“How did they meet?” There were plenty of romance books about humans and fae, star-crossed lovers who beat the odds. She wanted to know how it played out in real life. For her own sake, she hoped well.
“My mother’s family owned a farm, and my grandfather delivered fresh produce to the Mountain Kingdom. My father owned a produce stand here, and one day, my mother accompanied my grandfather on a delivery.” Fawn fiddled with the tablecloth, her eyes distant. “I was born in the Human Kingdom, but right before I turned fourteen, they decided to raise me here. My ears are round, and for all intents and purposes, I was human.”
Amelia leaned forward, intrigued. “Was?”
“When I was twelve, I came to stay with my grandparents in the Mountain Kingdom for a few weeks while my parents traveled on an anniversary trip. Ever since then, I’ve had weak fae magic.” She chuckled. “About a year or so later, I was at school and had wished I could knock a boy’s teeth out for teasing me, and everyone started screaming when he smiled. I didn’t get it because he looked fine to me, but apparently, I’d glamoured him to be toothless.”
Amelia clapped as she laughed. She’d have given anything to see that. “Did they realize it was you?”
Fawn’s grin faded. “Yes. The teachers were nice about it, but my parents moved us here the next week. They didn’t want anyone fearing me. My father said fear makes people dangerous.” The faraway look in Fawn’s eyes vanished, and a mask of indifference slipped into place. “My parents were killed in a rebel attack a month later.”
Amelia recalled Rennick’s mentions of rebels. “Are there a lot of rebel attacks?”
“The attack that killed my parents had a lot of casualties, but it was a rare occurrence at the time. About five or so years ago, they’d become commonplace.” She smoothed her skirt and lifted a slim shoulder. “The last attack was three years ago, then the king and his father killed or captured them all… that we know of.”
Fawn hid her emotions better than anyone Amelia had ever met. She’d delivered the information with a convincing air of nonchalance.
“Don’t,” Fawn said sharply when Amelia opened her mouth to give her condolences. “I don’t need pity or to be treated like I’ll break.”
Amelia sat back in her chair. “I don’t pity you, but I do understand what it’s like to have no parents.” Fawn gave her a questioning look. “I grew up in an orphanage, and I didn’t have to go through the pain of loving them and losing them like you did, but I am familiar with the pitying stares. I assure you, pitying you is not on my agenda,” she leaned forward again, “but I do empathize.”
Fawn laughed humorlessly. “Who’d have thought two orphans with human ears would be dining in a fae king’s rooms?”
Amelia snorted. “I’m dining. You’re staring at me.” Shewaved her fork at the cart. “Eat before I order you to.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “Can I order people around?”
Rolling her eyes, Fawn reached for a plate and filled it with steamed vegetables and a giant turkey leg bigger than her head. “Yes,Miss.”
Amelia smiled and ripped off a piece of roll to dunk into her gravy. “Are you married?”
Fawn choked, spewing her water across the table and misting the pretty candles that flickered between them. “I’m only twenty-six!”
“In the Human Kingdom, you’ve been an adult since you were eighteen,” Amelia pointed out. “Are the laws the same here?”
“Yes, but I don’t want to settle down yet, if ever. Men are worthless.” Fawn’s knuckles turned white around her fork.
Amelia cocked an eyebrow. “Spill it. What asshole broke your heart?”
The poor carrots on Fawn’s plate didn’t stand a chance against her stabbing assault. “We’ve had enough sob stories for today. Tell me why you’re really in the palace,” she gestured around them, “staying in the king’s rooms.”
Setting her silverware down, Amelia leaned her elbows on the table. “What does everyone think I’m doing here?” The vegetable assault halted. “Say it.”
“Some think you’re the king’s whore, but a few think you’re his mate, since he’s never brought another woman to the palace,” Fawn answered carefully. “No one knows you’re human, though. That was a surprise.”
Wrinkling her nose, Amelia aggressively ripped off another piece of bread. “Why would they think I’m his whore if he’s never brought anyone to the palace?”
“Those who don’t believe Ora is his mate think he’s given up on finding her since he’s not yet married.”
“They think Ora is his mate?” The thundercloud following her around turned positively black.
“Only because they have the same birthday and she leads everyone to believe she is.”
They have the same birthday? What did that have to do with anything?
Amelia sighed, touching her ear lightly. “I’m not allowed to tell anyone who I am.” She held up two fingers on each hand, bending them as she said, “For my protection.” Something told her Fawn was trustworthy, so she added, “If you tell anyone this, Rennick will kill you without hesitation, and I’d rather not lose the only person who’s been nice to me thus far.” The maid looked amused, not scared, and Amelia liked her even more. “I’m his mate.”
Fawn’s jaw dropped. “How?”
Amelia gasped and pointed at her. “You thought I was his whore!”
