Rhay let out a scoff. “Only in name, love. To my father’s despair, I enjoy throwing parties more than negotiating with neighbouring kingdoms. My parties are quite legendary, though, and invitation only.” He gestured for her to come closer. Amira found herself leaning in before she even noticed she had moved. “Would you like to go to one of them?”
She thought about it for a minute. Maybe it would help her make important connections at court. Her eyes widened. “Is Karwyn going to be there?”
“Well, I wouldn’t be able to have my parties if Karwyn wasn’t invited. Yet he doesn’t come very often. It’s not really his style. He’s more of a loner, you know?”
Amira had also been quite a loner, but it wasn’t by choice. “I see.”
A bell rang six times in the distance. Rhay looked behind him, obviously late to something.
“It’s settled, then. You’re invited to the one I’m throwing tomorrow.” He looked her up and down with a disapproving look. “Your dresses are lovely, but I’ll send you something a bit less…formal.”
“You don’t have to.” Amira blushed.
“Nonsense, I’ll give you some options. Plus, as everyone here knows, I have an extraordinary flair for fashion.” His eyes glowed with pride. “Before I go, I have one question.”
Amira froze. “Yes?”
“Who’s the bouquet for?” he said with a wink.
Amira let out a relieved laugh and moved her hand from behind her back. “It’s for Karwyn.”
Rhay bit his lip. “Sorry to break it to you, love, but that’s a shit idea. Karwyn hates flowers. They’re too colourful for his moody self. Plus, they remind him of his mother.”
Amira’s face dropped as she looked at her beautiful bouquet. It was a stupid idea. What had she been thinking, that a bouquet would impress the interim high king who seemed to have no interest in a companion?
“You should keep it for yourself. It fits your beauty.” He gently touched her arm, sending some comforting warmth to her heart. “Apologies, princess, but I have to go now. I’m conducting a very important experiment tonight in Chrysa.”
Amira’s interest peaked. “Where’s Chrysa?” The town sounded familiar.
“The town is right at the border. It’s quite small, but definitely full of surprises. I should take you there some day.”
Amira was definitely intrigued. Maybe her time in the Turosian kingdom would be better than expected.
“I’ll let you enjoy the garden in peace,” Rhay said as he brushed invisible dust off his shiny magenta jacket. “See you at nine bells tomorrow night.”
Amira bowed her head and when she looked up again, Rhay was already gone.
Chapter11
Lora
Lora had been waiting at Eyden’s flat for hours now. He had left pretty quickly after they got back from the market around noon, mumbling something about some business he needed to take care of. He hadn’t left her much time to question him as he grabbed a bag from his closet and dashed out the door, only looking at her long enough to tell her to stay put.
To say she didn’t appreciate his behaviour would be an understatement. At the very least, it gave her some time to explore his place. She wasn’t above snooping around.
So that’s how she had spent the time, looking at drawer after drawer and coming up empty. There was nothing that gave an inkling of who Eyden really was and what his life looked like beyond the glimpses Lora had seen so far. If this flat represented his life, it was a reflection of a pretty empty one, decorated with a chic, soulless design.
There was no second mystery bag anywhere and she had turned over the walk-in closet. She might have seen more of his wardrobe than she’d intended to.
All in all, her search didn’t satisfy her curiosity of Eyden or the fae lifestyle in general. Still, she had taken it upon herself to write down in her phone every observation she had made these last few days.
The only interesting thing in the flat she took note of was that, as her research had indicated, the fae didn’t have electricity. The lights in the flat were powered by magic, she assumed, as they weren’t plugged into anything or battery-powered. There were also a couple of old-fashioned lanterns next to the fireplace that could be lit to add more warm light.
The fae did, thankfully, have a plumbing system. Lora was staring at the bathtub that doubled as a shower now, yearning to use it but hesitating, as she strongly disliked the idea of putting herself in a more vulnerable position. But she would probably not get a better opportunity anytime soon. Eyden wasn’t here and the bathroom did have a lock. Walking around underground had left her with a feeling of dust and dirt on her skin.
Ignoring the opposing arguments swirling in her mind, Lora grabbed her change of clothes from her backpack and took all her crucial belongings with her to the bathroom. The small pocket knife that she had been keeping close to her had been placed next to her phone in her pocket. She decided to take it with her into the shower. Carrying it around gave her a sense of security. Lora was aware that it was only an illusion, as it would do little damage, if any, to a fae. Only weapons forged from the gemstone almandine could mortally wound them. But the fantasy of safety was enough to keep her from freaking out every minute and that was a win in Lora’s opinion.
The water felt refreshing as she scrubbed at the dirt on her, worries going through her head. She wished she could clean her mind too. She wanted to wash off all the scenarios she was imagining about how this could turn really bad, really quickly. Feeling anxious, she hurriedly exited the shower.
