Page 113 of Kiss of Fire

The lords and ladies around her applauded and Raya nodded graciously, accepting their admiration.

“Thank you, father.” The word felt strange. “Now what?”

“Now you will start learning how to rule a kingdom. Because one day, this will be yours. You are my only heir.”

Raya blanched.

“I don’t know the first thing about ruling.”

“It is about power, child. Power and respect. Make your allies fear you and your enemies fear you more. Don’t worry. I’ll teach you.”

“I can’t wait to learn.”

He paused and cocked his head to one side.

“Before we start, there is one thing I must know. May I inquire about your feelings for Lord Shadeed?”

The mention of his name jolted her.

Shade. Shade, do you know where I am?

But the crystal clamour in her head made it difficult to think.

“He was forcing me to act the part, that’s all. To keep Salaq from the throne.”

“And now? Where are your loyalties?”

“To you, of course, father.”

He held out his arm and smiled. For the smallest moment it seemed to Raya as if he was baring his teeth. Then the feeling passed and she took his arm. He led her from the throne room.

“Then let us begin.”

Forty Three

The next few days were a dream. Were they days? Maybe they were weeks. Or months. Or maybe just a few hours. It was hard to tell at the Fae Court.

She was caught up in a hedonistic swirl. There was dancing and food, and endless glasses of mead wine. Music played wherever she went. Her world was one of laughter and merriment. She was constantly surrounded by her lords and ladies, their sharp eyes and beautiful faces nodding and smiling and hanging on to her every word.

She also had her own personal guards. Two of them, hulking and brutish, barely able to squeeze into their uniforms. She complained to her father that they were ugly and smelled bad.

“They are ogurs, child. One of the strongest fae, just about bright enough to be trained but not renowned for their witty repartee.”

“Why do I need bodyguards?”

“For your own protection. You are a princess now. And our family have many enemies.”

She made them stand in the corners out of sight. She only wanted to be surrounded by beauty.

Other fair folk came and went from the palace. Sylphs and selkies, piskies and kelpies, nymphs and naiads. All treated her father with deference. None ever met his eyes.

And all the time, even while she slept, that faint crystal jangle in her head. Making it difficult to think. Leaving no room for any doubts.

Aelfric was by her side every waking moment. He spoke to her as an equal and she swelled with pride. Her father trusted her. He wanted the best for her.

“Elven were once seen as dark fae,” he explained. “Power-hungry. Not to be trusted. But when my Court was founded here in Feyir, I vowed to make people respect us for what we truly are. Bringers of peace and harmony.”

They were walking through the corridors of the palace. The place was vast; white marble hallways that seemed to extend for miles. Sometimes she thought the dimensions couldn’t possibly be right and that her perception was off.

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