Page 13 of Heir to His Court

“We are, Lady Aerinne,” my father said. “You are well?”

It was his code phrase to remind me to mind my manners and simultaneously to ask if I was under any duress.

“I am, Lord. May I offer escort to Faronne house? Should you wish it.”

Baroun snorted, and threw himself into an empty chair, surveying us all with enigmatic yellow eyes slowly shading back to amber brown.

“Perhaps it is time,” Baba said. “We’ve passed the hours pleasantly while awaiting you, but I’m told there is some disturbance in the city.”

Realms, sometimes I forgot my father was human. If I closed my eyes, he sounded like a High Fae Lord. I felt a pang of regret. How much of himself had he’d sacrificed these last few decades in order to give me time to grow? He had never wanted the House, he had only wanted my mother. I would need to do better. Which meant my own dreams would either be put on hold, or reimagined.

“Aerinne.” Renaud’s voice. Soft. Edged. “What does my cousin speak of?”

The loss of dreams was the cost of maturity, and of power. One could not always have what one wanted.I,after all, was Kuthliele, not my father. I needed Danon. I must extricate him soon.

I steeled myself, transferring my attention to the Prince, who sat in a chair, his ankle crossed over his knee.

Who are you? Raniel? Darkan? Renaud? Do you even know?

I know you are angry, my halfling.I warned you I was not the enemy andif I was almost lost to the Ancient, what do you think might happen to you?You dislike my methods, but they produce results.

I saw the results. I saw the bodies.

He rose, breaking the connection. “Lord Étienne was gracious enough to accept my offer of hospitality while we waited for you. There was some confusion in the city, as he said. I asked you a question, Lady Aerinne.”

So smooth his voice, so courtly his words. They were technically true, though their spirit was a blatant lie.

One day I will learn how to tell lies with the truth,I told him.

“I don’t know why you bother, cousin,” Baroun said. “She won’t tell you anything that places the privilege of flitting about the city into jeopardy.” He curled his lip at me. “If you were the young Heir of our House, you would have been controlled until you demonstrated the ability to protect yourself from threats greater than mere Low Fae, or at the very least, behave.”

I relaxed at the insult. This was familiar. This led me to my happy place. “Is House Montague still in doubt regarding my ability to protect myself? I would have thought the deaths among your and your allied warriors spoke otherwise. I must strive harder.”

He lifted his wineglass in a salute.

“In any case, what happened is none of your business, Montague. And not the people’s fault.”

Baroun arched a brow, then promptly turned to Renaud with the air of a petty little boy whorelishedbeing an obvious tattle-tell.

“The people’s Princess revealed her true form. It turns out the little Darkling reallyisa harpy, Renaud.” He smiled, pretty, malicious. “I am glad I never took that bet.”

Really,Iwas supposed to be the ill-mannered child? Funny how it was always the High Fae males bleating about dignified behavior when they about faced and displayed absolutely none.

All the while convincing everyone they were in the right.

Renaud had stilled, however.

Baroun continued. “The crowd was predictably perturbed. She refused to defend herself, of course.” The smile morphed into a sneer. “That cursed Capulette stubbornness when it comes to innocents.” Baroun straightened and refilled his wineglass, downed it a second time. “It will get us all killed.Dosomething about that, cousin?”

“Just what do you think he’s going to do about it?”

I knew better than to take the bait. Iknewbetter. . .but his sudden, inexplicable, nearly proprietary air mixed with mockery and condescension had my every hackle rising.

Baroun smiled at me over his fourth glass of wine.

I stepped toward him.

“Aerinne.” Renaud’s voice emptied by the final syllable.

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