Page 35 of Destined for the Fae King

But then she gives a little shrug, and her smile returns. “They are, I guess. I moved back in a few years ago to help my mom care for them since she was getting older and it took a lot out of her. I guess that’s what happens when you just keep having babies until your body is too worn out to do it anymore. My parents firmly believed in having as many kids as possible to continue the gifted bloodline.”

She gives me a sideways look that says much. One ofthosefamilies.

“They had me early, so I’m a lot older than the rest of my siblings. Sarah is the closest to me in age, and she’s only twenty-one.Dad still works a lot to try to support everyone, so it’s just Mom taking care of the kids and the house and everything on her own. Even with my helping out, it’s a lot sometimes.”

“So why come here then?” I ask. “To get a break from the kids?”

Bailey glances over one shoulder then the other, maybe to see if anyone is listening, before scooting a little bit closer. “I actually didn’t want to come.”

“What?” Now that’s a surprise, especially coming from such a large family that could have sent someone else to vie for the king’s hand.

She shakes her head. “I’ve only been to Faery a few times. I’d never even met Vasilius. It was supposed to be Sarah. She’s younger, prettier. If a little helpless.”

No kidding, if she’s not helping out with all those siblings.

“But she fell in love”—Bailey makes little air quotes—“last summer and couldn’t stand to be parted from her boyfriend.” She tips her head, looking over at me down the slope of her nose. “He’s a few crayons short of a full box. Probably took too many hits playing football, but there’s no changing her mind when she’s set on something. So, when she adamantly refused to come, threatened to run away and never speak to the family again if they made her, I volunteered to go in her place.”

“No cousins or anything that would have fit the bill?”

“Not the right age, boys, or already married.” She lifts one shoulder. “I figured I’d come and give it a go. It was a good excuse to dress up and do something new, experience the wonders of Faery. But I’m glad I came now. I think Vasilius might need me more than my family does.” She winces. “Not to say that they don’t need me or the others wouldn’t be a good choice either.”

I force a laugh to lighten the mood. “It’s fine.”

Sort of. Maybe. The twinge I felt in my chest was jealousy all right, but not the kind it should be.

“You two really didn’t get up to anything more last night?” I prod.

It should be weird, talking about dating the same guy. It is a little. And though there’s a heaviness in my chest as I wait for her response, it’s not the crushing weight it could be.

Bailey looks away from me, out over the garden. She raises her coffee mug, stares into its depths, and whispers, more to it than me, “We kissed.”

The color rising on her cheeks says it wasn’t just a kiss on the hand.

Now my stomach twists in on itself. I’m behind. My family expects me to become queen, has pinned their hopes on it. Hell, it’s what I’ve been focused on too. Maybe I’m an idiot, but I thought it would be easier.

Maybe getting Lysandir on my side really could help? If the brothers are as close as they seem, it definitely can’t hurt.

“So long as that’s all.” I wink, trying to make it a joke. To be fair, she probably thinks my kiss with him was more than it was, and I’m not about to correct that now.

“I don’t think any of us want to defy the dowager,” she replies with a meaningful look.

I give a fake shiver. She may be on in years, but she still has the ability to make anyone feel two inches tall with a few well-placed words. A true queen if there ever was one.

“Speaking of,” Bailey says, “brunch with her starts in a little bit.”

“Ah yes.” I sip at my cup. “I wonder which will be more exciting, that or tomorrow’s council meeting?”

“Perhaps we should start betting on it,” she replies with a grin.

“Maybe we should.”

Chapter 14

When we arrive atthe council meeting, the circular table has been expanded to allow room for all of us as well. We’re spaced out between the advisors and members of the royal family. Advisor Danai gives me a look as I open my journal, her attention catching on the colorful lines of text, one dark brow rising. I wait for scorn, but the hint of a grin forms in the corner of her mouth before she focuses her attention back toward the open center of the wide-ringed space.

Vasilius looks particularly resplendent today in a loose, cream-colored shirt with golden accents that shimmer in the light. A split in the center of the neckline lets part of it fall open, teasing the muscular chest below. His sleeves are rolled up, baring his equally impressive arms. It’s distracting to say the least. Maybe that’s part of the test—who can pay attention to the topic at hand with a handsome god-like king showing off his prowess?

In fact, everyone seems a little more relaxed today. Well, everyone who isn’t in the competition and there to be judged by the others around the circle.

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