Page 22 of Consort

“How skilled are you at glamouring?” the young fae asks.

The older one gasps at her and begins to protest. But this is my chance. Instead of responding, I glamour my curls away, ensuring no trace of them remains. I rarely use glamour, but I know how to do it. And I’m damn good at it.

The kinder fae grins at me, but the other one huffs and shuffles over. She begins poking at me, testing my work. It’sflawless, so I’m not concerned. But that unsettling feeling returns as I’m touched without my permission again.

I push it away. This servant means no harm. It’s just her job. And I can only imagine how past consorts may have treated her. Ones who actually wanted to be here. I let her continue until she’s satisfied and nods in approval.

They pat me dry and dress me in a pale blue silk robe fit for a king. I guess that’s the point. Still, I have no delusions of what my status truly is. Especially when I walk back into my room and see Folas standing in the doorway, waiting to lead me to the queen.

“Well, don’t you look lovely,” he mocks. “I don’t see why she even bothers with a robe. She must enjoy unwrapping her consorts… like little gifts to herself.”

He smirks, looking for a reaction. But I’m too disciplined for that. I chain down my humiliation and rage and stare blankly at him as if he’d said nothing at all. His role is unclear to me. Retaliating without that information would be foolish. But I’ll be keeping a tally of how many times he slights me, and he’ll pay dearly for each one.

I easily match Folas’s pace as he stomps down unfamiliar corridors, leading me deeper into the castle and farther away from the main entrance. I focus on the new walls as we pass, adding to the map I’ve begun in my mind. It’s a helpful distraction from the disgust rising inside me for what I’m being led to do.

We stop at the very end of the hallway before a set of tall, imposing wooden doors. They’re guarded by the crooked-nosed empath and one other soldier. Folas stands beside them, tapping his fingers against his thigh impatiently. Instead of opening the doors, the guards continue facing the opposite wall. The other soldier waves his hand, and a large tapestry transforms into a hidden door.

Clever. The ornate doors are a decoy, and the true one is illusioned. Only those closest to the queen would know. I take note of the fae who lowered the illusion. I’ll have to learn his name later, but his face and ability are already burned into my memory.

I wonder how many other parts of the castle are illusioned like this. Fortunately, unlike glamours, one can physically feel through an illusion. I’ll just have to get personal with the castle walls and examine them all.

The true door is more subtle, half the height, and carved with two simple rectangular insets. The guards step forward and position themselves in front of it. One of them pulls it open and stands aside to let me enter.

My chest tightens when I glimpse a tall bedpost through the open door. This all suddenly feels too real.

I’m given no instruction or escort. They simply shove me in and close the door behind me. I had hoped for a moment to gather my thoughts before the queen arrived, to study the room and any possible exits. And now, consider areas that might be illusioned. But the surge of power that greets me the moment I step inside tells me she’s already here. I find her lounging on the massive bed, draped in a sheer white robe. She’s propped up on an elbow, already trailing her eyes down my body.

My own robe covers most of my skin, but I feel exposed. Every slope and bulge are visible through the silky material. Seeing her gaze rest on the outline of my cock feels far more violating than being washed by the servants. It feels like she’s stealing something from me. And I want it back.

I move closer, bowing my head to block out her too-beautiful smile and too-observant eyes. I want to flee and return to my family. To make up for the moments I missed with them. But I can’t go back. I brought this upon myself. I took the happy life I could have had and spent years turning it into this one. All forrevenge against a single fae.

It’s becoming clear that, despite dying, Mitah has defeated me. I wasted four years of my life consumed by thoughts of him. I’m now left with a lifetime of service to the queen, all for a death that was over in an instant. A death that did nothing to bring the innocent shifter back.

If I’m going to fix my mistakes, I have to start by gaining the queen’s trust and excelling in both of my roles. I need access to the castle and forest in order to weaken her nobility and ultimately, herself. It all begins right here in this bed.

I shut down my true emotions and concentrate on feigning ones that will please her. This test of my loyalty will be revolting, but the reward will be invaluable if I pull it off.

However, if I fail, it could mean my life. But who knows? I may be wishing for that outcome once this evening is over.

“Is there a problem?” the queen asks as I find myself staring into space instead of her practically naked body.

Shit.I should be fawning over her, showering her with compliments. “Apologies, my queen,” I tell her, dropping to my knees beside the bed. “I’m honored to be in your presence.”

“Answer,” she says, brushing off my flattery.

I can’t lie, but luckily, there are a million things bothering me. All I have to do is pick one that won’t anger her.

“They shaved me,” I say, lowering my eyes.

That one really did hit hard, and the look on my face should be convincing. The queen is silent for too long. I keep my nerves buried and chance another look up at her. She searches my eyes for a moment before chuckling.

I was afraid she was suspicious, but I feel at ease now that she’s laughing at me. How muddy my life has become.

“I prefer my lovers smooth,” she says, still wearing an amused grin. She leans back against the pillows and motions for me to stand. “Rise, and join me.”

I do as she says, climbing on the bed to kneel before her.

“Remove your robe,” she commands, letting her gaze slither down my body again.

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