“Unlike me,” Pharis prompted.
“I used to think perhaps you could be, with some work and practice,” I said. “But I was wrong.”
Picking up his knife and fork, Pharis sawed vigorously at the tender meat on his plate. His motions were so violent I feared the china dish would break in half.
He looked back up at me, gesturing with the sharp knife.
“For your information, your noble and kind ‘good Prince’ has forgotten all about you and is this very night at a new bond-mate ball, choosing a noble Fae bride.”
The news hit me like a hard slap. Tears rushed to my eyes, causing me to blink rapidly.
“It’s only been a few months,” I whispered.
Pharis’ exceptional Elven hearing picked up the dismayed reaction.
“I told you—my brother’s heart is fickle.” He sneered. “I hope your happy memories andtrue lovewill keep you company as you pine away for him for eternity.”
Standing abruptly, he nodded to a footman. “I’m finished.”
Then Pharis turned and left the dining room without another word or a look back.
Chapter 5
Let’s Find You a Queen
Stellon
Music filled the ballroom at Seaspire. So did hundreds of beautiful Elven women.
Unbonded women, all dressed in their finest, all vying for my attention.
Giving in to the urging of my advisors, I’d finally agreed to allow a bond-mate ball.
Everyone kept reminding me how important it was for me to make a politically advantageous alliance with a powerful lord and seal the deal with marriage.
That meant only a handful of the women here tonight were actual candidates. I didn’t really care much about which one ended up as my bride.
Mareth sat beside me on the dais, scratching the neck of a spotted jaguar. It was rubbing its large head against her leg like a house cat.
Glancing over the assembly, she pointed out her favorites among the noblewomen in attendance, trying to help.
“There’s Lady Tansette,” she said. “I’ve known her for years. She has quite a good sense of humor, and she’s a shapeshifter. Her Transformation glamour is exceptional.”
I responded with a bored harrumph, and Mareth gave me a tolerant smile.
“Lady Carlen over there is a very talented artist. Also, I happen to know she’s always fancied you.”
“I noticed Lords Sillery and Hyland aren’t here with their daughters,” I said.
“Why? Are you interested in them?” my sister asked. “Do you remember them from the Assemblage Opening Night ball?”
“Barely,” I answered.
“Why do you mention it then?”
“I just find it interesting that several of the prominent houses are not represented tonight,” I said.
My minister of security had warned me there was some unrest in the kingdom following my father’s death. Many of the regional leaders felt he had used his Compelling glamour to take unfair advantage of them during his reign.
