She lets out a trill of laughter. “I can’t believe you’re still upset about what happened at Summer Solstice.”
“Still upset? Solstice was less than four months ago.”
“A silly accident.”
Lorelei narrows her eyes at the queen. “You gave Malan traumatic nightmares. Aboutme. She could hardly look at me for a week.”
Nyxia shrugs. “I don’t create the nightmares from nothing. They come from existing fears.”
“And you fed off hers.”
Another casual laugh. “I was jealous. You know how protective I am over you.”
“If you wanted to be so protective, you would have tried harder to keep me around in the first place.”
“If I recall, you were the one who ended things with me.”
Lorelei grinds her teeth. “And ifIrecall, you cheated on me. With seventeen other fae. At once.”
Nyxia waves her hands in a dismissive gesture. “It was Beltane.”
My cheeks grow warm, and I wish I could shrink on the spot. This is not the kind of conversation I feel like I should be present for.
Franco watches me through slitted lids, then slides lazily from his seat. Nyxia and Lorelei are still arguing by the time he makes it to my side. “Come. They’ll be at this for a while.”
Lorelei whirls toward us, eyes furious as they lock on Franco. “Don’t you dare take her anywhere.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Nyxia says. “Until I make a formal decision about whatever you’ve come here for, she’s under my protection. Franco can take her to the baths. Speaking of, you could use one yourself. Why don’t we get you out of those filthy clothes.”
Lorelei rounds on the queen. “Oh, that’s just so like you. Turn every serious topic into a seduction—”
“Told you. Come on.” Franco waves his hand forward. “I’ll take you to the moon baths.”
He starts toward the door, but I hesitate, eyes flashing from the prince to the arguing pair. With a sigh, I give in and follow Prince Franco.
The prince winks as I catch up to him. “Bet you didn’t know you were in for that treat.”
“Can’t say that I did,” I mutter.
“Don’t worry, they’ll cool off in an hour or so. Although, I doubt they’ll be making up in the same fashion as they used to.”
We continue down the moonstone halls in silence. My heart races with every step, both from the unfamiliar territory and my unsettling companion. I feel his eyes burning into me more often than not, and I wish he’d just keep his gaze to himself.
“So, you’re the Evelyn Fairfield I’ve heard so much about.”
I suppress an irritated grumble. “What exactly have you heard?”
“That you’re King Aspen’s mate.”
“I am.” The statement is a barbed defense against his unwelcome stare, but as soon as the words are out of my mouth, I realize their futility. I might be Aspen’s mate, but it means nothing now. Not when I’ll never see him again. Not when he’s about to marry another. “I mean, no. Not really.”
His lips quirk into a grin. “Not really. How interesting. Are you too proud to share him with his new Chosen? Or is it King Ustrin’s venom against you that has you running to Selene Palace?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“It might be, if you are to stay here for a time. Selene Palace is not just my sister’s home. It’s mine too.”
I keep my lips pressed tight as we continue through the palace. Finally, we come to an ornate sliding door. As the prince pushes it open, wafts of steam spiral into the hall. We enter, and I find three enormous pools inside the room. The ceiling is domed glass like the throne room, with that eerie light bathing everything in a dusky glow. The smell of jasmine and gardenia beckon from the calm waters.
