Page 52 of A Court Bright and Broken

Father never deigned to participate in the dancing at these events, preferring to simply supervise the merriment until the dinner afterward when he’d take his place at the head table, lead the toasts, and join in the twelve-course meal.

He was looking directly at me now.

At this distance, mind-to-mind conversation wouldn’t be clear, possibly not work at all. It only worked at a distance with one’s bond-mate. That was why he’d sent the young page.

But I understood the look well enough, and no one refused a summons. Not even me.

Shifting my attention to Wyn, I said, “It’s time to meet the King.”

Her face contracted in obvious apprehension, and when I tried to lead her toward the dais, her feet seemed to be glued to the floor.

“I can’t,” she wheezed. Poor thing was paralyzed with fear.

“He’s not that scary,” I promised. “Besides, you’re with me. And he’ll find no fault in you, because there is none to find.”

If possible, she looked even more frightened.

“I’m sorry, but there really is no choice in the matter. King Pontus gets what he wants.”

In a bitter tone, I added, “One way or another.”

Finally, her feet started moving. When we reached the throne, my father beckoned Wyn forward.

“Your name, child?”

She curtsied and gave it to him. “Wyn, Your Majesty.”

“And your clan?”

She hesitated before answering, keeping her head bowed. From my position behind her, I could see her shoulders and hands shaking.

“From the southernmost region, Your Majesty.”

“Ah, Sundaris,” he said, showing off his knowledge of the kingdom’s farthest reaches. “You can’t be one of Lord Solan’s daughters. Which means you’re from eastern Sundaris. You’re from House Elardis?”

“That’s right, Your Majesty.”

That explained her shyness and lack of dancing skills. Lord Aydan Elardis rarely left Altum, his underground kingdom tucked inside a vast southern forest, and from what I’d heard, he discouraged his subjects from leaving as well.

Unlike the rest of us, they didn’t mix with humans or other Fae, choosing to stay isolated and keeping to the ancient ways.

My father smiled. “A reclusive lot. Your Lord is a right hermit. I’m flattered he even sent a representative—and such a lovely one. How was the journey from Altum?”

“Long, Your Majesty,” Wyn said.

After a moment’s pause, the King said to the guards on either side of his chair, “Bring her forward.”

My heart slammed against my chest wall, making it difficult to breathe for a moment.

What was happening? Had Pharis been right about her after all?

But when Wyn was brought to the highest step where my father’s throne sat, he simply extended his hand, palm up.

“Well, don’t be shy.” he said and raised his brows. “Let’s find out what’s so special about you. I’ve never seen my son so smitten.”

My father didn’t have to say what he wanted—his glamour would have made that crystal clear to her.

I only hoped that all he wanted was her hand. I didn’t like the way he was looking at her.

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