by K.N. Lee
The maid poured her tea and fixed it the way she liked it, and headed for the door. “I’ll be back to take the tray away later. Just pull the string above your bed if you need anything.”
“Wait,” Mila said, as she began to leave.
She stopped and turned to her. “Yes, miss?”
“I didn’t get your name.”
“Vera,” she said, life entering her eyes for the first time since they’d met.
“Thank you, Vera,” Mila said, giving her a small smile.
“Will that be all?”
She nodded, and Vera quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.
A wind swept in, lifting her hair, and a familiar scent tickled her nostrils.
She turned to look out the window.
A dragon.
She leaped to her feet as Kellan flew across the garden and landed on the balcony, shifting into his human form. Kellan rushed to her side, eyes full of worry. He smelled of summer rain and trees. This was the greatest surprise, and her heart filled with joy.
“Dear spirits,” he said, wrapping her in his arms. “I was so worried about you. Have they hurt you?”
She held on tight, breathing him in, basking in the safety and warmth of his embrace. “No, not at all. The prince has been kind. But, forget about me. I was worried about you.”
They remained like that for a long moment, until Mila worried about getting caught. She wasn’t sure how the staff or the prince would react to Kellan. Dragon shifters were the most rare of them all. While most left the kingdom after the war, Kellan was left behind. An orphan. He kept his identity a secret, and she’d hate to have him exposed.
“Where is Emory?” She asked, brows furrowed.
Kellan shook his head, his hair wet and clinging to his face. “He’s gone, Mila. They took him to the palace dungeons. There was nothing I could do. I had to escape or they would have taken me as well.”
“No,” she said. Her stomach dropped. “It’s not your fault.”
She turned away and pulled her hair back with her hands.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “They had some pretty advanced weapons. I’m surprised they didn’t just kill us. And, when they took you, I was distraught. I fought, and got jolted with one of their magic bolts. I managed to get away, but was too injured to come for you right away.”
She nodded. “Stop, Kellan. I don’t blame you.”
He took her by the arm and pulled her back in.
“Oh, Emory,” she said, her face pressed to his chest. “We have to get him out.”
“How?”
She looked up at him, licking her lips as she tried to think of a way to explain. “The prince may be on our side.”
“What?” Kellan said, taking a step back.
Mila nodded, looking around the room, not entirely comfortable revealing what she’d agreed to, but it seemed right at the time. It still did. She always thought she was a good judge of character, and the prince somehow made her trust him
She heard talking outside and flashed a look of worry at him.
“I’ve agreed to be his,” she blurted, and Kellan frowned, face paling.
“What?”
She pushed him toward the balcony. “He will protect me, and he will help me stop the king from enslaving all humans. Its all too much to explain now, but I’ll summon you when its safe again.”
He held her tight. “I do hope you know what you’re doing, Mila. You just left a High Fae who had promised to protect you. What makes the prince any different?”
Her heart raced, and she kissed him on the cheek before pushing him out the door.
“I trust him,” she said. “Now, go!”
The beating of her heart was all she heard as she watched Kellan fly away.
Those words resounded in her mind.
I trust him.
I trust him.
Chapter Fifteen
Weeks passed as Mila began her masquerade.
Kellan came when he could, bringing back news and updates on what went on in the city. The people were getting antsy, violent. The rumors about a witch killing High Fae gave them courage.
She just wished she knew what to do. While she drank wine and slept in late everyday, her people were suffering.
Mistress to a High Fae prince.
When he proposed the arrangement, she’d been wary. But, it was all to free the humans from High Fae rule.
It was a step up from a lord, but not exactly what she had in mind when she ran away. And, Theron was nothing like Lord Vasily.
He was kind, handsome, and charming.
Of course, it could all be an act. Time would tell.
Still, as far as she knew, she wasn’t a prisoner. So, she was free to explore the estate and the grounds. Dressed in a simple cobalt dress with yellow paisley flowers, she strode down the halls, marveling at the impressive artwork and tapestries.
She ate by herself on the terrace, and slept in the library, surrounded by hundreds—if not thousands—of books.
One afternoon, Vera accompanied her, walking closely behind, prepared to fetch her whatever her heart desired.
Once they were outside, in the bright sun, Mila fanned a quilt onto the plush evergreen grass. She settled down and stretched out on her back to watch the clouds roll by. The serenity and privacy of it all was incredible.
Vera sat on the edge of the blanket, staring off into the distance.
Mila glanced over at her, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face.
“Where are you from?” Mila asked.
Vera appeared startled. “Here,” she said, simply.
Mila lifted herself onto her elbows and crossed her legs at the ankle. “Truly? You’ve been here your whole life?”
She nodded. “All my life. I took my mother’s position when she passed.”
“Oh,” she said, sitting up. “I’m sorry to hear it.”
Vera looked away. “It’s fine. We all die someday, right? All except the High Fae.”
As she plucked a dandelion from the grass, she tilted her head and blew the whispy, white particles into the air.
Maybe, she thought. Unless someone like me kills them.
Later that day, Prince Theron emerged with the setting of the sun.
“Evening,” he said, nodding to her as he stepped in.
She waved, and tilted her head as two beautiful women came in after him.
“I’ve taken the liberty of summoning the best clothiers in all of Veruth, Zari,” he said, and they sauntered into the room, pushing rolling racks of magnificent clothes and gowns.
“Um,” she said, as they began setting up. “What is all of this?”
He sat on the Victorian sofa at the back of her room, and motioned for her to sit beside him.
“You need new clothes,” he said. “If you’re going to pull it off as my sire, you’re going to need the best. Costa and Yvette will make sure you have exactly that.”
Mila sat beside him. “We need to talk,” she said.
“About?” Theron asked, yawning into his fist. From the looks of it, he hadn’t slept much.
While the twins set up, she turned to him. “I need your help.”
“With?”
She chewed the inside of her lip as she tried to figure out the best way to present her problem. She’d gone over it in her head all day. She should be prepared, but looking into his eyes at that moment, her pulse quickened and her palms grew sweaty.
Clearing her throat, she went for it. “When the tavern was raided that night, there were two men with me. One of them got away, but the other seems to have been imprisoned in the palace dungeons.”
A look of realization crossed his face. “How did you know that?”
A nervous chuckle bubbled from her throat. “Funny story she said, running her hands through her hair. “My friend…is a dragon.”
“Dear spirits,” he said, shooting up from his seat. “Impossible.”
She stood, frowning. “I assure you, i
ts possible.”
He took her by the hands. “No, its brilliant,” he said. “You’re just full of surprises. But, we can use this to our advantage. Imagine what you can do with a dragon.”
A smile of relief came to her face. “I’m glad you think so. Kellan will always be there for me. But, my other friend…how can we free him?”
“Easy,” he said, sitting back down. “We can set him free when we take my father down. I’ll be king.”
“Good,” she said, pleased by his response. For the first time since she arrived, she was fairly confident that everything was going to work out. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” he said, and clapped his hands. “On with it, ladies. We have places to be.”
She sat back as they paraded elaborate gowns for her.
They were twins but had very different hairstyles and hair colors.
“Which one?” The blonde one, Costa, with the eyebrows that looked like they were painted on asked.
Twirling a lock of auburn hair around her finger, she looked from one gown to the next as they held them up before her. One was red and sleek, with a elaborate corset with pearls. The other, an ivory ballgown with pink lace.
“I don’t really care,” she finally said. She’d never had nice things. Her mother always made her gowns, and they were simple, nothing fancy. “Any of them.”
They both froze.
“Oh,” Theron said, nudging her. “Now, you’ve done it.”
“What?” Yvette asked.
“They’re all very nice,” Mila offered.
Costa frowned. “My word. This one is made from Surine silk, and this one is made from the best hand-spun Kyril satin. Two different things.”
Mila rolled her eyes. One day had already passed and she needed to rescue Emory before it was too late.
“The pink one,” she said, disinterested.
“Good choice,” the twins said in unison. “You will be the talk of the ball.”
“Ball?” Mila asked, glancing at Theron again. “No one said anything about a ball.”
Costa’s smile faded. “Where have you been?”
Theron clapped his hands and stood. “Right,” he said. “The lady has picked her gown for the ball, and I we won’t be needing you until the night of. Off you go.”
Mila sat there, confused as the clothiers took all of their stacks of gowns and jewels, and left her room.
When they were gone, Theron stood there, rubbing his temples. It didn’t look as if he’d slept at all.
She rose to her feet and approached, timid, but determined.
“What’s going on?”
He glanced at her. “There is a tournament in one month’s time,” he said. “My brothers and I will be going against other High Fae royalty in various matches. Afterwards, there will be a ball in honor of the winning kingdom. I just wanted to make sure you had something to wear.”
“Wait,” she said, frowning. “We have other things to do. I can’t be masquerading as a lady while people suffer.”
“I know,” he said. “But, these things take time. Patience. We need to find a way to use your power to reverse the curse sweeping through the land. It is killing people, destroying crops and forests, and in some places it is making the air toxic.”
“What does the prophet say?”
Theron pursed his lips, going silent.
She didn’t like that look.
“What does he say?”
Sighing, Theron threw up his arms. “No one knows how you’re supposed to reverse the curse, only that you can.”
Her shoulders slumped, and all color drained from her face. “Bloody brilliant.”
He took her by the hands. “Don’t give me that look. I told you to trust me, that I’d protect you. We will figure this out. Together.” He stroked the backs of her hands, gently, and gave her a smile.
“I’m scared,” she admitted.
“I know,” he said. “But, there is no need for fear. We will save the world, Mila. The ball is held at the palace. We can rescue your friend while we’re there.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re right.”
“Promise me you won’t give up.”
She softened, looking up into his eyes. Something about those words melted her walls of ice, a feeling she hadn’t felt in such a long time.
“I promise,” she whispered, and his smile widened. He lifted her hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.
“Great. Now, let’s get you out of this room. There’s something I want to show you.”
She watched him head toward the door, a magnetic pull binding her to him that she couldn’t explain and had never felt before. Swallowing, she smoothed her new dress and followed, all the while questioning herself.
I hope you know what you’re doing.
Chapter Sixteen
“Where are we going?” Mila asked with a smile, as they left her room.
He led her through the estate, servants bowing as they passed by.
“Do you like flowers?”
“What girl doesn’t like flowers?”
He grinned. “You’d be surprised. My eldest sister hates flowers. Guess her name.”
Mila shook her head. “I have no idea. Violet?”
“Fern,” he said, and Mila chuckled.
“That’s funny. Not quite a flower, but still funny.”
“I try,” he said with a wink as they walked down the main staircase to the polished marble floors that led to the front entrance. “I have a table set up for us at the Veruth Gardens.”
Mila accepted her glass and took a sip. “I’ve never been anywhere in the capital city before.”
“You’ll enjoy it. Besides, it’s time to show you off.”
“Fantastic,” she grumbled. The thought of being center stage for a bunch of High Fae darkened her mood.
I can do this. Just one step closer to freeing Emory, and freedom for us all.
Theron surprised her by taking her hand, and leading her to the carriage. It disarmed her, and put her at ease.
Mila gave him a sidelong glance, smiling to herself. Somehow her insecurities faded away.
They sat a table just outside of the main gardens of the venue. The hour was late, yet the city was alive.
Humans were quarantined to their homes for the nightly curfew.
For their protection.
But, the High Fae were free to prowl, and enjoy their freedom.
Such a flashy bunch. They wore their jewels and expensive clothing, only showing that they were the only ones to fair well from the war and current ruler.
As a human, she stood out, and her darker skin made her a target. Her scent drew them in, and all eyes turned to her and the prince as they walked through the entrance to a private area separate from the other tables underneath the large canopy.
For a moment, Mila had almost forgotten that Theron was a High Fae. He treated her well so far, and rarely looked at her as if she were beneath him. But, in the midst of his race, that fact became alarmingly clear when his skin started to glow under the moonlight.
Their own staff tended to them, making sure their glasses were full, and that their plates were cleared after each elaborate course of the meal. Even set far from the general public and right beside the butterfly garden, Mila couldn’t ignore that they were being watched. The other guests whispered and stared, but that didn’t keep her from enjoying a single bite or sip.
She wondered if she could get used to this life. Her former master had provided for her and the other girls, but never with such care and attentiveness as the prince. And, the clothes and food weren’t nearly as good.
“You’re going to make me fat,” Mila said as she took another bite of the peach pie.
It was good, almost as good as her mother’s.
“Fat enough that no other man will want me. I know your game,” she joked.
“I swear that I’m not. Still, even fat you’d be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
She s
miled, and set her fork down, stuffed. For a moment, everyone else vanished into the murky abyss, and it was just her and her prince.
“All done?” Theron asked, finishing his wine.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Great, I want to show you the butterflies,” Theron said. “They were captured and brought here from elf territory just after the war.” He stood and reached a hand down to help her up.
Once she joined him, they linked arms and headed down the maze that led to several different glass houses with exotic flowers from all over the world. A dying world.
“This is the one with the fly traps,” he said pointing to a glass house stuffed to the ceiling with purple and black flowers.
Mila followed beside him, marveling at the collection of flowers she had never seen or heard of. Most of the natural flora and fauna of the world had either died, never to return, or mutated. As they entered one of the smaller buildings, his guards cleared out the other guests so that they would be alone.
“How does it feel, being a prince?”
He shrugged. “I know no other life. I’d give it up to be free and explore the world. But, it seems the fate of world rests on my shoulders.”
“And, mine, apparently,” she added, with a heavy sigh.
Mila gasped as he grabbed her by her forearms and pressed her back against the glass wall.
“Sorry,” he said, but didn’t move away.
“For what?” Mila asked, her breaths quickening as she looked up into his eyes. With his body pressed to hers, it was hard to think or breathe. But, she didn’t want him to move away.
“I have a confession,” he said, his face serious as he searched her eyes.
Her stomach dropped. Oh dear.
“What?” She licked her lips, eyeing his.
He closed his eyes, lowering his head to rest his forehead against hers.
“When we raided the tavern that night, I knew there was something special about you. I managed to keep Benedict from telling my father and letting me take you instead of letting them imprison you with your friend.”
Her brows furrowed. “Why?”
“I am the leader of the resistance. I have kept my identity a secret so that I could fund those who want to overthrow my father. You know where I stand, but—I have to come clean about something.”
