Page 30 of The Curse of a Kingdom
“Oh.” That would explain why so many of the people working in the castle were wingless. “I thought this was the kingdom of the Dark Ones.”
“Eons ago, only Dark Ones walked these lands. But the Copper Kingdom is a habitat for many races, including humans. Fae have been intermixing for generations, and so I guess we all have a bit of Dark Ones’ blood in us, just not any of their magic.”
“So that’s why only the royals have their aura?”
She nodded, distracted by Nava’s hair. “Some of our most powerful guards have a fraction—but not quite the same.” At those words, Nava swallowed and watched as Leela’s face lost all of its color. “I think your hair looks beautiful, milady. I appreciate you letting me braid it today. His Royal Highness will be pleased.” Leela could compete with Cameron over who was the best matchmaker.
“Thank you, Leela. I appreciate your time. I wouldn’t have been able to get my hair to do this.”
Even though the words being exchanged were happy ones, Leela drew herself away. It was as if speaking about the queen was forbidden, even if no one else was present to chastise her. The air in the room practically crackled with tension, and the fae was already walking away, her skin shining with perspiration. Why was the mention of the queen so bad? Was the king able to listen to them somehow?
Nava had gotten rid of the creepy flowers, but the castle was run by magic. “I’m sorry, I'm a bit confused. Did I say anything wrong? Is speaking about the queen bad somehow?”
“We loved our queen. I will never speak ill of her again,” Leela rushed to say, though Nava wasn’t sure she believed her. However, the weird tension in the room did ease. The feeling alone had her skin crawling with self-awareness. Was she being watched? Or was it the particular subject that made the castle react?
Looking around the room, Nava ventured to say something more. “I’m curious what happened to her.”
Leela's gaze turned pleading before she said, “It’s forbidden by the king. Even the prince knows little. If His Majesty learned of someone divulging false information or any rumors, he would . . . It would be bad.” Had Arkimedes been asking this poor girl about it as well? How else would she know that he knew little about the queen?
“Don’t worry, Leela. The king and I are far from pals. I’m practically a prisoner here, so please don’t feel the need to panic. I will keep your secrets, and I hope you keep mine.” But Nava would never, ever divulge a secret to this girl, however sweet she was.
After a few beats, Leela grinned, relaxing her posture. “You have gained a confidant, milady. I will be on my way then. I will bring your dinner at the same time.” She bowed and, without another word, rushed to the door.
Nava stood from her seat by the dressing table, feeling the walls of herself collide as she was left alone inside this room once again. Her chest constricted, and suddenly it was hard to breathe. She rushed to the door as it closed in front of her, reaching for the brass handle, half expecting it not to move as she turned it.
Click.
It opened.It opened!
She let out a whoosh of breath as she peeked out into the hall, meeting the expectant gaze of Fael. He held his rusted copper helmet in the crook of his arm, and his golden eyes studied her as if reassuring himself that she was fine before he lifted a brow.
“May I help you?”
“Uh, no. I mean, yes!” She cleared her throat, bouncing on the tips of her toes as she looked down the hall to the retreating shape of Leela. “I’d expected to be locked in here like I was before.”
Fael turned to her, letting out a contained breath. She had a hard time deciphering what it meant. “The prince has been busy with his duties and has been unable to tend to hisunexpectedguests. He understands it’s unpleasant to stay inside the room all the time, so I’ve been placed as your guard so you can leave your accommodations at times.”
A little more friendliness or hostility would help Nava place this man onto her friend-or-foe list easier. She straightened and crossed her arms over her chest. “So . . . will I be able to visit the castle grounds?”
“With limitations, and always escorted.”
“What about seeing Devon?” So they could plansomething.
“When the prince is around, you may see your fiancé.”
In other words, Arkimedes didn’t trust them together. Whether because of jealousy or whatever reason, she was on her own.
CHAPTERELEVEN
ORION
His long mist of shadows followed him as Orion entered the forsaken area of the library. The sound of his steps was muffled as his boots met the bumpy terrain of fallen books over rotten carpet.
The walls of bookcases were as tall as a common house in the Iron City. Even though this had once been as majestic as the rest of this library, it was now black and ashen after a fire long ago. Crusted with age and destruction, like the remnants of an old campfire.
The king had forbidden anyone to rebuild, rummage, or dissect the area after its demise. To the few who could step inside, it was a constant reminder of what had been lost long ago. Their queen, who they believed had betrayed them; their heir, who they thought dead; and all the history that once had been rich inside these shelves.
Four months ago, he’d boarded a flying ship from the Iron Kingdom that had brought him here to search for answers about his lost family, never expecting to find who he’d turned out to be. However, in the beginning, accepting a role in this madness had been more about finding why he’d been abandoned, rather than anything to do with the kingdom or the king’s expectations.
