Page 62 of Destined for the Fae King

I squint at a few of the others then back at him. Everyone guarding us holds an elite ranking, but compared to the others, he has a few more marks on display. It reminds me of someone else, though I can’t place it at the moment.

“In fact, let’s go ahead and move over there.” He points to the far side of the space, where a short dais has been erected bearing three thrones, the one in the center much larger and more ornate than the other two. A wide pathway of fitted marble stones bisects the area from where we stand to the far side. In the center, it bulges out into a wide circle—a dance floor I suspect, given the fae musicians tuning their instruments not far from one side.

“You didn’t tell me you were in charge,” I remark to Tharin as we cross the space.

He smirks. “You never asked.”

I barely stop my eye roll, instead voicing the suspicion that has taken root. “What did I do to get assigned someone of your status to watch over me?”

“Who says I was?”

“I do.” I refuse to believe it’s random.

“Perceptive,” he remarks.

Our little group reforms near the edge of the forest. Pillars of cold flame create a border of sorts. Guards linger beyond, as they had near the palace. If I had to guess, I’d say they ring in the entire space, keeping watch to make sure the evening goes off without a hitch. A few stand closer to us, and my attention snags on one in particular, the head of the king’s personal guard. He was one of the others with the king in the garden last night, but that’s not all that makes me draw a short, sharp breath. His uniform insignias bare a startling resemblance to Tharin’s.

I turn back toward Tharin assessing him in a new light. Pieces click into place. “You’re the prince’s personal guard.”

It makes so much sense. Too much. I should have seen it earlier, with the way he and Lysandir were so familiar with one another, though why he dressed like a regular guard before tonight’s ceremony, I can’t explain. I can’t remember if he dressed this way during the opening ball. There was too much else on my mind that evening to pay attention.

Tharin winks at me. “As I said, very perceptive.”

But why is the prince’s personal guard watching after me? I could see it at first, since he was unsettled by my being here. But surely that’s changed?

A whisper of magic tingles across my skin.

Tharin’s attention shifts to open space toward our left. “They come.”

No sooner have the words left his mouth than Vasilius, Lysandir, and Elaine appear along with a cluster of guards and advisors.

My focus goes unerringly to the prince. He looks so much like he did the first night I saw him that it’s almost unsettling. I prefer the more casual prince that I’ve gotten to know rather than this stiff, formal version. Not that he looks worse. The opposite. He’s absolutely devastating, a glow of power leeching from his skin and giving him an otherworldly air.

Lysandir’s gaze snags on mine, and my heart flip-flops in my chest. The smallest hint of a smile touches his lips before he turns to respond to his mother.

Commotion picks up as several of the women close in on the king. His eyes widen briefly, and I have to stifle a laugh. It’s funny how a little knowledge can shift my perspective so thoroughly. Knowing what I do, I can pick up the little hints of panic and revulsion he’s done such a good job of hiding.

A kinder person might feel bad for him, putting duty above his own preferences, but I can’t summon the feeling at that moment, the revelation too fresh.

“Ladies.” The king spreads his arms wide. “I’m glad you’re all here this evening.”

I frown.Just because we make you look good?I shove the mocking thought away and plaster a smile on my face. I told Lysandir I wouldn’t disrupt the ball, and I won’t.

The prince tends to his mother, helping her over to one of the smaller thrones beside the king’s. The sight warms my heart and transforms my smile into something genuine. If only my mother could be here tonight. I’d love her to see me like this, to know that I’m holding my own and putting all those years of pageants to some use. I may not win the crown, but at least I haven’t embarrassed the family. And maybe, if my gut is telling me true, I might be ableto let her know I have a connection with the prince. Just thinking about it makes my chest squeeze tight. It’s new, fragile. Uncertain at best. I’m almost afraid to even think about it for fear of making it untrue or finding out he was just doing some duty like the king. Or that whoever stole his heart long ago has it irrevocably.

“I will need you all here with me when the other fae royals make their entrance, but before then, I do have a little surprise for you all.” Vasilius gestures behind us toward the area where we came in. A number of other fae have filled into the space, most sipping drinks and chatting with one another. My brows scrunch as I try to deduce the surprise.

After a moment, Adeline squeaks and bolts toward a small group of figures making their way toward us.

Human figures.

Her family.

Zoe and Katherine take off next. Gabriella is not far behind, racing with far more speed than I would ever expect toward an older woman who to whom she bears a striking resemblance.

I bounce on my toes, shifting as I search for familiar faces. My uncle will be here. I have no doubt of that. I only hope he isn’t alone. Even Aunt Dalia, flighty as she can be, would be a welcome balm to the barrage of questions he’ll have for me, not to mention terse reminders about why I’m there and my duty to the family.

Duty.I sigh.

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