Page 127 of Court of the Fae Princes

It’s weird how proud I feel, but also how surprised I am. Finding a man who would understand my loyalty for my family always seemed like an impossibility. But now, I have four men who care for my family without me even asking. And here I was worried that they were going to toss my family out when I was gone.

Damn it, they are good ones. I need to stop being such an ass.

“Dear,” my grandmother says, and I give her my hand to squeeze. “We’re headed to your father’s healers again. Do you mind if we check back in later?”

“Not at all!”

They both hug me again, and my father says, “We’re so glad you’re okay. We were terrified the whole time you were gone. Your grandmother just kept saying that you were tough, and you’d be okay, but I hated being away from you. You know that you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I’d give anything for you. I’d give my life for you.”

I kiss his cheek. “I know, but you don’t have to. I’m not going anywhere.”

He gives me yet another hug, laughing in my ear. “You are truly your father’s child.”

We say our goodbyes, and I watch them leave, my heart feeling full. They’re happy. They’re doing better. And the four princes were good to them. I’m going to get ready and handle Lady Nova, and then I’m going to figure out my life.

THREE

Cassia

Bathing has never been so glorious. Today’s bath was better than yesterday’s in a way I can’t explain. The water feels warmer. The scented oils are stronger. Everything is elevated. I feel renewed, like I peeled off my shell and emerged as someone completely different.

Which is what I desperately needed. Even if I make it a speedy bath. Whatever Lady Nova needs, it better be good. And if it’s to scold me for not babysitting the princes, I’m going to be pissed.

After I’m done, I find the softest clothes in my drawers and pull them on with a sigh. The movements awaken the aches in my still healing body, especially my wrists and ankle, but I refuse to let the pain ruin my afterglow from the bath. Baths, clean clothes, a warm bed… life isn’t that bad.

If this is what it means to be queen, then I might have to say yes.

My mind goes to that night around the campfire when the princes healed me, and the connection between us became a searing heat I couldn’t ignore any longer. When their touch made me feel alive in a way I never have before. If that's what it means to be queen, I can handle that too. Which is nice. Wasn't I terrified by the idea just a little while ago?

These princes are wearing me down, and maybe I don't mind it.

As I’m heading out of the bathroom, I freeze. Someone has tidied my room and laid out trays of food. It’s a freaking banquet of eggs, bacon, ham, breads, quiches, and even desserts.

So. Much. Food. For me. Just sitting here.

The sight makes my stomach turn and my eyes burn. My family was going to starve just a short time ago unless I found a miracle. Even without a miracle, life was all about surviving and scraping by. A feast like this… it would never have been within my grasp. I was lucky to serve food like this… Eating it? It would have never happened.

And now? My family was happy. The new potions were working. My father and grandmother were relaxing and enjoying life. Fae were serving them. Life had changed in an instant.

How? And did I deserve this?

For some reason, all I want is for my men to suddenly appear and wrap me in their arms. Maybe even tell me that they care about me, not because of the potion, but because I’m special to them.

Some part of me knows that’s insane. I’m just a human. A nobody. All of this will vanish in the blink of an eye if anyone sees the lies hanging over me like a cloak, but I’m starting to feel like maybe, just maybe, the lies can stay hidden and this life for my family and I can be real.

Real? All of this?

Maybe I don’t deserve it, but does it matter? The miracle I needed was that potion and the princes. With it, my family is safe in a way they never could have been before. No matter what happens moving forward, I have to remember that. I don’t deserve this, but my family does, so whatever soul-crushing secrets I have to keep to give them this life, I’m going to keep.

There’s a bump from the balcony. Confused, I open the big doors. On the balcony ledge stands a dead raven. Its eyes are missing. Flesh hangs off of its body, but apparently enough feathers are left that it was able to make it here. What the hell?

It moves strangely, cocking its head. I study it. “Uh, did you need something?”

Stiffening, it suddenly falls backwards. I dive forward, I don’t know why, and watch it plummet until it strikes the ground below.

“That was weird. Really weird.”

Is this a fae thing? Do dead animals regularly visit their balconies? Was someone sending these creatures after me to send a message? Or as a gift? I hate that I’ve worked for the fae all my life and yet I seem to know so little about them.

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