Page 79 of Binding Fate

“I’m sure he does. He promised to check in on me in the morning.”

His face had this scowl and his eyebrows were permanently dipped down.

“Oh, that was nice of him, don’t you think, Francisco?”

He didn’t face the queen. His stare stayed on Aironell.

“Am I the only one that thinks it ridiculous that he came to visit? I’m sorry maybe that’s not the correct word. I-well, ugh.” He stood up and started pacing around the table. Aironell sat unsure what to say.

Queen Evalyn gave Aironell a reassuring smile. “Francisco, dear. I think it was meant to be a sweet gesture. Right?”

“It was.”

King Francisco had this pinched expression as he walked over and sat beside Aironell. “Darling. I want to be perfectly clear.”

Aironell nodded, still unsure what to say. Well, she was pretty sure she just got Alzerion into some sort of trouble.Oops.

“I do not want anyone of the male variety in your room, in the early hours of morning. Am I clear?”

She gulped. “I understand.” Her arms crossed over her chest. “I don’t want to upset you but I’m not sure why. Nothing—happened.”

King Francisco placed his hand up and Aironell couldn’t hear her voice. He stood up and made his way to sit beside his wife. Once he sat down, he snapped his fingers.

“That was really not necessary.” Aironell pouted.

“Well, I did not want any details—none.” His hands clenched into fists on the table as he shook his head. “I’m sorry, where is Alzerion this morning, anyway? I think we need to have words.”

“Francisco, calm down.” Evalyn placed her hand, gently on his shoulder. Then she patted his fist and took a breath. “Let’s hear what our daughter would like to say.”

Queen Evalyn turned back to Aironell. “Aironell, I think he knows Alzerion meant to be sweet, but it makes your father uncomfortable.” Evalyn continued to massage at his fist. Finally, his hands relaxed.

“Oh.” She glanced over at her father who was taking slow breaths and rubbing at the back of his neck.

“I don’t want to upset you,” she focused on the king. “Alzerion was only there this morning and then Isabella visited, too.”

He nodded. His expression softening.

“Isabella and I had an interesting conversation.”

“Oh?” King Francisco grabbed a cup and poured some tea. “What was it about?”

She had to think carefully, yet quickly. She wanted some answers, but didn’t want to step on any other invisible mine fields, again.

“You both know that I do have some feelings for Alzerion, right?” She swallowed as her gaze met her father’s. His nostrils flared, a bit, then he nodded. “Your mother told me about the conversation between the two of you.” He took a sip of the hot tea. His eyes gazed back above the rim of his cup.

Aironell caught her breath, for a moment. Neither seemed surprised. Whew. She was worried how her father would take it. Thank goodness.

Queen Evalyn’s hand stretched across the table, palms up. Her fingers looked like they were dancing as they motioned. Aironell placed her hands in her mother’s.

“Aironell, what does Alzerion have to do with Isabella’s morning visit?”

She felt the queen’s grip around her hands. It was probably meant to be comforting, but for some reason she felt it more like a constricting snake’s grip. She had no reason to feel this way, yet she couldn’t help it.

“Aironell?” King Francisco probed as he placed his mug down.

Just say it, she told herself. “I want to know who the other princess was.” Her foot was tapping feverishly. The queen tilted her head and the king’s brows furrowed. “Father, I know you were betrothed to another and I want to know about her. Isabella said I am like you, and well, I just want to fully understand everything.”

She saw her father’s face was paler than usual and his eyes did not seem angry.Whew. No. Instead they looked muddled, with the slightest hint of sadness. Aironell darted her gaze to the queen. Her mother had a hint of a blush. The queen opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again– nothing. Nothing came out, but her grip loosened and she pulled her hands back toward her chest, clutching the frill of her gown.

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