Page 4 of The Court of Secrets
“He is my friend,” I lied. “Not a lover.”
“It does not matter.” Her lips pinched with disgust. “He is a faery. Any relationship is inappropriate.”
“He fought alongside us at the battle. Besides, was it not my father who had betrothed me to the dark fae prince?”
She dipped her head. “King Amos is, sadly, no longer with us, so he cannot give his input in this case. Besides, that wedding never took place, and Blaise was not a Berovian. The lords and I believe it to be in poor taste to−”
I clapped my hands together. Rage coursed through my veins. The darkness in the pit of my stomach relished it. “Must I remind you of our vastly different positions?” My tone hardened. “Stop ignoring my request. Youwillbring me Cedric. That is a command.” I put my index finger in the air, preventing her next words. “If you want to keep your position at court and not end up being a wash maid, you will not ignore me again.”
Silence hung between us for a few seconds before she let out a long exhale. “Right away.” She curtseyed, deeply, never looking me in the eye nor removing the disapproval from her expression. “I will see thefaeryis brought here immediately.”
I rolled my eyes when the doors closed behind her.In poor taste?What was in poor taste was my father trying to marry me to a fae prince only to gain access to their kingdom to seize it.That’s in poor taste.I paced in a circle, muttering aloud occasionally. Eventually, the doors opened.
“Cedric!” I gasped, throwing my arms around his waist. “I’m so sorry. I was tired and slept, then when I woke up, I asked to see you. The maid said she wasn’t allowed to. Can you believe it?” I clenched my jaw.
He licked his lips. “Yes, your guards seem to have a deep loathing for my kind, as they put it, not so politely.”
My mood stormed. “They said this to you? I’ll have them dismissed. How dare they? You aremyguest.”
He shook his head, sitting me on my bed, then joined my side. “You cannot undo what I imagine is generations of hate and prejudice in one day. You’ll be dismissing your entire court if you do.”
“I won’t have it.” My eyes welled with tears. “I expected different. The battle, I thought it may have changed minds, with word reaching back here that the fae fought beside us.”
“Manyhavechanged their minds, but they are the minority, it seems. Still, it’s a start. In time, things will be different. Your people are desperate to see their queen. I’ve seen them as I walked the corridors to my room. They’re excited. Once you make them fall in love with you…” He brushed the hair from my eyes, his smile easing my rage. “Which should be easy, going by my experience…” He tapped the end of my nose. “They will see what you can do and will learn to listen. You can persuade them. Guide them.”
I scratched the back of my neck. “If only it were that easy. I told you once before, I’ve never been good at getting people to like me.”
“And yet an entire army joined you, three princes wanted your hand, and your friend saved your life. You don’t make a good point.”
I smirked, letting out a slight chuckle. “Every time.”
“What?”
I moved myself over until I was leg-to-leg with him. I walked my fingers up his chest. “You make everything feel… easy. You know, I have a few minutes before I must go and meet my high priest.”
His hand ran up my back and into my black curls. “Then I shall make them count.”
A knock at the door jolted us both. “Your Majesty, you have an audience with Vahaga.”
I let out a weighted sigh, gazing at Cedric. “We will have to postpone our kiss.”
“Not if I have anything to do with it.” He pulled me closer, wrapping his arm sturdily around my waist. His lips crashed against mine, with little care for the man at the door staring at us, slack-jawed. When he pulled away, he simply mumbled, “Later.”
I nodded, feeling lightheaded, then stood. We shouldn’t have been so brazen; I knew it was reckless. I would have to have Adius give the guard extra coin for his silence.
“You should come with me,” I said. “We will get some cake after my meeting.”
He looked unsure.
“It will be okay. I did not have you return with me so you could hide away in the shadows. Just don’t kiss me. I think we would give the lords and priestesses a heart attack. We’ll show friendship. They can’t do anything about that.”
“They’re going to ask you about Kiros, you know.”
I exhaled shakily. “I know.”
Pain cracked through my forehead unexpectedly. I clamped my eyes shut and felt Cedric holding me up. After a few moments, the pain was gone.
“What happened?”
