Page 56 of Throne of Dreams
His dark brows rose in acknowledgment, and he offered her his arm. When her fingers curled into the crook of his elbow, he lowered his head and whispered, “We won’t let anything happen to you.”
Maeve didn’t look at him, but whispered back, “I know.”
He led her to a part of the palace she’d never seen before. It was a decadent ballroom, exposed to the elements. Stars twinkled overhead and wispy clouds floated by in the inky sky. The flooring was iridescent marble and glittered like cresting waves out at sea. All around her were pillars of soft ivory wrapped in bright florals. Faerie lights draped from the tops of them, casting the space in an ethereal, moonlit glow.
There were fae everywhere, far more than she thought would be present. Summer fae warriors lined the outer edges of the space and in the center stood the arriving Autumn fae in a clash of vibrantly jeweled reds and golds against the cool tones of Summer. At the far side of the outdoor ballroom was a dais with a singular throne. Beams of gold exploded from it, mimicking the sun’s dazzling rays, and each of them was encrusted with diamonds and sapphires. Upon it, sat the High King of Summer.
Ceridwen stood to his right, with Merrick and Brynn on his left.
Tiernan rose when she entered, and every set of eyes in the room landed on her.
Tremors skittered down her spine, and she clutched Lir’s arm. A delicate touch of serenity soothed her like a caress, and she’d never been more grateful for Ceridwen.
Lir escorted her across the ballroom floor, and the crowd of fae parted for her. Shay stood out among them, with his crown of golden hair falling to just below his jaw and his greenish gray eyes, similar to hers in color. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him again. One fae, however, caught her eye.
Her fiery hair was pulled back into a long braid, and her gown of smoky quartz fell around her in ripples of satin. Honey-colored eyes, so much like a fox’s, locked onto Maeve.
She was the Autumn fae from the Ceilie. The one she’d danced with around the bonfire. The one who’d been warm and welcoming and had expected nothing of her in return. She smiled broadly and her pert nose crinkled.
Maeve lifted her hand, giving the smallest of waves in return.
Tiernan’s brow arched in question at the exchange, but he said nothing, continuing to watch her every move. At least until Lir helped her up the dais, then released her to Tiernan.
He bowed and she lowered herself into a curtsy. When he held out his arm, she lightly placed her hand on top of his forearm, silently grateful to have him by her side. His muscles bunched beneath her touch and though he looked unbothered, tension lined his hardened jaw. Beneath his cool façade, he fumed. Together, they faced the crowd of onlooking fae. They shuffled closer, each wanting a closer look at the supposed High Princess of Autumn. Shay moved to the forefront of the group and stood only a few feet away from the edge of the dais. Maeve held her breath.
From her other side, Merrick straightened. “The High King of Summer, Tiernan Velless. And the High Princess of Summer, Ceridwen Velless.”
Maeve watched in silence as all the fae bowed or curtsied in a show of respect. Then Tiernan stepped forward, and she went with him.
When he spoke, his voice was low and menacing, a thunderstorm in the making. “Shay Ruhdneah, High Prince of the Autumn Court, may I present to you, Maeve Ruhdneah, High Princess of the Autumn Court…your sister.”
* * *
Shay bowedbefore her and Maeve curtsied in return, but she didn’t take her eyes off him.
He straightened and faced her, and there was no denying the similarities between them. They possessed the same eyes, the same mouth, and jawline. There was the faintest tug in her chest, the same one she felt whenever she was with Aran.
Like calls to like.
Maeve steeled her heart against the resemblances. She was nothing like him.
“Sister, you’re looking rather well since the last time I saw you.” His smile was wide and beautiful.
“Since theonlytime you saw me,” she corrected coolly.
She could play this part. At that, Tiernan released her arm, and she appreciated that at least one of them had confidence in her.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He stepped forward, toward her, and both Lir and Merrick matched him, closing in on either side of her. “I want to offer you my sincerest apologies for our…previous introduction.”
To that, Maeve said nothing. She simply met his gaze and held it. Unwavering. Unflinching.
She clasped her hands together in front of her, keeping her chin held high. “Why are you here?”
An emotion shadowed his face, but when she blinked, it was gone. “I wanted to see you for myself.”
“Well.” She spread her arms wide, graceful and elegant, befitting a princess. “Now you’ve seen me.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Shay countered, a line forming across his brow.
