Page 56 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

I lifted my attention from the report. “Lady Anon?”

“Yes!” He hissed the word. “She is a human female and has no place here.”

Biting my tongue, I was pleased that the vine on my arm didn’t respond with violence as it had in the recent past. No intense instinct to climb over my desk and punch my secretary. However, in its place, irritation flooded through me, along with the slight urge to dismiss him from his position.

“She is my guest. She remains as long as she wishes.”

Soren grimaced. “Doesn’t she have family? Won’t they wonder where she is?”

“They have been informed as to her location and assured that she is safe.” I glanced around the piles on my desk. “Isn’t there a letter from my brother somewhere here?”

“Yes, sire. He requested a visit. Shall I schedule one?”

“In a week’s time.” I glanced over at Calypso. “That will give us time to clear my workload, at least in part. Then I can leave for a few days.”

“Understood, sire.” Soren started making notes in his notebook. “Shall I speak to the stablemaster or are you traveling by dragon?” He said the last as though it would be embarrassing if I chose the latter.

I opened my mouth to say I would travel by portal but stopped myself at the last moment. The fewer people who knew that the curse had broken and why, the safer Calypso would be. Many would consider my union with a vulnerable human the perfect opportunity to get to me via her.

I didn’t know how closely the Unseelie king monitored his curses, and this could be the perfect time to discover the traitor who had handed my name over to the enemy. Yes, secrecy was best for now.

“I wish to speak to the elven spymaster at his earliest convenience. I also require the household tailor to attend me in my chambers tomorrow.”

“Do you require more clothing, my king?” Soren asked.

“No, but my companion requires appropriate attire for her role.”

Calypso’s surprise hit me like a sharp burst of emotion in the center of my chest. With my back turned to her, I couldn’t see if she physically betrayed her response, but I knew with utmost certainty that she had been surprised and that surprise was now shifting into concern.

And when I lifted my attention to my secretary, I discovered the probable cause of her emotional shift. Soren was glaring at her with naked annoyance.

“But, sire, she is adequately attired for the court. And who shall fund this expense?”

“Last I knew, I was king, Soren. I can gift things to whomever I choose.”

Ghost snorted. The scent of smoke in the room intensified.

“I meant no disrespect, sire.”

I nodded to indicate I was satisfied with his apology. “Have the minister of finance and the minister of law attend me the day after my return.”

“Sire? They are not due to present their reports until three months hence.”

I arched my brows at Soren. “I am not requesting their reports, just their persons, and hopefully their wits as well.”

Calypso made a small sound, distracting me. I glanced over to find her focusing with great intensity on her book.

Soren flipped pages. “I have openings in the schedule for the afternoon on those days.”

“What is on the schedule?” I asked, forcing myself to refocus.

Soren rattled off committee meetings for various tasks, and we discussed my schedule for a few moments. It all felt so useless. My life was a tangled, mundane mess. I grimaced. Something had to change. I needed to make time for a wife, and eventually a family.

Soren ended with a reminder. “And Grizzlemunch still wishes for an audience this afternoon.”

With a sigh, I nodded. “I will see Grizzlemunch, then I will retire early. I am weary. The curse has worn my strength thin.” ’Twas truth in essence. I was very tired. However, before I rested, Calypso and I had some details to iron out between us. Our expectations of married life for a start.

“Who is that?” Grizzlemunch demanded the moment the obligatory greetings were complete. The old sprite peered over his lifted nose at Calypso, who hadn’t moved from her couch since before he walked into my office.

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