Page 55 of Destined for the Fae King

“So, if you don’t land the king, they’ll be disappointed and insist you return?” I ask.

She huffs. “I don’t think there’s much chance of him picking me, but if we make a good impression and some of the other fae are interested, at least we should get to stay.” She glances up at Alex, who nods, solemnly. “Anyhow—” She shoves off the bed, her toneturning light again. “Do you want to come? Solidarity in numbers and all that?”

Would Uncle Matias demand that I return if I fail to woo the king? He’d be disappointed for sure. He might take that out on my mom and brothers—financially anyway. But if I could catch Lysandir’s eye, if the prince possibly feels just a little bit of what I do, could that soften my uncle’s ire? A prince is still an amazing catch, right?

My mind picks that moment to taunt me, reminding me of something I’ve been trying very hard to forget. Lysandir mentioned already having feelings for someone, even if said woman hasn’t returned them. If he’s loved for so long, would there be room for someone else? He definitely kissed me back, but it’s possible to kiss people you don’t care for. I would know.

The truth is, I don’t know how Lysandir feels. I can hope all day. I can want and pine and all the things, but who knows when I’ll even get to see him again. The king could make his choice tomorrow, and this whole thing could end.

And even if he doesn’t, Lysandir’s heart may already belong to someone else.

“All right, let me get changed,” I say.

Grace claps her hands and bounces in place. “See? I told you Mira would come with us.”

Chapter 22

If someone would havetold me months ago that the fae had night clubs, I’d have laughed my ass off. That totally wasn’t covered in the coven’s records. It didn’t fit any of my imaginings either, which were mostly painted in my mind as magical, willowy settings with soaring ceilings, colorful flora, and tall, graceful fae floating about like celestial beings. And truthfully, a lot of Faery has been like that. But tonight, I’ve learned that Faery contains multitudes, and some of them aren’t that different from the human realm at all.

Drinks are free for humans—an especially dangerous temptation when they’re all glasses of bubbly fae wine that are way stronger than the human variety—the lights have been turned down low, and well-clad fae mingle on onyx floors shot through with ribbons of crimson. The room would be spacious if not crammed with people. The low ceiling doesn’t help the feeling either. In fact, it’s the opposite of many rooms here, in that it’s more contained and enclosed with solid walls, save the far one which leads onto a terrace and down into one of the many courtyards.

True to what the others said, the guards don’t stop us from coming, though Tharin gives me a disapproving look and followsclosely after us. He’s been lingering against the wall the whole time we’ve been here too, along with another of our guards. I suppose they want to make sure no one gets too cozy with the king’s potential brides, which is totally fair.

If Grace and Alex were worried about finding an interested fae, they shouldn’t be. It doesn’t seem to matter that we may be the king’s intended. Many of the fae here are more than eager to spend time with us. And honestly, it’s exhausting. The endless questions are like a job interview that never ends. I’ve also taken way too many sips of the damnable wine in an effort to avoid talking, if even for a moment.

“I’m going to get some air,” I say the moment the fae female I’ve been speaking with opens her mouth to ask yet another question.

“Oh but—” The male next to her begins.

“I’m sorry.” I paste on the best smile I can. “I’ll be back in just a little bit.”

Or never.

Thank God humans can lie. It’s so helpful. I don’t want to bail on Grace and Alex, not when they seem nearly as uncomfortable as me. But I do need a moment, or I’m going to scream. Or say something entirely un-queen-like. I’d have to be a fool to think that an outburst here wouldn’t make it back to the king or at least the dowager. The dowager certainly gives the impression of knowing everything that goes on in this place, no matter how minute.

Is that what I’d be expected to do too, if I became queen?

I nearly shudder as I sidestep another fae who reaches for me, a question falling from their lips that I don’t stop to hear.

The terrace beckons, offering the illusion of peace. An image that’s quickly broken when I step beyond the walls of the room and out under the night sky. The press of bodies is thinner here,but there are still a number of fae around, ones who immediately notice the human who has stepped into their midst, even though I’m not the only one.

Cora stands amid a cluster of fae, a drink in hand, and the laughter on her face drops right off as she takes me in, her features morphing into a scowl.

I’m not here to steal your spotlight, I wish I could say. How she manages to enjoy so much attention, I’ll never know. Maybe that trait would make her a good queen. She certainly would never fade into some man’s shadow.

I turn abruptly and head for the flight of wide marble stairs leading down into the courtyard.

Lush, green vegetation spreads out before me in the expansive open space, tall bushes and trees soaring toward the sky and offering shelter and privacy to the various portions of the space. The oppressive blanket of sound that had surrounded me is quieter here. Bits of conversation drift down into the courtyard. The hum of distant music weaves through the night. But it’s so much quieter. For the moment, I can breathe again, especially since it doesn’t appear that anyone followed me down the steps—yet.

Though that’s bound to happen if I keep standing here, so I move off into the foliage. Thank goodness for wide heels that fit like a dream and don’t sink into the grass.

I’m not alone out here either though. Laughter rises nearby, at least half a dozen voices by the sound of it. I sigh. Of course some of the fae would have migrated down here too. Can’t say I blame them.

I’m about to turn and head in a different direction, when the laughter quiets down and someone says, “I saw several of your humans enjoying the gathering tonight.”

I skid to a halt.Your humans?The fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. There’s only one fae they could mean.

“So, I’ve heard.” A deep chuckle follows.

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