Page 59 of Chosen By the Fae King

“You really could have sent a guard, Sire.”

“No, I really couldn't.”

Too tired to care, I headed to the stairs. As I reached the first landing, voices drifted, echoing quietly off the stone.

“Poison, they're saying,” a female said in a hushed whisper. “But there's no proof.”

“No need for proof when it's so obvious,” another replied. “I heard he was going to change the succession. Prince Nox had the most to lose.”

My brows rose.

The servants moved on, their voices fading down the hall. Unease stirred in my gut as I considered the implications. If Nox had killed his father, what did that mean for the contestants? For the kingdom?

For me? I shook off the trepidation clinging to my thoughts.

I turned and walked straight into Lorne's massive chest. The asshole did nothing to help when I bounced back, nearly falling.

“Lorne–Sire, I mean–”

His hands lifted in a stopping motion. “It's best if you don't ask questions about these things, Aeryn.”

My eyes narrowed. “These things?”

“Focus on your training and leave the politics to those who can handle them.”

“If Nox is somehow involved in–”

“Drop it,” Lorne snapped. “Immediately. If not for your own safety then for Sofiya's.”

I bristled. “Do not threaten my friend, Sir Lorne.”

Lorne's eyes softened, somewhat amused. Which only insulted me further.

“I'm not a threat to Sofiya's safety. That wasn't what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

His mouth set in a thin grim line. “The truth will change nothing right now. In fact, it will get innocents killed. Your only job is to survive and protect your friend. That's it. Now get your ass upstairs.”

Begrudgingly, I did as told. I paused outside Raina's room, considering asking someone I trusted about what I'd overheard.

After a moment's hesitation, I knocked. No answer. I knocked again, louder, but the room remained silent. Afraid she was asleep and I was disturbing her, I kept walking.

The gossip echoed in my mind, as did the dagger Nox gave me. I ground my teeth against the worry threatening to choke me and stalked to my own room. There had to be a reasonable explanation for this.

There just had to be.

Later, as I lay awake on top of the covers. My mind wouldn't shut off. There was too much swirling in my head.

Astrid's words. The gossiping servants. Lorne's warnings.

When the moon was high in the sky, I slipped out of bed and crept to the door of my chamber. Opening it, I peeked out. The halls were dim, the torches burning low.

I looked for light under each of my friend's doors. Everyone was asleep. That, or sitting in a dark room.

“Everything alright, m'lady?” a soldier asked from his station further down.

“I couldn't sleep. Sorry.”

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