Page 14 of The Light Falls
Unease crosses Ansel’s face, but he agrees and orders the driver to a restaurant in a quiet part of the city.
“This is where the aristocratic Fae live. Most of them have already met you, so they won’t be pushing to get closer.” He checks his weapons, then signals to Kian to step out of the vehicle and scout the area.
When Kian waves two fingers, Laken opens the door and helps me out. The three guards immediately place me in the center and usher us into the restaurant. Similar to the city, it has a modernistic décor that’s mainly done in shades of white and tan, with wood accents to give it a feeling of warmth. The massive wall of windows in the front brings in a ton of light and lets the diners enjoy a view of the city outside.
A stylish young Fae stops us when we enter. With a slight sneer in his voice, he positions himself in front of my guards. “Do you have a reservation?”
Ansel subtly shifts another inch or two to let him get a better glimpse of me.
The Fae’s eyes immediately widen when he sees the crown. “Welcome, Your Majesty.” He gives a decisive nod. “Right. Reservations aren’t necessary. If you’ll follow me.” Pivoting sharply on his heel, he quickly leads our little group across the room to a private booth in the back.
Glimpsing the other diners through the gaps in the guards, I watch everyone’s head swivel when I pass. Whispering follows us the entire way.
Fine crystal wine glasses, gold silverware, and the purest white linen napkins grace the table. Dismayed, I hesitantly slide in, and as soon as the host is gone, I immediately stand.
“Ansel, can you ask him if we can order food to go? I’m not feeling… like…”
This is so uncomfortable. I don’t want to eat in a fancy restaurant by myself. Food is food.
Someone steps up to the guards, but they close ranks, so I’m unable to see who it is. When I hear the smooth, warm voice, it sends familiar shivers down my spine.
“We’d like to invite Queen Merindah to join us at our table,” Lord Lorn’s deep voice informs the guards. “As you can see, it is only my sister and me.”
Ansel immediately shakes his head, but I put a hand on his back.
“I’d like that very much. Thank you so much for inviting me,” I state clearly and loudly, forcing the guards to shift to the side.
Kian clears his throat and points to the table in the middle of the room. “It’s not a secure location. Perhaps they would like to join you here, Your Majesty.”
With a wide grin, I look at Lord Lorn and raise an eyebrow. “Would you and Lady Allandra like to join me?”
He’s still impeccably dressed in the same suit he wore to the council meeting earlier, and he looks even better up close.
“We would be delighted to dine with you,” Lorn accepts with a sardonic smile. “Please excuse me while I fetch my sister.”
When he turns to leave, I can’t help but look. Yep, the back is almost as good as the front, but it’s missing his best feature. That gorgeous smile.
Lady Allandra stands and takes Lorn’s arm, her elegance and femininity a perfect match to his dominant masculinity.
Cormal and I looked like that standing side-by-side in the mirror yesterday. My brow furrows, and I shove the irritating thought away.
In a lavender silk dress, Allandra exudes the same aristocratic sophistication as Lorn. It’s easy to see they’re accustomed to their higher station in life. Power, beauty, wealth. The epitome of the upper echelons of the Fae. I don’t hold it against them, but I am envious of their innate confidence.
“Thank you so much for inviting us, Your Majesty,” Allandra states with an almost teasing lilt in her voice.
“Thank you for accepting, and please call me Meri,” I urge them both, motioning for them to sit across from me as I take my seat.
I can’t believe I just invited strangers to eat with me. Was it the thought of eating by myself in this fancy restaurant or the idea of dining with Lord Lorn that made me speak up?
Allandra slides in first, followed by Lorn.
Recalling the way she managed the situation last night, I can’t help but be grateful for her tact in dealing with the Faris and Rivan situation. “It’s good to see you under better circumstances.”
Her cheeks grow pink. “Everyone knows you didn’t grow up in the Light Fae Kingdom. Why would someone in the Underworld have any knowledge of one of our little rebellions? It’s not even the first or last time the Lesser Fae demanded more.” Her elegant shoulder lifts.
Little rebellion? I wonder why she’s downplaying it. Or is this how most of the Fae think about that time in history?
Lorn flashes an exasperated look at his sister. “It really shouldn’t even be called a rebellion. Based on what we heard, it was a brutal war.”
