“Don’t be,” she answered. “I’ve had more than nine thousand good years.” Kortan’s face fell, as if she’d just confirmed his worst fears.
I swallowed. “I can still block your pain. You should feel better for several days or more.”
“Thank you, Andar.”
“And perhaps,” I added, “I can teach Kortan to do the same.” The youth’s drawn face lifted. It would be good for him to be able to help her. “He might need to practice, but I can show him the basics.”
Chapter 16: Khiona
Ifound Andar in the dining room at a table with an elderly fae and a young—very young—adult. The one we almost ran into last night. The youth said something with animated gestures and Andar threw his head back and laughed. It was a relaxed, genuine laugh that I had never seen before.
Who were these people? And why was Andar more comfortable with them than anyone had ever been around me?
He spotted me and waved me over. “Your—” He cut off just as I realized the only name he had for me was Your Majesty, and he couldn’t say that with the guise we were maintaining. He stood up and spoke as he crossed the room. “You’re awake! I’m so glad.” He wrapped an arm around me and kissed the top of my head. “I hope you feel better.”
I nearly melted into him. But this wasn’t genuine. It was the role he’d accepted. He’d accepted it for me, but it wasn’t because we were actually married or because he cared.
I hadn’t figured out why he’d accepted it, but I had to remind myself that it wasn’t real.
He guided me to the table with a hand on the small of my back. Oh, the way my skin reacted to his light touch! I wanted to lean into him and feel it more securely.
Why wasn’t this real?
Because I had another agenda.
But was it worth it? Wouldn’t this kind of affection be better? Even just a friendship—
He pulled a chair out for me, and as I sat in it, he gestured at the other two fae. “Come. Break your fast with me and my new friends.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Friends?”
He smiled easily. “Yes. It turns out making friends here is easier than we expected. Meet Kortan and Gran.”
If I’d given him my name, would we be friends now too?
Maeva set a plate with eggs and rolls on it in front of me. “Lord Taedo is paying for you, so you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”
Andar turned that new smile on Maeva. “That’s kind of you, Maeva, but we’ll be leaving very soon.” He reached an arm across the back of my chair. “You can see she is still distraught over yesterday. I believe the more distance we put between us and the Kahunamons, the better.”
Maeva dipped a shallow curtsy. “Of course, sir.”
I caught her arm as she turned to leave. “Do you have any more of that chamomile tea?”
She grinned. “Of course, miss. I’ll heat some and bring it right over.”
I put a bite of egg in my mouth and replayed Andar’s words. He’d done it again—spoken for us and announced our plans so I didn’t have to say anythingthat would give us away. And this time he’d done it with a smile.
The walls around my heart stuttered again, trembling in a way that made me wonder if they would hold. Was I feeling something toward Andar?
But that couldn’t be possible. I’d locked my emotions up behind a woven magic as thoroughly as I’d locked up emotions from my soldiers and attendants and…
And my human.
Andar and the others left me to my food and tea while they chattered about ice butterflies, horses, and how much more pleasant the heat of the Summer Realm is than the ice of the winter. I disagreed occasionally, but I didn’t dare speak. It would be too easy to slip and reveal myself.
* * *
Andar got us out of the inn faster than I expected. After introducing me to his new friends, I was afraid we’d have to spend the entire morning with them. But as soon as I finished eating, Andar made our excuses, said his goodbyes, and led me to the stable.
