“There is to be a grand feast tonight. King Harlan wishes an audience with you this morning.”
She could have led with that. “Only me? What does the king wish to address?”
“The fae lord will accompany you. It is not my business to inquire, only to dress you and design your hair in a way that will not displease the king.”
Apparently, the king had his preferences too.
She pulled a deep navy gown from the wardrobe. “Eat first, and then we’ll dress you. You won’t want to meet the king with an empty stomach.”
That didn’t sound ominous at all.
My nerves didn’t require food first. The corner of a scone broke off easily, and I shoved it into my mouth. “You may dress me now.”
She grumbled something I could barely make out as she dressed me quickly.
I pressed the fresh gown down around my hips as I wandered out into the corridor.
Fyn’s grand bow greeted me when I stepped before him. I wanted to tell him to rise, to look at me instead, but he only extended his arm to me as he guided me down the hall.
“Do you know what this is regarding?”
“I can imagine it could only be one thing.” There was a stark contrast between what was said and what wasn’t, as he peered back into my eyes.
“I am not ready to agree to the pact.” My hands shook as I clasped them together.
He halted when I spoke. “What are you saying?”
“I am not ready to make my choice. There are other matters I must consider first.”
He began walking when I took my next step. “What caused the shift?”
Exhaustion crept in, blurring my vision. I couldn’t afford a single lie. “Events that have transpired.” To survive the day, and the starlight, I would have to find a way to carefully speak my truth.
“Would last night happen to be one of those events? “His voice grew even quieter.
My eyes burned as sunlight soon flooded the corridor. I didn’t have the answer he wanted. “Please don’t ask me that right now.”
A knight I didn’t recognize walked down the hall toward us. “His Majesty is awaiting you both in his council hall. I shall walk you.”
“Lead the way,” Fyn replied.
I clutched the banister tighter than I should have as we rounded every curve the staircase held until we reached the top.
The knight held out his hand as he pushed two iron-framed doors back. He gestured for me to enter.
“Princess Ashlyn, it is good to see you well this morning.” The king didn’t rise from his seat. “I hear you have made yourself most at home here. With the hue that adorns your hair, I see it is so.” He gestured to the chair across from him at the table.
Fyn pushed the chair in as I sat.
“Everyone has been welcoming. Prince Soren has been most kind with his gifts,” I said.
Harlan raised his gilded maroon goblet to his lips. The filigree trailed all the way down the stem. “My son hopes to ensure your comfort. I wish to ensure we are all in alignment.”
Fyn shifted his weight, his boots scuffing against the stone floor.
“Marrying my son is not all about the glamour,” King Harlan said.
“I am aware of what it means to be a royal wife. I was tutored.”
