Page 9 of Queen of Ever

‘You’re not getting out of it that easily,’ he said, smirking.

It had been worth a shot.‘Let’s get it over with then.’

‘That’s harsh.Am I really such an unpleasant alternative?’

I didn’t know how to answer that.I knew he wanted me to tell him he was a perfect alternative.A first preference even.Something cold entered his eyes as my silence grew, as I tried to find a truth that I could use.‘Solas, please don’t think that I’m not grateful to you,’ I said, unsure how I was going to finish that sentence.

His smile returned, though it didn’t meet his eyes.‘I knew a mate bond would be difficult to overcome.Perhaps we’ll save the dance for later.Let me introduce you to some of our guests.’

I looked around for Marietta but she was nowhere to be seen, and I wondered where she’d managed to hide and why she’d left me to fend for myself.

At least I wasn’t going to have to dance.Yet.

Solas linked my arm in his and led me around the room, introducing me to so many courtiers that I quickly forgot all their names.Some of them I recognised from Beltane, though none of them brought that up.Perhaps because they didn’t want to upset Solas.He was almost ostentatious in the way he paraded me around, ladling me with attention and making a fuss of me to the point that it made me uncomfortable.

‘This is Lord Bastielle, and his eldest son, Niall,’ Solas said as we approached yet another group of important people I should probably feel very honoured to know.The older of the pair inclined his head and I did the same, as I had done with every other person I’d met that night.But when my eyes caught on Niall, recognition settled on me.

‘Oh, I saw you at the Hunt Ball,’ I said before I could stop myself.‘You know my friend Ethan.’

His eyes went wide for a moment, and I wondered if I’d said something I shouldn’t have.But if either Solas or Lord Bastielle noticed, they said nothing about it.Lord Bastielle was leaning in close to Solas, muttering something in a low voice, and neither seemed to be paying us any attention.

Solas nodded at whatever had been said to him, pulling my arm from his with a pat to the back of my hand.‘I’ll only be a moment,’ he told me before gesturing for Lord Bastielle, leaving me alone with Niall.

‘I’m sorry if I said something I shouldn’t have,’ I said, more to break the awkward silence that had settled on us than anything else.

‘It’s fine.My father just...he wouldn’t approve of my fondness for a lesser.’

‘For Ethan?’I assessed him with more interest now.There was something in the way he said the wordfondnessthat made me think he was a little more than fond.When I’d noticed the two of them at the ball, they’d looked intimate but I hadn’t realised until now that it might be more than physical attraction.

‘Yes,’ he said slowly.

‘Please don’t worry, I won’t say anything,’ I said, feeling guilty for bringing it up at all.I already knew there was a rift between the High Fae and the rest of the population, but the prejudice seemed worse in the Seelie Court.I’d seen very few of them around the Summer Palace, even among the servants.Most of the staff were human, or they looked human.‘Although, for what it’s worth, I was glad to see Ethan so happy.’

A ghost of a smile touched his lips before it fell away once more.‘If you don’t mind my asking, what are you doing in the Summer Palace?’he asked.‘Last I saw of you, you were very much human.And...well, occupied with someone else.’His gaze flashed in the direction Solas had gone.

I let out a long breath.‘That’s a long story.Well, actually, it’s probably not very long but I don’t know most of the details.I was glamoured, apparently.Though I have no idea by who or why.’

‘And our king hasn’t been able to shed any light on that?’he asked, an air of suspicion in his voice.

‘No,’ I said slowly.I’d mentioned it to him a couple of times and he’d brushed me off and changed the subject.‘Why?’

‘Be careful where you place your trust.The king has a long reach, and there isn’t much he doesn’t know or can’t find out.’

‘You’re saying he’s keeping something from me.Why would he do that?’

‘I don’t know yet, but the fact that he’s moved you into his palace and keeps you so close suggests that he has plans for you.’

My brother told me you’re staying with us so he can protect you.But I don’t think that’s the only reason.Had Marietta meant more than I’d inferred?Was there more than feelings behind Solas’ behaviour towards me?

No matter how many times I thought on it, I just couldn’t see why he was paying so much attention to me.I was no one, I had no family, I didn’t even know where I came from.And I was Tarian’s mate, a fact that Solas knew only too well.

Niall watched me carefully, before finally nodding with satisfaction.‘That’s good, you should always question the motives of everyone one in the Fae Courts, whether they’re Seelie or Unseelie.That will help to keep you safe.’

‘Forgive me for asking, but what areyourmotives?’

‘You’re clearly important to Ethan, and that’s all the motive I need.’

‘It sounds like you’ve known each other for more than one night,’ I said, and a sadness crossed his expression.

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