Page 71 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

She pushed her dark-blonde hair out of her face. “Me? The monster is trying to kill me! Do you despise me so much that you’re commanding me to stand here and die?”

Nightbane growled, and I could sense his rising alarm at her tone. Knowing that I had to calm him before he attacked, I turned my back to her, spreading my wings to block her from Nightbane’s view. My closet was sizable, with garments hanging on both sides, but the tips of my wings still brushed the clothes. “It’s okay, boy.” I tangled my fingers in the fur on top of his head. “She doesn’t mean us harm.”

At my touch, he calmed, and soon he stopped growling, though his hackles remained up.

Moving so my right side brushed the gowns, I positioned myself so that my other side pressed against him. That was when I noticed that my closet didn’t seem as full as the last time I was here, and my gaze homed in on the gorgeous gowns in sky blue, forest green, and sunray yellow that Gaelle had dropped on the floor.

She hastily bent and picked up the dresses and placed them back on the tree branches that had grown from the wall. She avoided my gaze.

“What are you doing in here?” Something felt off, and the sense of warning returned.

“I… I was…” She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and then spun toward me, placing her hands on her hips before asking, “Wait. Why areyouhere?”

She was deflecting. However, I’d play her game for now. “I decided to return home. Besides, all my things are here. Is there a problem with that?”

“Fate, no.” She laughed, a little high-pitched. “I’m sure your parents are thrilled about your return. They just didn’t inform any of us of those plans. That’s all.”

“It was a very last-minute decision.” I smiled, wanting to ease the tension between us.

As expected, she exhaled, and her wings relaxed.

“I’m sure if they’d had ample notice, they would’ve alerted you. Which brings me back to my first question. If you weren’t aware of my return, then why are you in my closet?”

Once again, her body stiffened, though this time, it was from my question and not from Nightbane. “Oh… well… I just wanted to check on some things.”

“I noticed that you were holding three of my gowns, and several more appear to be missing.” In fairness, I wouldn’t be able to point out which because I still missed jeans and T-shirts and wore gowns only because they were the only clothes provided. But she didn’t know that which meant I could potentially trick her. “I’d love for you to locate a gown I have that looks similar to yours. It should be in here somewhere.”

Her breathing turned ragged.

That confirmed my suspicion. “Is it a problem if I wear a dress similar to yours?”

Dropping her arms, she pivoted toward me. She swallowed. “You are clearly already aware this is your dress, or you wouldn’t be making such comments.”

“So you’ve been taking my clothes?” I crossed my arms. “You weren’t in here to check on my wardrobe but to take more pieces for yourself?”

“And why not?” She huffed, not even bothering to pretend any longer. “Someone might as well. You ran off with a nightfiend, leaving behind your parents and your people. You shouldn’t have been allowed to come back, and yet you convinced your parents to not only permit you back here but to let the nightfiends reinhabit their world. When the sky is filled with darkness once more, the Seelie will have onlyyouto blame.”

Not only did she have the audacity to steal my clothes, but she believed she could speak to me so rudely. I narrowed my eyes, stepping into her space. “And when peace is actually bridged between our two species and Tavish and I are united as one, I’ll make sure your high fae title is stripped from you and you can go live with the common Seelie working the gardens.”

Her face flushed, and she took a step back, trying to counter my move. However, she’d already backed up almost to the wall when Nightbane entered and chased her.

“By tonight, I expect every piece of my clothing to be returned. If it’s not, I will alert my parents to what you’ve done.” The two of us were similar in age, but we’d never liked each other. Mainly because I didn’t trust her, and I’d watched the way she’d tried to elevate her status. This moment proved everything I’d believed as a child. “And if you ever speak to me that way again, there will be dire consequences. I doubt my parents will stand in the way of your punishment.”

She swallowed loudly and then huffed. “Fine. I’ll return everything.”

“You’ll return everything what?” I arched a brow and smirked.

“Princess,” she hissed.

I didn’t care if she hated me, but I did care if she treated me with respect. “Then you may leave and focus on whatever else requires your attention.”

“My pleasure,” she said curtly, taking a step toward me.

Nightbane snarled once again at her proximity, his mouth open wide and drool dripping from his teeth. His lime eyes were bright, even though we weren’t cloaked in darkness.

Her bottom lip quivered, and she looked at me.

I paused before touching Nightbane’s neck, wanting her to sweat another moment. He quieted, and she flew over him and rushed out the door.

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