Page 35 of Veil of Shadows

But even though this was the midday meal, everyone seemed more interested in littering the prince with questions and vying for his attention than enjoying the succulent food.

Everyone also peppered Jax with questions about his expected nuptials next summer, as well as his plans for the upcoming Matches. And one of the females boldly asked if he’d chosen his date yet for the upcoming Ironcrest Ball.

“No, I haven’t,” was all the prince replied to that intrusive question.

Yet several of the females seemed to take that as affirmation that Iwasn’ta true threat.

I could be his mistress, but not his date for the Ironcrest Ball. And certainly not his wife.

Yet from the occasional verbal daggers that were thrown my way, I knew that many of the females in this room wouldn’t allow me to be a mistress to the prince in any capacity, not when she became his wife at least.

It was humiliating, in a way, but I kept my posture up and made myself hold my chin high.

I ate slowly and quietly as Jax took each House in stride, dividing his attention between them and somehow managing to pacify each.

Throughout it all, it struck me again what was expected of him. Jax was the crown prince of Stonewild. He not only had a name to uphold, but he also had to ensure power stayed balanced in his kingdom. Each House wanted to be the biggest, strongest, and wealthiest, but all of them were needed to keep our society running smoothly.

Since the noble Houses owned most of the land, businesses, and farms throughout the kingdoms, squabbles among the Houses were common, and it typically fell on the throne to listen to disputes and ultimately act as the judge. And watching Jax now, I realized how much rested on his shoulders. He listened patiently to each House as they shared their woes and successes, his demeanor formal. But with how stiff his body position was, I wondered if these conversations took a toll on him.

Because the only time I’d seen Jax alive and looking free had been when he was acting as the Dark Raider.

I cocked my head as a horrid thought struck me. Perhaps I wasn’t the only one who’d been living in a cage. Because from what I was seeing, Jax was also leashed even if his chain was dipped in gold and studded with jewels.

He caught my eye just as dessert was being served, and for the briefest moment, his mask dropped. He smiled slightly, his eyes softening, and it struck me that none of these nobles knew that the eyes of the Dark Raider were peering back at them. Especially not when they revealed where their latest shipments were coming from or what the other Houses were reporting about goods arriving via the sea.

Each detail they shared gave Jax more information on where to conduct his next raid from those who’d taken more than they should or deceived the less fortunate in the process. Stonewild fae weren’t immune from his raids. Jax exacted his revenge in all of the kingdoms.

It took everything in me to keep my expression neutral when all of the Houses, tripping over themselves to win favor with their prince, spewed that information to him so easily. They had no idea that it washewho was stealing everything out from under them if he deemed their House unworthy.

And it also made me realize what a dangerous game Jax was playing. If it was ever discovered that he was the Dark Raider, I knew to the deepest part of my soul that not even his royal name would save him.

CHAPTER 11

We sailed into port after two days at sea, and the energy from my kingdom could be felt even on the open water.

A buzzing sense of excitement filled the air, wafting out to greet us the closer we got to land. The Centennial Matches were only held every hundred summers, and some fae had been training for them just as long.

Others were hoping to qualify based upon their intrinsic magic, and some tried out simply so they could boast that they had. But only those truly skilled in magic, combat, and athletic performance were allowed to compete. And while each winner of every competition was awarded medals and rulibs, it was every competitor’s dream to win the overall competition and be declared the supreme winner of the Centennial Matches. Doing so would ultimately result in receiving a noble title, a large parcel of land, and more rulibs than most fae could ever dream of.

As the royal ship drifted to shore, the wind whipped around us. On the deck beside me, Jax stood in his usual princely attire, and Alec and Trivan were dressed just as finely. Even his guards, Phillen and Lars, looked dashing.

I was similarly dressed, and a silky gown billowed around my legs as the sea air whistled through the masts. Jax had brought the dress to my chambers this morning, an apology in his eyes before he asked me to wear it.

But since I was traveling with the royal party, I wasn’t surprised by the request. I was now expected to dress the part, just as he had to.

“But I won’t force you,” Jax had added gently when he showed me the gown. “However, such formality is usually expected when meeting with the king.”

I’d taken the dress, letting the forest-green silky material slip through my fingers. Part of Jax’s royal duties included seeing King Paevin today, and if I wanted to join them, wearing anything less grand would be considered exceptionally rude.

“Of course, I’ll wear it. I would have expected nothing less.” The gown had thin shoulder straps and minimal bulk in the skirts. It wouldn’t be too hot and would be easy enough to move in. Somehow, Jax had chosen the perfect gown for me. It was regal yet comfortable and was nothing like the gowns my guardian had chosen. “Where did you get it?”

He’d raked a hand through his hair and, if I hadn’t known better, looked slightly unsure. “I had it sewn for you in Jaggedston, just the other day when you learned I was the prince. I knew I wouldn’t be able to free you, and I didn’t know if you would choose to attend formal engagements with me or not, but I hoped that you would eventually, so I had it sewn just in case.”

He hoped that I would?

Those words still rang through my ears as I watched my kingdom grow closer as the ship sailed toward port, and they reminded me of what Alec had claimed. The prince still hadn’t said anything to me about these supposed feelings he harbored, and the impossibility of any future with him kept my lips sealedas well. Even if he did want me, I still wasn’t sure how I felt about being his mistress.

My attention slid to the noble females standing on the deck. Most of them were also watching the approaching wharf. They’d grown less boisterous following the luncheon on our first day at sea but had been no less cruel.

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