Page 71 of The Fae Girl 1

“Are you hurt?” He asked after a moment.

I shrugged. I could feel bruises. Maybe a few cuts. Nothing serious. His eyes dropped to take me in and I realised how little I had on. That I wasn’t even covering myself.

I moved my hands, bringing them up over my breasts but it didn’t help. Not even my hair hanging over me helped.

He stepped closer. “What happened to your dress?”

“I was about to have a bath.” I muttered looking away, feeling my face heat with what I knew was shame.

He let out a low breath. “Put some clothes on. Make it quick. We’re moving your room.”

Ifollowed behind the Prince. A few servants had been summoned to carry what little belongings I had despite my objections that I could manage it.

I was wearing a simple shift dress. Plain. Easy to get on and do up. I’d thrown a cloak over my shoulders too. Not that it was cold but I wanted to cover myself, all myself, after being so exposed.

Wherever this new room was, it seemed far further up in the castle. We climbed three new sets of stairs and went down so many corridors I knew I was lost.

When we finally came to a stop I was happy to just finally be here.

“These are the Peacock Rooms.” He said. “You’ve been upgraded.”

Inside lay a grand sitting room. A huge open fire place was surrounded by marble and plush furniture. The walls were hand painted with an intricate pattern and as I stared I realised they were peacock feathers. I guess that’s where the room got its name from.

It felt like room fit for receiving guests. As though I were royalty. As though I were some sort of queen.

Fain walked across and opened the door leading off from it.

“The private quarters are through here.” He said standing aside for me to see beyond. I guess he meant the bedroom, the bathroom, those sorts of private rooms.

“Thank you.” I replied still standing awkwardly, looking at this new space.

“What is it?” He asked.

“How are these rooms any more secure?”

“You’re in the Royal Residence now. To get to these corridors you have to pass through the public part of the castle, past the Royal Guards and three sets of guardhouses.”

“Right.” I murmured staring at the windows now. What if they came in that way? What if they scaled the roof?

The Prince cast his eyes to where mine were. “It’s too high up. Too remote.” He said answering my unspoken question. “And if anyone tried it we’d know before they even got close.”

I nodded. Still staring out. Maybe he was right. Maybe this room was more secure.I guess I’d find out the next time the Agnai made a play for me.

“Get some rest Fae.” He said quietly. “The High King will be here tomorrow.”

I gasped turning to look at him. “Tomorrow?”

He didn’t reply. He just met my wide eyes with the cold stare of his and then went to leave.

“Why do you hate me so much?”

The words were out my mouth before I could stop them.

He paused. Only for a moment then continued onto the door as if I hadn’t even spoken.

“You attacked me too.” I said following after him. “The other night…”

He snarled turning around. The anger that he seemed to have been controlled suddenly boiling to the surface. “Do you deny what you’ve been up to? What you’ve been doing with your magic?”

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