Page 52 of Bride of the Midnight Prince

Prince Lionel watches me keenly from his place beside the queen. He has large ears that stick out from his head. Unlike everyone else in the room, he doesn’t look at me with fear—only interest.

“It is kind of my sister to send an emissary,” says Queen Vivienne, “but we do not need your aid.”

“Of course, but there is the issue of a troll who might—”

She smiles coldly, cutting me off. “Whatever happens, I’m sure we can handle it.”

I release a slow breath. She will not enjoyhandlingYmer the Indefatigable. “Excellent. I shall stay out of your way, unless you change your mind.”

“I do not see a reason for you to stay in Harbright, Prince Rahk. Not unless you intend to steal a bride as my sister was stolen.”

Steal a bride? I fight my snort. The very last thing I need on my hands is a wife—much less a human one. “I understand, Your Highness. I am afraid I am under orders from your sister and her husband to remain in Harbright, so remain I shall.”

“In that case, I shall tolerate your presence.” The queen rolls her eyes, sighing. The gesture instantly reminds me of Stella. “But if you cause any trouble, I will send my warriors to your estate and drive you away. Do we understand one another, Prince Rahk?”

Her warriors would not enjoy trying to do that.

I bow. “We understand each other.”

I step away from the throne just as a middle-aged woman with a narrow jaw and chin takes my place.

“Lady Duxbury Vandermore,” says the queen with the same ire she used with me. “Where is the young heiress? She said she would be here. If I cannot watch her fend off all the young men in pursuit of her fortune, then I shall have no entertainment for the evening.”

The new woman curtsies. “Yes, Queen Vivienne, I’ve come straight away to give Lady Vandermore’s regrets. She is very ill and cannot leave her bed.”

“That is a shame indeed. Tell her that her queen requires her to heal quickly.”

I move to the wall. I locate a chair without arms and take a seat. My guards prop themselves up on either side of me. If Ash saw me at this moment, he would laugh until he cried. I would give almost anything to be back at my estate, playing Fool’s Circle with Nat.

“Hello. Are you the fae warrior?”

I turn toward the voice. A young man approaches to my right, a little cautiously, but the light in his eye reminds me more of the queen’s son. Curious and eager.

“I am,” I say, rising to greet him. “Lord Rahk. You are?”

“Lord Rahk, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Lord Oliver, the son of Baron Cranswick. My father helped your steward choose your estate.”

“Yes, my steward spoke highly of your father. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Oliver.”

He glances at the guards, then back at me. I offer no explanation. He wears a small decorative knife at his hip like the rest of the gentlemen.

“What brings you to Harbright, then?” asks Lord Oliver, ignoring my guards and standing next to me along the wall. For a human, he does not seem half bad. “Everyone assumed you were coming to steal away Lady Vandermore.”

That is the second time in the last few minutes I’ve heard that name. “Lady Vandermore?”

“That answers that question.” Lord Oliver laughs, then takes a sip of the wine he swirls in one hand. “You have not heard of Lady Vandermore? She is a lovely young heiress. We all want to marry her.”

“Why?”

“Well, not many would admit it is for her money, though I fear that is the honest truth. I like to consider myself one of the few who genuinely enjoys her company. If you are not here for our Lady Vandermore, then why?”

My attention flicks to the queen. She threads her fingers into her young son’s hair, stroking gently. My view shifts suddenly, and it is Lady Nothril sitting in that throne, smiling coldly as she strokes Pavi’s hair.

I clear my throat. “The border of the Long Lost Wood, as I believe you call it, has begun receding. I am here as an emissary to facilitate a peaceful transition.”

“The queen doesn’t trust you, though?” Lord Oliver says, gesturing with his wine goblet at my guards.

“We did not meet on the best terms previously.”

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