Page 55 of Blooms of Darkness

“I can handle it,” he said bluntly, his tone signaling the end of this conversation. Ian never liked discussing rumors. Kalliah could make light of things enough to tease occasionally, but overall, I knew this bothered him. His anger was geared toward the way it made me appear, more so than him.

“More people are going to the borders?” I asked. Although based on my father and Andras’s conversation, I knew the answer.

Ian pursed his lips. “Another twenty men are being sent.”

“And none are returning,” I whispered. I shifted so even if Frederich or Kade were listening, they wouldn’t be able to hear. “Andras approached my father at the trials saying as much. They’re concerned about not having many more men left to blindly send.”

Ian frowned. “The general is the only person above me, and even I don't have all of the information. Whatever is going on, they’re keeping it tight-lipped. Rumors are spreading fasterabout whatever evil magic is running rampant at the borders. It may not be so far off, given what we have faced.”

“Can we stop it if it comes here?” I asked.

“We don’t know anything about it. No one has been able to talk to those at the border with enough frequency to determine what’s happening, or how to make it stop. Kade and Storm might know more, but we would need to talk to them to learn what they know.”

“Come, come, now Captain Stronholm. I believe I made my point earlier. You've had enough time with the princess,” Frederich said, lumbering in our direction with his too-loud voice.

Ian squeezed my arm. “Apologies, Frederich. You are correct, I know Princess Illiana is looking forward to getting to know you. Please, enjoy your evening.” He opened his mouth when he stood behind Frederich, taunting me as he backed away near my mother. I didn’t miss how she swatted his arm as soon as he reached her side.

Kade stood back, watching me suffer with Frederich, swirling the sweet red wine in his glass. A glimmer in his eye told me he was simply biding his time without a care in the world.

He stood a few feet away, staring out into the garden, seemingly unbothered by having none of my attention yet.

Frederich, though, remained adamant and waiting. Unfortunately.

He put his arm around me, and I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed his wrist, struggling not to yank it away like I wanted, and instead, demurely removed it from my shoulder. “Although your enthusiasm is noted, I’d appreciate it if you kindly kept your hands to yourself for now.”

Even a few feet away, I noticed Kade’s jaw ticked as he stretched his neck.

“My, you are a feisty one.” He snorted, and his belly shook with the movement. “I do like a woman who knows what she likes. It’s why I think we’d be perfect as King and Queen.”

“Oh?” I asked, attempting to appear engaged enough so he wouldn’t complain about me to my father. “What qualifications do you have to make you a good king?”

He tapped his fingers on the yellow vest covering his protruding stomach. “Well, despite trade being down in the kingdom overall, my affairs are blossoming continuously. I manage to continue our fruit exports, despite some of the harsher issues amongst the border towns. My town, however, has not been as affected as the others, due to my incredible shielding magic. Starhaven may have been under threat the longest, but we certainly haven’t needed help from vigilantes in masks, as I’ve heard some other towns have resorted to. Nobody crosses my borders and stays without my permission.”

My ears perked. Men who bragged certainly did give away more than they realized, it would seem.

“Starhaven has been under threat the longest?” I asked.

He ran his thumb and forefinger over his mustache. “Oh, yes, just over two decades now. But no evil can thwart powerful Fae for long.” He rubbed his stomach, complimenting himself. “The Hidden Henchman, or whatever they call the man delivering goods these days, hasn’t had a single drop in Starhaven and never will. Any evil which comes our way doesn’t seem to last long.”

Maybe you’ve absorbed it all yourself with how condescending you are,I thought.

“In fact,” he continued, unprompted this time, “Lord West even requested a private discussion with me later this evening about something he claims will push both of us up in Brookmere.”

“Ah.” I nodded.

“Besides, if I become King”—He took my hand, blatantly ignoring my request to keep hisownto himself—“I would have my duties to you be my primary focus.”

Yanking from his grasp, I subtly wiped my palms on my dress. “Running a business is a valuable endeavor. It’s wonderful you're thriving despite others’ misfortunes.” I disguised my distaste enough, so he didn’t seem to notice, however, a garbled choke from my left signaled I hadn’t completely succeeded.

Stupid Fae hearing.Kade pretended he’d choked on his drink, not even bothering to look at us, when I knew very well, he heard every word.

“Tell me—have you taken any of those border towns under your care?” I asked.

“What do you mean, Your Highness?” Frederich asked, staring at me as if I’d spoken in an olden Fae language.

I elevated my chin, our eyes level due to his shorter stature. “I mean, since there are so many in Brookmere suffering, and you are not, have you offered goods at lower rates to those in need? Do you donate any of your blossoming fruit exports, or even travel services if the Fae in your employ are still capable of traveling so freely without fear?”

He shook his head. “Ah, an idealistic woman is our future Queen. Beautiful child, you will soon learn one does not succeed by giving things away for free.”

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