Page 52 of Lady of Shadows

“Do you have an objection to the word?”

“I have an objection to the repetition of it when you fail to explain what exactly you find so interesting.”

“Where are you off to in the night by yourselves?” the Fae Queen asked with a smile, resuming her pacing.

“If you must know, to the city to find a tavern and drink,” Callan drawled.

“There were not drinks at the festivities this evening?” she asked, noting the masks they now held in their hands.

“Why does it matter to you?”

“Callan,” Finn hissed.

“It matters to me when a mortal prince is in my lands, and I am not informed of it. Do you know the mess it would create if something should happen to you, Crown Prince of Windonelle? I’m sure the Prince of Fire did not think of such things when he brought you here with her,”she said with a sneer. “Who is she?” She leveled those jade eyes at him, and they seemed to glow.

Callan just stared back at the Fae Queen with a frankness he couldn’t hide. He wasn’t going to tell her anything.

“You care for her so much you would defy me? How charming. You are either very brave or very stupid,” she purred.

“What?” Callan asked, looking at her sharply.

“Who attempts to steal her affections from you?” the Fae Queen asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“Who doesn’t?” Callan muttered under his breath.

Her brows rose again. “Is she that beloved by so many?”

Damn that Fae hearing.

“Yes,” Callan sighed. “She keeps many secrets and apparently bears many titles, but she is kind to those who cannot defend themselves, and her loyalty knows no bounds if you manage to secure it.”

“Tell me, mortal prince, should you succeed in winning her over, how shall you feel in ten years when you are aging and she is not? How shall you feel in twenty years? Fifty? When you are old and wasting away on your deathbed, and she does not look much older than she is now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Surely you know the Fae are immortal, do you not? Prince Sorin himself is centuries old. She will have a Staying in a few years, and her body will age no more,” the Queen said with a wave of her hand. “And your children? Will they inherit their mother’s immortality, or shall they too waste away while she remains young, seeing her grandchildren and their children and their children’s children die as well?”

“Stop,” Callan ordered quietly.

“Things you should consider, Crown Prince, should you not, if you are to pursue her?” the Fae Queen asked with a half smile. “Unless you believe she would bind her immortal life to your own? To die when you die?”

“I would never ask that of her,” Callan spat.

“Good,” she replied coolly, her face going cold. “Come, Prince, let me buy your drinks this evening.”

“I think we will just head back to the palace,” Callan said. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty.” He turned to head back to the palace, but soft growls emanated from the wolves at her sides.

“Oh no, your Highness,” the Queen purred. “I insist.”

The earth below his feet shook. The road itself was moving, drawing them to her. She stood, not coming any closer. Almost like she couldn’t. The wolves snapped their jaws, and Finn and Sloan angled their swords once more.

“Those are not necessary,” she said sweetly, and vines appeared from the very ground they stood on, wrapping around their swords and swallowing them down into the earth.

“And what would my father say of the Fae Queen taking me against my will?” Callan demanded, pushing down the fear in his gut.

“I shall not harm you, Prince,” she said with a smirk. “I only wish to visit more. I am sure there is much we can learn from each other, and I would like to discuss a matter I require your assistance with.”

“What could I possibly assist you with that you cannot do yourself?” Callan asked, as they were shoved next to the wolves.

---