Page 28 of Destined for the Fae King

“I believe I would, if only to see you dance again.”

The richness of his voice does something to my insides, leaving me awash in a sea of feelings and my knees a little weak. I’ll definitely dance for him again if it earns me another reaction like that.

“Unfortunately, it will have to be another time,” he continues. “There is something that requires my attention, but I thank you for sharing this meal and for the performance.”

“Of course, you must be very busy,” I say, trying to hide my disappointment. “You’ll be taking me back, then?”

He shakes his head and my shoulders droop in response. “My guards will shift you back.”

Vasilius gestures to them and two advance.

I guess that’s it then.“Thank you for a lovely meal and for choosing me to spend it with.” I dip into a low curtsy and rise, expecting… I don’t know what. But Vasilius is still just standing there, a mildly pleasant expression on his face.

“I’ll just get my shoes…”

Get your shoes?I chastise myself as I turn and practically flee to where I left them next to my chair.Great way to end the date, Mira, just great.

Chapter 11

The next day weare led as a group to the council chamber around mid-morning. I’m dressed elegantly, if practically, in an outfit I’ve nicknamed my fae business suit. My crimson dress is fitted through the bodice and upper thighs but flares out where it ends around my knees. The golden blazer over the top is a perfect match for a few golden threads woven through the crimson, and Fia even found me a pair of shimmering gold-colored heels. If this doesn’t scream “dressed for a council meeting,” I don’t know what will. It’s a more mature, sophisticated look than the dresses worn by some of the other women today, but that’s exactly what I’m going for.

“Mira, you’re finally back,” Gabriella remarks as she falls into step next to me.

“She was at yoga this morning,” Zoe says to her. “Which you’d know if you came. Offer is still open.”

Gabriella all but rolls her eyes at Zoe, who stalks ahead with her long-legged stride.

I smile. I’m sure it looks like it’s for Gabriella, but the grin is totally for me. After my lunch date, I was able to slip back into my room without being seen and decided I’d juststay that way. I asked the guard who shifted me to keep it quiet also, and it seems he listened. Why let the others know the date ended right after lunch? There was nothing else on our schedule for the day, so my presence wouldn’t be missed by anyone, but my absence would certainly be noticed by the competition. Hopefully, they were all stewing over wondering where I was and assuming it was with Vasilius.

A few asked at yoga this morning, but I carefully dodged direct questions, just remarking on the beautiful date and the flowing conversation. They didn’t need to know that it was mostly one-sided either. I may have also thrown in a few extra yawns…just to give them something else to chew over.

“How was the date? Was it just you and Vasilius? Did he kiss you?” Gabriella fires one question after another as if she can’t get them out fast enough.

The corners of my lips stretch higher as I let a beat of silence pass, then two, while I take in the wide-eyed and expectant look in her brown eyes. “Yes and yes.”

“What!” Gabriella screeches, causing a few of the women and even one of the guards to jump. “You kissed him too?”

“More like he kissed me.” On the hand. But totally still counts.

Ahead of us, Cora whips her head around to glare daggers at me, never breaking her stride.

“I can’t believe it.” Gabriella gives the most dramatic sigh I’ve ever seen. “I’m so behind already.”

That gets Grace’s attention. “It’s not a race.”

She shrugs, her long hair sliding off her shoulder, as we round a corner and stop in a circular antechamber with a high-domed roof made of colorful glass that paints the otherwise white marble space in a kaleidoscope of colors. I’m not the only one whose head tips back, drawn by the artful display of light to its source above us.It’s absolutely gorgeous, if a little disorienting, and instantly I have the desire to dance there under the colorful barrage. Yesterday was the first time I’d really danced in months, and it seems to have reawakened something in my spirit that I’d let fall asleep. All morning I’ve been flexing my toes and hearing a hum of music that’s only in my head. If nothing else comes out of this contest, it’s nice to have recaptured that spark of joy in my heart.

“You’re not worried?” Gabriella implores, dragging my attention back to her.

“Nope.” Grace lifts her chin in a show of confidence. “No offense, Mira.”

I shift my notebook to one hand and lift the other in front of me. “None taken.”

Her comment didn’t feel like a jab toward me at all. Rather, she has that inner confidence going, and I admire that. Grace might be her name, and she has plenty of that, but poise and confidence are hers in spades.

Someone ahead shushes us, and we all quiet down as the double doors leading into the chamber are pulled wide. The inside of the room is the opposite of the antechamber and most of the palace for that matter. The walls, floor, and ceiling are all stark white marble, and there is not a window or piece of artwork to be seen. Arced tables form a wide, empty circle with chairs spaced around them on one side facing toward the center. And they’re already occupied. The advisors rise from their seats, as does another figure I’m momentarily surprised to see, though I shouldn’t be. Lysandir’s gaze flits across the crowd of us before landing on me and stopping. My breath catches, and my chest grows tight.Why would he…But then he’s moved on, looking at someone else, so maybeI imagined it.

“Come in, ladies,” Dowager Queen Elaine says. I hadn’t seen the dowager queen beyond the press of other women in front of me, but her voice is unmistakable. “Please have a seat, any open one you like.”

---