“Then it’s the truth.” I nod firmly. “I’ll see you at the party.”
But as I head from my office, I get the nagging feeling that instead of promising, Ryals was crossing his fingers behind his back the whole time.
15
Acouple of hours later when a knock sounds, I fully expect it to be Ophelia ready to escort me downstairs.
But it’s not her on the other side of the threshold. A fae woman slouches against the doorframe with an arm draped over her head. Her skin’s the color of a newborn fawn and her ebony hair’s piled high on her head. Her citrine-colored halter dress shimmers when she adjusts her arm.
She blinks slowly and her expression suggests that she finds most situations tedious. “So you’re the witch who stole Feylin’s heart,” she says in a voice that matches how bored she looks.
“I’m sorry?”
“I can see why he fell for you. It’s obvious.”
And what am I supposed to say to that?
She drops her arm to her side. “I’m Zandra.”
“Addison. But everyone calls me Addie.”
“Of course you have an adorable nickname.” That could be taken as an insult, but the warmth in her eyes suggests it’s agenuine compliment. “Tell me—how afraid are you of meeting an army of fae?”
“Oh, uh…”
“Terrified. I knew it. Come on. I’ll take you down and spill the tea about the different courts.”
Who is this woman? I smooth my hands down the skirt of my dress. “Shouldn’t I wait for Ophelia?”
“She’s busy, so I asked if I could escort you. Come on. I don’t bite unless you’re male and I’m trying to bed you,” she adds with a playful wink.
I slip from my room and close the door behind me.
Zandra links her arm through mine. She’s gorgeous and smells of lilies. She seems to float as she walks, and I do my best to look just as elegant as we head down the stairs, but at best I resemble a clomping horse instead of an ethereal being.
She gives me a sly look. “I’ll admit when I felt the joining last night, I was shocked. It woke me up.”
“Youfeltit?”
“You didn’t know? Let me guess—Feylin forgot to tell you. Figures. This is a thing about fae magic: if a king joins, the magic’s experienced everywhere. All the high fae and even lesser fae feel it. It’s like being punched in the chest. Don’t look so worried. It doesn’t hurt. That’s how we all knew to be here today.”
Ah, that makes sense. Last night he’d said that his subjects would be notified about the joining.That’swhat he meant.
Downstairs, a gazillion fae bustle around us carrying plates filled with champagne glasses and hors d’eourves that look like miniature roasted quails.
It’s when we step outside that the full force of what I’ve gotten myself into hits me. A warm breeze slides past, carrying with it pink rose petals that dance and spiral in the air.
The hydrangeas are in full bloom, and bumblebees bob drunkenly from one flower to the next. The air smells of citrus, and the lawn’s covered in fae that turn and stare when I appear.
My cheeks instantly heat, sending a rush of warmth that travels down my neck. My gaze skims the crowd, but Feylin’s nowhere to be seen.
Zandra pats my hand. “All you have to do is walk around and smile. Feylin’ll make formal introductions later. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Deep breath—and go.”
I inhale deeply as she leads me down the steps. “All right, let me tell you about us. Assuming you don’t know much, is that right?”
