Of all the women I’d known, including the one beside me, I’d never known one to be so callous, especially in the presence of actual royalty.
It almost made me appreciate her a little bit.
Almost.
“I am ambi-magicked,” he says proudly.“Fire and Earth are my elements.”
Norman whistled.“I don’t think we have any AM students at Blackthorn.”
Desmond preened with confidence.“Well, you do now.”
Delaney twisted her lips as she stabbed her lettuce.We’d all devoured our salads, but she remained picking.
The staff brought our dessert—an Irish Tea Cake served with fresh cream and apples—and soon we were all stuffing our faces again.When it finally came time for the awkwardness of dinner to be over, Queen Amaranth excused herself and the O’Neil’s, but as Desmond stood to follow, his father spoke.
“The Queen and I have much to discuss,” he said.
His mother looked at me, also with equal judgment, then to Violet at my side.“Perhaps you would be so kind to show my son a...tour of your humble abode?”
I didn’t like the tone of her voice, but there wasn’t much I could do about anything.I wasn’t a true consort yet.All I was, was the long lost Princess’s boyfriend slash mate.I had no pull, no rank.Nothing.
Something that made me uneasy.
“Of course,” Violet said, smiling sweetly.Her bright blue eyes lit up with excitement, and I could practically feel the sunshine radiating off of her.
She truly was a light in the darkness, if I ever saw one.
She moved from my side and I grumbled in response, but I did not stop her.She motioned for Desmond to follow and I did not miss the look of fear in his eyes for the briefest moment.
But it was gone before I could say a word.
“It is still quite nice out, perhaps we should start with the courtyard?”Delaney said, breaking the awkward silence.
“That’s a lovely suggestion, Delaney,” Queen Amaranth said as she turned, the King and Queen at her side.
“We shall see you all tomorrow at breakfast then.Bane, you may escort Desmond to his quarters when you are finished.”
My face fell and Wanda chuckled beside me.
“Seems you have a new friend, Bane,” she taunted me.
“How do you know the Dark Fae Prince, again, Wanda?”I nipped, casting her a surreptitious glare.
Wanda bristled at my words.“That is none of your business.”
I scoffed.“Well then, it looks like he’s a foe until proven friend, then.”
Wanda rolled her eyes, leaving me to my devices as Norman approached us, just as Delaney flanked Desmond on the opposite side from where Violet was.
“What are you two gossip hounds talking about?”Norman asked, his tentacles slithering along my back.
I smacked them away, noting he was doing the same to Wanda, but she did not flinch.I caught one tiny pink sucker latch onto her neck before she casually stepped forward and left us alone, following Violet, Desmond, and Delaney.
Norm whined.“Was it something I said?”he asked.
I cast him a glare.“Perhaps it was your tentacles with a mind of their own.”
He had the audacity to look hurt by my comment as he said, “Oh.”
