Page 114 of The Forbidden Fae King

My steps take me through rooms with intricate marble mosaics across the floors and broad pillars of agate. The ivory walls are embossed in a multitude of metallic colors, forming intricate designs of swirls, flowers and leaves.

I pause in the entrance hall as Basil opens the door to the sitting room, balancing a tray of refreshments.

He leaves the door ajar and I catch a glimpse of the lord sitting opposite Aldrin, on low couches that face each other, still stained with dust from his travels. Their voices travel to me and I can’t help pausing to listen in.

“News of your arrival in the capital traveled quickly. Especially after your speech to the Senate. I still have my connections here.” Every muscle in the lord’s shoulders are taut as Aldrin scrutinizes him with narrowed eyes and a predatory gleam.

“You must understand, my estates are closely watched and I am practically under house arrest,” the lord urges. “But when I heard word of your return, I feigned a sickness that kept me in my bed and took a covert mission to the border with my guard. My coming here was near impossible.”

He leans forward in his seat. “I need you to know that I made a mistake when I voted you out. After what I saw…I believe you, Aldrin. I want to give you my oath and backing, if you will take it.”

I suck in a breath. I probably shouldn’t be listening in, but I can’t help myself. This is exactly what we need, but Aldrin hardly reacts. He crosses an ankle over his knee and glowers at the man until he dabs sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

“And what does your oath and backing give me, Lord Cedar?” Aldrin’s tone is as hard as steel. “I need more than pretty words.”

“You know my influence in the capital has diminished since I fell out of the high chancellor’s favor, but I have other resources. There are far too many like me. We still have dominion over our own provinces and together, we can be a formidable force. I can help you gainthe support of others, my old allies from the Senate.. I will convince them to see the border and the corruption of the low fae.”

Aldrin motions to Basil, who picks up a crystal decanter and pours wine into two crystal chalices. Aldrin takes a long drink from one, and doesn’t say a single thing to the lord opposite him, who loses his nerve and keeps talking.

“You have more support outside of the city than you realize. Things have been difficult in your absence. Mismanaged. Food shortages. Raised taxes on the lowest classes. The low fae are quickly becoming sub-citizens. Titania has not held up on her election promises. The time is right for you to take back your throne and for the people to hear your…unconventional ideas for saving this realm.”

Aldrin scoffs. “I need to get them to believe there is a threat to our magic and realm first.”

“And they will!” Lord Cedar’s face lights up.

I wonder if he is actually enthusiastic about his king’s return, or if he is a drowning man threatened with irrelevance and Aldrin is a rope tossed to him in a turbulent sea.

Basil leaves the sitting room, closing the door behind him and out their conversation. The butler gives me a hard look, as though wondering if I am Aldrin’s lover or a spy in his inner circle. I turn and leave the apartments, somehow feeling chastened.

Aldrin is a king who would value the options of his queen.

The thought is so alluring, it stops me dead in my tracks.

I am filled with heady longing to be Aldrin’s partner in this. To stay here and see it to the end. To be at his side for all the good and bad moments, and pick him up each time this world grinds him down. My chest aches for how badly I want it, how badly I need him in my life, not just temporarily.

I have been considering myself as Aldrin’s partner. Acting as though I will becomehisqueen, not Finan’s. I have forgotten myself. That I have my duty to return to.Myrealm andmypeople.

My fingers fly to the moonstone bracelet at my wrist, passing over the beads and their greatly weakened pull. They are milky and dull, where they once shone bright like small beacons.

Ice forms in my stomach.

We have just over a week until they close, maybe two, and we still need to travel back to Odiane to collect our seed-stones. I cannot breathe at the thought of leaving Aldrin. Of having to marry Finan. My throat tightens painfully as panic engulfs me.

I was taken away by Aldrin’s dreams, and thought they could be mine.

The world spins around me as I pace briskly toward my own apartments. I enter, then thrust my back against the closed door, running my hands across my face while my chest heaves.

I am falling for Aldrin.

If I stay here much longer, Iwillbecome desperately in love with him. I don’t give my heart away in portions, but thrust the whole damned thing at a person. Much longer, and I will turn my back on my realm to spend my life with this man who has stolen my heart.

It is like a cold bucket of water is tipped over my head. The sacrifice required for such a choice hits home. If I remain after the portals close, I will never see my parents or siblings again.None except Caitlin would know what had happened to me.

It would destroy my father if I never return from the pilgrimage, since he fought so hard for my right to cross. My mother would think I was ravished and harmed by high fae. The anchor to my home is so incredibly strong.

That bright light of a future with Aldrin filled with love winks out.

He may want my body and my friendship, but there is no guarantee he will make me his queen.

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