Page 15 of Destined for the Fae King

“Would you like me to stay with you?”

“No thank you,” I reply too quickly. I’m in desperate need of some breathing room. Not that I’m a recluse, not really, but being around people all day—especially so many of them—can drain me. “It’s a library,” I add to soften my response. “I’m sure I’m safe. Nothing bad ever happens in a library.”

I don’t miss the way he’s suddenly taken aback, his brows scrunching. He clearly isn’t used to humans and our ability to lie, however benign that lie is. Somethingbadalmost certainly has happened in a library at some point.

“Ah,” he says after a moment and shakes his head. “You humans and your strange statements.”

I guess it is strange to him. “I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

He nods. “Then I’ll wait outside.”

When he finally leaves, it feels like someone has loosened the fit of my dress and I can breathe again. I’ll probably have to get used to being around people constantly if—no,when—I become queen, but for now, it’s a relief to have a moment alone.

I select a few books with promising titles that bear the crimson diamond and settle into a vacant seating area between two curved bookcases. The first one I look through is interesting but entirely too old to be relevant, though the book itself looks hardy without a bit of the brittle, delicate pages I’d expect in a human book. I’ve just opened up the second when a voice startles me from my inquiry.

“What a surprise to find you here.”

I nearly jump out of my skin as I twist around in my seat and spy the intruder.

Lysandir. God, of course it would be him.

He’s dressed the same as earlier today wearing an impeccable vest of crimson and gold over a pale shirt tucked into black pants. He’s the picture of refined yet casual, almost like a businessman who has shed his jacket, loosened his tie, and had just slid up to the bar for a drink.

“Same,” I snap before I can think better of it.

His brows rise. So does one corner of his lips.

“You decided not to wait and see if my brother planned to pay you all a visit this evening?” He crosses his arms and tilts his head to the side appraisingly.

I close the book with a thump and settle it in my lap. “I assumed he wasn’t coming.”

“No, most likely not.” He lets his arms fall free before striding toward the seating area. “He’s occupied with some urgent news this evening.”

I stiffen, sitting a little straighter as he comes around the back of my seat and claims the chair next to mine as if he plans to settle in and sit for a while. At least it’s good to know that the king isn’t avoiding us on purpose. Maybe the rumors about him not being interested in humans are wrong after all. A girl can hope, right? If he’s busy with something important, that’s totally reasonable.

“And you’re not needed with him?” I refuse to look him in the face. Doing so, this close, does something in my chest that I don’t really care to analyze right now.

“He already has my advice.” He frowns and looks away. “Not that he’ll heed it,” he says a little more quietly.

Interesting.“And so, you thought you’d stalk me down instead?” I prod. “How did you even know I was here?”

The hint of a smirk lifts one corner of his lips. “I heard you.” He taps his ears. “Fae hearing is quiet sensitive, mine more than most.”

Of course it is. I bite the inside of my cheek to avoid saying so out loud. “And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” I ask, only a little bit sarcastically. “It can’t be to ask me to leave again because of course you know I can’t.”

I raise my wrist for emphasis, the binding mark on clear display.

“No, quite the opposite.” He leans back against the cushions, appraising me. “I’m glad you’re here.”

I rear back like I’ve been struck. That makes no sense at all.

“So, you’ve come to apologize then?” These aren’t things I should say to a member of the royal family, Vasilius’s brother for goodness sake, but I can’t seem to help it. The words just keep coming and show no signs of slowing down and my cheek already stings from trying to hold them back. Of course all the patience I’ve honed at my job decides to abandon me in my moment of need.

He opens his mouth like he might actually apologize but then closes it, his lips settling into a thin line. “I cannot do that either.”

Can’t. Not won’t. I don’t miss the clever wording. He’s not sorry, though the reasoning or lack thereof is enough to drive me mad.

I’d always heard that Lysandir was not like his brother. A bit quieter and more introspective. Slow to act and measured in his words. But his actions toward me have been anything but. He has unique gifts too, even for a fae, including the ability to sometimes glimpse things in the future, but no one ever told me that list included making things as awkward as possible for unsuspecting human women.

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