“What is it?” Tanya did not turn to face the male. Instead, she continued to watch her son dejectedly stroll across the palace courtyard. Kalan’s aura seemed too dim, and the queen knew it was not due to her distance from him.
“We’ve had word from within the citadel. It seems the dual-court fae made a visit there two days ago.”
“And why am I just now learning this?” The queen let the intensity of her displeasure seep into her words. She heard her husband’s secretary gulp.
“Our source was unable to leave his post at the citadel gates. He was just relieved from duty today.”
“Unacceptable, Leo. He should have sent word the moment the girl arrived. What is the purpose of having informants if their information does not reach us in time for action? The girl is unlikely to leave Summer Palace again.” Tanya could only imagine the circumstances which would motivate the Summer Royals to allow their granddaughter to leave the safety of their court in the first place. She asked Leo if the informant provided any insight to that end.
“Yes,” the male responded, happy to have good news to relay. “The dual-fae met with the Elders. Rumor has it, she met with them to discuss the prince and–”
“What about the prince?” The queen turned her icy eyes on the secretary. He stepped back in fear.
The lord quickly explained the girl’s rumored ailments, and how she sought the Wise Ones’ advice on ways to obtain relief from them. The queen frowned, realizing the girl’s complaints were similar to the one’s Kalan spoke of. She shook her head in denial. It was a coincidence, nothing more.
“What did the Wise Ones say?”
“Our informant was unsure. Though,” he added before the queen could express her displeasure with the lack of information. “He did say Prince Kalan showed up not long after the girl. He knows for certain that the two spoke in the Elders’ tower.”
“What?” Tanya asked in a shrill voice.
Her ally cringed, but continued, “Please, Your Majesty. That is not the most interesting news.”
With bravery, Lord Leo managed to bypass his queen’s fury with his next words. “Our mole learned that while His Highness and the girl were speaking in the tower, things grew… unpleasant between them. In reaction, the dual-court fae decided to leave Eirie. The girl fazed… from within the citadel.”
Tanya stood frozen in place, speechless.
It couldn’t be. She examined the lord for deception. He appeared sincere. The queen’s mind was whirling with the information and its implications.
This is what I needed, she realized with glee. This is how I convince the council to support my position. Tanya smiled in triumph; she finally had the evidence required to end the girl and remove the impending threat to her son. It was an intoxicating feeling.
A tiny voice in the back of her mind tried to remind her of the ailments her son suffered and how the girl shared them. The queen quickly tossed the thoughts and insinuations aside. No matter what her son, or anyone else, said, Tanya would never concede to the possibility of the dual-court fae being the prince’s lifemate. It was impossible in her mind.
“Leo,” the queen addressed the male with more respect. “How long ago was this?”
“Two days ago.”
Tanya nodded, remembering the increased seismic activity in the northern hemisphere that same day.
“Find documentation and testimony of any unusual occurrences in the Human Realm corresponding to the approximate time the girl fazed out of the citadel,” she instructed, already moving towards the door to call on her husband. Surely, he would support her cause now.
“At once, Your Majesty.”
Chapter 21
Gwen sat at the chair in front of her dressing room’s large mirror, staring at her reflection. She observed that the green contacts looks odd in the room’s dim light; her natural eyes would look far more dilated.
The princess brought up the point to Ian not long after first wearing the uncomfortable disguise. He assured her the lack of natural constriction and dilation was hardly noticeable to anyone who was not specifically looking for them. Knowing there would be no difference either way, Gwen did not feel the need to bring it up each time she noticed her eyes looked unnatural.
Gwen tucked a loose curl back into a barrette behind her ear. She moved her gaze to her blonde hair. It was a beautiful shade of the popular Summer Court color. Gwen liked her natural hair color so much, she considered keeping it when she went back to school.
If I go back to school…
Gwen’s frown reflected back at her. She shouldn’t think like that. No matter what was happening, she needed to refuse to let it change her plans. She would become a doctor, or die trying.
The chances of either happening might actually be equal, Gwen realized with unease. Unpleasant memories from the past week were resurrected with strength. The strongest, of course, centered on the night right after her visit to Eirie.
Gwen was eating dinner in her grandparent’s private dining area, staring at the portrait of her mother and trying to ignore the obvious tension surrounding the table.
Her grandmother unleashed an anger to rival Ian’s once she received word of what happened. Queen Orla was furious with her granddaughter’s thoughtlessness.
Her grandfather, however, remained surprisingly calm. Not to say he did not express disapproval after hearing of her error in Eirie, but King Cai refrained from bombarding Gwen with accusations of foolishness. His calm reproach made the rest of the room’s annoyance more manageable for Gwen.
“I do not know what we are to do,” Queen Orla’s worried, and still upset, voice carried to Gwen’s ears. “The invitations for the celebrations have already been sent. How are we going to cancel without it looking as if something is wrong?”
“I don’t believe we can, My Dear,” King Cai replied honestly. “Cancelling, now, will definitely raise questions. However, we can formulate a plan for how we handle them. Perhaps we inform Summer Court Gwen changed her mind and wants to postpone her coming-out celebrations?”
“And make her look weak or uncertain to her future subjects? That seems unwise.” Gwen could feel her grandmother’s eyes on her as the queen said the words.
“Cancelling might provide evidence of her rumored actions, as well,” the queen pointed out. Gwen refused to meet her gaze. Instead, she continued to trace the lines on her mother’s pale dress.
“You must cancel the festivities,” Aeron contributed from Gwen’s right side. “If word of her ability gets out, there is no telling who might try to harm her out of fear.”
“If,” the queen emphasized the word. “If word gets out. We have no way of knowing if it will.”
“Only a miracle would keep it quiet,” Ian added. “It would be safer to assume the information has leaked and act accordingly.”
“I do not believe Gwenevere will be in danger from any Summer subjects, no matter what they learn of her.” King Cai’s statement caused everyone, but Gwen, to look at him with disbelief.
“Besides,” he continued, undaunted by their expressions. “You are assuming our subjects will believe Gwen’s ability to faze comes from being a dual-court fae. In reality, only those nobles who attended the ball would readily draw that conclusion, and we have ensured their loyalty with blood oaths. They could not harm Gwen even if they wanted to.”
Gwen acknowledged her grandfather’s point with a small nod.
“What else would our subjects think, Cai?” The queen questioned wearily.
The king answered his wife, “All they will know is their princess is powerful. If we cancel the celebrations, however, they might go looking for other explanations to satisfy their curiosity.”
“I don’t like it,” Aeron and Ian spoke at the same time. Gwen’s lips twitched in response, but she kept her attention away from the group. Her present company would not respond well if they saw her finding any amusement in the situation.
“I’m afraid,” King Cai said with authority. �
�We do not have a choice. We will have the celebrations as planned, and Gwenevere will be introduced as our official princess.”
Gwen came out of the memory with a shake of her head. Distractedly, she ran a hand over the light green fabric gathered in her lap.
The dress was the most ethereal gown Gwen had seen in the Fae Realm. The silk-chiffon material hung elegantly off of her frame. A portion of the skirt halted on its way to the floor and was, instead, pinned up into the gold and crystal embellished straps at Gwen’s shoulder. It gave the gown a graceful cape-like back, while exposing most of Gwen’s spine. A matching embellishment formed an elegant four-inch belt, cinching the gown in at her waist. The result was otherworldly. Gwen imagined she resembled a sprite from Greek mythology. It didn’t escape Gwen’s mind that the Greeks might have described fae as sprites in their stories. She made a mental note to bring up the idea to Ian when she got the chance.
As Gwen continued to admire her reflection, she couldn’t help but wonder what Kalan would think of the gown. Fortunately, a quick knock at the main door kept her from dwelling on the thought. She rose to her feet and moved into the main room.
Jai was just stepping aside to allow Aeron to enter when she walked into the room.
The duke stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened as they traced the lines of her dress. They roamed from her shoulders, to her covered feet, and back up. Gwen grinned.
“My eyes are up here, Aeron,” she said in a teasing tone. Her words snapped Aeron out of his distraction, and Gwen was surprised to see a blush rise to the duke’s cheeks. Her smile grew.
“Princess,” Aeron’s voice sounded strained. He coughed to clear it. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” Gwen looked down and ran her hands down her sides. “I think this is the most beautiful dress I have ever worn.” Gwen thought it could not be a coincidence that the official color of Summer Court, which was green, flattered Summer fae’s complexions.
“You look remarkable.” Aeron complimented again, seeming nervous. He shifted from one boot to the other. Gwen raised an eyebrow. She had never seen the duke looking anything but confident. Something must be going on.
“Jai,” Gwen addressed her guard. “Would you give me and the duke a moment alone, please? We will meet you in the hall before we go to join my grandparents in their chambers.”
Without hesitation, Jai bowed and left her rooms. Gwen waited for the door to close before she turned her questioning gaze to Aeron.
“What’s going on?”
Though there was plenty of space between them, the duke leaned away in surprise. “I–I do not believe I know what you are referencing.”
Gwen titled her head and continued to observe his odd behavior. “You are acting strange.”
Aeron swallowed and shook his head from side to side. “I apologize, Princess.” He straightened his spine and met her gaze. “As I said, you look lovely. I think my mind was muddled with taking in your beauty.”
Gwen rolled her eyes at his excessive compliment, but smiled to let him know she was teasing. “Oh, I see,” she offered good-naturedly. She angled her body and peered at him over her shoulder. “You’re too kind.”
Her exaggerated fluttering of lashes finally got a strangled laugh out of the duke. Happy to have succeeded in mildly relieving Aeron’s weirdness, she turned to find her golden heels. She found them sitting on a short table near one of the settees, vaguely recalling one of the dressing maids placing them there.
Gwen picked one of the elegant shoes up and balanced a hand against the wall to put it on. “So,” Gwen faced Aeron, wanting to make polite conversation and keep the duke’s relaxed state. “How’s the party going?” She loosened the back strap on the shoe and tried to put the heel on, again.
“Most of the guests have arrived,” Aeron answered, watching Gwen struggle with an amused tilt of his lips. “But the party will not officially be “going” until Their Majesties introduce you to Court.”
Gwen nodded in understanding while she loosened the second shoe’s straps. “Where’s Ian?” She bit her lip in concentration as she worked to balance on her elevated foot.
“Eilian is working with King Cai and the security team to double-check all potential threats are accounted for. I must say, I have never seen my brother so–
“Gwen! Be Careful!” Aeron shouted the warning as he watched Gwen wobble violently on her thin heel. She had released the wall to try and fit the strap over the back of her foot and began to lose her balance.
Gwen tried to put her foot down, but it was caught in the fabric cascading around her legs. She was a moment away from falling painfully on her side when Aeron’s strong hands wrapped around her shoulders.
Gwen gaped up at him. He had been across the room! She latched onto his forearms as he helped her regain her footing. She kicked the fabric out to try and untangle her trapped foot.
“Easy,” Aeron instructed her. Still holding her with one hand, he bent down to flap the fabric and free her foot. He straightened when Gwen was able to successfully plant both feet on the floor.
Gwen placed her free hand over her heart. “Oh man, thank you, Aeron! I could’ve torn the gown!” She gave him a grateful smile, but her expression quickly fell in confusion as Gwen registered the strange look on the duke’s face.
Aeron’s deep green eyes were focused on her own, displaying an emotion she had not seen from the duke in all the time she knew him. Aeron’s gaze was full of… longing? Gwen internally shook the thought away. She was imagining things.
Gwen moved to step out of his grasp when her ankle nearly twisted from underneath her with her unsteady step.
“Careful,” Aeron whispered the same warning as before, tightening his hold on her arm.
Without warning, Gwen felt heat rise to her cheeks as she realized only inches separated them. The skin under his hand grew warm.
She became caught in Aeron’s gaze. The green eyes were so familiar; Gwen grew up with those eyes.
But they’ve never look at me like this before, Gwen thought in a daze.
Gwen was in the middle of counting the flecks of gold in Aeron’s eyes when she felt him shift beneath her hand. She shot a glance to his arm and couldn’t help but notice how small her hand looked next to his muscular forearm. Even through his formal jacket, Gwen could feel his taunt muscles.
Gwen returned her attention to Aeron and stilled. He had closed the small gap between them while she looked away; his lips hovered over hers.
She inhaled a small breath. He can’t be going for a ki–
Gwen’s thought was cut short, and proven wrong, when Aeron softly lowered his mouth to hers.
Gwen’s desire to end the kiss was immediate, but she was frozen in place. Aeron’s lips pressed into hers; his mouth trying to explore their surface. Gwen remained stunned and unable to move until the duke pulled back.
His vulnerable eyes took in hers. Gwen knew they were wide with shock, but could not control her expression. Aeron frowned and dropped his hand. Gwen moved back, instinctively.
“I’m sorry,” Aeron muttered in a quiet voice. He turned away.
Gwen’s head swam with questions. The only one which came out was, “Why would you do that?”
Aeron cringed, but answered her. “I’m not sure. I was just… taken in by you. I’m sorry.”
Gwen hated seeing the rejection splayed across the duke’s face, but he knew about her situation. He heard the Elder’s words. How could Aeron expect her to entertain any romantic notions?
In an effort to alleviate his discomfort, Gwen tried offer him an excuse for her behavior… an excuse besides rejection. “You have to know,” Gwen said kindly. “My love life is a complete mess, right? I mean… I just had Wise One’s tell me my half-brother is my lifemate. You can’t get messier than that. I’m not really interested in pursuing anything with anyone right now.” She stopped talking, sure she sounded like a babbling idiot.
Aeron continued to look away, but said, “I
believe we are running late. Shall we begin to make our way to Their Majesties rooms?”
Gwen nodded, choosing to not speak further. Aeron turned on his heel and walked to open the door to the hallway. Jai stood across the threshold, positioned against the other wall.
Without looking at her, Aeron held out his arm before stepping out of the room. Gwen took it, but made sure to keep as much distance between their sides as possible. The duke’s shoulders were stiffly rolled back, hinting he did not desire the contact, either.
If Jai noticed anything odd with their behavior, the guard did not give the slightest indication. He moved in front of the pair and started leading them towards the king and queen’s private quarters without a word.
Gwen took a steadying breath as they moved through Summer Palace, trying to reason away Aeron’s sudden and inappropriate actions. She gave a quiet sigh.
Isn’t my life complicated enough, already?
Chapter 22
Gwen sat with her grandparents on the raised dais at the head of the Dining Hall.
The evening’s festivities started with Gwen’s grand entrance onto the palace’s courtyard balcony where she was introduced to the numerous Summer fae in attendance. Gwen was both honored and startled with the loud cheers the crowd shouted after hearing her name. She couldn’t believe so many knew, much less cared, who she was.
Now, the princess sat at a table with her grandparents for dinner. Not including the numerous guards surrounding the dais, only the royals sat with each other. Gwen felt relieved to have a break from making polite conversation with strangers, but she remained tense knowing how many people were watching her.
Gwen leaned away from her half eaten plate and sat with her back against the chair; she was too nervous to eat another bite. Gwen glanced down at the gold, leaf-patterned bracelet around her wrist and spun it around so the sharp edge wasn’t pressing into her skin against the chair’s armrest. She tried to ignore the dozens of eyes she felt on her face, wishing something else would draw their attention for just one moment.
Work of Fate (Dual Court Kiss Book 2) Page 13