More tears felland I closed the diary, a sob ripping through me at the innocence lost.
Why did his mother send him away? And why didn't she come for him?
Had it gone on that long?
What was happening in the castle?
I didn't know enough about the court politics of the fae or their history other than his father was murdered, apparently by his mother and her guard, and Kane became king. But what happened in between?
How was he gone for so long? Surely, more would have noticed his absence.
Holding the brass key, I stared at the diary.
Someone left this here for me.
Was it so I would have sympathy for him? So I would see how we were similar? Because I didn't want to feel this heartbreak for him. I wanted to hate him and continue hating him for the rest of my life.
It doesn't matter. Someone intentionally left this for me, and without knowing why, I need to be careful. These fae are as finicky as a Rose of Sharon, constantly squeezing in where they don’t belong.
I shoved the diaryunder the bedwhere no one would find it. Then I placed the key on my nightstand until I could figure out where to hide it.
“Just because he had an awful childhood doesn't excuse what he did.” Saying the words out loud didn't change the sorrow in those pages.
Someone knocked on the door. “Your Majesty.”
Recognizing Liora’s voice, I fixed my hair. “Yes, I'm here, coming.”
I ran to unlock the door, wiping the tears away.
“What are you doing in your room?”
Could I trust her enough to tell her the truth? She was myhandmaiden. “The king returned me early this morning,” I finally said, deciding I should keep the truth hidden.
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired.”
She nodded, ending the discussion. “I don't know if you've had a chance to see your room, but it's quite nice.”
Going to the windows, she drew back the curtains one by one. The sun was rising, but the rainy gray sky muted the colors. Enough light entered the room to highlight the green and floral decor.
White wood furniture carved with intricate floral patterns sat on the edges of the square-shaped room. Beautiful hunter-green paneling covered with gold filigree covered the walls.
“I'd say out of all the royal rooms, this one might be my favorite,” Liora said as she tied back the last green velvet curtain.
“Whose was it?” I said, looking around, noticing there was more than just the bedroom, but a sitting room in the middle, and behind it a washroom with a big white porcelain tub with golden feet. A large golden mirror rested against a long white vanity next to it.
“I don't know. It's not the queen mother’s chambers or any of the previous princesses. I think it was just one of the royal rooms from maybe a century ago. It suits you well.”
“Did the king know about my power? Is that why he granted me this room?”
“I'm not sure, Your Majesty. Here, let me draw you a bath, and then I will have breakfast sent up.” Liora walked into the washroom.
I glanced at my nightstand, seeing the key. Keeping my eyes on Liora, I hurried to my nightstand and snatched the key. There was a little flowerpot on a table near the window. The perfect hiding spot. Taking the key, I shoved it in the dirt, forcing the remaining dirt on top, burying it.
I didn't know why I was hiding it, but I knew I didn't want anybody to know I had the diary because something warned me there were more things in those pages I wasn't supposed to read. Yet, someone had stolen Kane’s diary and left it for me to find.
Was that a good thing or a terrible thing?
