Page 97 of Blooms of Darkness

She pulled out a pair of shoes I normally wore for more casual outings around the city, and I practically kissed her. While others may expect me to dress in the latest finery for this date, I had no intention of greeting the city like a visiting dignitary in shoes, which would have me falling all over myself and twisting an ankle.

A small pit grew in my stomach, for I knew if I hurt myself now, I couldn’t run to Elisabeth any longer.

Slipping them on quickly, I gave her a brief hug. “I promise. But only because I don’t want you having a mess on your hands.”

Her laughter remained with me as I closed the door behind me and walked into the hallway.

I turned, staring at the patch of carpet, which no longer bore the stain of Elisabeth’s blood. The patch no one would know she died on in a few centuries time.

The pit in my stomach grew larger, the longer I stared at the carpet. Swallowing down the pain still swirling inside of me, I walked down the steps, slowly, dragging out the little bit of time I had alone before being stuck with Lord West.

I hadn’t forgotten his strange interaction with Andras after the first winner’s dinner.

But rules were rules, apparently, and this charade of granting him an hour of my time as the winner was mandatory. Given that I had been playing charades my whole life, hiding who I truly was, and what I truly thought, an hour was inconsequential in the grand scheme of it all.

My father, mother, and Andras stood alongside Lord Casimir West at the entrance to the palace. The four of them were huddled together, engaged in a whispered conversation I could not hear. My father held onto my mother’s arm for support, his weakness becoming more evident with every passing day. Andras grinned slyly as he noticed my approach. I would never be able to shake the feeling of unease when I saw him, regardless of how many years it had been since I last left that dungeon.

Casimir stood tall, waiting for me at the entrance to the palace, his copper-red hair slicked back, despite its short length. He donned some of his finest attire, it appeared. The seams of his dark-grey pants and emerald tunic embroidered with a golden thread so thick, it reminded me of the upholstery on one of my least favorite chairs in our library. A golden swirling broach was pinned on the upper right section of his chest.

“My dear, we were just here to wish you both a wonderful hour together. Ruppert will accompany you across the city,” my father said, hugging me quickly before they all turned to leave.

“The princess is safe with me, my King.” Casimir’s expression displayed utter confidence as he nodded toward my father.

“Princess Illiana.” He bowed before me, grabbing my hand and kissing it lightly. “You are a vision. No one would know you were in mourning. Well done.”

I tried not to shudder at the lack of empathy in his words, and his tone. I only had to smile and tolerate this man for one hour.One hour.

“Lord West, a pleasure to see you. I hear we are going for a walk around the city. A fine choice,” I responded, attempting to smile genuinely. I likely failed.

“Yes, it seemed right to greet our people together.”

I clenched my teeth tightly at the comment.Mypeople wouldneverbe his.

He opened the door, oblivious of how his words angered me, and led me down the path toward the city, holding his arm out for me to take, which I did reluctantly. Little did he know, in three swift moves, I could have him down to the ground, with a knife to his throat, a knife still conveniently sheathed on my thigh.

The thought brought a genuine smile to my lips this time.

Ruppert followed diligently, ten paces behind us. Too bad I couldn’t feign some sort of illness to get out of this date, but Ruppert believed in rules. In fact, helivedfor rules. If the king ordered me to be out with Lord West for an hour, Ruppert would ensure I stayed for the full hour.

Lord West spoke of himself and his many accomplishments so much so, I didn’t even have to pretend to interject my thoughts and comments. He wasn’t paying attention to my responses, anyway, instead walking through the streets of Ellevail as though he owned them and all of its people.

In fact, he didn’t ask me a single question about myself. Not as if I cared. I would never choose him to win this competition. He served as another reminder that most of the men were here for the title and a Queen, not a wife or a friend.

The happiness I’d grown accustomed to enjoying as I walked this path through the city seemed stifled, suffocated by the man next to me. It must be the hot air he spewed. He certainly enjoyed hearing himself speak.

As we left the more affluent area on Duke Street, we approached my favorite part of the city. One I’d gladly flaunt to any visitors.

Although I was certain the wealthy would object, to me, this was the main street of the city of Ellevail. A street lined with shops, butchers, and florists. Anything one needed could be found on this street. Filled with a community, a sense of belonging, a place where our people looked out for one another, even with their limited magical abilities.

“I love this place.” I sighed, interrupting the lord. I didn’t care if he answered or not, I simply wanted it to be known.

He straightened, looking farther down his nose around us, if it were possible, and assessed each passing Fae with an air of disdain. He looked down upon my subjects, as if he held the position of King already. As if his gracing these villagers with his presence should be applauded. It repulsed me.

Who did this man think he was?

A group of tattered children from an alleyway bounded toward us. Ruppert didn’t flinch, as he was accustomed to my walks around the city and interacting with all of its citizens. I also had it on good authority he pined after a woman who lived in this part of town.

The thought of Ruppert being attracted to anything but work made me smile and peer at him over my shoulder. Proving my point, his expression remained as stiff as stone, observing the incoming children as though they could possibly be a threat.

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