Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
FYN
Human wine was almost as bad as their food.
Weak and tasteless.
It would probably take me at least eight glasses to feel the edge lifted. But if I was wrong with that guess, then the entire court would have a show that rivaled Ashlyn’s.
I laughed to myself.
“Is something funny?” An older lord seated near laid the white cloth over his lap.
Not even the wine made this party interesting. After I took the next sip, I shook my head.
“The prince seemed taken with her,” the lady beside him said.
“It seems that way.” I was grateful I didn’t possess Ashlyn’s magic.
“Do you expect they’ll wed soon, my lord?” She leaned in toward the man beside her.
“Prince Kilan seems certain of it.” The lord dug his fork into his food.
“I assume the fae would be glad to see her back in our realm,” the woman said.
“Our king and queen only wish for her happiness.” I wiped a drop of wine from my lips on the white napkin, staining it.
The woman eyed the cloth in my hands. I was probably not supposed to do that. They also stared when I had someone fill my wine glass for the third time.
“It’s best to pace yourself, Lord Chancellor.” The lord acted as if he were saving my worth by uttering it to me. “Lords do not indulge themselves in the open.”
Apparently, if we weren’t in the open, it would be okay. “I never drink more than I can handle.”
That was mostly true. There had been a few occasions where I indulged a bit too much.
They talked to me as if I didn’t know how to do most things. I was truly surprised I was allowed to dress myself to come here.
Soren sat too close to Ashlyn. She didn’t pull away from him.
If I could have wiped that arrogant look off his face, I would have. Years of logistics and trade work had told me that wasn’t the wisest choice.
Maybe I had spent too much time being wise.
The way he spoke of magic clawed at me—not because I cared what the people of Estlen thought of my kind, but because I knew she possessed it.
And what would happen if he knew?
Her secret was one I was prepared to die with. No man could sever it from me.
But magic was unpredictable, and hers had only just manifested. There was no telling what it would do.
I hadn’t known how much they hated it until after I arrived. If I had, I’d never have agreed to take her here.
She deserved to know, even if that changed nothing.
Ashlyn gave me fleeting moments of hope before she’d yank them away.
She would never choose me. I was everything she desperately wanted to flee.
“Lord Fyn, when do you plan to return to Lythira?” A lady from down the table pulled back a lock of her hair when it swung over her shoulder. “Certainly, you will stay to see them wed.”
It wasn’t something I wished to endure. “King Lioran will expect me to return to my station soon. Once everything is agreed upon, I will return.”
“What a shame. The wedding is to be most magnificent,” the lady said. “Princess Ashlyn will make a lovely bride.”
“I have no doubt she will.” I couldn’t stay and watch. It had already grown too painful.
When the music began, Soren led her onto the dance floor. She flinched more than once as she took her place beside him.
He was lying to her.
When she forced her laughter, I studied it. I never wanted to forget how her nose crinkled, or the melodious sound that rose from her.
I rose from my spot and walked closer to the dance floor.
The court watched her with great admiration. The ladies all spoke of how beautifully dressed she was—how stunning her hair was.
She was someone to them. It didn’t matter that they didn’t know her.
I missed our training sessions back in Nythrel. The way she’d push me to strike her sword harder when I held back. I’d teased her endlessly and she’d only bite back.
No one spoke to me that way before. I expected I’d never find anyone else who would.
When the song ended, he held his hand out to her.
Her eyes met mine for a mere moment as he led her toward me.
“Lord Fyn, I insist you dance with Princess Ashlyn.” Soren wasn’t smiling when he said it.
“He’s a terrible dancer,” Ashlyn said.
“Then we shall all be most amused.” Soren leaned in and whispered to her.
Something unsettling shone in her gaze.
“She’s right. Maybe it’s better if you dance with her.” I didn’t want to either.
“I simply insist.” Soren held her hand in front of me.
The heat of her palm met mine as I guided her onto the dance floor.
“What was that about?” I whispered as her hand rested on my shoulder.
She watched him as he moved through the crowd. “I don’t know.”
“What did he say?” I swept her sideways.
“That it seemed like there was another reason I didn’t want to dance with you.” She kept her voice low. It drifted in and out of the music.
“And is there?” My hand fell to her waist with each next step.
She was right. I was terrible at it. I led her in the wrong direction more than once.
“I don’t wish to answer that.”
“If I ever meant anything to you—as a friend or even someone you barely tolerated—then you’d tell me. I know you wouldn’t let me leave here not knowing.” They were dangerous words.
“He is watching every move I make.” Her eyes peered up into mine.
“Then act annoyed with me,” I said. “Act like you can’t stand to dance with me.”
It was an easy request when dancing with a fae who barely knew how to dance at all. The human dances had far too many steps.
The next move had me pulling her even closer. “Tell me.”
“Not here.” Her eyes watered.
She was right. She was a terrible actor.
“A home in the woods,” she said. “Like the one your parents have.”
“Excuse me?” I spun her as the music quickened.
“You asked me what I wished.” Her hand quaked in mine. “A quiet place of my own away from court. A place where no one would stare at me.”
“I rather thought you liked being stared at here.” I nearly tripped over her feet as I turned again.
She couldn’t have truly wanted that. “My mother has barely any staff. It is not as luxurious as it may appear.”
“No one tended to me in Aelira and Lioran’s castle. I thought I missed it, but I was mistaken.”
“And what would you do there?”
She looked up into my eyes. “Live a quiet life. Read…”
It sounded like everything I wished I could give her. “You enjoy reading?” I tried to dull the way I looked at her, to peer at everyone around the room, but her. It was an impossible feat.
“I do. It’s been far too long since I’ve lost myself in a book.”
“So a home in the woods, in the human realm? I’m not sure the prince will agree to that. Most husbands would wish for their wives to be close.” As the music grew louder, I couldn’t look away from her.
I was a fool for clinging to hope I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t stop myself.