Chapter 27 #2
He watched me, his eyes hooded, then he slowly withdrew his touch.
My core clenched since I knew exactly where his thoughts had turned, and since we’d been holed up in the libraries from sunup to sundown, we hadn’t had time for many activities, yet Kole had started doing those fleeting gestures regularly.
Little caresses. Subtle touches. Just enough contact to let me know what he was thinking about without enacting the Council’s magic.
Clearing my throat, I straightened and tried to push down the surge of want that coursed through me.
A slight smile lifted the warrior’s lips, and I had no doubt his scent sensory affinity had picked up on my arousal, which was making it even harder to concentrate, but I forced myself to stare at my book.
But just as I began to read the full chapter that Ree had discovered, an idea hit me.
I cocked my head. “I wonder if we should ask Lordling Ryderdim about this? Nathaniel had mentioned that his particular area of expertise is in celestial magic, which by definition includes the gods and goddesses who live among the stars.”
The aura around Kole shifted. “You want to see Lordling Ryderdim?”
I bit back a smile at his irritated tone. He’d all but admitted to being jealous of the young lordling after my introductory ball. “Yes, but only to pick his brain. Maybe he’ll know more about the God of Night and Goddess of Light. With any luck, he’ll be able to tell us something useful.”
Ree slapped her book closed. “Great idea! I wouldn’t mind getting out for some fresh air. Does he live far?”
Kole gave her a baleful look, and I tried to hide my amusement, but a smile still streaked across my face. “No, he’s not far. He’s in one of the ten Houses just north of here.”
“One of the ten Houses.” Ree shook her head, her eyes twinkling. “Of course, he is.” She jumped to her feet, and the fae near us breathed a sigh of relief, likely since they’d overheard us say that we were leaving.
Bowing, Ree said teasingly, “After you, Your Royal Highness.”
Since I used every opportunity available to practice my mistphasing, I mistphased all three of us to Lordling Ryderdim’s house using the address as my landing point.
Mistphasing with others was still new to me, but luckily, we rematerialized just outside of the sprawling Ryderdim Estate, and Ree let out a whoop of delight.
“Stars, Prim, that’s amazing that you’ve learned that.” She swayed slightly, and her red hair flew in the air around her, but despite the nausea she was likely feeling, she still grinned.
I snorted a laugh and squeezed her hand, then gazed at where I’d taken us.
The Ryderdim Estate was exactly as I’d imagined it would be. Lush lawns, elegant fountains, and beautiful gardens stretched across their property.
Farther up the winding road, other House estates waited, both House Torleaf and House Messepire within view.
The guards bowed at me, then opened the gates. We strode up the wide drive to the steps to the Ryderdim’s house, and when the door opened, and I introduced myself, the wildling staff member ushered the three of us to a large sitting chambers.
“I shall fetch Lordling Nathaniel as requested.” The wildling bowed at the doorway, then promptly closed it on his way out. The only sound in the room was a clock, hanging near the window, that chimed quietly as we waited.
Ree and I sat on a large sofa, but Kole stayed standing as his attention continually moved around. He was the portrait of a dutiful warrior, and it was hard not to admire the width of his shoulders as he assessed the beautiful artwork on the walls.
“I wonder how long we’ll have here,” I said quietly.
Ree frowned. “Why? Is there somewhere you need to be?”
“No, on the contrary. I’m not sure how long they’ll allow me to stay.
” I explained Lady Ryderdim’s disdain of me and recited her scathing words from the other week, forbidding me to befriend her grandson.
It was impossible to forget them, but if she objected to our visit, I planned to tell her we weren’t here for a social call but rather to gain information for the crown.
With any luck, she wouldn’t draw objection to that.
By the time I finished explaining, Ree looked appalled, and a chuff came from Kole.
“The lady of this House is a fool to act as though you’re something to fear,” he said in a cold tone.
Ree nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”
I shrugged, then sighed. “Even so, she’s forbidden Nathaniel to befriend me.”
“But we’re not here to make friends with Nathaniel,” Ree replied, and a hint of annoyance filled her tone, “and if his grandmother needs reminding of that, I’d be more than happy to tell her.”
I bit back a smile because Ree had never been one to back down from a fight, but something told me Lady Ryderdim wouldn’t either. I could only imagine the war of words that would ensue if those two got into it.
I rubbed against her shoulder. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Kole stiffened, his attention shifting to the door as his nostrils flared slightly in an inhale. Not even a second later, the door opened.
Nathaniel glided into the room, a smile on his face and his aura brimming. Black hair covered his head, and he wore pressed slacks and a thin crimson sweater. He looked every bit the picture of wealth and privilege.
“Princess Primelle! What a pleasure to see you. I could barely believe it when my staff told me you were here for a visit.” He strode across the room and held his hands out.
I stood and took his outstretched hands, and when the young lordling leaned in to kiss my cheek, Kole’s mouth pinched.
“Thank you so much for seeing us.” I gestured to Ree. “This is a longtime friend of mine, Harrietta Blackthorn, and you remember my Imperial Warrior, Kole.”
Nathaniel barely looked at Kole, but he took Ree’s hands too and made a show of kissing her as well. From the wall, Kole rolled his eyes, and it was such an unusual response from him that I almost laughed.
I feigned a cough to cover it up and said, “I appreciate you taking the time to see us.”
“Of course, I’m always happy to see you.” Nathaniel gestured to the sofa, so we sat, and he lowered himself on a chair across from us. “What can I do for you?”
I beamed at him. “I was hoping I could take you up on your offer to discuss celestial magic more.”
A look of confusion descended over his face, but then he snapped his fingers.
“Ah, yes, I told you at your introductory ball that you should stop by to discuss my particular area of scholarly research. Brilliant! I’m delighted that you remembered.
” He straightened in his seat, and his eyes lit up with excitement.
“Indeed, and specifically, I was hoping to see if you knew anything about the gods and goddesses in our realm?”
“Of course, which gods are you curious about? They go hand in hand with celestial magic since our universe’s magic is derived from the stars.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” From my bag, I withdrew the book that held the findings Ree had discovered that morning and showed it to Nathaniel. “Do you by chance know anything about this ancient lore?”
He skimmed the text, his eyebrows drawing together. “Interesting. The God of Night and Goddess of Light are not well-known gods, and few fae speak of them.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because unlike some of the other gods in our realm, they disappeared from our lives centuries ago, although, some say the God of Night walked this land briefly, but it was so many millennia ago that it’s never been proven.”
I pointed at the paragraph that spoke of the dark creatures. “And what do you make of this information?”
He read it again. “Honestly? I’m not entirely sure. This particular lore isn’t one I’m familiar with, but I could make a few inquiries if you’d like to gather more information. One of my colleagues in Ironcrest is likely more knowledgeable about these particular gods.”
I grinned. “Would you? That would be so very helpful.”
He laughed. “Consider it done, because when you look at me like that, I couldn’t refuse you anything you asked.”
My cheeks warmed, and at the wall, Kole’s aura began to pound. Deciding not to press my luck, I stood. “Thank you, Nathaniel. We won’t take up any more of your time, and I would hate to get you in trouble with your grandmother by my being here, so we’ll be off.”
Nathaniel waved his hand. “Don’t worry about her. She liked you initially, and I have no doubt in a few centuries that she’ll return to that opinion.”
Ree’s eyebrows shot up.
I groaned. “A few centuries?”
Nathaniel shrugged. “My grandmother’s not one to change her mind quickly, but again, she liked you initially, and I’ll work to remind her of that.”
I thanked him again since I needed all of the help I could get. Tomorrow was the king’s council meeting, which his grandmother would be attending, and after that, it was Koraline’s betrothal ball.
I wouldn’t be able to visit any of the libraries tomorrow since I had to attend both events.
Nathaniel walked with us back to the front door and promised to let me know as soon as he had more information, so we left his house and headed back toward the central districts.
Since evening was nearing, and I had to wake up early for the council meeting in the morning, we decided to call it a day.
After picking up Siam from Gwenery and visiting with her and Timith for a few minutes, we mistphased Ree and her son back to their home, then Kole and I returned to the palace.
“Would you like me to send a dillemsill to Master Fistideeous?” Kole offered.
We’d returned to my wing, and Betsee was already there, setting out my gown for the morning and asking me what jewelry I wanted to wear.
I nodded, and it took everything in me not to clasp his hands, but Betsee was just across the room and easily able to see all of our interactions. “Would you please? I have a feeling the next few days are going to be busy.”
“Of course.” Kole’s eyes gleamed. “It’s my pleasure to serve you, Princess.”
And once again, that strange thing fluttered in my chest anew.