Chapter 2
Chapter two
Zara
“Don’t say anything to Alix about what just happened.” I whisper to Emlyn just before we’re greeted at the gates by a tall Fae soldier.
He extends his sword at waist level, blocking our path. His golden metal breast plate gleams in the setting sun, momentarily blinding me with its glare. The soldier steps in front of us, one hand on his hip like a worried parent when their child is out past curfew.
My shoulders slump. “What is it, Alix? Yes, we were out, and no, we didn’t tell you.
Can we please skip the part where you lecture me about leaving the court without you or another guard?
” I cross my arms over my chest like the spoiled child I am, trying to keep a straight face, but Emlyn’s feeble attempt to hide her amusement beside me makes it nearly impossible. I elbow her in the ribs.
“Ouch.” She rubs her side. “Seriously, Alix, we just went for a quick run.” She gestures to me and to herself with a sweeping motion of her hand. “And see? We’re both unscathed and made it home safely.”
I shoot a sideways glance in her direction. I did nearly fall to my death and had a run in with a monster—but he doesn’t need to know the details.
Alix remains silent and mimics my pose, his arms crossed and one eyebrow raised high.
He eyes the caked-on dirt and the wet spots marring our tunics from the snowy cliffs and forest floor.
His gaze shifts back and forth between us, a kind of stare down, with bright blue eyes that have left many females complaining of weak knees.
He clenches his jaw, then finally, he relaxes.
Somewhat. As relaxed as Alix can be as a Fae soldier whose only job is to protect the Princess of Masseda.
“I’ve gone over the importance of always taking me or another guard with you a thousand times.
Wherever you go. Especially when you leave the palace.
It’s not safe. There’s...” his voice trails off.
“There’s what?”
He works his jaw and huffs. “Nothing. It’s not safe in the Woodlands, okay?”
“What are you talking about? Masseda is literally the safest court in the realm.” I stand taller, holding my ground. But the image of the enormous beast and the strange foul odor settle like a wet blanket around my mind. My palms are slick, and I subtly wipe them on my pants.
“Can you just trust me on this?” He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, “Honestly, the thought of repeating myself yet again is exhausting. So, fine. I’ll skip the lecture.”
I grin and pat Alix on his broad shoulder. “Thank you, Alix. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“I don’t believe you, but please, please, just tell someone where you’re going.
It’s my duty to keep you safe, and you’re making it incredibly difficult.
” Alix shifts his glare to Emlyn. “I’m counting on you to not let her do anything reckless.
Don’t make me regret putting that kind of trust in you. ”
Emlyn salutes him and deepens her voice. “Yes sir, I can do that, sir.” The smirk on her full lips says otherwise.
Alix shakes his head in disapproval. “I swear I’m dealing with children. You ladies are going to get me fired. Or worse. Where were you, anyway?” He makes a pinching gesture with his forefinger and thumb. “I was this close to sending out every soldier on duty.”
I bite my lip and consider whether I should tell him the truth. If he tells my father, I’ll never be allowed to leave the palace again. “Um…just…you know, climbing the cliffs above the falls.” My voice is barely a whisper, and Alix’s eyes widen. I raise my finger. “You promised.”
His expression hardens but he emits a deep sigh.
“Come on, your father’s waiting for you in the throne room.
” I know Alix is itching to scold me, but he keeps his word and doesn’t say a thing about how foolish our actions were.
He steps aside to let us pass then escorts us across the wooden bridge toward the palace.
“You know, your reckless behavior is going to get you killed.”
He just couldn’t leave it alone.
“Okay, father.” I loop my arms through Alix’s and Emlyn’s, and he rolls his eyes as I lead them both along the bridge.
Just beyond the gate, a vast expanse of green grass welcomes us, adorned with perfectly pruned wildflowers that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Sparkling ponds featuring fountains shaped like various woodland animals dot the grounds in a circular pattern along the tall hedges that border the royal palace and the surrounding Woodlands.
I smile, inhaling the sweet scent of the vibrant tulips and peonies lining the stone paths that wind toward the arched wooden doors of the royal homestead.
Winter hasn’t yet descended from the cliffs, but in a few short months, this lush landscape will be blanketed in snow.
Emlyn and I are still arm in arm as we follow Alix through the doors and down the corridor toward the throne room.
Several courtiers gather in the halls, all lavishly dressed for the evening socials, laughing and drinking, hardly noticing me as I make my way through the crowd.
It isn’t until Alix loudly clears his throat to create a path for us that the gathered Fae abruptly stop chattering and bow low to the ground as we pass.
A female courtier wearing a deep blue gown lined in the finest velvet winks at me and subtly lifts a folded piece of parchment as I pass. “Your Highness.” I wink back and take the note. I slip it into the sleeve of my tunic and nod to her.
“Are you feeling okay, Princess?” Alix’s deep voice interrupts my daydream of tonight’s debauchery, and I realize we’re standing just outside of the throne room. He’s assessing me, an eyebrow arched as he places a hand on the door, poised and ready to hold it open for me.
“Of course,” I lie, hoping to the gods he didn’t see the exchange between me and the courtier. He would lock me in my rooms for the rest of my existence if he knew my plan to sneak out without him. Again.
I gaze at the double doors in front of me, an intricate carving of my family’s royal crest etched in the center.
My eyes trace along the wolf’s silhouette enclosed within an oval of roses and thorns and I take a step back as an older male fairy pulls the door wide, and limps out into the hallway.
Dirt and grime cover his worn tunic, and his blue hair is matted as if it hasn’t been washed in a month.
I wince. I completely forgot I was supposed to be holding an audience with the townsfolk alongside my father.
Guilt washes over me as I track the old fairy slowly shuffling toward the exit.
I should be grateful for everything I have.
I shouldn’t be out falling from cliffs or attending parties, neglecting the responsibilities Alix and my father are always trying to push onto me.
And who knows? Perhaps one day I’ll be queen and will do great things for Faedom, or whatever.
That’s what Emlyn's always preaching to me anyway.
Alix holds open the heavy door to the throne room and clears his throat again, this time directing his attention to Emlyn.
The three of us stand awkwardly in front of the doorway for a moment before Emlyn takes the hint. “Right.” She smooths the tendrils escaping from her bun. “This is where I leave you.” She squeezes my hand before vanishing into the crowd of courtiers.
Alix sweeps his arm in front of him. “Princess.”
I swallow hard and edge past him, crossing the threshold into the throne room.
The space is massive, and I’ve always found it to be a bit gaudy.
The floors are tiled from wall to wall with oversized white marble squares speckled and streaked with gold.
Marble columns are in each of the four corners of the large rectangular room and stretch from the floor to the ceiling, and the walls are painted a rose gold color that shimmers with opalescence in low lighting.
A gigantic chandelier hangs in the center of the room, directly above the dais.
The crystals on the fixture glitter from every angle, reflecting like thousands of tiny diamonds onto the walls.
The throne room is designed for hosting extravagant, crowded parties with hundreds of guests.
However, only Alix, Commander Byron of the Royal Guard, and the King and Queen Consort of Masseda are present.
I scan the room for any other townsfolk requesting an audience with my father, but there are none left. I missed the entire thing.
Now, I know I’m in trouble.
Byron leans close to the right side of my father, speaking quietly into his ear.
He sneers, a frown pulling his thin lips into a U-shape beneath his black moustache.
He stops whispering and takes his leave as I approach the thrones, Alix by my side.
Byron eyes us disapprovingly as he passes then escapes from the room.
Alix bows low to the ground when we reach my father and Elara, and I give a simple half-curtsy.
My father nods his approval, and Alix rises from the floor, before stepping about five paces behind me, keeping his gaze lowered.
I roll my eyes at the decorum. He’s so obnoxiously proper.
Sure, he isn’t a royal, but he’s practically family.
Which is why my father assigned him the lucky task of being my bodyguard.
My father trusts Alix with my life. And so do I.