“Why would he be jealous?” I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of her question. “Faeries are hideous creatures. And while Lukas and I may have our differences, I can’t imagine a world where he’d ever be jealous of one of them.”
Raena just blinked, seemingly confused. “But faeries are supposed to be beautiful, aren’t they?” My eyebrows shot up. “Again, I’ve never seen one, but all the books in my family’s manor describe them as looking like gods. Apparently, they use magic to just wish away their flaws.” Her chin fell into her handas she stared at my vanity, gazing into the mirror longingly. “I wish I could do that with my nose.”
“Don’t say that. You have a beautiful nose.”
Raena acted as though I hadn’t said a word, continuing to squish her perfect nose with her fingertips.
Visions of that gnarled, blue faery flooded my mind. They’d definitely told us with certainty that this is what faeries looked like. I remembered the lesson clearly. It all started when a girl from my dormitory bought a seemingly innocent storybook at the market. She didn’t realise it at the time, but it was a love story between a faery and a human. Of course, a few hours after she’d read it, the teachers snatched it away and tossed it into the fire. The very next day, they brought out the portrait, and it’d been that same poor girl who had run back to our room, in tears of pure fright. Raena was probably just swept up in all the fairy tales. Faeries weren’t beautiful or godlike; they were terrifying, wicked creatures. They had to be.
You believe too many of the lies you’ve been told.
Seraphina’s words echoed in my head.
“Are you alright, Naria?” Raena asked, tapping me on the shoulder.
“I… I’m not sure,” I answered as my hands gripped the fabric of my skirt. “I found something the other day in the library. Something I wasn’t supposed to find.”
Raena tilted her head. “What was it?”
“I…” I wanted to explain, but then I stopped myself. Instead, I reached for her open palm and began to rise off the bed. “Let me show you.”
CHAPTER 11
Of course, Raena did not immediately agree to come to the forbidden library. First, she insisted that we call the servants to help us bathe and get changed into new dresses, making sure I understood that to be seen in the same outfit twice would mark the death of any highborn’s social life. For me, she picked out a long red gown, and for herself, she chose a gown draped in ruffled midnight blue fabric – apparently, these were the best choices for hiding all the dust we would be ‘swimming through’ during our second visit to the library. Then, she ordered a guard to fetch a platter of fruit for us to feast on while the servants fixed our hair. And as much as I hated to admit it, I found myself starting to enjoy all the preening. It really helped to clear my mind, even if the bliss only ever lasted a few minutes.
By the time we were finally ready to go, the sun was already high in the sky, and the halls of the palace were crawling with eagle-eyed, judgmental court members. As we walked throughthe hallways, I found myself very grateful for Raena’s fashion advice. For once, the number of approving looks I received far outweighed the distasteful ones.
It didn’t take long before we were back in the dimly lit library, where I hurriedly guided Raena towards the back corner. My fingers skimmed over the book spines just as they did before until, eventually, they paused on the spine of that same stiff purple book. Bringing both hands up again, I tugged.
Click.
I could hear Raena gasp beside me as the bookshelf door swung open.
“I knew this palace would have secrets,” she stammered, “but I never thought there would be anything here, in this old place…”
Meeting her gaze, I spoke in a serious tone. “Promise me that you won’t tell anyone aboutanythingthat you see here?”
She nodded, albeit reluctantly, and then without any more hesitation, we descended together into the darkness of the corridor. For the entire walk, Raena gripped my arm with more strength than you’d think possible for a young girl in a ruffled gown. From the way she was shuddering, I was certain she believed that if she were to let go, she would be lost here forever. Eventually, we reached the set of stairs that led to the secret room. I guided her down, but as we neared the bottom, I felt Raena almost leap out of her skin as a voice called to us from beyond the shadows.
“Who goes there?” It was a timid woman’s voice. Instantly, I recognised her subtle accent.
“Seraphina?” I called back. “It’s just me and… a friend.”
We veered into the open doorway to see Seraphina, partially hidden by her familiar blue hood, alone amidst the tall bookshelves. Except it didn’t sound like she was alone. All along the walls, books babbled and rocked as though they were excited to greet us. And beside me, Raena struggled to stay standingwhile taking in the shocking sight of it all.
“It’s good to see you again, Princess.” Seraphina smiled, closing the brown leather book she was reading. It appeared to sigh dramatically as her hand slid down the dusty cover.
“What… is all this?” Raena breathed, her gaze frantically darting from one book to the next.
Seraphina rose from her plush armchair and stalked towards us. “Who is your friend?” she asked, her bell-like voice chiming with suspicion.
“Oh yes, sorry. This is Lady Raena.” Gently, I pried the quivering girl’s hand from my sleeve. “I brought her here to help me decide what to make of all this.” Although, based on how she was coping with the babbling books, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
“So you are considering approaching the fae?” Seraphina mused, a smile tugging at the corner of her thin lips. “I knew you’d come back. You struck me as the curious sort.”
“I want to know more about the prince,” I said, dismissing her comment. “You said that he’s unmarried. What is he like?”
Beside me, Raena spluttered as she choked on a breath. “I’m sorry, but… Naria, tell me you did not bring me down here just to say you’re considering marrying a faery instead of Lukas? I know I said that they can be beautiful, but how can they possibly help with your kingdom?” She lowered her voice, ignoring Seraphina’s impatient gaze. “If you just want to marry someone beautiful, there are many lovely guards I can introduce you to.”
