He laughs. “Of course not. If I had, I would’ve told my father to take the crown with him to the Ancestors.” With one more squeeze, he puts me on my feet. “Now, let’s turn away from my troubles and to yours, instead.”
“My troubles?” I arch a brow. “Which ones? I mean, other than being forced into serving as a consort for a day king whose tongue is particularly wicked?”
The purr that rolls from him curls my toes. Maybe Mama was wrong about me being a spinster, because the more time I spend with Solano, the more I suspect I might be a tart.
“The ladies of the court have invited you to tea. It’s tradition.”
“Do the ‘ladies’ include Gwenarie?”
“Yes.” He pinches the bridge of his perfect nose. “I know she’s a problem, but sticking to tradition is the best way for you to make a good impression.”
“Why does it matter what sort of impression I make? Can’t you just keep me locked away in the harem? I mean, I go and get a naughty portrait done for hours a day, and then I come back here. No noble ladies needed.”
“You aren’t a prisoner.” He pulls me through the secret door and into my chambers. “And you never let me see what you’ve painted.”
“They aren’t done.” I shrug. Digging in my heels, I say, “Hey, if I’m not a prisoner, I can take a horse and head back to the Nightlands?”
He grits his teeth, then tries to ease his hard expression. “You can’t return. The agreement between our realms—”
“Which you already broke—”
“I broke it, yes.” He backs me against the secret door, the wood hard at my back. “I broke it because I wanted you.” He cups my cheek. “Andonlyyou.”
I swallow hard.
“The liberty I took has already been noticed by the Night Keep. I’ve received word that King Sigrid has sent an emissary.” He glowers. “I’ll make my excuses to whatever night realm noble he’s sent, but I suspect Sigrid will retaliate.”
“How?” My heart races. What if the night king blames my village?
“I don’t know, but he’s a fae who likes to play vicious games and pit our realms against each other. I can’t let him do that.” He runs his thumb along my bottom lip. “Iwillkeep my people safe, and you are one of my people. Don’t worry.” Pulling me away from the door, he shoos me into my bedroom. “But things will go more smoothly for you here if you can impress the female nobles. Get dressed. I’ll wait.”
I hurry to my closet and, after long deliberation, grab a pretty green dress. Slipping it on, I tie the back as best I can. Lucidia would do it better, but she’s not here. My hair is already brushed, and I don’t think I can go wrong with a pair of light pink flats. When I’m set, I return to Solano.
“Beautiful nightling.” His smile tickles the girliest parts of my heart, and I do a twirl for him.
“Your consort is prepared, my lord,” I say in mock serious tone.
“This tea might not be particularly pleasant, but I want you to take your place among the nobles. Consorts aren’t dirty things to be hidden away. At least they aren’t under my rule.” His eyes narrow a bit, as if at a memory. “You have free rein in the palace and grounds. If you’d like to visit Sonnen, inform Lucidia and she’ll make arrangements.”
“They’re afraid of me.”
“Who?” He glances sidelong at me as he leads me from my chambers.
“The townspeople. The children there, they looked at me as if I were a monster.”
“Superstition still runs strong. Unfortunately, many believe the Nightlands are inhabited byunseeliecreatures.”
I gasp as he uses the old term, the one that stings.
“Apologies.” He shakes his head. “I hate it, too, because it’s a baseless fear. There is no shortage of evil in both realms, it’s just that the light fears the dark and vice versa.”
I chew over his words as we walk in silence for a while, then arrive in front of a set of double wooden doors.
“This is the female nobles’ salon. No male is allowed inside.”
“Not even the king?” I ask.
His lips quirk into a half smile. “Thankfully, no.” Pulling me close he presses his mouth to my ear. “Don’t be afraid of them. Hold your head high. Choose your words wisely.”
