Page 50 of Destined for the Fae King

Kissing Lysandir was everything.

Magic and heat and a force all its own.

It’s what kissing Vasilius should have been but wasn’t and I know deep down could never be. The rush of feeling in that moment, the way I can still feel his lips against mine and taste him on my tongue, has to mean something. It does mean something, the thing I’ve been trying to deny for days and can’t any longer.

I’ve gone and fallen for the wrong fae royal.

Chapter 19

Fia brushes my cheekswith some of her special shimmering powder that literally leaves me glowing. “Lovely.” She smiles at me in the mirror and sets down the brush. “I think you’re ready for luncheon with the royal family.”

If she notices the fragility in my forced grin, she doesn’t comment on it. I am not ready. Can anyone be ready to go to lunch with two men they kissed the day before? Especially when the one you can’t stop thinking aboutisn’tthe one you’re supposed to be wanting and kissing? Oh, and their mother will be there. Let’s not forget that awkward tidbit.

“If I’m not, it won’t be because of your artistry.” I turn my face this way and that. My insides might be a twisted-up mess, but I can still appreciate the wonders Fia works. “You do such an incredible job every time. Seriously.”

“It is my job.” She winks. “Besides, nothing is too good for the potential future Queen of Fire.”

The false smile falls right off my face. Right. That. I can’t bear to tell her that I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be the queen. Even if Vasilius picked me, could I tell him yes? I shake my head and push the thought away.

“On that note, have you heard anything?” I ask instead. “Any rumors about who the king might be favoring?”

Fia plops onto the tufted stool near my chair. “Well,” she starts, leaning in conspiratorially, “the king has had more dates with Bailey than anyone else.” Her voice falls to a whisper, not that there is anyone else in the room to hear us. “It’s said she’s quite taken with him too.”

That, I know for sure. She’s been moon-eyed and sighing for days.

“Although,” Fia says, voice rising again, “some of the other attendants think it’s just a passing fancy, but that might be wishful thinking, hoping that their contender will win the crown. I’ve heard good things about you too though. You’re definitely in the top five.” She giggles.

“That’s good to hear,” I say, only because I know it’s what she expects to hear. I should be pleased, but the emotion doesn’t come. If anything, the news makes everything I’m feeling worse.

“Perhaps today will improve your standing even more,” she continues. “It’s said the king plans to spend more alone time with at least two of you before the ball. And then there’s the ball itself! It’ll be such a good opportunity to be seen with the king. All of the advisors will be there, nobles from other courts, even several royals, if the rumors turn out to be true. They’ll all get to see you with the king and see how good of a match you would make. That’ll be important, you know. If the advisors think the other courts favor you, it will influence who they advise the king to choose.”

Many of the women are excited about the ball, but the looming event fills me with dread. Mingling with many fae and humans I don’t know? Not my favorite. Knowing that our families have been invited and I’ll likely have to confront my uncle again afterrealizing how much I no longer want to win the crown? Dreadful. The only bright spot will be if Selena comes, but even then, I know I’ll be a center of endless attention, even more so than the opening ball where at least I was somewhat unknown for much of the time until the presentation. This time, everyone will know exactly who I am and who I may become.

“Don’t be nervous.” Fia pats my leg. “I’ll make sure you’re the most stunning candidate there. You’ll be renowned throughout the Seelie courts.”

A little humorless laugh slips between my lips.

“And your family should be there too,” she says. “Won’t that be nice?”

I’m sure my uncle will be. He won’t miss the chance to make sure I’m behaving myself and doing my damnedest to win the crown. All of the human families are invited. It should be safe enough. After all, why would the Unseelie dare to attack an event with so many powerful Seelie fae present? That’s assuming they could even get this far into the territory at all, which everyone seems to think is unlikely. Plus, it doesn’t take a genius to understand why King Vasilius and the rest of the Court of Fire would want so many humans present when their rivals come to visit.

Humans are power. Our spirits fuel fae magic, and so the more of us around, the more of a show of strength it is. To say nothing of the king showing off all the human women vying to become his bride. His has his pick—a far cry from some of the other courts, where humans are rare. Why on earth members of our coven don’t defect and try to appeal to those fae is beyond me. Loyalty, I guess. Tradition? Still, if Uncle Matias really wanted to raise our family’s status and wealth, you’d think he’d strike up an alliance with say, the Court of the Forest, where humans are a rarity. Surely, they’d shower a human family with wealth if a member or two decidedto live with them. He could have pawned me off there—packed me up the moment I came of age and sent me away. I’d have gone, probably, despite my mother’s outcry.

My chest squeezes tight at the thought of her. I miss her. I really do. My brothers too. Since none of them have the gift, they can’t come to visit me, and I’m bound to the king, unable to leave, until this competition is done. Mom’s letters have just seemed sad. Supportive in her way, but the undercurrent of loss and longing is still there.

I should write to her, send something back with my uncle, though what to say is always a struggle.I’m doing great, Mom! Don’t worry.It’d be true, but it doesn’t feel like enough and is a far cry from the promise that I’ll be back soon, which I know she wants but I can’t give. This is my life, and I’m finally living it. Even if I don’t win the crown, I don’t see being in a rush to move back home. A visit? Sure.

But after kissing Lysandir… I’d really like to see where that could go.

“I suppose—” I begin but am saved from further response by a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I call.

The door creaks open and Tharin fills the entry. A small, thin box is held in his hands.

“A gift for Lady Mira,” he says, but for some reason he doesn’t look happy about that.

Fia gasps and leaps to her feet. “From the king?”

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