Page 80 of Silent Secrets

Hadley

Myfacehurtsfrom the fake smile that I’ve been forcing myself to keep for the last hour. I’ve met so many people whose names I will never remember. I’ll be lucky if I can remember a single face from tonight.

I met the rest of the aristocracy from each of the courts, the earl and his countess and the baron and his baroness from the Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter courts. I can’t say that any of them impressed me. They’d been so similar to one another that the only reason I could tell them apart was the colors that they wore—so at least I understand why it’s a good idea to have each court wear a different color. I still don’t like it, but in this case, it made my life just a little easier.

But worse than the aristocracy are their children. Repeatedly I’ve had men come up to be introduced, only for them to inform me that they’re of the “marrying age”—whatever the fuck that’s supposed to mean. None of these assholes know me—they only know that I’m the future queen, so they want to wine and dine me, I guess. I hate it.

Thank the goddess for Kai, who stands at my elbow, reminding me of people’s names as I say goodbye so that I won’t embarrass myself. I don’t know how many more people I’m expected to meet tonight, but I’m just about peopled out.

“Grace,” I hiss as I step close to her after the Winter court couple walks away. “I need a break.”

Grace turns to me with a soft smile. “Of course. You’ve done so well. Why don’t you and Kai dance? I’m sure that he and the others would love some time with you on the dance floor.”

Kai steps around me, offering his hand as he bows at the waist. “Would you allow me the honor of this dance, angel?”

The smile that warms my face at his request is one of the first genuine smiles of the night. I really don’t think that I could have done this without him by my side—or without the lessons that Grace and the guys have been giving me for the last two weeks. I finally understand why Grace was so determined to have me learn as much information as I could before tonight. It’s almost as if these Fae have been testing me, quizzing me, to see if I have the knowledge to become their queen.

Not that I can blame them. Who would want someone to rule them that knows nothing about the people that they plan to rule over? I can only hope to earn their trust and belief in me—that I deserve it, or that I will deserve it.

I shake my head to clear those thoughts from my mind as I place my hand in Kai’s. “I’d love nothing more.”

Kai grins as he stands up straighter before leading me out to the dance floor, bringing us to the center of the dancing couples. The other couples spread further away, leaving more room for us as we begin to move. Kai might not be as smooth of a dancer as Marcos, but I have no problem following his lead.

He sweeps us across the dance floor, the dance much too fast to be able to speak. But as our eyes lock, there’s no need for words. Whatever connection I’ve been feeling with him—with all four of the guys, if I’m honest with myself—clicks into place and it’s freeing. I lose myself to the music, to Kai. I feel like I’m floating around the dance floor, like we’re the only two people here.

I forget about the fact that everything I’m doing is being judged. I forget about the fact that in less than an hour, my magic will reveal itself and that it will either be the beginning or the end for me. If all four elemental magics reveal themselves, it will prove to the Fae that I am who Grace says I am. If they don’t, then all of this will have been for nothing.

When I first arrived in Sorlphi, I wished for the second option. I’d wished that Grace had made a mistake, and that I could return to my life, even if I’d never outwardly shown it. It hadn’t taken me long to realize that there was nothing for me to return to, but here in Sorlphi? There is so much good that I can do here. There are so many people that I can help, so many lives that I can change.

Because I might not have grown up here, I might still have a lot to learn, but what I do know is that the Fae have been complacent for too long. They’ve relied on leadership that hasn’t been looking out for the people, but for themselves—for their own power. Not allowing the courts to intermingle because they might have a child that could threaten their rule. It’s unacceptable and one of the first things that I plan to change—besides the idiocy of requiring the courts to wear the same color to events. I haven’t discussed this with Grace or the guys, but I know that they’ll agree.

The Fae need to become reunified. We are one people, and we must act as such. I won’t allow for bigotry and hate to spread between the courts. I’ve seen what comes from this living in the mortal realm—though there it is based upon race and not the court from which one comes. No court is better than another, and it shouldn’t matter who you love. It shouldn’t matter what elements children have access to. Being unified can only strengthen us.

Kai slows us as the music changes, pulling me closer to his body. A shiver runs down my spine at the hunger in his eyes, his fingers dancing along my bare lower back. I know that the dress that I chose shows a lot of skin, but I also know I look amazing and it makes me feel powerful.

“You chose well with this dress—though I wish we were alone so that I could properly show you just how much I appreciate the way you look in it.”

My tongue darts out to wet my suddenly dry lips. Kai’s voice is huskier than usual as he pulls me even closer, allowing me to feel just how much he likes this dress—his cock hard against me. And damn if I don’t wish we were anywhere else but here. I would kill to have his lips, his hands, all over me right now.

Glancing at his lips, I wish I could kiss him right now, but I know I can’t. Grace had informed me that even if I’ve already decided on any or all of the guys as my consorts, it would need to be kept quiet for now. We have to at least pretend that I am giving a chance to others from each of the courts. We don’t want to have anyone question my choices, assuming—correctly—that I’d chosen them because they’d had more time with me.

Beginning in just two days, any eligible Fae are welcome at the palace for the chance to become my consort. I don’t look forward to having to meet who knows how many new people—especially since I’d already decided on at least three of my consorts. It seems unnecessary and like I’m giving false hope to others, but Grace says that’s the way it must be.

At least I had convinced her to send the invitation to all the Fae, both male and female. Both the aristocracy and the commoners. If we are to give a chance to the Fae, it must be to all of them, and not just the select few in power. And who knows, maybe I will meet someone from the Winter court that doesn’t hate me.

Kai pulls us to a stop, yanking me from my thoughts. I glance up at him with a frown, not understanding why we stopped mid-song. He grins, nodding over my shoulder. Turning, I find Marcos standing there. He bows at the waist and offers me his hand.

“I was hoping that you would allow me to cut in?”

I turn back to Kai to make sure that he’s fine with this, but he’s already stepping away. Laughing to myself, I allow Marcos to pull me into his arms as he spins me around the dance floor.

“I don’t know if you’re aware or not, but no one can take their eyes off you.”

At Marcos’s words, I glance around to see that he’s right. It’s slightly unnerving, but I won’t allow that to show. “It’s only because I’m new and they don’t know what to think of me.”

“No, Hadley,” Marcos laughs. “They’re all staring because you’re the most beautiful woman that they’ve ever seen and they wish that you were in their arms. Though, I guess some don’t feel attraction toward women, but they’re at least wishing that they were you.”

A blush rises as I duck my head, unable to meet his eyes. I’m not lacking in confidence, but I also know that there are more beautiful women than me. In fact, I’ve met a few of them tonight. But more than that, it’s still hard for me to take compliments from these men.

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