Page 24 of Kissed By Songs of Lilies

Had he brought me here to wander around empty rooms? Had he forgotten he stole a bride?

The following evening, dinner was served on the terrace. The Fae King arrived, and he looked like hell–bags under his eyes, sickly green skin, even his ridiculous wings hung limp.

I almost felt concerned for him. Had the trip made him unwell?

His expression was almost hollow. There was more than fatigue there.

Until he caught me watching him. Then he transformed. Once again, I stared at the beautiful shell of my charming fae suitor. He swept across the room and took my hand and pressed a kiss across the top. "Good evening, my beautiful bride."

My concern vanished. I was a prisoner. Not a bride.

CHAPTER 13

The Fae King

Istepped onto the terrace and pulled my finest glamours tight around me—ones that made me seem taller, stronger, and virtually flawless. They were like an old, familiar cloak, worn often and well.

Georgia was seated at one end of a beautifully dressed table, and her eyes darted to me immediately. Her silken, aquamarine gown brought out her large, innocent eyes.

I moved forward and took her hand in mine, pressing it briefly to my lips. "Good evening, my beautiful bride," I purred.

To my surprise, she looked up at me and frowned.

What could she possibly see to dislike? My glamours were perfect.

Ignoring this setback, I took my seat directly across the table from her. The brownies, the fantastic little creatures, had dutifully prepared us an extravagant meal out on the terrace. The table was dressed to amaze, and will-o'-the-wisps lit up a large, overhanging tree, creating a warm, romantic ambience.

Despite the efforts of the brownies, wisps, and myself, she remained silent. I was almost certain she was angry, but why? Was it about our bargain, or was it something smaller, like the food? I breathed deeply, and the warm ocean air gave me strength. I needed this to go well. "How are you settling in?" I asked, flashing her a charming smile.

"How am I settling in?" she asked, her voice rising on each word. "Do you often steal women from their ancestral homes, nearly drown them, and then neglect them for days?" She clutched her fork as if she might brandish it as a weapon against me.

"Do you often steal women?" Was she serious? It took a lot of effort for me to come here with my glamours. My staff had prepared a beautiful meal. Now, she was accusing me of infidelity? The human woman I didn’t even really want to marry. "Do you see any other women around?" I asked pointedly.

She gaped. "Excuse me?"

"Then you have your answer," I said smoothly. "Have you tried the rolls? They’re very good."

Her brow furrowed as she worked through my words. Her glare didn’t soften. Apparently, it would take more than a bit of food to improve our acquaintance. Humans were so fickle. Had I not already saved the wretched woman’s life?

A smaller part of me whispered, Weren’t you the one who endangered it?

Still, I soldiered on. I needed this woman to love me. My crown and kingdom were counting on it. Humans were often beguiled by the fae. So, I pulled more energy into my glamours, hiding my fatigue and emotions behind an impenetrable wall of perfection. "Since you are here, why not just fall hopelessly in love with me? You’ll find me a most dutiful husband." I let the last part trail over my tongue languidly, suggestively.

She snorted. "Dutiful? The man who forced me to leave my family?"

"Isn’t that to be expected? Don't all brides leave their families one day? From what I understand, your days were already numbered. Would you have truly preferred the icy lands of the North?"

A mix of emotions raced across her face, too rapidly concealed for me to discern. I was surprised. I never expected a human to be difficult to read. Perhaps, it was because she was a princess. Masking would be a politically advantageous skill.

Still, her anger and resentment toward me were plain enough as she said, "My prior entanglements do not concern you."

"Oh, indeed they do," I whispered. "I am interested in everything about you."

"I am interested in why you dragged me across your treacherous waters. I could have died. Even now, I remain in danger as a human in the fae realm."

"Life is dangerous, little sparrow. Have you been hidden behind closed doors and gilded gates for so long that you no longer remember how to fly?"

A small growl escaped her lips, and one of her tiny hands clenched into a fist around her cloth napkin.

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