Page 55 of Crown of Slumber

As I finished bathing and dressing, my movements clumsy as I avoided stretching my right arm too much, all I could think of was how I yearned for her to return. If she saw me half dressed, it would rattle her, and that endearing blush would spread across her face.

I didn’t know why I enjoyed it so much. Over the years, I’d been with plenty of women. Aurelia hadn’t shown the least bit of interest in me.

But perhaps that was why I craved it so much. As I said to her, I enjoyed a challenge.

I shook my head, cursing under my breath as I fumbled with the buttons of my shirt. This was foolishness. Once our bargain was complete, we would likely never see each other again. Our kingdoms would be on better terms, but that didn’t have to mean anything.

We would part ways. Because, to her, I would always be the enemy prince.

I exhaled a harsh breath through my teeth, turning to inspect my appearance in the mirror. The tunic and coat were simple; certainly not the elegance I was accustomed to. But the soft fabric was soothing against my skin, and it was surprisingly comfortable.

I would take comfort over elegance. With a smirk, I glanced at the wardrobe. This cottagedidseem to understand exactly what Ineeded. The belt at my trousers even had a strap for my short sword.

When I was fully dressed, I left the room and made my way down the hallway. Voices echoed, and a woman’s high-pitched laugh rang out. I followed the sounds until I found Aurelia and Dreya taking tea in the sitting room. A plate of biscuits and scones sat on the table between the two sofas.

“Your Highness!” Dreya immediately rose and fell into a quick curtsy.

“Please,” I said, lifting my hand. “You have taken such good care of us in our time of need. You don’t need to curtsy, and you certainly don’t need to refer to me asYour Highness.Fenn will do.”

Dreya blushed and wrung her hands together, then shot an uncertain glance toward Aurelia, who lifted her eyebrows. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly…” Dreya mumbled.

“Then Prince Fenn.”

Dreya nodded once, her lips pressing together in a thin line.

“Don’t stop on my account,” I said, gesturing to the plate of pastries before sliding onto the cushion next to Aurelia. The sofa was small, and my arm and leg pressed against hers.

She stiffened for a brief moment, then relaxed against me as she no doubt remembered our ruse. She placed a hand on my knee and said, “I’ve sent word to the Autumn Court of our upcoming arrival. They should be expecting us before dusk.”

“Excellent.” With my uninjured arm, I reached for a blueberry scone and took a bite. Warmth flooded my tongue, and the sugared fruit tasted divine. I took another bite and groaned with satisfaction. “This is quite good.”

“Hallie is the best baker in the realm,” Dreya said proudly.

Aurelia nodded her agreement. “She certainly is.”

“Well, be sure to give her my compliments,” I said, licking the sugar from my fingers. With my other hand, I clasped Aurelia’s fingers in mine, then brought the back of her hand to my lips and brushed a kiss against it.

Aurelia’s cheeks flushed, her eyes flashing with irritation. I only smirked at her. “Did you sleep well, my love?” I murmured, my lips still on her hand.

She took a slow, deep breath before batting her eyelashes at meand offering a simpering smile that was anything but genuine. “How could I not? I was with you the entire night.”

She turned away, withdrawing her hand as she took a biscuit. I frowned at her, noting that she hadn’t answered my question. Would it have been a lie if she had said she had gotten a restful sleep? Had she been kept up by memories of whatever had happened to her to make her fear sharing a bed with me?

Dreya glanced uncertainly between us, and I smiled again before she suspected anything was amiss. “The room was lovely, Dreya. Thank you for your hospitality. I will tell everyone in my court that this is the inn to stay at.”

“That’s assuming anyone in your court will venture this way,” Aurelia muttered between bites of her food.

“Why wouldn’t they? With our union, the two courts will be allies. I’ll wager we’ll have many correspondences between our kingdoms.”

Aurelia’s lips tightened, and she lifted her teacup to her lips before taking a long sip. “We’ll see,” she whispered.

I scrutinized her, the rigid set of her jaw, the dark anger brewing in her gaze. Did she not believe that relations between our kingdoms would improve? Granted, once our false engagement ended, there would certainly be a strain. But she would get her stardust—and her people would be safe—and my kingdom would get a dragon. Surely, the benefits of our bargain would finally end the animosity between our courts.

Dreya cleared her throat, her shrewd eyes missing nothing. “Is there… a date set for the wedding?”

I leaned forward conspiratorially. “Between you and me, we haven’t officially announced it yet. But rest assured that news of a royal engagement like ours will be shouted from the rooftops, and you’ll be sure to know once arrangements have been made.” The deception rolled easily off my tongue. I wasn’t certain how deeply into our ruse we would go. Aurelia and I hadn’t agreed to officially announce a wedding date, so I didn’t want to make false promises. Not when my fae blood prevented me from lying.

Dreya’s face fell, and Aurelia leaned over the table to clasp her hands. “You will be more than welcome to attend. Perhaps we caneven arrange for Hallie to bake something delicious for the ceremony.”

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