Forcing my shoulders to relax, I lean against the balustrade with a slouch and a smile. “Since when do you give a banshee’s tit about my love life?”
She barks a laugh, then stares out at the lawn. “I don’t know. I suppose ever since I saw how you courted Evelyn. Before that, I thought you were nothing but a playboy too. But then…with her, I got to see the real you.”
My cheeks grow hot, but I divert her attention with a roll of my eyes. “Oh, for the love of the night, don’t bring up Evelyn. That was decades ago. I’d like to forget I ever courted the famous Unseelie Queen of Fire, thank you very much.”
I expect to taste more pity coming from her. Instead, she seems to buy my lighthearted response and turns to teasing. “I’m willing to bet she’d like to burn the memory from her mind as well. Don’t worry, I won’t tell her you still pine for her.”
“I don’tpine. There was never any pining.”
She winks. “If you say so.”
“Oh, come on. She and I are friends. That’s all we’ve ever been.”
“Is that why you still ask her to go to bed with you whenever you get the chance?”
“For one, I only do that because it annoys her, and I enjoy the flavor of her aggravation. For another, I ask herandKing Aspen to go to bed with me, but the answer is always a mind-boggling no. Followed by so much delicious rage.”
She shakes her head, and for one shining moment I think that might be the last I’ll have to hear of thisloveconversation. But her expression quickly turns pensive, brows furrowed. “I’ve learned a lot about love these last few years.”
“Is that so?” I say, my tone high and mocking. “Lorelei has fallen in love and now she’s an expert.”
“I’m not an expert,” she says, leveling a stare at me, “but I’ll confess I once thought I’d never give love a second chance. You know…after Malan died.” Her emotions dip into sorrow, and I breathe it in. It feels heavy on my tongue, surprising me that after two decades, she still feels such poignant grief over her former lover.
I know I should say something consoling, but I can’t find the words. It’s nothing I’ve ever experienced myself.
Lorelei continues. “I’d hate to see you give up on love and miss out on something amazing. Like what me and Nyxia have.”
I lean in close, my expression soft and sincere. “Lorelei, has anyone told you lately…just how completely and utterly annoying you are?”
She punches me in the arm. “I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you.”
“That’s your first mistake. Honestly, I think love has addled your brain.”
“I’ll addle your brain,” she says, reaching up to slap the side of my head.
A light laugh reaches my ears, and we both pause to face the approaching figure. My sister, Queen Nyxia, strolls casually along the pathway, although her outfit says anything but casual. Dressing to impress is probably her favorite hobby, although I’m not sure if her target was her mate or whomever just arrived in the coach. Whatever the case, regality drips from every stitch of her slim black pants, her low-cut silver blouse, and her indigo jacket decorated in silver stars. A pair of glittering earrings dangle from beneath the cut of her short silver hair.
We look quite similar in our seelie forms. We have the same towering height, slim stature, and pointed ears. Even our eyes and hair are the same color. But never—never—could I evoke the same confidence she does. Never could I wear the mantle of king the way she wears hers as queen.
Lorelei goes to embrace her mate, and I can’t help smiling at their height difference. It’s cute. In an annoying sort of way, as romance always is. “Can we get out of here already?” Lorelei asks Nyxia with a pleading expression.
The look my sister shines down on the wood nymph is so heartwarming it’s almost embarrassing. For whom, I’m not sure, but it’s just…painful to look at. “Yes, darling. We leave in an hour. I need to speak with my brother first.”
Lorelei nods and pulls away from my sister. Then, with a parting wave for me, she leaves us alone.
* * *
Nyxia gesturesme over to join her, and I do. We walk along the circular path with leisurely steps. “We have a guest who has come to stay during the social season,” she says, her tone hesitant.
I quirk a brow. “You mean, a princess?”
She lifts her chin, revealing not a hint of shame. “Princess Maisie is the youngest daughter of King Ronan. She’s a selkie, and this is her first extended visit on land. You will host her stay and make her feel welcome.”
“You mean I am to court her. Just say it plainly if that’s what you intend.”
She stops and faces me. “Yes, Franco, you are to court her.”
“What happened to you no longer interfering with my love life? Do you recall what happened last time?”
