On her neck sat a citrine stone attached to a golden chain. The stone was encircled by a golden sun. This stone, Selene claimed, was a gift from Rylo. Created by an ancient witch, and holding deep magic, it would hide whatever the bearer wished. Erasing it completely from even the most powerful fae. Selene herself had helped Avery hide her Goddess mark. Savine tested the stone to see through the ward, but it was impossible. No chance would Jasper find out she was Goddess-touched.
But what assured her was the iron blade hidden on her left thigh. She’d have to be very careful not to expose it thanks to the slit in her dress. Getting his hands on iron was incredibly risky for Raikin. He’d never shown her any kindness, but this gesture alone was enough for her to see where his true loyalty lay.
Avery had felt tiny next to the Nepheli guards who escorted her through the maze of stairs. Flat shoes weren’t going to make her the size of the shortest Nepheli, but at least she’d be able to move quickly when she attempted to bring down a centuries-old fae king.
The only thing that gnawed at her was Rylo’s insistence that Savine stay away until she demonstrated her power to the crowd. While she knew that Savine’s presence would alert the Latians to the betrayal, she still felt like a piece of her was missing in the crucial moment. The compromise they settled on gave Avery a little reassurance. Raikin was disguised as a Nepheli server, complete with wings somehow. He would be the one at her side the whole evening. Savine waited in the antechamber with Jay, Rue, and Susan.
The banquet room was decorated with ornate gold and silver drapery. The open air room had a slight chill from the autumn winds whipping into the space. Above her head, tiny fae lights twinkled like stars trapped under the ceiling. It was a breathtaking sight, and she wished she could enjoy the atmosphere with Savine instead of facing the most challenging moment of her life yet.
The Nepheli guards led her past revelers dressed in their finest. Like her last presentation to the Nepheli court, everyone she passed whispered and commented. But she didn’t care. They weren’t her concern tonight. Tonight, she was saving a nation and claiming her soulmate. At least that’s what she hoped she’d accomplish.
Finally, she was seated to Rylo’s left. He turned and gave her a half smile before directing his attention to the next guests to arrive. Hissmile wasn’t the least bit encouraging. She would never forget that she was in this mess because of him and that she’d been forced to take Weston’s life because of him. Even now, she could see the light drain from his eyes as his blood splattered her hands. Now she was about to take another life. The life of a man who’d not only harmed his own people, but Savine. Even still, knowing that she was about to end someone made her shake slightly. She would never get used to taking someone’s life.
The Latian King frowned as he walked forward. Even though she knew he was nearly five hundred years old, he looked no older than a man in his late forties. His body was muscular, yet slim. So unlike his son’s large, strong body. His long, black hair was interspersed with gray and braided in many long braids, decorated with beads and jewels down to his hips. His beard was salt and pepper. He wore a crown of woven antlers on his head. It wasn’t gilded like the cedar boughs Savine now wore, and seemed to lack authenticity. His striking blue eyes were the exact shade of Savine and Kyla’s, but his faded essence was nothing like Savine’s. His exposed flesh was slightly patterned in tiny brushstrokes, like the short fur of a deer under copper skin. His eyes gleamed as he glared at Avery.
He wore the same shade of forest green that Avery wore. As he looked at Avery, she knew he noticed her Latian clothing and royal color. His scowl pierced through Avery, and she felt her throat and chest contract. Breathing became more painful by the second.Oh God.He was going to kill her before she could even make any sort of move. As her breath sputtered, she reached for her magic. Pulling at the coiling magic deep within her, she shot a ray of green light out at the King. The tiny ember of power that she produced made Jasper flinch enough that he let go of his own essence.
Rylo drawled in a bored tone, “Jasper, can you please refrain from killing the human until after the soup course?”
Jasper’s face looked crimson with anger. His essence writhed under his skin. Avery fought the urge to turn and run, stealing her face into a bored mask.
“How dare she dress like Latian royalty!” Jasper spat. “I refuse to stay in this room and be insulted by this filthy human scum. The very idea that you would taint this room with someone like this is an insult to the fae and Althea herself!”
“I’m sure King Rylo would be happy to have you eat somewhere else if you can’t stand to be near a little human,” Avery said. She knew she should watch her tongue, but really. How many insults could she take?
Jasper stared at her with his mouth wide open. Clearly, he wasn’t used to being talked back to.
“Sit, Jasper,” Rylo drawled. “She means no harm and will display her abilities for our entertainment.”
“I will not see any displays of her abilities until after I have what you promised me,” Jasper sputtered. This hundreds-of-year-old fae had such a weak grasp on his emotions. The man was turning purple with rage.
Rylo continued to keep up his mask of boredom. More likely, he was actually that bored. Avery wouldn’t be at all surprised if Rylo found this entire display dull.
“Don’t fear, the power of what I promised is well in place and you won’t be disappointed with what I have planned this evening.”
For being a creature unable to lie, Rylo could twist his words to have so many double meanings that his words caught Avery by surprise. Was this another one of his traps?
“As a guest of your hospitality, I shall not insult you by leaving the supper. But if I have one inkling of treachery, I will not hesitate to take action.” As Jasper spoke, he placed his hand on an ornately decorated sword covered in emeralds and rubies. The hilt was in the shape of a pine, ending in an egg-sized emerald at the pommel. She couldn’t see the blade, and hoped she wouldn’t have to.
Avery looked to see Rylo’s reaction. To her shock, Ryloliterallyyawned. With the smallest movement of his finger, the room was filled with fae warriors, wearing midnight black fighting leathers that seemed to be dusted by the stars themselves. Each warrior spread their wings, making shadows across the room.
“You always have a way of reminding me why I do not host other rulers in my home. Now, if you are finished with your bluster, I would like to enjoy this supper,” Rylo said. Avery heard him mutter under his breath, “Goddess forbid, it’s the only enjoyable part of this evening.”
Raikin’s disguise was so good that Avery would have never known it was him, other than the subtle wink he gave Avery as he brought her food. Rylo suggested he be the one to serve Avery, but they all knew better than to take that risk. His betrayal would be so swift if he were the one to give Avery food.
The meal tasted like ash in Avery’s mouth. She tried to be polite, but it was all so unappealing that even the small bites she took had to be forced down. It didn’t help that all the food was rich, coated in decadent sauces, and heavy on the meat.
While trying to eat roasted lamb coated with a poached raven’s egg, Avery heard Jasper address her for the first time since his outburst. “It is a pity that you took an interest in my rebellious son. I could have found use for such an exotic specimen in Orofine. But now you will never know genuine appreciation.” As he spoke, spittle formed at the corners of his lips. She shouldn’t have leaned forward to look at himwhile he spoke. She should have ignored this cruel man who failed to learn to eat properly, despite his centuries old age.
Avery placed her fork down on her plate and looked past Rylo to where Jasper sat. “With all due respect, Your Highness, but before dinner started, you called me filthy human scum. What is it then? Am I exotic or scum? Surely I can’t be both.”
“Arrogant girl! How dare you speak to me in such a manner? I can see you have learned a few things about impropriety from that unfortunate heir of mine. Hold your tongue before you lose it.”
“I say this with all neutrality in mind, but she has a point, Jasper,” Rylo said. Jasper spit out a mouthful of his egg. Greasy yolk trickled down his chin as he looked at Rylo with ice-blue eyes that could shoot daggers. For a moment, Avery felt a twinge of pity for Rylo being seated next to the incensed king.
“Rylo! You do not know the consequences I shall take against you if you insult me in such a manner. Hold your tongue!”
A golden gleam flowed off Rylo’s exposed skin, masking his tanned complexion into something shimmering, nearly otherworldly. “You, of all people, should understand that I hold your fate in my hands. You willingly have placed yourself in this position. Now stop spitting on my meal and raging at my guest.”
