Page 151 of The Fae Girl 1

I met her eyes and she sighed stepping back, all but agreeing.

We didn’t speak as we walked through the corridors. Didn’t exchange one word. Though I could feel her eye-balling me. If she knew what I was thinking, what I was considering she didn’t admit it.

As we climbed a staircase I realised we were in an entirely new part of the castle. The etchings on the wall were more intricate. The gilding more ornate. Somewhere nearby must be the High King’s rooms but I didn’t want to think on that, to dwell on that.

When we came to a stop she jerked her head. “Down there.” She said.

I looked down the dark hall. There was one set of carved double doors right at the end of it.

“Do you want me to wait?” She asked.

My face heated at the question. I shook my head. No, I’m sure the Prince would see me returned just fine if this all blew up in my face.

She bit her lip like she wanted to smirk. “Well then, I guess I’ll see you back in your rooms.”

She turned, walking away, moving as silently as if her feet weren’t even there.

I waited till she was out of view. Maybe it was my pride, maybe I didn’t want any to witness this if it did go south.

I walked up, knocked on the door, noting with some gratitude that there were no guards here, no one keeping watch.

For one agonising moment I wondered if he wasn’t there. If I was just making a massive fool of myself and would have to make my way back alone.

I’d probably get lost too, end up wandering around aimlessly for…

The door opened.

I looked up.

Fain frowned for a second before looking beyond me scanning as if he expected half the castle to be here, in this corridor.

“What are you doing here?”

“Nela brought me.” I said.

“What?”

“Can we talk? Please?” I half whispered.

He let out a low exhale then opened the door wider, stepping aside for me to enter and shut it quickly.

I walked in, only taking a few steps before I stopped.

His rooms were bigger than mine. Grander too. Though I wasn’t surprised. He was a prince after all. A fire was crackling in hearth, a stags head hung above it with the biggest antlers I’d ever seen stretching up towards the cavernous ceiling.

Along the far wall was a bookcase stacked from floor to ceiling and a thick rug was laid out covering most of the stone floor between the two huge couches that were positioned in the centre of the room.

“Alice.” He murmured my name just as he placed his hands on my shoulders.

I turned around to face him. Determined not to be the shy coward I always reverted to. “You said you cared about me.”

“I do care.”

I gulped. “And then you walked off.”

“What else did you want me to say?” He asked.

I narrowed my eyes. “Did you ever consider that maybe I had a reply?”