Page 61 of Royal Captive
Fallon crossed her legs enticingly, glancing up at me under her eyelashes as if she’d said something mildly clever, and had not just dumped a thousand years of lore and history into my lap.
“I … the more creative the death?” was all I managed. Why had that been the one tidbit of information I’d clung to?
Fallon shrugged. “Creativity does not equal finesse. I don’t believe in using fear to get results. Why bother when persuasion makes it fun for both parties?”
She stood and approached me, swinging her hips and putting a hand on my chest.
“Indeed,” I huffed.
“Come along, Feyanna is holding a brunch. She does love her little get togethers, and I’d hate to disappoint the simple girl. She asks for so little.”
She grabbed my hand and pulled, but I resisted, my feet firmly in place on the cold marble floor.
“I don’t want to go to brunch. I don’t want to be your little pet. Where is Eve?”
Fallon rolled her eyes, not letting go of my hand. “Father plans to call on her this evening, you will see her then. Does that satisfy?”
Well …. yes?
“No,” I insisted. “I still don’t want to go to brunch.”
Fallon’s laugh was airy and bright as she patted my hand. “Oh, silly prince. No one wants to go to brunch with Feyanna.”
She tugged at me again, and this time I followed. As my feet automatically moved down the hall, my mind whirled.
“Why is the king calling on Eve?” I asked.
Fallon huffed, irritated by my questions. She didn’t slow her pace.
“Shyllon and Ali are trying to break the rules again, like always. Father usually lets them get away with murder, but he’s been in a bad mood since the ruined Royal Hunt and the growing tensions.”
That didn’t sound promising, but it was more information than I’d had.
“Are you going to be such a bore all day?”
Fallon finally stopped and turned, growling at me.
I reminded myself of my primary objectives: get back to Eve, and get home.
Currently, several obstacles stood in my way, most of them with black hair and pointy ears. My deal with Fennis could also certainly be a problem, but I felt there was enough room to work with. Neither Fennis nor his family could touch Eve, but I should have negotiatedanyharm.
Not knowing how she was doing was tearing me apart.
Stupid. You’ll never be smart enough to think of everything. You’ll never be strong enough like those other fae to protect her. What are you doing? You don’t have any control over the situation.
Tempting as it was to give into the unhelpful thoughts, I pushed them away. The only person who judged my worthiness was Eve. Until she chased me away like I’d just chased away that thought, I would remain, doing whatever it took to get to her side again.
Even if it meant going to brunch.
And staying on Fallon’s good side. And …beingwith her.
I summoned up a smile, hoping it didn’t look too much like a grimace.
“What’s for brunch?”
Fallon beamed at me, and pushed me through the doorway.
Once again, I wasn’t in control of anything, and I hated it.
