Page 55 of Bound to the Fae Assassin

Farrow blinked at him, unbelieving.

“Does any person here present know a reason why Miss Barton should not be in the confidence of the crown?” the Prince asked, his voice resounding.

Her magic, of course, they would be horrified by her magic.

But none of the lords or ladies voiced any objection.

She glanced out at the lawn and spotted Jericho standing beside her parents.

Jericho knew she had been shamed, maybe even suspected she had been ruined. And now he knew that her dalliance had been with a Fae. A word from him could bring it all crashing down.

But he merely smiled at her, his lips buttoned, eyes filled with pride for his friend.

She felt her heart clench on itself with gratitude for his true friendship.

“Miss Barton, I wish you to act as Royal Ambassador,” the Prince went on when his question was met with silence. “What say you? Is this a position you crave?”

He meant it. This was all real.

She blinked back tears as she curtsied low, wondering if she dared to ask for what she really wanted.

“I thank you, Your Majesty, for this great honor,” she told him. “I have always dreamt of serving the kingdom. But there is another role I crave.”

“What is it?” the prince asked. “Tell me and it shall be yours if it is in my power to make it so.”

“I would like to work in the kitchens, Your Majesty,” she said.

There was a moment of startled silence as the entire tent took in what she had said.

Then there was light laughter and happy chattering in the crowd. And Lady Gwinn was embracing her with a huge smile on her face.

“You’ll never regret your choice, Farrow Barton,” she whispered in her ear as she hugged her. “I never did.”

“I know I should be surprised, but the wisest person I know made the same choice you did,” the Prince said with a smile. “I shall be visiting the kitchens more often in the future. I suspect there is much there for me to learn from the two of you.”

As the crowd began to press in and lords and ladies offered their congratulations, Farrow could not help but try to steal a glance at Blackthorn.

But he was gone.

Chapter 24

Blackthorn

Blackthorn made his way through the crowd like a ghost. In all the tumult, he could slip away unnoticed, if he so desired. But he had unfinished business.

Though he was glad these mortals now knew what had happened at the hands of their king, there was only one mortal whose opinion mattered to him.

He had begun their friendship not with lies, but he had withheld the truth.

Now she had accomplished all he had hoped for, making peace between their people possible.

But that didn’t mean she forgave him.

Once he was close, he could hear the words the man prince was saying to Farrow.

“You will take up residence in the Emerald Suite,” he told her. “Those rooms are suited to an ambassador’s rank, and I want you to have them, no matter what role you choose to play in the kitchens. This kingdom owes a great debt to you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Farrow said, with wonder in her voice.

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