“Lady Gwen,” Kalan greeted, giving her a wide smile of his own, striding to her when he suddenly froze. His eyes bulged as he took in her clothing, or lack thereof. His cheeks reddened.
“I– I apologize,” the prince continued staring, his gaze flicking down her torso. “I didn’t realize…”
Understanding dawned, lifting her desirous haze. “Please.” She chuckled with a shake of her head, remembering her interlude with the prince following her pool side meeting with Bradley. “You’ve seen me in less.”
Kalan’s face deepened in color, and Gwen heard a tiny gasp from behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Penny’s shocked face.
Oh no, Gwen groaned internally. “Forgive me, Prince Kalan,” she switched to a professional tone, trying to undo the mess she created. “I realize how ill-mannered that sounded. I did not mean to imply anything untoward.” Gwen desperately pulled out what she hoped to be her “regal” vocabulary.
“Of course not,” Kalan said, composing himself. “Would you excuse us?” He directed the question to the assistant.
With a quick curtsy, Penny rushed out of Ronan’s quarters and closed the door behind her, obviously eager to be free of the awkward situation.
Gwen looked apologetically to Kalan. “I really am sorry. I will learn to be more careful with my words. I promise.”
The prince offered her a sympathetic smile. “I understand. Just… do try to take more care. We need to keep up the ruse of you being Ronan’s niece, and– ”
“And as my niece,” Ronan interrupted, giving her an appropriately stern look. “I need you to appear respectable. I do not want scandalous rumors to begin and tarnish my family’s reputation.”
Admonished, Gwen nodded. She hadn’t even considered the consequences of her behavior for Ronan. She would be sure to watch herself in the future.
A knock sounded and, without being granted permission to enter, the seamstress flowed in and made her way to the room. She spoke over her shoulder, trying to urge Penny to follow her.
The female turned around and stopped short upon seeing Kalan.
“My Prince,” she curtsied gracefully, “It is an honor.”
“Mistress Flora,” Kalan bowed. “It is a pleasure to see you again. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your assistance with Lady Gwenevere’s wardrobe on such short notice. I trust it will not be too troublesome.”
“Not at all, Your Highness,” she assured him with another curtsy and repeated, “It is an honor.”
The males excused themselves from her bedroom, informing Gwen that they would wait for her in Ronan’s study. This time, Ronan made sure he shut the door.
Penny and Mistress Flora immediately began working, neither of them saying another word.
A lovely floor length dress slipped over Gwen’s head. The navy gown had a high waist, accentuated with a silver ribbon. From the waist, navy tulle covered the sleek fabric underneath, ending in a short train behind her. Gwen didn’t think she had ever worn such a beautiful dress.
Penny offered her a couple pairs of silver, elbow length gloves. She gave Gwen a small grin and nod when she found a pair that did not slide down her arm when buttoned. Penny moved to retrieve a full length mirror, while Mistress Flora worked on pinning the thin straps over her shoulder to a more appropriate length.
“Oh my,” Gwen whispered at her reflection. “It’s… lovely.” She could think of nothing else to say.
Mistress Flora surprised Gwen by meeting her eyes in the mirror. “You are lovely, my lady.”
Trying to not seem so surprised by the title, Gwen gave the seamstress a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
The fitting wrapped up quickly after that, Penny and Mistress Flora opening the room door to depart once Gwen was dressed in her own clothes.
She waved them goodbye before turning to sit on the large, pillow-covered bed. Noticing a small table with one golden handle drawer, Gwen reached over to her bag of belongings and removed the family photo she brought with her. Placing the item in the open drawer, she gave it a lingering look before shutting it away.
Now alone, Gwen let the reality of her situation hit her. She was really here. She was really at Winter Court. It was more beautiful than she could have ever imagined, and she had yet to see much of it at all.
Gwen was still surprised with how well she continued to handle the fantastical situation. Almost since the first night of figuring out the truth, Gwen accepted the circumstances and found herself rolling with them. She practiced magic for goodness sake! She, a future doctor, readily embraced this mystical world where Fae exist and influence the seasons.
Gwen supposed Ian to be the reason behind her quick adjustment. She trusted her friend with all her heart and having him by her side helped alleviate any and every fear that threatened to rise up the first few days of her new life. Gwen rubbed her eyes, hoping her stability would continue on without Ian’s comforting presence.
Moments later, Gwen rose and made her way to find Kalan and Ronan. She strode into the common area of the living quarters, eager to continue her exploration of the Winter Court and begin her adventure.
Chapter 15
25 years ago…
“Princess Gwendolyn?”
Wendy stiffened, recognizing the owner of the voice that broke her from her thoughts. Drying her eyes and taking a steady breath, she stood from the wooden bench and turned to meet the clear-blue gaze of the Winter Fae approaching her.
“Yes?”
He smiled sheepishly. It was a genuine and kind smile. “I wanted to check on you. You seem out of spirits this evening. Has something happened in Eirie to upset you?”
“No, nothing has upset me… here.” Wendy added the last word thoughtlessly, her hands reaching up to trace the outline of the pendant she had taken to wearing every day.
Almost a year had passed since Eilian’s sudden departure from Summer Court. While Wendy had finally managed to continue with her life and duties, there were moments where her loneliness and despair overwhelmed her as powerfully as the first day without her best friend.
Those terrible moments tended to occur during formal occasions, the times when Wendy missed Eilian’s company the most. Her best friend’s presence always made her royal duties and obligations fun and carefree. Without him, they were bleak and monotonous.
Wendy saw the Winter Fae glance around the lush greenhouse she escaped to, seeming unsure of how to respond to the princess’ words.
The greenhouse was in Eirie, the land in the Fae Realm where the Wise Ones resided–their time spent in meditation and reflection to provide the realm with their prophecies. They were the most powerful fae in existence, having honed their abilities and skills into making complex enchantments for the good of the Realm. The Summer and Winter Courts routinely met in Eirie. It offered a neutral location to handle any business that might involve both courts.
Wendy was accompanying her father to this particular meeting and, after a long day spent performing her diplomatic tasks, escaped at the first opportunity. She did not have it in her to hold her composure for longer than required, making the Winter Fae’s sudden presence somewhat unwelcome.
She sighed, knowing that no matter how unwelcome his presence, Wendy could not afford to slight the fae in front of her. Diplomatic protocol would not allow it.
“I assure you I am well,” Wendy offered a convincing smile as she ran her palm down the sides of her floral skirt, ensuring it was free of wrinkles. “I simply wanted a break after the meeting. It is not easy for me to remain so stoic and aloof for such an extended period of time.
“But look who I am speaking to,” Wendy continued, raising her arm towards the Winter Fae. “These meetings must be much more tiresome for you.”
He nodded, thoughtful of her words. His responsibilities at meetings required diligence and was, without a doubt, more involved than her actions of appearing regal and interested in the topics of discussion. “I am sure that, with tim
e, these tasks will become much easier for you. You are young.”
“I hope you are correct.”
“Would you like to walk with me?” He asked after a short silence descended. “I would be honored by your company.” He looked nervous while he said the sincere words. Wendy thought him endearing, which surprised her.
Although Wendy managed to get past Eilian’s departure enough to fulfill her responsibilities to Summer Court, she had not been able to continue her ruse of courting male fae. She frowned as she remembered her behavior leading up to Eilian’s departure. She told her best friend King Cai was pressuring her to seriously consider finding a partner–a Summer Fae worthy of one day ruling Summer Court by her side. That was true.
What she did not tell Eilian, was how much she wished that Summer Fae would be him.
Wendy realized she loved Eilian years before. He was compassionate, intelligent, honorable and, most importantly, her truest friend. Wendy could imagine no one else as her lifelong companion. The only problem being: she had no knowledge if he felt the same way.
So, she tried to determine his feelings for her in a foolish way. Wendy began parading her father’s approved prospective suitors in front of her best friend in the hopes that it would cause Eilian to profess his love for her. Wendy received no such outcome, crushed to learn that not only did Eilian not love her, but he was also capable of leaving Summer Court. Of leaving her.
As a result, Wendy ceased to see any suitors. She could no longer keep up the façade of seeming interested in them when her heart had yet to heal. That was why her positive reaction to the Winter Fae’s attentions seemed odd to her. She could not remember the last time she thought favorably of a male.
Perhaps it is because he is a Winter Fae, she thought as she observed him awaiting her answer, the sunlight streaming through the roof and highlighting his black hair. Perhaps knowing that nothing could come of it makes him safe… trustworthy, even.
Wendy smiled. This time it was sincere. “It would be my honor,” she offered his words back to him with a small curtsy.
Taking his outstretched arm, Wendy strolled through the blooming greenhouse and began having her first real conversation with another fae since Eilian.
Realizing, along the way, just how much she missed the simple joy of having someone to talk to.
***
Present Day
It was difficult for Kalan, but he insisted holding off Gwen’s tour of the palace until she had an evening to rest and settle into her new surroundings. The prince almost caved when Gwen turned her pleading blue eyes on him. But, he resisted his natural desire to do anything for her, knowing that she would greater appreciate the things he wanted to show her in the light of day.
Now, the next morning, Kalan strode eagerly through the East Wing of the palace towards Ronan’s living quarters. The prince’s rooms were located just one floor above his guard’s which proved troublesome the previous night.
Ever since meeting the beauty in the Human Realm, Kalan fought to clear his mind of Gwen at night, eventually successful in falling asleep after a good amount of time. Now, knowing that only a floor separated him from the subject of his thoughts, sleep all but escaped him.
Thankfully, his excitement managed to curb any lingering fatigue. Kalan could not wait to show Gwen all the luxuries and beauty the palace had to offer. He intended to make her love his court and hopefully guarantee that she would become a frequent visitor of his home.
Arriving at Ronan’s tall, wooden door, the guard on post gave him a salute before opening the door for him. Prior to parting the previous evening, Gwen asked Kalan the reason for the guard’s presence outside Ronan’s rooms. Kalan assured her that guards were always present throughout the East Wing since it was where the prince, himself, lived.
His words were partly true. Guards were stationed more frequently in royal quarters, but not usually at those that were not actually housing a royal member. Kalan placed a guard outside of Ronan’s chambers per the request of a particular Summer Fae.
Ian had seemed desperately concerned with Gwen’s safety and, as a way to somewhat alleviate his worries, the prince offered one of his own personal guards for her protection. Kalan also promised that either he or Ronan would always be present with Gwen when she wandered the palace or Winter Court. Between them and the guard’s presence outside her rooms, she would be in very little danger.
Not that Kalan thought her to be in danger, he acknowledged to himself, but it was a small concession to motivate the Summer Fae to diminish his protests of Gwen visiting Winter Court.
“Prince Kalan,” Gwen’s voice dragged him from his thoughts as he entered the apartments. She was sitting in the main space, awaiting his arrival. She was wearing a pair of grey slacks, a pink blouse with ruffles down the center, and flat grey shoes. Kalan thought she looked as if she were about to attend a business meeting. He told her so, good-naturedly.
“Well, I don’t have my approved court attire yet and did not want to walk around a royal palace looking like a slob,” she reasoned, running her hands down the sides of her blouse. “Do I look alright?”
“You’re lovely,” Ronan answered for him, walking out of his study located through the second door down the hallway to the right. The guard was dressed in his uniform.
“Shall we begin, my prince?”
Kalan led the group through the door and began making his way to the south facing stairway.
“I thought we would visit the main rooms first,” Kalan informed Gwen, holding the door that led to the outside courtyard open. “It might be best for you to become familiar with them, as that is where most occasions occur.”
The palace was designed in the shape of rectangle with the center of the building hollowed out to form a courtyard. Each side of the palace was designated as either the North, South, East, or West Wing. The main entrance into the palace was through the South Wing, with smaller entrances positioned at the others. Those entrances were utilized by palace staff and Court merchants conducting business, as well as the prince when he did not wish to be bothered with a grand entrance every time he entered his home.
The girl nodded, seeming distracted as she took in her surroundings. Kalan allowed himself to observe the courtyard, wondering what it was like to see it for the first time. Growing up at the palace, the prince never gave much thought to the splendor of his surroundings. Seeing Gwen’s face, however, made him realize that she found it alluring. Which made sense, he supposed, after living in the Human Realm her entire life. Gwen was going to find even the most mundane-seeming things extraordinary.
The prince continued to lead the group through the courtyard, giving occasional nods to fae who stopped to bow to him in greeting. Kalan felt uncomfortable with their attention, noticing the odd looks he received from Gwen in response.
They reached the North Wing: the location of the palace’s main rooms, as well as his mother and father’s living quarters. They entered through the twenty foot ice-carved doors and stepped into the gleaming foyer.
“Wow,” Gwen whispered, her eyes locked on the staircase before them.
The grand staircase was actually two separate staircases, one on either side of the entryway. Both curved as they moved up, meeting at a large landing on the second floor and partially hidden by the large crystal chandelier hanging from the frosted dome covering the space. The rails on the stairs were solid gold, displaying snow flake carvings in its soft metal. The stairs, themselves, made of sleek, blue marble and rising to approximately fifty feet.
The foyer floor was also decorated with blue marble and gold light fixtures were positioned methodically against the cream and blue painted walls, casting a glow throughout the surroundings. Vases of the signature Winter Court blue and white flowers filled the space, offering a sweet aroma.
Kalan smiled as he remembered Gwen inquiring after the flowers.
“How can flowers grow in this environment?” Gwen asked Kalan as they sat in Ronan’s study fol
lowing her appointment with the seamstress. “Isn’t one of the main characteristics of winter the lack of plant life?”
“That is true,” he allowed, chuckling. “But the Winter Court does not actually follow the same rules of nature that the Human Realm does. Plants can grow anytime and anywhere, here.”
“Aren’t Winter Fae supposed to dislike plants, though? I mean, that’s what your magic is for, right? To end spring and summer, ushering in their ‘death’ with winter?”
Kalan’s face sobered. “Winter Fae are just as capable as Summer Fae to appreciate natural beauty. Although our powers are utilized to ‘usher in death’ in the Human Realm, we do not despise or shy away from enjoying nature.”
Kalan stopped, afraid that his tone might have come across as harsh when answering Gwen’s questions. His worries were alleviated, however, when instead of a shocked expression, he received a warm smile.
“I am glad to hear that.”
“My prince?” Ronan’s voice cut through his memory, bringing Kalan back to the present. He was met with inquisitive looks from both Gwen and his guard.
“My apologies, what was it you asked?”
“Lady Gwen wondered where we were to be going next,” Ronan gave the girl an amused glance. “She seems very impatient to continue the tour.”
Gwen laughed at his teasing. “Yes, can you blame me? I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Eager to please her, Kalan led Gwen up the right staircase, walking slowly as he introduced her to the area. “This is where most gatherings occur,” he informed her in a very tour guide type voice–factual and authoritative. “It is the North Wing, and you may visit any rooms on the first and second floor you desire, but the third is off limits unless invited.”
“How very Beauty and the Beast,” Gwen murmured, looking at the various pieces of art in gilded frames they passed as ascending the stairs. All were of landscapes found throughout Winter Court, most covered in snow and ice.
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