I sighed, dropping my head back onto her shoulder. “Technically, I didn’t really do anything,” I mumbled. “You got us out of the contracts, and Soren got us here.”
“False,” Soren’s deep voice rumbled from the side.
I jumped at his sharp tone, turning to face him more fully.
He softened but didn’t take his eyes off mine. “Not only did you single-mindedly pursue your family in a strange court, but you are also the only reason I spoke up tonight. You made me realize I didn’t have to stay there anymore. When you spoke up for yourself, you gave me the courage to do the same.”
I didn’t know what to say.
You saved me, not the other way around, seemed a bit rude to say out loud. We never would’ve found our way here without him. In the end, I just scrunched my nose at him and shook my head, smiling a little.
Mom glanced between the two of us, looking pleased. She raised her eyebrows meaningfully at me.
I blushed.
Hopefully Soren hadn’t noticed her silent insinuation. Thankfully, she didn’t say anythingout loud. Instead, she turned to me with a grin. “I arranged for us all to have connected rooms in the guest wing as soon as I heard you were here.”
“That’s one level below the royal rooms.” Soren’s shoulders relaxed slightly as he gave her an exhausted smile.
“Why aren’t we going where you live?” I asked Mom.
She winced. “We will. Eventually. I hope. But I’ve been staying in court myself, and the royal family always has room for more.” Now that I was aware of fae misdirection, I recognized she was hiding something.
“I’m glad you’re staying at court,” Soren admitted. But then he reluctantly stepped back, his voice more reserved. “If you need anything at all, I hope you’ll come find me.”
Mom nodded, and so did I.
But inside, I told myself no.
I couldn’t bother the prince of an entire fae court with my petty problems. He didn’t need a reason to regret helping me.
The idea of not seeing him anymore made me unreasonably sad, but I’d leave him alone.
Mom took one look at my face and snorted. “You should know that she’s not going to do that.”
“Mom!” I snapped, feeling my cheeks turn bright red.
Soren looked between us, clearly misunderstanding as his shoulders sagged. “Oh.”
“She won’t want to be a burden,” Mom clarified.
“Oh,” he said in a much lighter tone.Swinging around to face me, he scolded, “I mean it, Brynn. You should know by now I don’t say anything I don’t mean.”
“Okay, all right.” I flushed even more under the intensity of his stare, sure I was the color of a tomato at this point. I held my hands up in fake surrender. “I promise I’ll come bug you at least twice a day.”
Instead of getting the eye roll I’d expected at my sarcasm, Soren took me seriously, giving Alaric’s leather vest a satisfied tug as he said, “Good.”
He glanced toward the tall glass doors of the castle, where bright light poured out from within, and I snuck a glare at Mom.
She just gave me another grin. Her joy at having us here had her practically floating, even without wings. “I want to go find your father and sisters.” She gave me another unexpected hug, squeezing tight before stepping back. “I’ll leave you two alone and see you in the morning, Brynn. I’m sure the prince can help you find your room, and you probably have lots to talk about.”
With an unabashed wink, she completely abandoned me.
Okay, fine, it wasn’t really abandonment when Soren looked like he might never leave my side. But she shouldn’t assume. Actually,Ishouldn’t assume. I could be reading him totally wrong.
Though some fae magic seemed to warm the air, a gust of icy wind slipped through and stroked my spine, causing a full-body shiver. My teeth chattered. We’d left that blazing bonfire behind when I ran toward Mom.
“You’re cold,” Soren murmured. “Let’s head inside, if you’re ready?”
