Reyna’s stomach twisted. She was not accustomed to hearing herself referred to as someone’s “betrothed” as if she were Thane’s mere property and nothing else. In truth, that was how most in this city were likely to view her.
“Mustthere be fanfare?” she asked. “As my sister said, this has been a long journey.”
“There are certain things expected of us here,” he said. “The low fae enjoy celebrating my return from such a lengthy absence. I have been away over a month, and I have brought with me my future wife.” He glanced down at Reyna’s clothing. “There is nothing to do about your trousers for now, but few fae will see them if you are inside the carriage.”
Reyna pressed her lips together to prevent herself from arguing more. She enjoyed mingling with her people, but she did not enjoy being paraded in front of them. She supposed she did not have much choice in the matter, something she knew she must quickly grow accustomed to. From now on, her life would become a series of events of which she had next to no say.
At least, not until she killed the future king.
The guards opened the carriage doors and motioned toward Reyna. With a sigh, she swung her legs over the side of her horse and dropped onto the muddy ground. She climbed the steps of the carriage, settling in on the seat across from Thane. Eislyn joined her, hands tensely clasped in her lap.
The interior was just as elaborate as the outside. The seats themselves were made of gold and were covered in lush pillows dyed a brilliant orange that matched the sunset streaking across the sky. Two thin strips of white cloth hung over the windows, but they had been pushed away so that the nobles inside could be seen by those on the streets.
The carriage rumbled toward the gates, and Reyna steeled herself for the fanfare. She did not believe she should be cheered for her mere existence. She did not deserve adoration for sitting in a golden carriage whose wheels cost more than most of their homes. It turned her stomach, but she would endure it. One day, all of this would change.
As the carriage continued ever forward, Reyna whistled and called her familiar to her side. Wingallock flew into the open carriage window, and a few alarmed shouts peppered the air. She smiled as he settled onto her shoulder.
Thane frowned from the opposite seat. “I am not certain this is appropriate.”
“Where I go, Wingallock follows. We are one and the same.”
“And you, princess?” Thane asked, turning to Eislyn. “Have you never felt the call of a familiar?”
Eislyn flushed and glanced down at her muddy leather boots. “No, your grace. A familiar is a rare gift these days. Reyna is lucky to have one.”
The trio fell silent as the looming gate passed overhead, the wheels of the carriage rolling into the city proper. Cheers erupted around them, and Reyna could not help but stare at the hundreds of low fae who stood waiting for them to pass. The streets were clogged, the crowd barely held back by armored warriors. Many of the fae waved golden banners, and others beat drums.
Eyebrows raised, Reyna turned toward Thane and rose her voice to be heard over the roaring crowd. “Is this standard?”
He gave her a slight smile. “The procession is standard when I return. The turn-out is not. These fae wish to get sight of their future queen.”
A strange feeling twisted her gut. These fae had come out to celebrate her, but she did not plan to become the person they wanted her to be. Did they truly love their prince? They appeared happy enough. Glowing cheeks and wide smiles. Small children were held high in the air, the mothers hoping for a blessing from the nobility.
She gave them all a slight smile, but she could scarcely stomach her unease. This city would one day be hers. But only in the death of their beloved prince, their future High King.
Still, Reyna could not forget what he had done.
At long last, the carriage rolled onto the castle grounds, and the gates were shut tight against the cheering crowd. The carriage door swung wide, and the three of them clambered down the steps and into the courtyard. Everything was bright and gleaming and clean, even the white stones beneath her feet, save the splattering of mud she had dragged in on her boots. Reyna dropped back her head to look up. The golden spires seemed to stretch past the very sky itself.
“Welcome to your new home,” Thane said from beside her. “What do you think?”
“I think…” Reyna’s stomach fluttered. It might be an impressive sight, but that did not mean it would ever feel like home. “It is certainly very shiny.”
Thane furrowed his brows and opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by the clatter of hooves. A warrior rode up before them, holding leather reins in his gloved hands. “Prince Thane. There is an urgent matter I need to speak with you about. It involves your mother.”
The High Queen? Reyna frowned as she watched the life drain out of Thane’s eyes. His back stiffened, and his jaw clenched tight. He did not even glance in Reyna’s direction when he shot his next words her way. “Lorcan will ensure you are seen to. I must go.”
Eislyn and Reyna stood shoulder-to-shoulder, staring after Thane. He moved with fierce determination, as if the matter at hand was a fire that raged through the streets. It was curious.
“What do you reckon that is about?” Eislyn asked as they waited for the rest of the guards to leap down from their horses.
“I have a suspicion that the prince and his mother do not see eye-to-eye.”
“Careful,” a voice warned.
Reyna spun on her feet. Lorcan stood just behind them, his hands tucked behind his back. The stance made his chest look broad, particularly where the armor strained to contain his muscles. He was larger than most air fae. Now that they stood within the gleaming city itself, it was clearer than when they had been surrounded by the towering trees of the ice fae realm.
“I suppose you’re going to tell us that we shouldn’t gossip,” Reyna snapped. “Not only are my actions to be monitored, but my words and thoughts are, too.”
