Page 35 of Fates Fulfilled
Over two dozen women in long gowns, their wrists and necks covered in jewels, stood inside the room, staring at her. These women were stunning, with hair in every shade, from pale blond to black, and every skin tone in between.
Lex had managed to keep her pulse steady upon entering the room, but it kicked up now.
“What is this?” one of the women said. She was a tall redhead with bright blue eyes, who scanned Lex from head to toe with a snarl on her face.
One by one, the women took in her appearance—and didn’t seem to like what they saw.
Garrin and Zirel had to be wrong. She should have checked herself in a mirror before agreeing to this.
“Lex, I am pleased to introduce you to His Highness’s royal harem,” Zirel said.
At the same moment, Amund returned through one of his portals. “You are a part of the prince’s court now, where you will live,” he added.
Lex smiled shakily at the strange women and murmured to Zirel and Amund, “You’ve lost your bloody minds if you think I’m living here.”
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“What is the meaning of this?” one of the women from Garrin’s harem said. She was taller than the others, with a regal bearing and light brown skin, her blonde, wavy hair striking in contrast.
“Good day, Cora,” Amund said. “This is Lex, the prince’s intended.”
Gasps erupted, and several women lunged forward, lips curling in disdain, only to be held back by others.
Lex inched closer to Amund and Zirel. These women wanted to attack her? She’d seen Fae women in full battle gear in the mural. Lex was no match. She smiled stiffly and said, “Get me out of here,” from the corner of her mouth.
“Silence!” Amund said, and the angry voices petered out.
Cora’s brown eyes narrowed. “You’ve been gone a long while, Amund. And now you are one of the prince’s closest confidants and bring…this person?”
“The prince expects the utmost care for Lex,” he said without explanation. “Should he hear of anything less, there will be repercussions.”
Lex glanced at Amund. What was up with the threats? First Garrin with glamour lady, and now Amund with Cora. Lex wasn’t entirely againstthisthreat, as she’d like to continue breathing, but the conditions inside the castle were harsh for those with less power.
“I’m not safe here,” she murmured. “They’re going to tear me apart.” A flash of pink caught her eye. “That blonde in the pink dress looks ready to pounce. Don’t you dare leave me.”
Amund pursed his lips. “They are disgruntled.”
She swiveled her head and stared. “You think? It’s a shitshow.”
Lex hadn’t been competition to human women, and she wasn’t competition to these women either. But for some reason, they didn’t see it that way.
Cora snarled. “This is whom His Highness chose for his intended?”
“Yes,” Amund said, and Lex winced.
Of course Cora didn’t believe Garrin had chosen Lex above them. No one in their right mind would. Lex was going to kill Garrin for this.
“It seems rather…abrupt,” Cora said.
Amund hesitated. “Lex is special.”
Lex snorted. “Special” as in, “can’t wield magic like other Fae.” He told the truth, but he left a whole hell of a lot out.
Cora’s gaze moved over Lex’s face and focused on her eyes. “Clearly.”
What was everyone seeing in her eyes? This woman couldn’t see Lex’s power level, could she? Lex wasn’t exactly sure what a power level was, but the woman who’d waved her hands over Lex had assured her that she looked normal.
Cora smiled stiffly. “Greetings, Lex. From whence do you hail?”
