Page 9 of Destined for the Fae King

I don’t know if my uncle remains nearby or if he retreats to the crowd. My attention is not for him, only for the king whose presence and acceptance has me glowing from the inside.

The advisors begin the binding spell, and I can’t help but gasp at the tickle of golden magic that winds around my wrist like spider silk. The glowing threads circle me a few times before they wind the same strand around the king’s wrist, right over a golden tattoo of leaping flames encircling his arm. The working glows brighter before tightening. Just when I expect to feel it cinch around my wrist, the magical threads vanish into my skin, leaving a warm tingle in their wake. Where once was just tanned skin, a tattoo like the king’s but smaller now encircles my wrist.

I am bound.

There’s no turning back now. No rejecting me. I will prove myself worthy. I will and show everyone who doubted how wrong they were. It’s those feelings that bolster me as I beam with pride at the king and bask in his glowing appraisal.

The thing is done, and I curtsy once more before turning away to return to the crowd. But as I raise my head, there’s one other I can’t help but search out and find—Lysandir. He doesn’t look at me. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s trying very hard not to as he stares at the wall, his face half turned from mine.

He’s a quandary. An enemy? He surely doesn’t want me to win his brother’s heart and become queen, but why? How did I make myself so repugnant to him so fast?

Like a dark cloud, he shadows my moment of glory, and finally I turn my back on him.

Chapter 4

All of the king’scandidates are presented in a line before those in attendance. Before, I was easy enough to overlook in the crowd. I’m not anymore. Every fae wants to meet and dance with a human woman who may one day be queen. Every human wants to size me up and see what threat I pose to their preferred winner. It’s a dizzying swirl of names, faces, and mindless conversation until my feet are killing me, my throat is dry, and between not eating before the presentation due to my nerves and not eating after due to the attention, I’m starving. I would seriously do some outrageous things for a cheeseburger.

If every day is going to be like tonight, I may have made a huge mistake. The other candidates I’ve seen seem to be faring better than me, a few like Cora even seem to radiate with energy from all of the attention.

For better or worse, the royals left shortly after we were presented to the crowd. It’s unfortunate I can’t work to make a better impression on the king tonight, but maybe it’s best I didn’t have to face his brother again.

I nearly weep when my family finally lead me off to the side and shoo away those who try to trail after us.

“You have everything you need?” Uncle Mathias asks.

It’s a purely routine question. There’s no going back now, and I don’t need much anyway. Technology doesn’t work here, room and board are covered, and the fae even promised to outfit us—probably because they scorn our poorly made human clothes.

“I hope so,” I say.

“Don’t forget to write to us. You have to let me know how it’s going, okay?” Selena says.

“Of course.”

At that moment, a fae guard walks up and clears his throat. “Lady Mira?”

“Yes?” I say as we turn toward him.

The crimson and gold of his uniform are a perfect complement to his umber skin and dark brown hair that is pulled back in a ponytail and hangs past his shoulders. “I’m Tharin.” He grins and bows at the waist. “I’ll be your personal guard for the duration of your stay. When you are ready, I will show you to your room.”

“Oh.” The word slips from my mouth before I can stop it. Of course it makes sense that we wouldn’t just wander around on our own, especially not with the Unseelie threat, but it still takes me off guard. “Nice to meet you.”

I begin to offer him my hand but think better of it and curtsy instead. Fae don’t seem like the handshake types.

“Looks like I’ll be just fine,” I say to my family.

Selena pulls me into a crushing hug. I receive far more formal ones from my aunt and uncle. Though they’d considered staying, with the Unseelie threat and the king’s recommendation to leave, it looks like they’ll be going directly back to Earth. With promises to write and let them know of my time in Faery, I leave and follow Tharin.

The palace is a wonder.

Halls spiral off in various directions, all bright and lit with glowing fae lights that reflect off the pale and golden marble. Large, open archways serve as windows, letting in pleasantly warm air even though it’s night. Despite the size of the place, none of it feels dark or cloistering, especially given the multiple large courtyards we pass. It’s hard to tell in the dark, but each one I’ve seen seems to have a different theme color—be it fountains and plants in shades of blue, a courtyard of mostly golden sand, or another of the same tall trees with trunks that glimmer and glow red and orange like the embers of a fire. The whole palace reminds me of a living flame—bright, sparkling, and with plenty of air to let it breathe.

A few minutes later, we reach a long, enclosed hallway spotted with tall, wooden doors along each side. Guards stand at varying intervals near some of the doors. The lights here are dimmer, as if someone has purposely turned them down for evening.

“All entrants in The Choosing have private rooms in this wing,” Tharin says. “There will be guards on watch at all times to ensure your safety.”

It should be a relief, but the idea of being so closely monitored threatens to make my skin crawl. Gifted are never truly free. I rub the bond around my wrist. Not in our choices on Earth and not really in Faery either.

Tharin stops in front of one of the doors. “This will be your room. Your things should already be inside along with some refreshment.”

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