Daneiris snickered a bit, her eyes going to my betrothed before shifting back to me. “I should be going, anyway.”
She stood after one last sip from her teacup, wiping her mouth primly with a napkin before dropping it on her plate.
Zerlina stood with her, smiling, “Thank you for coming. I’m looking forward to later.”
I considered them both with suspicion, not liking the idea of the two getting together and making plans.
“Of course!” Daneiris chirped, “I can’t wait to go shopping with you! I need a fresh perspective.” She was out the door with a wink and a “Later, big brother.”
Silence reigned for a moment as Zerlina and I watched one another.
“What?” She finally huffed, putting a hand on her hips. The red dress she was wearing had a corset top that complimented her hourglass figure and her long, shiny brown hair that was streaked with blonde highlights from the sun. Her blue eyes were alight with something I couldn’t place, and absolutely did not trust.
My hands curled, and I could feel the lightning shooting through my veins. But I leashed my anger for now.
Daneiris certainly bared watching more closely. After her attempted manipulations with Asteria, I was already suspicious of her motives. Now, with her and Zerlina bonding...
“What were you doing with her?” I demanded, stalking forward toward my betrothed.
“Enjoying some female company, Cyrus. Since my sister went back to Dawn, I’m all alone here.” She sighed, sitting back down before looking up at me. “I just want a life here. Friends.”
Zerlina could complain about not having any other female company all she wanted, but I still didn’t like the two of them getting together to gossip.
I knew how to pick my battles, however. I already had people watching them both; I would ensure they paid close attention whenever they were together.
“Fine,” I grunted, making a show of giving in, and Zerlina smiled in a strange way, getting up and giving me a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you, Cyrus,” she purred, her hands going to the collar of my dark violet and charcoal doublet, pulling slightly. “Now, let me show you my appreciation.”
I smiled slowly, much preferring this side of her, and let her pull me into her, kissing her fiercely. I began to back her up when a knock at the door cut us short. I pulled back from Zerlina’s lush lips with a snarl, “This better be good.”
Zerlina writhed against me, and I squeezed her hips to get her to stop moving so I could pull myself away and open the door, despite her pouting.
“What?” I demanded, but blinked in surprise to see the Fae who opened the door.
“Your father has summoned you.” Jeremi was responsible for my father’s schedule and was only ever sent when it was especially important. “I’m to take you to his rooms.”
I growled, running a hand through my wavy brown hair. This was the very last thing I needed right now. “Fine, let’s go.”
I followed him through the halls, up to my parent’s wing, where my father’s door was decorated obscenely. Too many golden statues for my liking. I was of the belief we could show our superiority in other ways. Gaudy decor didn’t really do it for me.
Jeremi knocked, and my father’s voice called for me to enter. Stepping in, I found my father sitting in his chair. It was overly large, with a tufted velvet for the seat in a bright pink color that matched our wings, and edges encrusted with jewels. It sat before two grey sofas, making the chair look more like a throne, especially as he sat there gripping the arms and staring at me furiously.
I sighed, moving to stand before him reluctantly. “Yes, Father?”
“What,exactly, do you think you’re doing, Cyrus?” He ground out, rage lining his features as blue lightning shot through his eyes. The arms of the chair squeaked in protest as he gripped them mercilessly.
I stood at attention, hands behind my back so he couldn’t see the way I dug my nails into my palm in response.
“Could you elaborate?” I asked blithely.
In a whirlwind of motion, my father was out of his chair, the expensive piece falling backward as he stormed toward me in a rage. I tried not to flinch back as he was suddenly in my face.
“Do you think me stupid?” He spat, voice increasing in volume as he went on. “That I wouldn’t notice the humans disappearing? Or the soldiers inmyarmy, suddenly going off on missions I haven’t approved? You think to undermine me at every turn!”
My lip curled as I shook my head. “I’m doing what’s best for our kingdom.”
My father scoffed, his shoulder-length brown hair like a mirror of mine, flying as he shook his head furiously. “You do what’s best foryou, Cyrus. You always have.”
