“This is certainly a lot to think about,” the King sighed, tapping his fingers against his bearded chin. “But I’m sure we can work out some sort ofalliance, as you so eloquently put it.” He leaned against the tall crystal back of his throne. “For now, you should enjoy the wonders of our kingdom. Please, stay as long as you’d like.” His hand gestured gracefully. “Has my son already informed you of the ball we call Luminessia?”
“Not yet, Father,” Arenn responded for me.
“Luminessia,” the King explained, “is a grand ball where my son will choose his bride and thus declare the future Queen of Faelanna. I remember your parents once expressed that you and my son should marry when you were both of age, but I am not the sort of king who favours the old-fashioned forcedengagements.”
My eyebrows shot up. If only King Ikelos were so progressive.
No.
If only Lukas were not such a brat.
I forced myself to take a slow breath to calm the anger that now rocked in my stomach.
“My son will marry whomever he wishes, but still, you should attend the ball. After all, a marriage between royalty is certainly one kind of alliance,” the King chuckled to himself.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I dipped my head in respect, trying to ignore the queasy feeling that settled in my chest. If I could not stand to marry Lukas, could I bring myself to marry Prince Arenn? Deep down, I didn’t think I wanted to marry anyone, but if marriage was the only way to save my kingdom then, as I said before, I would happily marry a goblin.
The Faery Queen opened her mouth to announce something to the court but was abruptly cut off by a loud, shrieking giggle coming from just outside the hall. When another even louder, more piercing giggle followed the first, both the King and Queen’s heads jerked up to stare over me and towards the open throne room doors.
“Is that… another human?” the Queen muttered to herself. “It’s like an invasion.”
I thought I recognised that giggle…
Whirling to face the doorway, I watched as Raena half stumbled, half walked through the quartz corridor. She was laughing away, hand in hand with a young green-skinned faery guard. The very same guard who’d handled her so roughly in the faery streets, just hours ago.
Beside me, the prince must’ve spotted her too, as he leaned in close to whisper, “Perhaps we should go and fetch your friend?”
I nodded before both Arenn and I thanked the King and Queen for their time, and promptly exited the throne room.
Outside, Raena and the guard had stopped by a crystal-framed painting. She was leaning into him, playfully swatting at his arm and chuckling as though he had just told her the funniest joke in the realm.
“Raena!” I called over to her as soon as the huge throne room doors thudded shut behind us. Her bubbling laughter faded as she turned slowly, still leaning against the faery guard. When she noticed me, a smile wider than I’d ever seen before spread across her rosy face.
“Naria,” she beamed, “I’m so glad to see you! Dearest Valen here was just giving me a tour of the palace. Isn’t he magical?” she sighed, gazing dreamily up at the guard’s face.
A crease formed in my brow as she continued to giggle and mutter mindlessly to herself. The words were definitely Raena’s, but this behaviour was just bizarre. Something wasn’t right.
“Are you alright?” Cautiously, I brought a hand to Raena’s arm, rubbing it gently, but she ignored my touch, her glazed-over eyes remaining fixed on the guard.
With clenched fists, I whipped my chin up to address the faery. “What did you do to her?”
“Just a simple charm,” he mumbled, his feet shifting in place.
The thought of anyone tampering with Raena’s mind made me feel ill, but still, I swallowed down the urge to lunge at him. “I don’t know what that means, but whatever you’ve done, you need to remove it. Now.”
The guard glanced up at the prince. “I had no choice, sire. She was hysterical! I had to do something, else she was going to break through the bars!”
A shadow passed over Arenn’s lips. Then he smiled, a little too sweetly for my liking. “You should know better, Valen. This is no way to treat our guests.” Calmly, he lifted a pale hand and pressed his index finger against Raena’s forehead. With a sigh, she nuzzled further into the guard’s chest, completely ignoringthe prince’s touch.
“That should clear the charm,” he said, lowering his hand.
After a few moments, the glaze that covered her vision seemed to fade as she blinked frantically. Lifting her body away from the guard, she stood swaying until I steadied her.
“Are you alright, Raena?” I asked quietly.
“I… I feel confused,” she replied in a tired voice. “I don’t know where…” Her brown skin paled, and for a moment, I thought she might faint. “I think I want to go home and sleep for a bit.”
“Of course, we’ll go home now,” I assured her. Biting back my anger, I shot a glare at the guard. Instead of responding, he just avoided my gaze, keeping his hands in his pockets and staring at the floor.
