Page 10 of Fate and Flame
Fen hadn’t let go of my hand. He slammed open a door at the far end of the hallway, where we found an old high fae sitting in a stuffed chair staring out of a window. A perfectly made bed sat along a far wall. It took me a moment to realize I was standing in the bedroom of the king of the Flame Court. I knew Fen was the prince—I’d used that word as a weapon against him forever—but only now did it feel real.
The old king stood, leaning on a staff, as his kind eyes surveyed us both. His eyes rested on our coupled hands. “My boy.” Water pooled in his old eyes. “You’ve found her.”In two steps, he was across the room and pulling Fenlas into a welcoming hug.
Fen dropped my hand and held his father for several moments. I felt a tiny crack in my heart knowing the world would have me kill this male. This kind, old fae who had eyes for only his son. I thought of what a reunion with my own father would feel like right now, after all I had been through. I had to fight back my tears, mixed with happiness and sorrow, as I watched their reunion and longed for my own parents.
“Father.” Fen cleared his throat and stepped away. “I’d like to formally introduce you to Ara, my mate.”
He looked at me and beamed.
I started a perfect curtsey. “It’s nice—”
He grabbed me and pulled me into a firm hug. I stood there awkwardly as he whispered, “We’ve met before, but my have you grown into a beauty.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Please, will you call me Tolero? Or Father? Whichever you prefer. I wish to be more than a king to you, child.”
“Yes, Your Majesty . . . Uhm, Tolero. Sir.”
He chuckled, and Fen reached for my hand again. “We need long baths and big meals, Father. But Knocky—” A grunt from the back of the room interrupted him. “Inok,” he corrected himself, “said something happened. What is it?”
“You might want to sit down, son.”
“Father,” Fen drawled.
“I’ve got the sea queen locked in the dungeons,” he blurted out.
“Morwena?” I gasped.
“She is the only sea queen, my dear.” Tolero pulled his staff in front of him so he could lean on it.
“Warded?” I asked.
He looked at me, stunned, and then shook his head.
“You’ll find she’s more than a pretty face, Father.” Fen winked at me, sharing a smile with his father.
“Greeve is the only one trained with wards. Apart from him, we haven’t had anyone skilled with them since the boys were young, so we’ve got her locked up the old-fashioned way. Chains and deaf guards.”
“What’s the rotation?” Fen went directly into military mode.
“We are doing ten-hour shifts between the upper and lower guards.
“How did you even manage it?” Fen asked.
“That’s a long story for after your dinner, I suppose. For now, just know that she is down there, and we are working on a plan to figure out what to do with her.” He tilted his head toward the door. “Head to your rooms. I’ll let Loti know we’ll have dinner in the hall tonight a bit late.”
“Let’s just meet in the kitchens, Father. There’s no need to make a fuss.”
“You’re sure?” He looked to me alone, as if it were my decision.
I shrugged, giving a half-smile.
“I’ll see you there in half an hour?” Tolero asked.
“Make that a full hour.” Fen spun on his heel and dragged me out the door.
“Fen.” I laughed as he hauled me through the castle. “Slow down.”
