Lowri swiped her forehead with a gloved hand. “I can’t wait to return to Iodale where there is a breeze.”
I didn’t feel the expected pang of sadness at the idea of Lowri’s departure. Instead, I felt almost relieved.
“Pardon me, your majesty?”
A thin young woman, not much older than myself, with rich black curls, dipped in a low curtsy. When she rose, I sucked in a breath. Her eyes were the most unusual shade of violet. I checked her ears for a tell-tale point, but they were rounded. She may have been human, but I’d bet she had fae blood somewhere in her ancestry.
She kept her hands folded in front of her, the picture of subservience. “You summoned me?”
“You must be mistaken. I haven’t summoned anyone.”
Doubt flickered through her eyes as her lips pursed. “I received a letter written by your own hand.”
The only letter I sent was to— “What is your name?”
“Lady Whitney Frederickson, your majesty.”
Thiswas LadyWhitney? No wonder Caiman and Alrec had quarrelled over her. She had to be one of the most beautiful humans I’d ever seen.
Although no one but Lowri seemed to be paying us any attention, I didn’t want anyone overhearing our discussion.
“Come with me.” When Lowri made to follow, I told her this was a private conversation. Although her eyes flashed, she didn’t protest, instead catching another glass of champagne from a passing servant. Lady Whitney followed me to an alcove behind the deep red curtains draped on either side of the dais, near the hidden door used only by the royal family and close friends.
With all that had happened, I had completely forgotten about sending that letter.
“This is terribly awkward,” I began, straightening to my full height to meet her gaze head-on, “but I have a few questions of a delicate nature.”
A small smile played on her lips. “You wish to know about my relationship with your husband.”
I could only nod, not trusting my voice to remain steady.
“Now that his brother is gone, I suppose there is no longer a reason for me to keep my secret,” she said almost hesitantly, eyes downcast toward her pink slippers. “Caiman and I used to be friends. His brother grew jealous of our closeness. He couldn’t fathom why I would care for Caiman over him.”
I had a sinking feeling I knew where this conversation was headed.
Lady Whitney shifted from one foot to the other, clenching and unclenching her skirts.
“Go on,” I encouraged, needing to hear the rest of it even though my heart already ached.
“Prince Alrec kissed me without my permission. When I tried to stop him, he grew more insistent. Caiman found us and kept things from going further. To keep him quiet, Prince Alrec . . . he did unspeakable things. By the time Caiman was released from the infirmary, the issue had been dealt with.”
“Dealt with how?”
Her hands shook as she wrung them together. “I do not wish to speak ill of the previous king, but he was blind to his eldest son’s true nature.” Tears gathered along her dark lashes. “Prince Alrec threatened me and my family, saying I had to go along with his account or suffer the consequences. I didn’t want to, but Caiman told me it was for the best.”
Heavens above, I had been as blind as the king. I pressed my palm to my spinning head. What a fool I’d been. All this time . . .
Lord Kerrington appeared from around the drapes, a glass of faerie wine in each hand. The green jacket and waistcoat he wore matched his eyes. When he saw Lady Whitney, his face lost its color. “What the hell is she doing here?”
Lady Whitney stumbled back.
“You forget yourself, Kerrington,” I snapped.
His eyes narrowed as he bowed his head mockingly. “My apologies,yourmajesty. But you must understand my shock at seeing you conversing with a traitor.”
He wouldn’t speak so horribly of the poor woman if he knew the truth. “Lady Whitney is—”
A hand curled around my arm. I met Lady Whitney’s pleading gaze. This wasn’t my story to tell. It was hers. And for some reason, she appeared ashamed by it even though she had done nothing wrong.