“Stop!” His sudden shout made my whole body flinch. “You need to stop right there. Whatever you’re thinking, stop thinking it!”
The sad prince from the portrait was long gone, and I almost didn’t recognise the furious man in front of me. When I didn’t say anything, a hint of regret flashed across his features as he dragged another hand through his hair.
“I’m sorry for shouting like that,” he said, flustered. “It’s just that you don’t know what the faeries are like. There’s a reason we don’t see any living amongst humans anymore, they’re not to be trusted.” He sighed. “I don’t know what your teachers told you, but my father has never hidden the truth from me. I know all about their scheming ways and their betrayals.” His words were laced with venom as he turned to the window, his hands grasping the frame with an iron grip. “It wouldn’t even surprise me if they’re somehow responsible for the King’s curse.”
A breath caught in my throat. The faeries couldn’t have cursed the King, surely Seraphina would’ve said something if that was a possibility. But then again, who else would do this? If the faeries felt like the humans were effectively banishing them from the realm, would they curse King Ikelos out of spite? Thoughts raced through my mind, overwhelming me until a warm hand came to rest on my shoulder.
I shuddered at the touch.Histouch.
“Are you alright?” Lukas’s tone softened as he slowly removedhis hand. “I truly am sorry for shouting. It just surprised me to hear you, of all people, bringing them up.”
“What do you mean?” I asked in a quiet voice.
He studied me for a moment, his lips parting as if to speak. But then he stopped himself. “No… I’ve already frightened you enough today.” His hand found the back of his neck. “I’ll leave you to get dressed. Like you said, it’s not right for me to be in here with you like this.” He gestured towards my thin nightgown as heat spread across my cheeks.
I’d completely forgotten how exposed I was.
“Do come and find me in the gardens if you need me.” He tipped his chin respectfully and began marching towards the door. Just before he reached it, he looked over his shoulder and caught my gaze one last time. “It was good to see you.”
I dipped my head. “It was good to see you too.” Was I lying? In that moment, I really wasn’t sure.
“Also, may I request that you please not hide from me anymore?” He shot me a taunting smile, and suddenly the smug prince I knew was back. “Ever since ending things with Giselle… and the others, I’ve been terribly lonely.”
My heart leapt. Surely he’s not serious. But before I had a chance to ask any more questions, he slipped out the door, letting it click shut behind him.
CHAPTER 17
Lady Raena was nowhere to be found.
After the prince had left and the servants had helped me into a simple gown, I entered Raena’s room, assuming she’d still be asleep. Though, the empty bed and yesterday’s dress thrown messily over a chair proved otherwise. After that, I’d searched around the palace, and even poked my head into the forbidden library. It was as if she’d disappeared off the face of the realm.
Eventually, as the fear that somehow the faeries had taken her crept into my throat, I decided to wander through the gardens. It was a beautiful summer afternoon, and maybe she needed to walk outside to clear her head, especially after the chaos of last night.
My heart stopped when I finally found her.
Lying sprawled across a stone bench, wearing a lavish red gown that was much too revealing for the occasion, was a rather dazed-looking Lady Raena. Her cheeks were rosy, and sheappeared to be giggling softly to herself as she held a small lilac flower suspended in the air above her lovely face. One by one, she plucked the petals from the stem, letting them float gently to the ground. A few landed in her curled hair, which was spread out across the seat of the bench. All the while, a dozen nobles who had gathered around her only watched and giggled at what they were seeing.
“Raena?” I called out to her, shoving through the crowd. As I approached, a thick, sickly-sweet smell filled my nose, almost making me gag. It was so cloying, I couldn’t understand how she, or the others standing so close, could stand it.
Reluctantly, Raena’s head turned away from the flower, but when she noticed me, a wide smile lit up her face just as it had done in the faery kingdom. The moment I caught her eyes, my heart sank.
Glazed over. Once again.
“Naria!” she almost sang. “I’m so happy to see you! I tried to wake you up this morning, but you were still fast asleep. And I would’ve waited for you, but oh, my heart was just bursting! I had to step outside to breathe, but then I saw the flowers and…” She sighed dreamily. “I’m just so in love.”
So, Arenn hadn’t cleared the charm then. But why would he lie? None of this made any sense.
I went to respond and try to find out more, but someone nearby stole my attention away.
“I wouldn’t bother talking with her, Your Highness,” a familiar voice sneered. “She’s been like that all morning – babbling about some man with green skin.”
Ignoring their tittering laughter, I glanced up to see the owner of the voice.
Giselle, with her pretty copper hair, smirked back at me.
“She’s probably just not feeling well,” I responded, hiding my panic behind a blank expression. Raena completely ignored meas I tried to pry her off the bench, too focused on pulling petals from the flower. Finally, after a minute of pointless coaxing, I leaned in closer and spoke in a low tone. “Come on, now. Let’s get you inside and figure out what’s going on.”
“I really wouldn’t bother. We all suspect she’s gone mad,” Giselle snorted. “What did you give her?”
