Page 59 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

“Why does he let Grizzlemunch speak to him like that?”

Ghost shrugged one of his massive shoulders. “Seniority?”

Golden sparks spun in a tiny circle about level with my head. They sped up, and the circle widened until it revealed Azulin standing in his bedchamber.

“Come through. Furintag just left to fetch our meals.” Azulin reached through the portal and caught my hand, interlacing our fingers as I stepped through to his side. “Any lightheadedness? Weakness?” He peered down into my features as Ghost passed through the portal behind me.

“None.”

“Not even a wobble,” Ghost confirmed. “After the meal, will you require my assistance rearranging the room again?”

“Better to begin now,” Azulin responded. “Lady Anon and I will need our privacy after the meal.”

I frowned after Azulin as he moved away. Privacy for what? Talking or something else?

Ghost nodded and stalked off toward the bed. As I watched, the pair of them moved all the furniture back to the places they had originally rested when I first saw Azulin’s bedchamber.

“Are you telling the servants?” Ghost asked as set down a worktable and stretched out the muscles in his back, rolling his shoulders.

“What?” Azulin asked distractedly as he eyed the placement of a writing stand on the desk in the corner.

“That you and she have exchanged vows?” Ghost gestured toward me. “At the very least, your close servants should know what to expect when they stumble upon the pair of you alone.”

Azulin glanced my way. “How do you feel about Furintag?”

I blinked in surprise. “I liked what little I saw of him. Why?”

“Furintag won’t gossip.” Azulin crossed to the table where the servants usually served his meals. “If Furintag alone is allowed to attend us, that would reduce the risk of discovery.”

“Why do we need to hide our marriage?” I asked. “Won’t the truth become evident, eventually?”

Azulin motioned for Ghost to shift the table closer to the windows overlooking a balcony. “As king, I have many enemies.”

“As a mortal, you are a weakness other fae will seek to take advantage of,” Ghost explained. With a grunt, he shifted the solid wood table into place. “We need to compensate for that.”

“Plus, we haven’t found the traitor who handed my name into the enemy’s hands.” Azulin eyed the table with a grimace. “That will have to do,” he told Ghost before turning back to me. “I want a foolproof plan in place to protect you before we make any announcements.”

“Makes sense,” I admitted, fingering the ring on my hand. I took a measure of reassurance from the tingle of the protection spell.

“The coronation, training for your role, and assumption of duties will come later—when you are ready,” Azulin added. “Noneed to rush. The kingdom hasn’t had an active queen for many years.”

Queen? I wasn’t prepared to become queen of anyone, let alone queen of the fae, a people who were stronger, faster, and far more powerful than I. How could I rule a people of whom I knew so little? I had agreed to marry Azulin, but becoming queen was another matter altogether.

Azulin glanced my way. Some sign of the apprehension forming in my chest must have leaked into my expression because he did a second take, focusing his attention on my face. His gaze softened, but before he could say anything, someone knocked at the door.

Without prompting, Ghost opened it to admit Furintag and a whole host of servants bearing food. They began setting it out on the table. Meanwhile, Ghost led Furintag to the side and whispered something in his ear. The servant nodded and then turned back to supervise the actions of the rest of the group.

Azulin drew closer and whispered in my ear, “We’ll talk later.” His breath stirred my hair and sent a wave of unexpected heat through me. Then he moved away, striding toward Furintag. “My cat will require roasted chicken and hard-boiled eggs tomorrow morning.”

“Very well, sire. I will see that the cook is informed. He sent up a selection of foods he is informed are safe for her consumption. He is determined to expand her diet, despite Lady Anon’s reluctance.” Furintag motioned toward a platter covered with various cooked meats, fruits, and vegetables. “I am to report which the cat prefers so he can add them to her diet. The cook is eager to please her.”

Azulin surveyed the spread with interest before seeking out my attention. “Would you be willing to let my cat out of the dressing chamber? I’m sure she’s hungry by now. Once she haschosen her favorites, Furintag can leave us to consume our meal in peace.”

I nodded, taking his meaning to heart. “I need to change as it is.” Walking to the closet door, I opened it with a great show of calling to the nonexistent cat. Then just before the door closed behind me, I transformed into my cat form and slipped back through the rapidly closing gap, so it appeared that I had closed the door right behind the emerging cat.

“There you are.” Azulin picked me up. My fur ruffled and stood on end as I was abruptly transported from the floor to his arms. “These nice servants have brought you a selection of food. What would you like?” He set me gently on the tabletop.

“Sire, the cat shouldn’t be—” one of the servants protested before Furintag waved him off.

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