by Godiva Glenn
He leaned close and whispered, “We have a plan.”
“No,” Alethea said firmly, removing her shoes and rubbing her feet. She’d just been sitting today, but she’d been in heels every day this week so far. It was catching up to her. “Blair doesn’t like to lie, and even if it would benefit us, it’s exactly what you said you didn’t want.”
The race was over, and Nikki and Pavel now sat in the car with Alethea. They’d caught a ride so that they could have this discussion. She had to be on her way home to shower and change so that she could meet her father for dinner with some old family friends. Marie was driving so their secret plan—ridiculous as it was—would never make it out of the car.
“I don’t mind,” Pavel insisted. “I’m taking a break from the game.”
She ran a hand through her hair and stared out the window. Their plan was to have Pavel pretend to be her boyfriend, then do double-dates with Nikki and Blair. They could attend private parties, etcetera. It was nonsense. “And what happens when someone you actually like comes along? That goes for both of you.”
Nikki didn’t answer, but her expression said it all. She wasn’t expecting to meet anyone, and she wouldn’t be trying to.
“Pretending to date you keeps my parents happy for now.”
“Maybe, but are you going to give up sex for the foreseeable future while we keep up this ruse? Because you know the cameras will be there the moment you try to sneak a girl home.”
His eyes darted away but he defensively replied, “I can keep it in my pants.”
Alethea groaned. “I’m not going to be the reason you have blue balls, thanks. You already made the mistake of sitting next to me today.”
“I don’t mind—”
“But I do.” She looked over at him. “Keeping Blair a secret right now is doable. But that’s not the same as lying and playing games. I’m not ashamed of Blair. If he’s okay with the spotlight, then I want him at my side. I want to show him off. I want my dad to see him and know that he’s not going anywhere. That doesn’t work if dad’s cozying up to you with dreams of the perfect son-in-law floating around his head.”
“You know our great-grandmother kept two secret lovers for over twenty years?” Nikki said wistfully. “Back in the days before drones and the internet.”
“Part of her success was that one of them was her bodyguard. This was also back in the days before morals and rules regarding abuse of power,” Marie added from the driver’s seat.
“I try not to think of it,” Alethea said with a snort. “Just do me the favor of keeping Blair company, since I can’t do it.”
“Should I start some sort of royal-in-training boot camp?” Pavel joked.
“Yes!” Alethea said, perking up. “You and Nikki together. Let’s my-fair-lady this situation.”
“I wasn’t serious.”
“Everything about being a proper consort can be taught. So just squeegee off all your charm and polish onto Blair, and Nikki can let him in on the rules—not like there’s that many for the men, after all.” Alethea bit her lip in excitement. Why didn’t I think of this sooner? It can work.
“I think exhaustion’s gotten to your brain,” Nikki said. “Sure, we can try, but it takes time. How long are you even giving us?”
“Just start today.” She leaned forward and caught Marie’s attention. “We need to drop them off at the Faerriot.”
Life in the city was taking a toll on Blair. How can everyone be content to be so bereft of nature day to day? Sure, he could see the water from his hotel room, but it was hardly a supplement for grass under his feet. He opened his phone and returned to an ongoing search that frustrated him. Trying to find an actual home.
Something small and no further from the castle than he now was would be ideal, but he wasn’t having luck there. Nikki was trying to help, and she claimed to have contacts that would give him access to the secret world of posh housing, whatever that was. They were supposed to look at something later this week, but it was hard to feel optimistic.
He hadn’t spent more than an hour with Alethea in what felt like forever. Over a month in reality. He had at least mastered texting for now. There were days where all she could do was send a brief message to let him know she missed him like crazy and couldn’t wait for a chance to see him again. If he lived closer, there would be a chance that she could at least drop by for more than just a quick kiss between her errands.
The phone vibrated in his hands and a message popped up from Alethea as if summoned from his wishes.
Hey handsome. Get your snazziest suit on. And I’m thinking… that silver patterned tie. The onyx cufflinks.
He read it twice but didn’t move to act on her orders. Instead, he tried to figure her out.
What’s going on?
Barely a second passed before she responded.
I’m taking you someplace special and we’ll have the rest of the night together. I’m on my way. Pick you up in thirty.
He texted back a brief response and hurried to his closet. The entire night. Just when he needed it.
Alethea held Blair’s hand on her lap as they drove. The scenery rolled by, changing from city streets to green countryside while she filled him in on everything she’d been up to, or at least everything they hadn’t already texted or discussed over phone calls. Everything was working out, but the best part was how proud she was of herself.
“You’ve got this radiant energy now,” he pointed out.
“Because I feel like I’m going to accomplish something now. Or I suppose, every day I do accomplish something. Even if it’s just meeting with stuffy rich people, it’s all leading towards the grand plan.”
“Your big idea?”
“Yes.” She reached out and combed the hair over his temples. “I think it’s coming together. I just don’t want to jinx it. But for now, today is just another step in that direction.”
“You’re making me nervous,” he admitted. He wanted to pry the secret from her, but he didn’t know how. So far all he knew was that he wasn’t allowed to smudge her makeup or mess up her hair. He leaned over and whispered into her ear, “Did you purposefully wear the tightest skirt you own? To keep me out of it?”
She glanced down at herself and where his hand now rested on her knee, the only skin he could touch—and even that had a protective film she called pantyhose. “Not on purpose. But we shouldn’t do that. Not right now.”
“It’s torture.” He pinched the sheer fabric. It was like something pixies would wear. “I could just tear these.”
A dark shadow flickered through her eyes. “Maybe later,” she said with a sultry grin. “It’s a torture I plan on putting to a rest. Trust me.”
The car passed through a large gate and he sat up, looking around and trying to make sense of their surroundings. It looked familiar, but not because he’d been there before. No, he’d never set foot here. But he’d seen pictures. His heart seemed to fall through his body and dive to the center of the Earth to explode.
“Is this…”
“Home sweet home. Montemurro House. Or as we usually call it, the palace.” She squeezed his hand.
“I—but—wait a—why?” he sputtered. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but none of them passed slowly enough for him to grasp.
“Time for you to meet my dad. His Royal Majesty. Also known as King Andrew the second of Lutheyis.” She kissed the back of his hand then wiped the soft red smudge away. “It’s going to be fine.”
“I’m not ready.” He turned to her. “This isn’t a fair surprise.”
Joseph glanced at them through the rearview mirror. “We can’t just sit in here.”
“You stood up to an aspect, right? An all-powerful magical being who breathed you to life and could have just as easily snuffed you out. Your father.” She gestured to the grand manor before them. “My father is just a man. And compared to aspects and the rulers of Prism, he’s limited in power—don’t bring that up, obviously—but just to put i
t into perspective.”
Joseph tsked under his breath.
But she was right. Just a man. Except…
“He has one power, and it’s the one that concerns me. What if he tells you no? That you can’t see me any longer?”
She pursed her lips for a moment, but her composure changed, and she raised her chin. “He doesn’t have that power.”
Her certainty had a spark of fire that flowed through him. A contagious optimism that was only a sliver but was worth latching onto. He pressed his shoulders back. “All right.”
She tapped her window and the door opened so that she could step gracefully out. He slid out behind her and went to grab her hand, but they’d only glanced when she shook her head. “Not yet.”
Right. Pavel and Nikki had been trying to teach him the strange rules that he’d have to follow when in public with Alethea. Her home was private, but he assumed he could only touch her when they were alone and indoors. King Artur and Queen Catriona kissed all the time. Previous rulers were said to have orgies. But as the humans say… ‘when in Rome.’
He followed her down the walkway and up the stairs, making sure to stay a step behind. It felt ridiculous, and for a moment he understood exactly why Pavel refused to get involved with royalty. Pride wasn’t a toxic feature of his own soul, but there was a part of him that felt rubbed the wrong way. And even if they married, he’d only be able to walk directly at her side until she became queen. Then he’d be right back here. The thought made him pause, and Alethea immediately stopped and looked back to him.
That was all it took for him to put his discomfort aside. They’d been apart for weeks, and they hadn’t said it yet, but he could see the love in her eyes. Could tell that it didn’t matter whether she was in his arms or holding his hand or walking a step ahead—she cherished him.
“You look magnificent,” he said.
“And you look good enough to eat,” she said just barely loud enough for him to hear. She motioned to the ornate door ahead. “This is the grand entrance. I have my own that I usually use, but since you’re a guest… and actually, it’s quicker to the main hall through this one. That’s where I have father waiting.”
“Splendid.”
He adjusted his tie and smoothed his sleeves. He’d never met a king before.
The steady tick of an antique clock pierced the otherwise painful silence. Alethea’s father barely glanced at Blair, and the conversation had gone nowhere. It had to be the worst afternoon tea in the history of this castle. Yet through it all, she kept a gentle smile and positive attitude.
“A matchmaker,” her father grumbled under his breath.
“Yes, father, a matchmaker,” Alethea said proudly. “The best in the world—or, I suppose the galaxy since her matches aren’t limited to this planet.”
“It’s unseemly to turn to such a person,” he replied.
“She has a one hundred percent history of success. She’s matched kings, queens, clan leaders, and beings of immense magical power,” Blair added.
Her father’s eyes flickered over Blair, but he didn’t respond. Alethea lifted a sugary cookie and placed it on her father’s plate, which softened his expression for a split-second.
“Matchmaking used to be a respectable calling in the past. It wasn’t uncommon for royal marriages to be dictated by the reading of palms and signs,” she said. “I’m not saying that’s what Gerri does—-I believe that her matches are pure intuition—but she’s not a charlatan by any stretch of the imagination. Plus, she has nothing to gain from matching me with someone unsuitable. There’s no hidden agenda. She doesn’t even charge for her services.”
“If her services were as worthy as you claim, she’d charge.” Her father bit into the cookie and chewed it, staring past both Alethea and Blair.
The silence fell around them again. Arguing with him was a bad idea, and Alethea didn’t see the point anyhow. Defending Gerri wasn’t the aim of the evening.
Blair sipped his tea and glanced cautiously to Alethea. She made sure to keep her facial expressions cheerful, if only to help him feel comfortable with the situation.
Lydia entered the hall and was summoned forward by her father. She whispered to him and he immediately stood.
“I have an important call,” he announced and left.
Lydia stuck around for a few moments, but Alethea waved her off like the annoying pest she was.
Turning to Blair she sighed. “I don’t think he’s coming back. But that went well.”
“Well?”
Alethea finished her tea and pushed the porcelain cup and saucer away. “He met with you. He sat down. We talked. That’s incredible progress, trust me.”
“Is this the winning strategy, then?”
“Something like that.” She smiled crookedly. “It occurred to me, over the last few weeks, that most of my father’s behavior was reactive—”
“As I pointed out.”
She nodded. “Yes. And a lot of my fears were just fears. I was afraid he wouldn’t let me see you. I was afraid of going public with another relationship. But everything was in my head. We can have what we have, and I don’t see my father getting between us unless he sees a real threat.”
“That’s fair.” Blair glanced at the doorway. “It’s a bit rude of him to just leave, though.”
“It’s difficult not to pick up rough edges when everyone immediately does as they’re told by you,” she reasoned. “It’s one of the reasons I push back. Though lately, I do so with more care.”
“Now what, then?” He glanced at the table and then around himself.
She followed his observing gaze. The room was massive and felt oversized for what was supposed to be an intimate meeting. It couldn’t have helped things at all. But what room isn’t dripping with grandeur around here?
She stood and brushed the crumbs from her blouse and skirt. “Now, the tour, of course.”
He followed her from room to room, and though she’d never thought twice about the furniture and architecture of her home before, she now wondered if it made him uncomfortable. Trying to imagine everything from his perspective was daunting. Each room felt to be twice the size as needed for its purpose.
“Do you ever have large parties?” he asked.
“For Christmas most of the family visits. Otherwise, no.” She led him down a hall flanked by two guards. “In the past, more people have lived here, though. Nikki, her siblings, and her parents used to live here. Things were more alive back then.” She paused at a plain door. “This is my private stairwell.”
He looked to his left from where the guards were watching. “Am I allowed to walk this way with you?”
“Traditionally speaking? No. It’s not proper.” She opened the door and gazed up. “I’m looking at the big picture. I want you to see more of my life. The consequences for that are minor.”
“I’m certainly not against this tour, but I don’t want to be the reason your father gets upset with you again.”
“I suspect he knows this is happening.” She started up the stairs, motioning for him to follow. “Joseph and Marie like me, and they don’t report on me unless I endanger myself. There are only a handful of the guards like that. Most of the ones here think that they have to make note of my every action. They’ve already let everyone know what I’m up to.”
“That makes it sound like your father or a group of guards may be waiting at the top for us.”
She laughed, and it echoed around them. “That sounds like the sort of thing that would happen in a movie.”
They made it up the stairs and out into a new hallway with no issue, as she’d predicted.
“I technically have several apartments up here.”
“Why several?”
“The original rooms are spacious but limiting if they’re being used for everyday living.” She pointed outdoors as they walked, and she spoke. “My main apartment has my bedroom, an informal sitting area, and connects to my bathroom and attached spa. Next is my
formal sitting room. Then the next is my closet—which, to be fair, is more a royal necessity than a personal one. It’s definitely not my idea to need that much clothing and accessories.”
“Right,” he said simply.
“Are you freaking out? Is this too much of the insane royal lifestyle?”
He arched a brow. “Actually, it’s making me wonder if Prism is the same. The fae palace was bigger than this, that I know from listening to Vevina talk of it.”
“Ours is really just a glorified mansion, I’d say. It was bought as such, at least. Over the years it’s been renovated and had additions, but it’s not what most people would expect to see a King occupy.” She shrugged. “Which is why we call it the palace as a sort of… inside joke.”
“I don’t know. Feels like a palace to me,” he said, eyes roaming the walls.
She took his hand. “And voila,” she said dramatically, leading him through an open set of ornate double doors. “The Princess’s private dining room.”
A large, round table sat in the center of the room. There was a vase of flowers in the middle of the glass top and the legs were surrounded by a ring of wrought iron in a scroll design. Six white upholstered chairs surrounded it, and each of the walls had mirrors that stood nearly as high as the ceiling, save the wall to their left which had glass doors which opened to a balcony.
“This is just for you?”
“Tonight it’s for us. Dinner should be arriving shortly.”
He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. She stepped away, cheeks warm and anxious hands brushing over the back of a chair. “It’s been a while since I used this room. I don’t like eating alone.”
He pulled out a chair and guided her to sit, then sat beside her. “I can understand that. I do most things alone now.” He rubbed his chin. “When I was on Prism, that was normal, but here I quickly became accustomed to spending time with others. Now that Vevina is gone, and with you busy, I’ve noticed the absence.”
“Hopefully that will begin to change.” She lifted a crystal flute of water and took a sip. “Though you don’t have to be alone. I thought at the very least, you and Pavel had become friends.”
