Page 113 of Crown of Slumber

At long last, she said, “Very well,” and I released a heavy breath. “But understand that I will be watching very closely, princess. If you double-cross the Court of Midnight, we will show you no mercy.”

I forced a bland smile. “I would expect nothing less, Your Highness.”

The queen left the throne room after that, claiming she had a dozen tasks to see to if we were to host the fete tonight. In a blur of motion, she exited the throne room, and suddenly, Fenn and I were alone. The doors remained open, however, and I was painfully aware of the guards who stood outside the doors.

My skin felt itchy and far too tight. I resisted the urge to fidget and squirm, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, either. I was afraid of what I might see. Or perhaps I was afraid of what Iwouldn’tsee.

I wasn’t certain what terrified me more—the notion that hedidlove me, or the possibility that it was all an act, that he would laugh and give me that signature smirk, his eyes full of mirth as he said,I can’t believe she fell for it!

“Aurelia,” he murmured.

My eyes closed, and in that moment, I knew. I knew he spoke the truth.

He drew closer to me, his warm hand at my elbow, and gods help me, but I wanted to lean into his touch, to envelop myself in his scent, in the strength of his arms.

But I didn’t. Icouldn’t. I didn’t know what it was I felt for him.

But he did. He loved me.

And this changed everything.

“I cannot believe you said those things,” I whispered, opening my eyes to peer up at him. His gaze shone with unrestrained desire. Gods, it was so intense and pure. I had never seenanything written so plainly on his face. The adoration, the longing, the despair, thetruth.

It made my chest ache.

“This changes nothing,” Fenn murmured, trailing his fingers up my arm. I suppressed a shiver of pleasure from the lightness of his touch. “Our bargain is still intact, and I fully intend for us to part ways after this is all over. I have no interest in holding you to something you did not promise. You will be free from me, Aurelia.”

I shook my head, my eyes welling with tears. “You can’t say those things and then say you will release me. You can’t make me the villain who steals your heart and then shatters it, leaving you to sweep up the pieces alone.”

Fenn exhaled a sharp laugh. “I think you have mistaken me for a weak, fragile thing. I will befine, Aurelia. I—I may have feelings for you. But I uttered those wordsonlyto convince my mother. Nothing more. Not to beg for your love or to persuade you to marry me.”

“Fenn—”

He drew closer, clasping my hands in both of his. I gazed up at him, a single tear streaking down my cheek.

“Don’t,” he breathed, catching the tear with his thumb and sweeping it away. “Don’t cry for me, little firebird. Once my people see the fete and the Dragonfire that will protect them, all will be well. But I think… I think it would be best if you left immediately after the fete.”

My stomach dropped. “What? Why?”

“You have been away from your court for too long, and we can’t visit the Court of Twilight to seek answers about the Dream Mage. If she is as powerful as the hunter says, then your people are in danger. After the fete, I will get you your supply of stardust, and you can be on your way.”

Alarm pulsed through me. He couldn’t be serious. “Fenn, I can’t just leave! We are puttingeverythinginto this ruse. If I vanish like a thief in the night, everyone will know it was a sham. And they will be livid when I take Mal with me. He was supposed to be a show of good faith.”

“I will smooth things over,” he assured me, though I sensed the uncertainty in his tone. I had met his mother; she did not seem likethe forgiving type. I wouldn’t be surprised if she waged war immediately after my departure.

Fenn seemed to read the doubt on my face. “Aurelia, it will be fine. I swear it. Don’t worry about my court. Your people need you. Once you’ve broken the curse, we can mend things here. But we can’t risk leaving your palace undefended for much longer. You know this.”

My throat tightened. As much as I wanted to insist on staying, on helping Fenn with his own court issues, I knew he was right. Kade, our biggest dragon, would need to return to her hibernation soon, and with Mal here, the palace would be practically defenseless.

I looked up at Fenn, at the somber certainty in his eyes. Was he insisting I leave because of my people? Or because he couldn’t bear to keep up our pretense any longer, knowing I did not return his feelings?

“When our engagement dissolves, I will assure them our alliance remains intact, and they will know we can keep them safe,” he went on. “Thatis what matters. Our people. The safety of our kingdoms. Not my silly feelings. Do not worry for me, Aurelia.”

I swallowed thickly and nodded, though I did not believe it. How could I part ways from him, knowing what I knew? How could he do that to me? How could he put that burden on my shoulders?

To my surprise, Fenn chuckled. “Well, this won’t do. Should I return to my flippant and dastardly persona? Would it be more suitable if I went to a brothel to secure a bedmate for the night, per my usual standards?”

“No,” I said, my voice far sharper than I intended. Fenn’s eyebrows lifted, and my stomach churned with a foreign anxiety. I didn’t know why I said that. But the idea of Fenn sharing someone else’s bed filled me with rage.

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