Page 88 of Queen of Thorns
Rev
The queen dismissedthe council meeting quickly, deeming it a success. Her proud smile as I left the room was a rare encouragement.
Even so, it did little to relieve my anxiety.
Drake has influence on the Whirling Court, we’ve always known that. But we never knew exactly where his father, the true ruler of the court, stood. Today, we learned much, and the news was not good.
Of course, we don’t know if the king is aware of the Night Bringer’s influence on his son, but he is clearly against Caelynn, and the rest doesn’t matter so much.
“I’ve heard rumors that the Shadow Queen will be in attendance.” I spin to find Rai smirking at me, his mate on his arm.
“Have you seen her?”
“Not yet.”
My heart clenches. “Thank you,” I tell Rai. “For your support in the meeting. I’m going to be far in your debt before long, I think.”
He chuckles. “There is no debt among friends. Even if... your position was to change. I’d continue to support you.”
My eyebrows rise. My gaze shifts to Alia, her red curls cascading over her shoulder down to her dark blue dress.
“I’ve heard a lot about you and Caelynn,” she says sweetly. “I’m looking forward to our friendship growing.”
I nod politely just as a melody begins soaring through the air, bright and jovial.
“Can we dance?” Alia looks up at Rai with her stormy eyes full of love and happiness.
There’s no gift like giving your mate happiness.
“Anything for you, darling.” He gives me one last smile. “Good luck.”
I pull in a nervous breath as Rai sweeps his mate out into the middle of the newly sealed glass floor. Down below are crashing waves that I refused to even glance toward because it causes unpleasant memories to flash through my mind. I remember that red dress fluttering down. I remember that fae’s screams.
Will your mate be next?
I shake my head, ignoring the voice, still honestly unsure if it’s real or in my mind.
Though the gathering is small, several couples now populate the dance floor. They laugh and twirl in circles, holding each other close. The Flicker King holds tightly to his current male partner. The Frost Queen spins around with her mate. And the Luminescent King even holds my mother.
My mother who abandoned her mate, my real father, to continue her comfortable life as a queen.
My heart clenches.
I catch a flash of blond hair through the small crowd, and my heart leaps. Hands in my pockets, I casually cross the room. Eyes follow me as I push through the small crowd, but I am not approached or badgered the way I usually am during a full populated ball. There are very few available females here, which is a relief.
