Page 7 of Veil of Shadows

My eyes popped open, when not even a second later, an overflowing tray of Saramel’s selections appeared before us on the coffee table.

Steam rose from the food along with fragrant scents. My mouth watered, as though having someone with me—even if Saramel was a complete stranger and perhaps wasn’t here with innocent intentions—calmed some of the nerves firing along my limbs so I could actually eat without anxiety twisting my stomach into knots.

“The chef’s hen is always superb.” Saramel dished a bit of everything onto a plate and handed it to me.

I started at her thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” She dished herself a plate too, then settled back before another shy smile lifted her lips. But she abruptly straightened. “Oh! I forgot about drinks. Does anything in particular sound appealing?”

I shrugged. “Um, no, whatever you prefer is fine.”

She tilted her chin up again. “Will you also provide a pitcher of the sparkling fruit juice served tonight?”

A glass pitcher abruptly shimmered into existence. Tiny bubbles fizzled on its surface. Not even a second later, two glasses filled with ice cubes appeared beside it.

“Thank you, Chamber,” Saramel called. “That shall be all for now.”

An answering pulse of magic came from the walls before it calmed and went still once more.

Saramel hoisted the pitcher up and poured us each a glass, then handed one to me. “My son loves this juice. Cassim would drink this entire pitcher if I let him.”

I smiled awkwardly and took a tentative sip. My eyes widened at the lemony taste with a hint of mint. “This is delicious.”

Saramel picked up her plate, and we ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, each of us sampling the various dishes. Everything was flavorful and tender, and it was by far the best food I’d had in months. Before I knew it, I was halfway through my meal.

“This reminds me of the banquets I’ve attended at Faewood’s court when the king would ask me to present for a calling,” I said, breaking the quiet as I took another bite of the juicy hen.

“Do you herald from Faewood?” Saramel cocked her head.

I shrugged and wondered if Phillen or Jax had told her anything about me or if she was simply playing coy. “At the moment I do, but my guardian said I was born in Ironcrest.”

“And your guardian is the fairy that’s being kept in one of the prince’s other chambers?”

My jaw snapped closed as I was once again reminded of my guardian’s betrayal. “That would be the one. Have you seen him?”

She shook her head. “Oh no, the prince won’t allow me to enter his chambers. He’s too concerned about your guardian trying to escape, although Jax sought me out to come visit you so you wouldn’t be left alone.”

“He did?”

She forked some of the herbed rice and nodded. After swallowing, she added, “The prince said you’ve been mostly alone in here since they arrived back. He’s very worried about you. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this worried about anything. Well, except for—” She abruptly cut herself off and forked another bite of rice. “Anyway, both he and Phillen insisted you weren’t a violent fairy, so it would be safe if I came here alone to visit with you.”

“Is that so?” My stomach dipped at that gesture and their accurate assessment of my character. While I had no qualms about defending myself from fae who wished me harm, Jax and Phillen were right that I would never intentionally hurt anyone, especially someone as benign as Saramel appeared. But her earlier pause when she was about to reveal someone else the prince had been worried about, that I was guessing she wasn’t supposed to, made me curious. “Does Jax often ask you to provide his prisoners company?”

Saramel laughed. “Oh no. He never brings captives back here. In fact, you and your guardian are the first.”

In other words, if Saramel was being truthful, whoever she was referring towasn’tanother captive. I pushed my food away. “Has the prince said anything about what he plans to do with me?”

“He hasn’t, but”—she frowned—“I have to admit that I’ve never seen him in a state like this. He’s quite distraught about it all.”

“Truly?” I wanted to believe her, but who was to say I could.

She nodded. “He’s been pacing in the library most of the evening. Trivan and Bowan have been with him while Lars and my husband stand watch at the door...you know, in case any curious staff come idling by wondering what the crown prince is doing wearing a path into the carpet. His father has also been looking for him. And that never helps matters.”

My eyebrows rose. “He’s avoiding the king?” It felt strange to say that, but it was true. Thekingof Stonewild Kingdom was Jax’s father.

Saramel sighed. “He often avoids the king, and one can hardly blame him. Next summer, Prince Adarian is of age to wed, so the king and queen have been trying to arrange courtship dates for him when the approved and potential females come to visit. We have several in the palace right now.”

I sat back, my stomach doing a strange, queasy flip. “Why would he avoid that?”

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