“They’ll be here when you get back, and I’ll have more delivered. Three canvases seem to be nowhere near enough for one as voracious as you. Now get dressed.”
“Dressed. Yes.” I stumble backwards but catch myself and hurry to my room. Dressing quickly, I silently wish Lucidia were here to tell me what to wear, but I suspect she won’t enter the consort’s chambers when the king is here.
“Ready.” I dart back into the lounge area, and the burning crown is gone. He offers his arm. I take it, and he leads me into the hall.
“What’s for lunch?”
“I’m afraid I won’t be dining with you.” His countenance hardens. “I have threats and problems to deal with. My father groomed me to be his successor, but he glossed over many of the difficulties I would face.”
“You mean what happened in the farmlands?” I send a silent prayer to the Ancestors for those poor farmers.
“Yes. And more.” He sighs heavily as we stroll the sunny halls. “I spent my youth fighting and training with my warriors, learning from the greatest masters we possess, and traveling every bit of this realm.”
“Sounds fun.”
“It was. I had all the boons of day realm royalty, but none of the banes.”
“But now?” I squeeze his arm.
“Now.” He shakes his head gently. “Now, troubles mount at my borders, discord threatens my court, and the social order my father enforced—like all his fathers before him—doesn’t seem as important to me.”
“Don’t forget that you’re probably in trouble with King Sigrid for choosing only one consort.” I give him a bright smile.
He grins. “Well said. Yes, that’s another trouble to add to the pile. Thank you, my lady.”
I know I’m not a lady—Mama said that ‘my lady crap’ was meant for females who thought more of themselves than they were worth—but when he addresses me that way, I feel like maybe he sees me differently. Maybe I could be more than a changeling to him.
Taking my chin in his light grip, he kisses me again. “I must be off. Enjoy your meal, and paint me something lovely to look upon when I return for resting hours.”
“All right.” I dart my tongue out to get one more taste of his kiss as he turns and leaves. I have the silly urge to follow him, but I stay put.
Even so, I stand for a while after he’s gone, my eyes on the door as I silently wish for him to return.
18
Emma
Ispend the next few days sitting for my portrait as Brunilla rambles on about art, the injustices of the high fae, and the need for reform. I don’t disagree with her, but I’m not sure why she thinks I can do anything about it. I’m a consort, a nightling, and barely one step above a servant. In fact, some of the lesser fae servants treat me like I’m a swamp ogre. So, no, I don’t have any sway, no matter if I share a bed with the king.
More than that, when I look at her work so far, I can’t get any idea of what it is. It’s sort of a mosh of colors, none of it even vaguely resembling me. But perhaps I just don’t understand her process.
Solano spends his days with councils and nobles, but when resting hours arrive, he always comes and takes me from my room and into his bed. Other than a few kisses, he honors his vow and doesn’t take more. He doesn’t even let me touch him or taste him, warning me it would lead to more and then, to calamity. It’s maddening. I curse myself for having him make that vow each time he comes to take me to bed. I want more. My bodydemandsmore, but I can’t have it. Instead, I take longer baths, thinking of him and bringing myself to release. At least, I was until Lucidia began barging in on me, perhaps to try and catch me in the act.
This morning, I’m brushing my hair when Solano appears in the mirror behind me, his gaze on my neck that he then litters with kisses.
“Rest well?” I ask and turn to him, wanting more of his mouth. He gives it, his tongue caressing mine as I wrap my arms around his neck.
He pulls me to him, holding me off the floor with his strong arms. “I rested, but the king’s troubles are never far away.”
“I’ve noticed.” I kiss the tip of his nose. “I thought consorts were supposed to hang on their king at all hours, but I hardly see you.”
“I’m sorry, nightling.” He squeezes my behind. “I intend to spend more time with you once I get some of my affairs settled.”
“You mean the attacks?” That sobers me a little.
“Yes, among other things.”
I sigh. “Did you know being king would be so hard?”
