Kole took a step closer to me, his nostrils flaring in an inhale. A flicker came from his aura, and his eyebrows drew together. “Prim, if something’s happened, something you want to talk about?—”
“Not this again.” Panic fired through me, but I laughed lightly and took a huge step away from him, then called upon my old self to respond. “You’re starting to sound like a fretting hen,” I added in a teasing tone. I poked him, just because it was something I would have done before, then batted my eyelashes. “Don’t worry. Everything’s fine. I just had a bad day yesterday.”
I whirled away before he could see the terror that was slicing through me, and I tried to keep my steps heavy. Tried not to glide along the carpet as though I were floating. But my joints were so smooth now, my speed hard to control. It took everything in me to act normal andfaeas we traveled through the palace.
But when we reached the private dining chambers that my parents reserved for family, I couldn’t help my nerves fromcoiling my stomach or the way my senses instantly detected Arnel’s scent inside.
The need to stand to attention for him and do whatever he wanted had me gliding forward as though pulled by an invisible string.
The guards at the door bowed, but I breezed past them, my focus on pleasing the fairy inside even though I loathed him with every fiber of my being.
Kole followed me into the room, and I could have sworn that his aura was rising again, but the second I saw Arnel, all thoughts of Kole, my parents, and my sisters disappeared.
My uncle turned to face me, a cup of tea in one hand, and he grinned brightly. “Ah, there’s my darling niece. How are you, Primelle?” His mustache, recently trimmed, gleamed golden in the fairy lights.
Koraline and Lillith were also there. Amazingly, Koraline dipped her head slightly in my direction, the very first time she’d ever acknowledged me first, and Lillith called out a greeting. Their budding acceptance of me would have meant the realm to me if my uncle wasn’t there. But as it was, my entire being focused onhim.
“Come join us, Prim,” my mother called sweetly and beckoned me forward.
“Hello, Uncle.” I then murmured greetings to everyone else.
“Did you sleep well?” my father asked. He gestured for everyone to take their seats around the table. “Your servant reported that you were still sleeping at ten when she opened your door to check on you.”
“You’re not coming down with something, are you?” Lillith’s mouth pinched together, and my mother frowned.
The queen inclined her head. “Perhaps we should have Surrep stop by to see you after?—”
“No, that’s all right.” I plastered a smile on my face and pulled out my chair. The last thing I wanted was a visit from the palace’s elderly lead healer. “I was just tired. The days have been long lately.”
Arnel laughed. “I daresay when Primelle was visiting me, we barely slept. The library held so many exciting things for us to discuss. It was a most rewarding visit with her.”
I stiffened at his easy tone but made sure to keep my smile locked into place.
At the wall, Kole stood entirely still, but I could feel his attention burning through me.
As though realizing the same, my father nodded toward the door. “No need to stay, Kole. Grab some lunch for yourself in the kitchens. Prim’s safe in here for the time being.”
The king flashed him a stiff smile, and I could only imagine how awkward he felt knowing that Kole was my mate. But he shouldn’t have been looking at the warrior as though he were the threat.
Because the true monster was seated at the table beside him. But as much as I wanted to voice that,screamthat, my lips had frozen, and my mind had stilled.
Kole bowed stiffly. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”
Even though I wasn’t looking at the door, I could have sworn that Kole turned back to glance at me, but I kept my attention forward, lest he read something in my body language that gave away the terror cascading through me.
Because I knew that if my uncle had unexpectedly taken a trip to the palace, it wasn’t to spend time with his dear twin brother and family.
Arnel had new orders for me.
And I was dreading to learn what they would be.
The meal passed as most did.Plenty of food, drinks, and laughs. Koraline thawed a bit more. She even asked me a question. Perhaps the testimonials at the king’s council meeting had made an impression on her after all.
But my attention kept shifting to my charismatic uncle. Arnel was being particularly charming and kept singing my praises, but when the meal came to a close, and I rose from my chair in hopes of escaping, Arnel moved easily around the table to reach my side.
“Primelle, might I have a word?” he asked with a wide smile and innocent expression. “I wanted to share a book with you that I discovered the other day. It’s about plants, particularly unusual ones found near the Infinite Falls in Ironcrest Kingdom.”
My mother’s eyes lit up. “I’m sure Primelle would be delighted to see it. Plants are her main area of interest and study. Isn’t that right, Primelle?”
