Chapter 20
That night, I meet Koa in the foyer of the castle: the beginning and end of each date I’ve been on so far.
I’m wearing a simple pleated black dress, the neckline resting just above my collarbones.
Nora styled my hair into a half-up, half-down look, with a messy bun holding up the top half of my hair. Loose curls fall on my shoulders.
Koa wears navy blue trousers and a white fitted long-sleeve shirt, showing off the outlines of his chest and biceps beautifully. The simplicity of the outfit, in combination with his dark brown hair, makes his emerald eyes pop.
Of course, he bows when he sees me. I roll my eyes, but he doesn’t notice. He stands, his eyes raking down my body, and says, “Your Highness, you look stunning tonight.”
“Thank you, Koa. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
He holds out his left hand and I take it in mine. His hand dwarfs mine, and some animalistic part of me thrills at it.
“Do you know the way to the library?” I ask him, surprised when he heads in the right direction.
“Someone might have shown me the way earlier.” His grin is mischievous.
When we get to the library, I hesitate before opening the door. “Something’s wrong,” I say, noting the dark interior. There’s always at least one light on inside.
Koa ignores my warning and opens the doors. He steps inside and unfurls his palm.
His magic lights up the entire room. There are candles everywhere.
They litter the bookshelves, side tables, and even the floor.
My eyes catch on the oversized table in the center of the library.
Candles are set in iron candelabras that run down the table.
Shades of pink rose petals have been tastefully arranged on the top.
Champagne sits in an ice bucket on the table, and a plush blanket is on the floor by the open wall, completed by two large, equally plush pillows.
I catch Koa’s eye and raise one eyebrow.
He laughs and says, “I can see what you’re thinking, and that’s not what that’s for.” He points to a small device that I hadn’t noticed before. “That will project recordings of plays. I have my favorite recording on that one for us to watch tonight.”
“You set all of this up?” I ask in disbelief.
“Of course,” he says simply.
“I thought Ivan or someone else from my court was setting up these dates.”
“No,” he says, shaking his head. “Ivan gave us some ideas, but we were given the liberty of choosing the details if we wanted to. I think everyone chose to.”
My jaw drops. That means Marik set up that whole date, and I didn’t thank him for it. August’s was easy. All he had to do was bring a picnic basket. What Koa has done, though, with this space…this must have taken some time, setting out each candle, arranging the rose petals. It’s beautiful.
I swallow, surprised by the sudden swell of emotion I feel toward Koa. “Koa, this must have taken you forever to do.”
He shrugs. “I wanted to surprise you,” he says shyly.
And damn, if my heart doesn’t skip a beat.
“It’s beautiful.” I turn to him, reach up, and plant a soft kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”
He nods, avoiding my gaze, but gestures toward the table.
“You have two options. We can sit at the table, drink and eat, then watch the play. Or we can sit on the blanket, drink, eat, and watch the play. Or no play. I have no idea if you even like the theater. I guess that’s three options.
” He shifts on his feet, his gaze focused on the ground.
I opt to sit on the blanket for now, grabbing a bottle of champagne on the way over.
Koa follows behind me, joining me on the blanket.
I pop my shoes off before crossing my legs in front of me.
Koa pops the champagne bottle, the sound echoing through the library, and fills a champagne flute before handing it to me.
He lays down on the blanket, his torso twisted to one side as he faces me, leaning his weight onto one elbow.
I take a drink and say, “Ask me a question.”
“What kind of a question?”
“Anything,” I say. “Don’t you want to ask all of your burning questions to decide if you want to marry me in, like, a week?”
He laughs and says, “You’re the most interesting High Queen I’ve ever met.”
“Not a question. Besides, haven’t you only met one?” I ask, stretching my long legs out, my bare feet just grazing his knees. He eyes my legs but pulls his gaze back to mine before they can rove all the way up.
A gentleman, then.
“Well, Etta and I had met before. Still, you’re more interesting, but not in a bad way. It’s refreshing. It feels like you’re a friend.”
“I know what you mean. I feel that way with you guys now. I’m more comfortable around all of you.” Asmo excluded.
He frowns slightly. “You should still be on your guard, Mae.”
The reminder is needed but unwanted if I’m being honest. It’s terrifying to think that any of the High Princes would wish me harm, especially as I’ve gotten to know them more.
I change the topic, instead opting to ask something I wanted to earlier when I saw him with the other two princes. “Well, if you’re not going to ask me a question, can I ask you a question about your little ‘support group?’”
“Of course,” he says.
“Why weren’t Asmo or Marik there? Are you guys not friends with them?”
“You noticed that,” he says, a nonanswer.
“Well, yeah. You said that you all band together as the princes of the kingdom, but they’re also princes, so I’d assume you all would be friends with them, too.”
He grabs a champagne flute and fills it to the brim, then takes a swig.
“They’re kind of closed off from the rest of us.
They’ve never shown an interest in getting to know us.
When I was younger, my parents would take my sister and me to visit the other High Houses.
When we did, we’d play with whatever prince or princess was around.
That’s how we’re so close with August and Barrett’s families.
But whenever we’d visit the Serpent House, Asmo and Marik were either never there or they were too busy to play.
They were always in some type of lesson or something whenever we asked.
Barrett, August, and I have all maintained our relationships over the years, but Asmo and Marik just never initiated one with any of us. We’re cordial but not friends.”
“Do you think it’s safe to trust August and Barrett?” I ask.
He hesitates.
I’ve been searching for truths this whole time with my magic. It’s become like a second sense, no longer something I have to actively think about doing.
“I’m not saying that necessarily.” He hesitates again, struggling for the right words.
“I warn you to be on your guard because you should be. August and Barrett are great males, and I would trust them with my life, but I don’t want to tell you to trust them absolutely because they’re still princes who stand to gain a lot from marrying you.
I don’t even know if trust is the right word here.
Just be careful. Your heart is a valuable thing, and it shouldn’t be lost in this process. ”
His words soften something in me. I feel like he’s been looking out for my best interest since the first night, and that goes a long way with me. I’m still wildly out of my element in this environment, and I could use another person looking out for me, especially someone who isn’t from my court.
“Thanks, Koa. That means a lot,” I say, reaching across the blanket to hold his hand. He takes it in his and strokes his thumb across the back of my hand.
“I’m also not saying to not trust Asmo and Marik. I just don’t know them. They keep to themselves, but they could be great males, too.” He shrugs.
I nod but don’t respond to that. I think I’m starting to get feelings for each of the princes, and I don’t want to talk about them around each other if I can avoid it.
“Tell me about your family,” I say instead.
He sucks in a breath. “Jumping right into it, huh?”
“No time to waste,” I say, raising an eyebrow at him.
“Good point.” He downs the rest of his champagne. “I love my family, but my sister and I had a rough childhood if I’m being honest. She blames my parents for everything that’s wrong with her, but I’m thankful for the choices my parents made with us.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s brutal growing up in this kingdom.
My parents made sure I was prepared. They were very rigorous about starting my training at a young age and fostering my skills.
I can protect my court. That’s something I’m proud of.
That’s something they gave me. She doesn’t see it that way, so we butt heads a lot. ”
“Did your sister have to go through that, too?”
He shakes his head. “The princesses aren’t expected to be rulers. The princes are. Whether it’s the King of their court or the High King, we’re expected to rule, and we need to be both physically and mentally strong to do so.”
“So, forget about us then,” I say, rolling my eyes.
He holds his hands up. “I’m not saying it’s right.
But that’s how it is. I think having a strong female as a ruler would do our kingdom some good.
Forgive me if this sounds harsh…Queen Adelaide was very sweet, but she didn’t contribute much to the kingdom.
King Silas was the ruler, and she wasn’t involved in much. ”
“I don’t want to be like that. I want to have a say.”
He nods and says, “I think this courting process sets you up to do just that. This is a huge decision, and it starts you off in control. I think you could change the way our kingdom is ruled.”
“You think so?” I ask skeptically.
He nods again and says, “I do. You’re already a strong personality.
I can tell you’re strong-willed and smart.
You’re outspoken and not afraid to be yourself.
Most of us aren’t like that to people we’ve just met.
Don’t change that. Don’t change who you are to impress anyone. You’re already impressive.”