He was careful with his words, not to insult his king.
I understood the meaning and nodded. “Thank you. It's been really hard.”
That emotion that crept up in the worst times bubbled to the surface. I didnotwant to cry at dinner, not around all these strangers. They couldn't see me weak. I had to be strong.
“You know,” Gideon said, smiling at me, making it hard to not smile back. “There are many places around the palace that I think you may enjoy.”
The only places I had visited were the stables, the kitchens, my room, and the outside grassy area near the stables. Liora had been adamant that I didn’t visit anywhere else. Not after my incident in the dungeons.
“Not sure I'm allowed anywhere.” I took another sip of the wine, my muscles relaxing a bit.
“What does that say about the fae if we keep our future queen locked in a tower like a pet?”
Before the truth of his words could settle in my mind, he continued.
“As the king's cousin and one of his nobles, it's my duty to show the future queen a bit of the beauty of our world.”
I wanted to tell him it didn't matter because I wasn't going through with this marriage. Though, honestly, I had no idea how to get out of it. “I would like that if it's allowed.”
“You let me worry about that,” he replied with a wink. “It’s only right that you should see what you're getting into. Don't you think?”
I took another sip of wine. “I guess so.”
Gideon raised his glass. “In the meantime, I’ll give you a rundown on who’s who.”
Intrigued, I leaned in closer, knowing any information on Kane’s court could only help.
“Those two twins over there,” he said, pointing to two fae the color of the morning sun, “are Riddik, Master of Coin, and his sister, Renna, Master of the Hunt.”
Dark swirling tattoos ran up Renna’s neck and along the sides of her face, her wild russet hair frayed out around her shoulders. Unlike her twin who laughed beside her, Renna seemed uninterested by the banquet.
Riddik met my gaze, his golden eyes almost hypnotizing me, and I wondered if he had some type of elemental mutation that allowed him to do so. His shaggy russet hair just passed his pointy ears and had been styled away from his face, which was extremely handsome. Besides Kane, Riddik was the most handsome fae I had ever encountered. It made sense that he would be the one to deal with the financial responsibilities of the court. How could anyone say no to a fae that charming?
“Then you have our beloved jester.” Gideon gazed at the fae in the corner playing a lute, the male’s curly brown hair bouncing as he tapped his foot. “Conroy Duffy is the finest bard in all of Saol.”
The bard gestured in our direction, singing louder.
Gideon continued pointing out the nobles, including his sisters who had all been pining for the king, hoping one of them would be chosen. There were three fairies from the Nightsong Jungle, almost a larger version of the pixies, and Nustul Stormgut, a dwarf ambassador who had been working on a trade alliance with Kane.
The dwarf laughed, his braided ginger beard bouncing off his stout belly. Whatever he said to Kane made the Deathless One smile.
By the time Gideon had finished, my belly was full, and the fae court didn’t seem as scary. He leaned back, and when he did, Kane's glare landed right on me.
I froze, not understanding what I could possibly have done wrong other than having a polite conversation.
“Don't worry about him,” Gideon said. “He's got other issues to deal with.”
“Like what?”
“Gideon,” Kane said, interrupting the discussion.
Everyone around the table quieted.
Gideon turned, a smile on his face. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How fares Lady Ista?”
Gideon's eyes did not match the painted smile on his face. “Well, Your Majesty.”
