I laughed to myself.
“Is something funny?” An older lord seated near laid the white cloth over his lap.
Not even the wine made this party interesting. After I took the next sip, I shook my head.
“The prince seemed taken with her,” the lady beside him said.
“It seems that way.” I was grateful I didn’t possess Ashlyn’s magic.
“Do you expect they’ll wed soon, my lord?” She leaned in toward the man beside her.
“Prince Kilan seems certain of it.” The lord dug his fork into his food.
“I assume the fae would be glad to see her back in our realm,” the woman said.
“Our king and queen only wish for her happiness.” I wiped a drop of wine from my lips on the white napkin, staining it.
The woman eyed the cloth in my hands. I was probably not supposed to do that. They also stared when I had someone fill my wine glass for the third time.
“It’s best to pace yourself, Lord Chancellor.” The lord acted as if he were saving my worth by uttering it to me. “Lords do not indulge themselves in the open.”
Apparently, if we weren’t in the open, it would be okay. “I never drink more than I can handle.”
That was mostly true. There had been a few occasions where I indulged a bit too much.
They talked to me as if I didn’t know how to do most things. I was truly surprised I was allowed to dress myself to come here.
Soren sat too close to Ashlyn. She didn’t pull away from him.
If I could have wiped that arrogant look off his face, I would have. Years of logistics and trade work had told me that wasn’t the wisest choice.
Maybe I had spent too much time being wise.
The way he spoke of magic clawed at me—not because I cared what the people of Estlen thought of my kind, but because I knew she possessed it.
And what would happen if he knew?
Her secret was one I was prepared to die with. No man could sever it from me.
But magic was unpredictable, and hers had only just manifested. There was no telling what it would do.
I hadn’t known how much they hated it until after I arrived. If I had, I’d never have agreed to take her here.
She deserved to know, even if that changed nothing.
Ashlyn gave me fleeting moments of hope before she’d yank them away.
She would never choose me. I was everything she desperately wanted to flee.
“Lord Fyn, when do you plan to return to Lythira?” A lady from down the table pulled back a lock of her hair when it swung over her shoulder. “Certainly, you will stay to see them wed.”
It wasn’t something I wished to endure. “King Lioran will expect me to return to my station soon. Once everything is agreed upon, I will return.”
“What a shame. The wedding is to be most magnificent,” the lady said. “Princess Ashlyn will make a lovely bride.”
“I have no doubt she will.” I couldn’t stay and watch. It had already grown too painful.
When the music began, Soren led her onto the dance floor. She flinched more than once as she took her place beside him.
