Page 104 of Destined for the Fae King

The end of her cane clacks against the stone as she continues to advance, all eyes in the room on her. She stops next to me. “What has this young woman done then?”

Vasilius lifts his head from his fist and sits straighter in his seat, staring down at me along the length of his nose. “She has brokenthe rules of The Choosing and been seen with another.” There’s a pause before he looks at his next victim. “My brother.”

“Ah.” She looks between us, seeming not the least bit surprised, which is shocking in and of itself. She stops on me. “You love my son?”

There’s no judgment in her gaze. No condemnation, simply a mother asking what’s probably one of the most important questions one can.

“I do,” I say.

She nods and turns toward Lysandir. “And you love this young woman?”

But it’s not his mother he looks at when he answers. Instead, he steps to the side, looking past her directly as me as he says, “I love her with my whole heart.”

Oh, Lysandir.He may as well have reached into my chest and spread my ribs apart to speak directly to my soul.

“I see.” Elaine folds her hands over one another on the ball of her cane and regards the king. “Well, I would say they have done you a favor by making your choice simpler.”

“Simpler?” The king speaks the word echoing in my head. “Whatever shall I do with them?”

“It should be obvious,” she replies. “The thing is done. You don’t want to marry someone who is in love with someone else, do you? Someone who is favored by your brother and who would be a good match for him? Do you not think it would do my weary spirit well to see both my sons wed before I pass?”

I suck in a breath and hold it, barely able to comprehend what’s happening. Hope balloons in my chest, and I try so desperately to hold it down, not to let it get out of hand. But my control slips when I look at Lysandir and see the same wonder and hope reflected in his face.

“Fine. Fine.” Vasilius sighs and slips down in his chair. “I see that not even the rules of The Choosing can keep you apart, but some discretion would be appreciated. Perhaps you two should stay cloistered until the end of The Choosing. Wouldn’t want theentirecourt to get the wrong impression of me.”

My heart skips a beat. “Are you saying—”

But I never get the question out. Lysandir is there, having shifted directly in front of me. He pulls me into his arms holding me close.

“Mira. My Mira,” he whispers against my hair. I cling to him, my legs barely holding me.

“This is real. We can be together?” My fingertips dig into his sweat-dampened shirt as I look up into his wide, glowing eyes. The bubbling feeling within me presses at my ribs, trying to burst free. A laugh bubbles up my throat, but nothing is funny.

Lysandir is mine. I am his.

The king coughs, drawing our attention. Lysandir releases me just enough for us to turn toward his brother, but his arm is still wrapped around my middle, holding me close to his side.

“While I am sure you two are excited, we have other important things to discuss. Firstly, I cannot remove your bond to me.” The king points to his wrist. “It will remain until I have chosen my queen, but that shall not be you.” He shares a look with Elaine, who has hobbled to his side, and then asks, “Are there any others who would choose someone else if given the choice?”

Oh…I swallow, unsure if he really wants the truth. My gaze darts away. Lysandir must sense my uncertainty because he adjusts his grip on my hip.

“There are.” The king sighs, shoulders slumping. “Does anyone want to be my bride? Other than what’s-her-name that tried to sneak in my bed this morning and then told me of you and mybrother when I tried to make her leave.” He waves his hand about, searching for the name.

She what? I nearly gape in shock. We weren’t supposed to have such relations with the king until he chose a queen. I suppose I’m not one to talk, since I snuck into Lysandir’s room, kissed him, and more, but at least we had a mutual understanding. From the way Vasilius just spoke about her, he and Katherine certainly did not.

“Katherine.” He snaps his fingers.

“Oh, you cannot marry her,” Elaine says.

He winces. “I’d rather not.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” I say, trying to remain in his good graces. “There are human women here who would marry you.” Cora for one, or rather, she wants the freedom such a marriage would grant. Possibly Zoe or Gabriella, but I can’t be sure.

Damn, maybe there aren’t any who want him for just him, but I’ve already spoken, and I’m not about to take it back.

“I don’t suppose you’ll tell me which ones are not interested?” he asks.

“I…” I pull in a deep breath. “That information is not mine to reveal, but maybe you could talk to each woman yourself? Assure them there are no ill repercussions if they have changed their mind? Each one I have spoken to would like to remain here in your court, even if becoming your bride is not their heart’s desire.”

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