’t kiss her. If you do that again, I’ll flatten you completely.”
Nuwin threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, how wonderful. Today is going to be so much fun!”
Nuwin gave us a quick tour of the wing we’d traveled to, which he explained was the south wing of the royal’s castle, and the entire time he walked closely beside me, brushing against me often, and seemed to find complete delight in Kole’s every growl or word of warning.
After the tour finished, we returned to the hallway that Kole had originally landed in.
Despite his provocations, and the fact that I still had no idea why we were here, I couldn’t help but enjoy the prince. Even though he did his best to irritate Kole, I could tell that Kole cared for the prince despite his mischievous caresses.
“Well, now that I’ve thoroughly and completely ruffled Kole’s feathers”—Nuwin nodded toward a set of tall closed doors—“I suppose it’s only fitting that we actually partake in the activity that you came here for today.”
I turned to Kole. “Why are we here?”
Kole’s lips curved. “I haven’t forgotten the plan we agreed on, Princess.”
He didn’t elaborate beyond those cryptic words, and Nuwin opened the set of massive doors with a flourish, then gestured for me to go ahead of him. “Ladies first.”
I did as he said, and the second I crossed over the threshold, the feel of a ward tingled against my skin, and thick magic washed over me.
On the other side of it, my lips parted. Before me lay a monstrously sized room. Gray rock walls, incredibly tall, rose at least a hundred feet to the soaring ceiling. And at the very top of them, large windows let the wintry sunlight stream in.
Across from us, on the far wall, rows of weapons waited. There were so many weapons, my eyebrows rose, and beside that was a rather impressive bookshelf with dozens of textbooks. My scholarly mind itched to pull a few out, but I managed to restrain myself.