Aegir chuckled. “They say you’ll never forget the first witness of a shift.”
I was looking at him, confusion clearly written all over my face, yet I still found the need to say it out loud. “I don’t understand.”
“Some Fae have the ability to shift into a particular animal form. Eldric can shift into a great eagle and back into his Fae form as he wills it.”
“Yes, I—I heard about that. But what about your important confidential dinner meeting?” My words came out hushed. He took a few steps towards me. I glimpsed the bob of his throat, giving me the urge to swallow.
“He realised that you had eaten from my plate, didn’t he? It is my fault that your face is bruised and your belly is empty.” I blushed at the fact that he saidmy plateand notmy tray. “What? Did you really think that I wouldn’t notice those little bite marks peeking just above my own? They felt so small against my tongue.” His words and their accompanying sly tone had me lowering my flushed cheeks. “But the fact remains that it was my fault, I fell terribly short and—”
“No, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have eaten while you were in the bathing chamber.”
It was going so well and I ruined everything.
“No, you don’t understand, I—I could have prevented it. I could have locked the door, but instead, I left it open. I thought of it as a subtle gesture of trust towards the king and his people. I should have locked it.”
“How could you have? That door doesn’t lock. I should have waited for you.”
Aegir gave me a subtle, shameful smile and moved towards the door. He grabbed hold of the handle and I glimpsed what looked like a bluish-white net forming around it. Then it gradually disappeared. Fingertips still at the handle, Aegir looked my way and said, “Nobody can come in unless I allow them to. I should have locked it. I didn’t lock it before because I had nothing to hide, but when I did, I didn’t lock it either. You warned me. You said that it came with risks and I took your words lightly. I must admit, I feel…embarrassed.”
Him—the Ice Prince—embarrassed?
I realised then why the creepy thief on our journey to the market couldn’t open the carriage door. And the multiple mentions of securing the weapons.
Aegir moved towards me, stopping a few short steps away, then lifted both of his arms in the air. My head followed his movement. A similar net formed at the ceiling’s centre. It grew around us—a blanket that expanded and spread like wildfire, making the walls reflect with moving streams, just like when the sun reflects over clear water. The net disappeared all at once. “There. Now no one can hear us either.”
My lips parted in a gape. I had heard of the Fae having magical abilities, but I never thought about the specifics. I always assumed they had something to do with fighting and killing, such as being able to form an ice spear from water.Thiswas a different kind of power.
“Please, sit,” Aegir said, gesturing to the chair behind me. I remained unmoved, staring at him. “Have dinner with me.” It was not a demand but it was not a question either.
“I—what about the meeting?”
“We held it already. Now, will you have dinner with me?” He sat, taking the chair beside the one he had pointed at earlier. I was hoping, wishing, for a couple of quick stolen bites, but not this, nothing like this.
“But I mustn’t…if I get caught, I’ll—”
“You promised me that you wouldn’t say a word, and I promised you the same. I assure you, he won’t find out.”
Despite my hesitation, I found myself replying, “Very well, then,” and finally agreed to sit. But as soon as my hind end met the chair, I was instantly on my feet, remembering thatIwas the servant here. But Aegir rose to his at the same time and said, “Please, allow me.” He gestured once more to my seat.
I didn’t argue with him.
He poured us each a glass of red wine, followed by a glass of water. Then he gave us each a bowl of soup, placing the bread within our reach. My belly growled in impatient anticipation. I expected Aegir to snicker at the sound. He didn’t. If anything, he appeared rather displeased by it. Because yes, the noise was funny, but the reason behind it was nothing of the sort.
I reached for the wine glass. My eyes widened at its smooth taste. This was delicious! It was much better than the ale I drank at Dunehaven. For some reason, Aegir found my expression amusing as I glimpsed him looking at me, lips smirking.
My spoon was full, but I waited for him to start eating before doing so myself. I had to make an effort not to moan as I consumed spoonful after spoonful, then mopped the bowl clean with bread.
“Tell me something about yourself,” he said, and I almost stiffened.
“There isn’t much to talk about really.”
“Oh, come on, there must be something. Tell me something like…which part of Ramel did you grow up in? Are you from Sharlam?”
I swore that his words felt like a dagger being pushed through my heart.What a lovely question. How many times had I wondered about that? Sand Priestess Selmira and stableman Martin told me that I was found on the outskirts of Kalnar, but my origins were never confirmed.
“I lived in Kalnar, at the Orphanage of Dunes for several years, and then, when…when I came of age, I was allowed to live in the castle to work as a servant in the east wing.”
His features and his voice softened when he asked me what no one else had ever dared to. “What happened to your parents?” I was stunned for a while. Perhaps it was because I very rarely spoke of them—I never spoke of them, whoever they were.
