Page 61 of Magic Forsaken

The scars did nothing to diminish the masculine beauty of that face, with its high cheekbones, firm jawline, and expressive lips. All without the need for glamour. Perhaps he wanted to be seen. Wanted everyone to be reminded of who he was and what he’d survived.

As our eyes locked, I watched for any sign that he recognized me. Any hint that he recalled that moment in Myriad Gardens.

I saw none, but it did little to ease my worries. Anyone who had grown up with Elayara would have learned to hide his feelings without a trace.

“If even you can’t decide how to react to a mere assistant,” Callum replied smoothly, “neither can anyone else.”

“I take it that’s the point?”

Callum said nothing, but Rath offered him a slight smirk.

“Subtlety has never exactly been your calling card,” he noted. “This new facet to your royal personality is going to make a few of my fellow delegates rather nervous.”

“Hmmm.”

“But beware of overplaying the mystery,” Rath continued. “It may be assumed that you are in over your head, juggling red herrings without a clear direction.”

“If anyone would know about overplaying a mystery, it’s you,” Callum said, his dry tone drawing a sharp, almost vicious smile from the fae prince.

“Why, Your Majesty, I’m so pleased that you’ve noticed,” he said smoothly, taking another sip of his drink.

“So should I gather that this is what we can expect for the duration of the Symposium? Embittered heir with a savage sense of humor?”

Rath seemed entirely unbothered by that characterization. “Isn’t that what everyone expects me to be? I would so hate to disappoint.”

Callum regarded him thoughtfully. “Kira will be pleased to see you.”

The prince’s expression did shift then, softening into something gentler. Almost warm.

“Will she?” he murmured. “Why do I get the feeling that I only make her sad these days?”

So he had not been spending time with the dragon siblings. Had they even known he was in town? And if not, why had he kept his presence a secret?

Unfortunately, asking Callum about it might lead to awkward questions about my own past, and I wasn’t sure it was worth the risk. I was just going to have to keep a close eye on the fae heir in case he harbored some nefarious secret agenda.

Callum leaned back in his chair. “So who did you bring with you?”

“Oh, the usual selection of vipers.” Rath waved a hand, as if dismissing the lot of them at one go. “They pretend to respect my opinions, but they are forever pushing their limits. Hoping to discover why my father doesn’t trust me. Wondering whether they can get me disinherited entirely if they play the game well enough.”

“Sounds exhausting.”

Rath’s smile was sharp and glittering. “A mere afternoon’s diversion among the fae, I assure you. Exhausting would be having to constantly growl and posture to keep my people in line.”

“Trust a fae to make honest conflict sound uncivilized,” Callum noted with an ill-concealed grimace. “I would prefer open combat and resolution to dancing around enemies and traitors forever.”

“Yes, well.” Rath shrugged elaborately. “You’re a dragon. Everything changes when they know you can eat them.”

Three women strolled through the entrance to the lounge, looked around, spotted our group, and headed our way. They appeared human, but I judged from their expressions that they recognized my companions, which meant they could well be wearing glamour. Wildkin or fae? Or perhaps elemental?

“Well, look what the dragon dragged in.” The shortest of the three was eyeing Rath, but with wary respect more than admiration. “Pleased to see you here, Vinrath Elduvar.”

“Marilee.” Rath did not rise to greet the tiny blonde woman, but he did offer her a cordial nod. “I heard you’d been summoned back to court. Are you here as a delegate?”

She let out a theatrical groan that sounded oddly genuine despite her perfectly poised and polished exterior. “Unfortunately. Dad used my experience with the Shadow Court to get me nominated. He’s terribly proud that a naiad was chosen, so it wasn’t like I could back out.” Her eyes rolled in annoyance. “I told him if he wanted that honor for the naiads so badly, he could do it himself, because frankly I have zero interest in politics or looking after wildkin interests. But…” She stepped closer and looked over her shoulder before continuing. “If you ask me, he just didn’t want to deal with Leith.”

So this was Marilee Springvale. Daughter of the naiad chief and former employee of The Portal. In her unglamoured form, she would have blue skin, nearly transparent hair, and enormous dark eyes. Naiads were most at home around water, and could live in it as easily as above it, but today she looked like an ordinary—though unmistakably wealthy and gorgeous—human woman, with her sleek updo and sparkling blue eyes.

“So it’s true?” Callum was asking. “Leith is coming in person?”

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