The heat pooling in my stomach had nothing to do with it being summertime. “It’ll be worth the wait,” I reminded him—and myself. Four weeks until forever. Four weeks until I was his and he was mine.
Groaning, he combed a hand through his hair. “I know it will, my love. I know. Please forgive my ardor. It has been a trying day of meetings. The only thing that got me through was knowing I’d see you when it was all over.”
Seeing him, spending time with him, falling deeper and deeper in love with his passion and generosity was my favorite part of every day. The arrogant young man from four years ago had grown into a strong, confident leader. Although with all his duties, we rarely had a moment alone to get to know one another properly. The joys of marrying a future king.
After growing up in a small, secluded village in the north of Iodale, I’d been so nervous to meet a human. The fae had been exiled from Vellana, along with magic, by one of the previous kings. Then, five years ago, King Bedwyr became gravely ill. Although his wife at the time sought the best healers in Vellana, no one could cure what ailed him.
The king learned of a clan of powerful fae living only a three-day voyage south, my mother the greatest healer among them. When his men came with trunks of gold, she had turned them away. Immortal fae had long memories, and she had been a child when the Danú, creatures with magic in their blood, were banished from Vellana, left to flee for their lives to the neighboring islands of Airren and Iodale.
But the king’s men were persistent. After a week, she agreed to heal the king in exchange for a promise: that I would be matched with one of his sons as a sign of peace between the humans and fae. As part of the deal, his kingdom had to welcome the fae—and their magic—back to Vellana’s shores.
This alliance would be the first step in healing the deep rift between our people, the devastation of which my mother had witnessed first-hand.
I traced the lines of Alrec’s tattoo, half expecting the deep blue feathers to feel downy soft. “What sort of meetings?”
The corners of Alrec’s sky-blue eyes crinkled when he smiled. “Nothing for you to worry about, my fae bride.”
Over the last four years, I had been educated in politics, battle strategy, and foreign relations.In Vellana, however, it seemed women were more ornaments than partners. I’d find a way to change that, to make my future husband understand that my being a woman wasn’t a weakness but a strength.
“Would it be all right if I joined you next time?” I pressed.
His lips flattened. “Whatever for?”
“To learn more about the country I am to help rule.”
“Let us speak of this after we are wed.”
I closed my eyes, making a mental note to bring it up the day after we exchanged vows. I didn’t want him believing I was content to sit idly by while he ruled on his own. “There is one more thing I would like to discuss.” I resumed tracing his tattoo, loving the way his skin broke into goosebumps, breathing in the woodsy scent clinging to his shirt.“It involves the castle servants.”
Alrec’s light brows pinched together, his hand landing atop mine, stilling my movements. “Are you having trouble again?”
When we’d first arrived, one maid had spoken out against being assigned to Lowri. I’d brought the matter to Alrec’s attention, and he’d swooped in and had the woman removed from the castle entirely.
“No, nothing like that. It’s just . . .” How did I say this without him taking offense? “I would like to learn about the staff’s wages. How much they earn in each position and such.” My mother always said that servants were the lifeblood of any household. Finding and keeping those who were truly loyal was of the upmost importance.
If the young maid we’d met today didn’t have the funds to purchase proper work attire, then she may not have the funds to provide for her own welfare. Poverty was a blight on any nation. We should be doing everything in our power to help those who struggled.
“There’s no need to concern yourself with such trivial matters, my love. We have a man in charge of such things. Now.” Alrec withdrew a shimmering necklace with diamonds the size of my thumbnail from his coat pocket. “I saw this lying among the queen’s jewels and it made me think of you.” He turned me so my back was to him, brushing my hair aside to fasten the necklace at my throat, the center jewel like an icy weight against my breastbone. “My beautiful diamond,” Alrec whispered, pressing a kiss to my temple.
I pinned a smile on my face, reminding myself how lucky I was. People searched their whole lives for something I’d found at only eighteen.
And in four more weeks, I would have my happily-ever-after.
2
CAIMAN
I’ve heardit said that a woman could be like the sun, giving light and warmth to those around her. My brother’s betrothed was like the sun because she burned those who fell out of her favor. The beautiful fae lit hearts ablaze and danced around the writhing flames until they were nothing more than ash and embers.
And mine happened to be her favorite kindling.
There was a time when she’d looked upon me with smiles that touched her stunning silver eyes.Then everything changed.
She’d been given a choice between the golden god who could give her a throne or me, a useless second son with nothing to offer but my heart. I’d been convinced Roisin was different from other women, that she’d been able to see through my brother’s glorious façade to the monster lurking beneath.
Turned out she’d fallen under his spell as easily as everyone else.
Loud music rattled through my brain. Too many bodies surged toward the dance floor, making the already humid air unbearable. If I could have skipped the whole vapid ball, I would have. Unfortunately, it was my duty as the spare heir to sit here like an ornament and watch everyone else enjoy themselves.