Page 27 of The Iron Fae
“And I don’t think I can wait to release my powers. Some things need to change. In the Shadow Court… and here.”
“Even if you are a queen, Briar, you have no reign over the Iron Court,” he reminds me carefully.
“But as a queen I’ll finally have a voice. I can help Fae. Plus, one day you’ll have the throne.” I smile, gently. “And you are ready for change, right?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure I’m going to be the king you think I’ll be.”
“It’s the queen who holds the power here, isn’t it?” Our steps slow as we reach my door. We face each other but neither of us moves for the knob.
“And I’m just the pretty little side piece.” Kai returns my grin but something dark burns in his gaze.
There is pity in my heart for Kai, at the way that he views his own role. He has power, but he’s helpless.
“Who are you going to marry?” I settle with crossing my arms over my chest, in the way that hides my breasts instead of putting them on display.
“Well, there are other Fae Courts with Princesses with who would probably love to rule. I’m sure my Mother will make arrangements for our Courtship if her current plan falls through.” He drops his gaze.
“…Current plan?”
“She wants to make a deal with Cordelia since Lincoln is nothing more to her than a soldier.”
“It’s never good to make deals with the devil.” I laugh to cover up my rising anxiety.
“Yes, well, deals between one devil and another aren’t often questioned.” He swallows. “My mother is writing up a proposal for Cordelia and I’s marriage. In exchange, our Courts will be merged into one with our reigns becoming equal. I’m the first born, but I’m also a male therefore the power in my court defaults to whomever I marry. My mother would like to ensure that our family remains in power… and expanding our court is an additional plus.”
“You can’t marry Cordelia.” I hold myself tighter.
“It’s not ideal.” Kai agrees, leaning toward me to finally open the door. “But if you become queen, it won’t have to be a worry. Right?” His voice is strained.
“Right,” I say slowly, trying to process.
I don’t have parents to rule over me, to guide me in decisions. Who will I marry? More worrisome, who will they expect me to marry? My mind wanders to Lincoln, but our relationship is too new to consider marriage.
“Will I have a, uh, counsel or something?”
“Yes, they will probably talk you through your options.” Kai looks inside my room, waiting for me to enter first.
My feet remain firmly planted. “If I’m the queen will I have a choice in who I marry?”
“Are we talking about my brother? The lesser, but much more withstandable, one?”
“Yes, but no. Maybe. I’m not sure.” My words trip over themselves, stumbling from my lips in an embarrassing stutter that makes Kai genuinely smile.
“That’s between you and your counsel,” he amends, with a sigh. Dragging a hand down his face, he motions with the other for me to go inside.
I shake my head. His smile quickly falters.
“Is something wrong?”
“I want to see a seer. Tomorrow.” It’s the first confident, and if I do say so myself, queenly command I’ve given. Though, I imagine a prince has little want to be commanded.
“Tomorrow?”
I nod.
Kai lets go of a long breath, looking me up and down. “Are you sure the Reminints aren’t still affecting you?”
“I’m fairly certain.”
