Chapter 17 #2
I didn't feel any differently toward him, even with this strange tattoo etched on my skin.
The hate didn’t diminish. It was simmering under the surface, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Nustul took Kane's attention for most of the night, along with the dancing fae and nobles.
I sat quietly, sipping the wine, but not too much. I didn't want to be in a drunken stupor tonight.
Every so often, I would glance over at Kane, wondering what was going through his mind. Did he loathe what was going to happen tonight? He’d shown no interest in me at all. Having him want me would make things more awkward, but knowing he found me disgusting made it so much worse.
It doesn’t matter. None of this does.
This isn’t my home.
It can’t be.
The spindle fae left, taking the lighter melody with them. The dancing fauns had pulled more guests into the center of the room as the music shifted into a deep, primal beat that made my head swim.
Fauns with baby’s breath wreaths on their heads and cymbals in their hands danced between the tables, stomping their hooves and making various fae clap and spin with them.
“Your Majesty.” Gideon’s three sisters bowed before me. I nodded at them, unable to think of anything coherent.
My thoughts were a loud drum in my ears.
They continued on, then more came, each guest congratulating me.
The entire time, Kane said nothing.
Not. One. Word.
Grabbing one of the flaky potato pastries, I pulled apart the food, taking small bites and gazing at the court.
Gideon stood with Riddik, the two deep in conversation. Gideon glanced at me, giving me a smile and raising his glass. Riddik followed Gideon’s gaze and gave a slight bow.
At least I had a few friends here.
But could he be trusted?
What would he gain from overthrowing the king?
If that were even possible. If so, someone would have done it already.
Leaning back on the throne, I replayed the conversation we had earlier.
Only areas I could get into…
Kane’s hand bumped mine and I flinched.
Our arms rested on the thrones, which were so close it felt more like a joined seat. He was deep in conversation with the dwarf, laughing at something he said.
He didn’t even realize how close we were.
The deep-blue ivy design weaved around his thumb, crawling up to the nail. If you looked at our arms next to one another, the image lined up like the magic had wrapped around us in a long string.
All that magic had fed into us, yet I didn’t feel any different.
Was I supposed to?
Laughter and drinks flowed around me in a sea of unending revelry.
A brownie jumped on our table. Its long pointy ears twitched back and forth under the beige hat it wore.
It held a round, slimy green ball in its hands and chattered in weird tones.
When I didn’t respond, the chattering became louder and more incessant.
The fae bounced back and forth on bare feet, its wide-eyed yellow gaze looking too much like the bogey in the pond.
“Thank you.” Kane reached over and held out his hand.
The brownie smiled and surprise! It had pointy teeth. It dropped the round object into Kane’s hand. I cringed at the slimy thing and almost vomited when Kane tossed it into his mouth.
Satisfied, the brownie vaulted off the table and scattered back into the crowd.
“What did you just eat?” I whispered.
Kane’s face paled a bit. “It’s better if you don’t know.”
He held a fist to his mouth, burping into it, his eyes going wide, then grabbed the entire carafe of wine in front of us and guzzled it.
Wine dripped down his chin. With a deep sigh, he leaned back, closing his eyes. “It’s best to digest the egg before it hatches.”
Before I could ask any more, the master of coin approached the table holding a golden box. “If the king would allow it, I have brought a gift from the faeries of the Nightsong Jungle for the new queen.”
Kane nodded and Riddik walked around the table to my throne and kneeled.
“May I?” He held out his hand, pointing to my feet.
Unsure of what he was going to do, I grabbed the sides of my gown and held out one foot, thinking it would be better if I played along.
He opened the box, revealing a pair of ruby-red ankle boots. Tufts of white fur lined the top. Taking my foot, he removed my shoe and slipped one boot on. The soft material melded to my foot and instantly warmed my skin.
“These boots will always keep your feet warm and dry, regardless of the terrain.” He spoke in a soothing voice.
“They feel incredible,” I said as he placed the other one on. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” He glanced up at me with those golden eyes and smiled. “May they bring you comfort on the coldest days.”
Taking the box, he disappeared back into the throng of guests.
The warmth from the boots instantly sent a wave of relaxation through me.
Taking his place, the three pixies fluttered over to the table.
“Your Majesty,” the three said in unison, which was surprising. Olivia disliked me, but it seemed she would at least be cordial.
Anna fluttered forward holding a leather bracelet with three colored stones. “A gift for our new queen.”
“What is it?” Leaning forward, I examined the bracelet. The color of each stone sparkled.
“Each stone contains a powerful pixie dust.” She placed the bracelet on the table in front of me. “The gray, bone dust, turning anything to stone. The cerulean, renewing dust, which will heal any ailment, and finally, the carnelian, which will create fire.”
“How does it work?” I asked, mesmerized by the powerful gift.
Ella came forward. “Say the word exsolvo while touching the stone you wish to use. It will come out and then press it against whatever you wish for it to affect.”
Glancing at Kane, I caught a hint of a smile on his lips. It was the kind of smile not meant for everyone, amused and unexpectedly warm.
“That is a noble gift,” he said to the pixies.
They dipped their heads in unison, wings shimmering rainbow-colored dust around them. Then they flew back into the throng of guests, leaving a glittering trail in their wake.
After picking up the bracelet, I placed it on my left wrist and tried to clasp the ends together. My fingers trembled, the day’s events wearing me down.
“Here, let me.” Kane reached out before I could stop him, his touch gentle but unhesitating. He closed the intricate clasp with ease. “A gift from a pixie should be treasured.”
“Does that mean they don’t hate me?” I asked, only half joking.
His hand lingered on my wrist as he thumbed the floral design etched into the leather. The contact sent a strange tingle through my arm.
“It’s not in a pixie’s nature to hate—dislike, annoy, sure, but they seldom hate.” Leaning back in his chair, he picked up his goblet. “Those are powerful dusts they gave you. Try not to use the bone dust tonight.”
My cheeks heated at the joke.
Right, in a few hours, we would be in bed together, solidifying our union. I had been trying to ignore that minor detail as best I could.
Kane eyed me with a slight smirk on his lips. His amber gaze heated as he sipped from the goblet. The intensity of his gaze made me twist in my seat, and I instinctively rubbed my cheek, covering the bottom portion of the star-shaped birthmark.
“Don’t.” His voice dropped an octave, rough and gravelly, as he reached out and brushed my hand away.
I froze. “Don’t do what?”
His brows drew together, and he leaned closer, the distance between us evaporating. My skin prickled with awareness.
“That’s my favorite part of your face,” he said quietly. “I’d prefer if you stop trying to hide it.”
“Wh-what?” I stammered, my chest tightening.
He can’t be serious……can he?
But there was no lie in his eyes. He truly meant what he said, but why? How could that be his favorite part? I had to know.
Before I could ask the question, Renna slammed three massive dead rabbits onto the table with a heavy thunk.
I yelped and nearly jumped out of my seat, my conversation with Kane coming to a startling halt, causing the nearest fae to chuckle.
“Wild jack rabbits from the Decari Forest. A fine gift from our Master of Hunt.” Kane didn’t even flinch. He waved to Gitz, who immediately stepped forward and collected the ring holding the animals. “Have our chef prepare a soup for tomorrow with these. Thank you, Renna.”
The fae huntress gave a curt nod and disappeared without a word.
“She’s a bit abrasive,” Kane said, leaning toward me, his voice dropping to a more private tone again. “But she can track anything.”
“Is that how you found me?”
We stared at one another. All this time and the two of us had never talked about this.
“No,” he said after a long pause. “Not even Renna knew where you had gone.”
“How, then? Did you do something to my grandfather?” My voice came out sharper than I intended.
Kane must’ve heard it too, because he placed his hand over mine. Not commanding or possessive. Just steady. Solid.
“The dryads found you. As far as I know, your grandfather never spoke a word of what happened to you, only that you ran away and he didn’t stop you.”
Grandfather… One day I will see you again.
I think I’ve had enough for now. This is too much.
I pulled away from Kane and pressed two fingers to my chest. Liora appeared almost instantly from the crowd.
“Your Majesty,” I said, turning to Kane.
He relaxed back on his throne, the carafe still in his hand. He arched an eyebrow at me. It was the first time I had regarded him by his rightful title.
“I would like to retire for a little before…” My voice faded as heat crawled up my neck.
I didn’t need to finish the sentence.
His smirk softened into something unreadable, and he gave a small nod.
I stood, and the revelry stopped for a moment as fae stumbled to stand with me. “Thank you all. I'm going to retire for a bit.”
“Rest up before the king keeps you up all night!” the dwarf yelled, laughter causing the surrounding fae to join him.
I quickly dashed behind Liora, leaving the banquet hall, my chest tight with fear.
How was I supposed to lie with the fae who murdered my husband?