Gideon stepped in front of us, his dimpled smile wide. “Congratulations.”
He bowed down, holding out his hand. I lifted mine. He took it and kissed my knuckles.
Kane glared at him.
“If there's anything you require, Your Majesty, please let me know. I am your humble servant.”
Kane tugged me to his side, yanking me out of Gideon’s hold. “The queen has her own servants,cousin.”
Gideon nodded a slight bow and then stepped aside as the procession continued into the banquet hall.
The dome ceiling was painted with fae and forests. Glowing lights hovered in the sky, dashing around it. There were tables along the sides overflowing with flowers and steaming food. Fountains poured a red liquid, which I could only assume was wine. Roasted meats, wildflowers, and spiced wine permeated the air, making me dizzy and hungry all at once.
Crystals hung in draping cascades, throwing rainbows across the large room.
Lifting my hands, I danced my fingers across one of those beams of light, completely swept up in the glamour.
Out of all the fantasies I had about marrying the fae king, I never could’ve pictured beauty quite like this.
The tables sat in aUshape, and the head table stood higher than the others. Two throne-like chairs covered in a velvety red sat at the head.
The pixies, who were strangely silent, flew behind me as I followed Kane to the thrones. He stepped to the one on the left and stood there waiting for me.
The pixies dropped my gown and fluttered to the side. Olivia scowled while her sisters smiled at me. They were beautiful fae. Even Olivia with her frown outshined most of the humans I’d ever met. Between their wide-set eyes and sparkling skin, the pixies’ aura spoke of fairy tales and happily ever afters.
Taking my place next to Kane, I focused on the beauty of the moment and nothing else. If I wanted to claim my place as queen, here was where I needed to show strength.
Kane reached for his goblet, all of them already full, and held it up.
I reached for mine as did our one dwarf guest, Nustul, sitting left of Kane.
“Tonight begins the fulfillment of the prophecy!” he shouted. “Let it be known that it was I, Kane, King of the Fae, immortalDragonborn, who brought balance to the lands by fulfilling the ancient prophecy. The unicorn’s blessing has proven this alliance will strengthen the fae and it will be our people who send the Lich King and his twisted minions back into the Never!”
His court cheered and raised their glasses in agreement.
“Let the feast begin!” the dwarf next to Kane said, holding a goblet in each hand.
Music drifted in, played by the unique spindle fae who were so different from the other fae at court. Their thin, vine-like bodies, diamond-shaped heads, long silver hair, and iridescent skin made them glitter like spun glass. There were four of them in matching gossamer gowns that shifted into a rainbow of colors as they moved. Their long, thin fingers strummed the little lutes they carried.
Kane sat and I sat next to him, staring at the feast before us.
All this and he hasn't said one word to me.
Nor I to him.
And that speech? Is this just a game to him?
Ignoring my new husband, I focused on the food spread out before me. Not that I had the stomach for any of it.
“Your Majesty.” Liora appeared by my side. I reached over to her, thankful to have a friend nearby. She leaned closer, whispering in my ear, “When you are overcome and ready to retire, use our signal. I'll be watching from the shadows.”
“What about tonight?” I asked and she looked at me, the golden rings around her eyes glowing.
“You'll have time to prepare. Don't be afraid,” she said it so softly, I wondered if Kane could hear.
How could I not be afraid?
My mind drifted and even though the aroma of the lavish food displayed before me made my belly yearn, I didn't want to eat. How was I going to get through this?
