Page 81 of Destined for the Fae King

They hold each other’s gaze for a moment before Tharin nods. “Then I will see the women returned to their rooms so you can rest.”

It’s only me, Adeline, and Cora—who’s been unusually quiet and somber. We go without argument. A quick shift and we’re closer to our rooms but not quite there. Night has fallen while we’ve been cloistered in the dowager’s room. Complete darkness looms outside the nearby windows, and I can’t help staring at them, wondering what dangers lurk beyond that I cannot see. Not that I need to worry about that, I suppose. My destiny seems set.

“Your hall has been completely warded against shifting,” Tharin says by way of explanation. “And we’ve posted extra guards at all entry points. No Unseelie will get close to you.”

We wander toward our rooms when Tharin steps closer to me. “Mira, a moment.”

Adeline looks at me in question, almost like she doesn’t want to leave me alone, even though her guardsman is one of the ones waiting to escort us to our rooms.

It’s okay, I mouth. She sighs softly but continues on.

Tharin and I wait in silence until the others have departed. “Mira, I—"

“I know,” I cut him off sharply. “You don’t need to say it.”

He crosses his arms. “I don’t think you do.”

“Fate is set. This proves it, right?”

His lips thin, and I expect him to agree with me. Instead, he sighs, his arms swinging free. “I wanted to say that you should not blame yourself. Ifyour fate is set, so was hers.”

Tears burn at the corner of my eyes, and I squeeze my fists tighter to try and push them away. “Why not just tell him? End this.”

He rakes a hand through his hair. “I vowed not to. And I—” He looks away then back at me. “I doubt the king is in a mood to take a queen right now.” Tharin clasps my shoulder. “Rest. Be kind to yourself. Forhim, if nothing else.”

I know he doesn’t mean the king anymore, though anyone listening might not.

I scowl and open my mouth, prepared to snap at him when he vanishes. Lucky bastard, being able to disappear whenever he wants.

Chapter 32

Ibarely register walkingto my room or the palace around me. I don’t think as I grab the handle of my door, push it open, and step inside.

The first indication that something is wrong is a soft moan and the sight of shadowed movement on the bed in the dimly lit room.

I freeze. My stomach plummets. Anger and jealousy rear up within me until one of the figures sits up with a sharp gasp.

“Mira?” Alex stares at me in horror.

A feminine squeak comes from farther in the bed.

Oh God. All my shock and fury snuffs out in a moment, melted into a tide of embarrassment that has my skin burning.

Wrong room. I’m in the wrong fucking room!

I turn on my heel and lurch back out the door, pulling it shut behind me. In the hallway, I glance around and quickly spot my error. One room too soon.

Grace’s room…

One of the guards pacing near the end of the hall stops. “Lady Mira, do you need—”

“We’re good,” I call, a little bit of near hysterical laughter bubbling out. I’m at my door a heartbeat later, throwing it open,rushing inside, and almost slamming it behind me. I lean back on it for support. My heart pounds in my ears.

What did I just see?I ask the dimly lit room. But I know. They’ve been close the whole time. Just friends, I thought. After all, they came here to marry the king, right? Didn’t they?

A knock reverberates through the door. I yelp, jumping away from it.

“Mira?” Alex calls through the wood. “Can I come in?”

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