by Kiersten Fay
“June, dear,” Edel said. “Are you well?” She wasn’t sure if Edel was concerned for her emotional state or subtly inquiring if she was crazy for mocking the princess.
“I’m perfect, thank you. Are you hungry? I’m going to order something for Thaddeus from the kitchen.”
“No, thank you,” replied Edel. June didn’t bother asking Leanora.
Using the intercom, June ordered an array of entrees for Thaddeus. Then she herded him away from the sweets so he didn’t ruin his dinner, though she might have been too late by the looks of his sugarcoated face.
Dabbing a napkin in some water, she did what she could to clean off the child’s face and hands. Her own hands were grimy as well, and she wondered what the rest of her looked like. Finishing with Thaddeus, she excused herself to the bathroom where she caught sight of herself. Hot mess definition updated thusly: June Jacobs after a wild ride on a dragon, curling up in a damp cavern, and racing through a storm only to meet her lover’s fiancé.
Her dress was still damp, there were smudges of dirt on her arms and face, and was that a twig in her hair? Just fucking perfect.
She plucked it away and tossed it in a bin, then took a quick towel bath. The dress wasn’t too bad off. She brushed some debris from her backside until you couldn’t tell she’d spent an evening getting plowed before shivering on the floor of a cave. Her heels just needed a little attention as well before they were back to pristine.
After one last assessing look at herself—it’s the best I can do—she returned to the living room to join Thaddeus on the couch. His eyes were growing heavy and he scooted closer to lean against her.
Edel sat across from her, watchful. Leanora took a turn about the room as if hunting for something to judge. “I remember this apartment seeming grander when I stayed here.”
The intention of her words hit home: I was here first.
Leanora sighed. “I suppose everything loses its luster after a while. What’s shiny and new quickly dulls, don’t you think, Jen?”
“It’s June.”
“I believe I will redecorate once it’s vacant again.”
June eyed her gorgeous rival, wondering what Tristan saw in her aside from her looks. Maybe that was enough, but she seemed snobby and arrogant. Perhaps that was because June had never known a life of privilege, whereas privilege was all Leanora knew. She got what she wanted, when she wanted it. It must be eating her up that June had seduced her man behind her back. June still wasn’t happy about it—in fact, every moment she battled the misery that threatened to crush her—but it was a small consolation that Tristan had been hers for a time when he had such a physically glorious creature at his fingertips.
“Once we’re married, that is.”
Dig that knife in. June cringed. To comfort herself, she ran her fingers through Thaddeus’s scruffy hair. He laid his little body down to rest his head in her lap and closed his eyes.
“I do believe my son is still debating his options,” inserted Edel. The offhanded comment surprised both ladies.
“Oh,” Leanora replied, feigning disinterest. “Has anyone else of importance propositioned him? He’d be hard-pressed to find a more suitable match than myself. I’m descended form a prestigious and powerful royal family, same as he.”
“True. You come from a strong family.” Edel caught June’s gaze with an intensity she didn’t understand. “And Tristan will need a strong queen.”
June wasn’t sure if Edel meant to telegraph her utter deficiency as a match for her son, that she was week and inadequate, or if she hinted at something else. Maybe to step up and bring this bitch down a peg. That probably wasn’t it, but June could give as good as she got.
“So, Leanor, is it?” June said, spitefully forgetting the last syllable off her name.
“Princess Leanora,” she corrected, only sounding mildly annoyed.
“I have to admit, it was a surprise to meet you. The whole time we were together, Tristan didn’t mention a word about you. Not a peep.” She feigned a modest blush. “Of course, I did keep him pretty busy with other things.”
Leanora was good at concealing her emotions, but a bit of anger cracked through her statuesque features. “I’m sure he just didn’t want to upset you. You don’t want to break a toy before you’re finished playing with it.”
Holy fuck! The bitch knew how to cut.
June mentally wrapped up the wound. She’d deal with the scar later. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll try to leave him intact when I’m done with him.”
Edel coughed lightly, but June wondered if it was to cover a laugh.
Leanora glided to the pastry carts, eyeing the offerings with distaste, then glanced back over at June. “It’s curious that Tristan hasn’t provided you with a better wardrobe. He utterly pampered me when I last visited.”
“You don’t like my dress?” asked June, glancing down at the studded gown. The slit exposed her crossed legs and stilettos like a straight-up boss. June knew she had great legs, and now her rival did too.
“Oh, no, it’s perfect for you. Simple. Basic.”
She did not just call me basic. “Though it’s a bit wet from the storm Tristan and I got caught in while we were enjoying a romantic picnic that he’d planned for us”—Have fun with that image—“I thought this dress was divine when Lady Edel picked it out for me. Nothing basic about it.” She faced Edel. “It’s from your personal collection, isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
Edel’s expression was unreadable but for the slightest curl of her lips. “It is.”
Leanora blanched and quickly backtracked. “Oh, well, I’m sure it looks amazing on you, Your Majesty.”
“I would never wear this gown now that I’m an old woman,” said Edel. “It’s a gown meant for youth. I always thought I’d have a daughter to pass my treasures to, but fate gave me three boys instead. It warms my heart to see it worn again.”
A lump thickened in June’s throat and she wasn’t sure how to respond.
Leanora didn’t have that problem. She crossed to sit by Edel’s side and patted her hand. “Soon enough, you may have a daughter to dote on. One who would appreciate your affection.”
Edel patted her hand in return. “Wouldn’t that be nice?” But she was looking at June as she said it.
A knock sounded on the door. “Come in!” June called automatically. Disdain covered Leanora’s features and June remembered it wasn’t classy to just holler at the door, but Thaddeus was still cuddled in her lap and she didn’t want to move him unless she had to.
Same as earlier, a stream of servants filed in, each with a trolley of food. Without a word, they began setting it up buffet-style.
“Well,” said Leanora. “Isn’t this extravagant. All this is for you, Jen? You have quite an appetite.”
“Actually, most if it is for Thaddeus here. I wasn’t sure what he would like. Also, the name is June. I feel like you know that, but you just don’t want to say it. Or are you really that obtuse?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You’re excused.”
“Why you insolent little—”
Someone cleared their throat. All but one server had gone. “Will there be anything else, my ladies?”
Edel replied, “My favorite wine will do, Leopold, thank you. And some of those little tarts I like. You know the ones.”
“Of course. Coming right up.” Then he was gone.
Thaddeus sniffed the now fragrant air. His little tummy growled and he sat up and glanced around.
“Are you hungry for dinner?” June asked, and then walked with him to check out the spread. She hadn’t been specific in her order, but they’d provided a good variety. There were dishes that resembled meat, fruit, vegetables, and pasta. Thaddeus went for the pasta, but June encouraged him to take some vegetables as well. “They will make you big and strong like King Tristan.”
Excitement lit in his eyes and she didn’t have to cajole him further. After Thaddeus was seated, June fixe
d a plate for herself, though she wasn’t the least bit hungry. It was more to make Thaddeus feel at ease.
Edel joined her. “I wasn’t hungry before, but now I am. This does smell good.”
Like a weird little family, they sat at the dining table. Leanora remained on the couch. Edel’s tarts and wine were brought and a glass was poured for each of them but Thaddeus. June took a sip and nearly died from pleasure. “This is excellent,” she commended.
“Nothing but the best,” Edel replied. “You must try a tart. No other treat will ever suffice.”
Well, she was already ruined for other men, might as well risk her love of goodies as well. She took a small bite and groaned as the decadence of it melted in her mouth. “This is too good not to be evil.”
Edel laughed. The rest of the food was divine. It was a tragedy when June became too full to sample more of what she’d ordered. Thaddeus seemed to have an endless stomach, eating his third dish with as much enthusiasm as his first.
Watching him scoop morsels into his mouth reminded her of her brother at that age, innocent and eager for life…until their father had beat the light from his eyes. Though he took his rage out on all of them in turn, Jordan seemed to get the brunt of it. Every day June had discovered fresh bruises on his arms legs and back. Every day she would demand her mother do something about it, but she was but a shell of a woman, long broken even before she’d been blessed with children. Terror was her blanket. Misery was her world.
Then the day came when June changed everything. Blood pooling and splattered on the wall. The scream that seemed never ending. The scream she still heard in her nightmares.
Something caught June’s eye as Thaddeus reached across the table to sneak a tart. A familiar dark splotch under his sleeve, stark against the rest of his skin. Intuition sparked and June’s heart lurched into her throat.
Making her voice gentle, June said, “Let me clean off your fingers again. Hold still.” Gleefully chewing the tart, he held out his hands for her. Lightly and without making it obvious what she was looking for, June pushed his sleeve farther up his arm.
And there it was. A mark, probably a week old, faintly in the shape of a hand.
19
Tristan closed the cell door, where the witch, Xanthia, would remain until he decided what do to with her. She had accused her coven of conspiring to infiltrate his kingdom and do harm to his people. He wasn’t sure if he could believe her. Could any witch be trusted? He wasn’t sure.
But for now, he was more eager to return to June and set things right with her. He hurried up the steps and found Orik standing in his path, his expression worried.
“What is it?” asked Tristan.
“These rumors about you, you know…your father…”
Tristan groaned. “What of them?”
“I overheard some soldiers discussing it. The tone of the conversation was not good. I thought this would all die down, but it feels like someone may be perpetuating the things.”
Disappointment sank into Tristan’s bones. Was someone actively trying to undermine his honor? “Gather your most trusted soldiers and do what you can to discover the culprit.”
Orik nodded obediently. “Already on it. I will let you know what I find. On another note, do we need to worry about that witch’s claim?”
“We must consider that she is telling the truth. At the same time, we canna be too gullible. Have you known a witch to betray their coven? I want more information. In the meantime, let’s be vigilant against any supposed threat.” Tristan was itching to leave, but Orik wasn’t finished.
“So…you’re getting pretty attached to the human.” It wasn’t an accusation or even a question. Just a simple statement. Tristan couldn’t tell what his friend was thinking. Could he see how hopelessly lost he was for her? How inescapably enchanted? If he knew the extent of Tristan’s captivation, would he lose respect for his king and friend?
“I think I’m in love with her.” As soon as he said it aloud, doubt crept in like an inching vine.
A long silence cut between them. Tristan waited for the rebuke. For Orik to talk some sense into him.
“Will you claim her as your mate?”
Tristan glanced up, taken aback by Orik’s casual tone. “You don’t sound surprised.”
Orik smiled. “You don’t think I watched you with her on our return trip? I’ve never seen anything like it, but your bodies move together like a dance. Like you’re unconsciously working to stay in the other’s orbit.”
“You don’t think I’m being foolish?”
Orik shrugged. “I’ve never been in love, but someone once told me we are all fools in love, and from my own observations, that truth is universally absolute.”
“But she is no’ a dragon. She is no’ strong.”
“No’ strong? Can you be sure of that so soon? Just because she is no’ a dragon, does that make her weak? A Faieara is no’ a dragon, and yet you once contemplated make one of them your mate.”
“The Faieara have magic and live as long as we. Humans are so fragile. So short lived.”
“It’s true. Your time would be finite. But ask yourself, would you be happier with only a few years with her, or none at all?”
When Tristan imagined being without June, acid churned in his gut. “The kingdom may not accept her.”
“You may be challenged. Sure.” Orik nodded. “You’ll have to consider if you are strong enough for the both of you.”
As of yet no one had bested him in open challenge, and he didn’t expect anyone would in the near future. Tristan’s strength nearly matched that of his beloved father. Could he risk the denigration of his people for one woman?
Orik interrupted his thoughts. “I apologize about bringing Gideon and Leanora up there with me. They’d been very insistent.”
“It’s no’ your fault. You didn’t know.”
“Right.” Smirking, Orik baited, “Had I known you’d be flying in with your human atop you…”
Tristan felt his cheeks grow warm. “All right, enough of that.”
“Tell me, did you enjoy letting her ride you?”
“Orik,” Tristan warned.
“No really, how was it being between her legs?”
Tristan hooked Orik in a headlock. “I’ll no’ hesitate to whip your ass like when we were young.”
“I’m no’ some scrawny waif anymore.” Orik’s fist crashed into his side with a thunderous force. A spark of pain rode up his spine, and Orik was able to weasel his way out of Tristan’s stunned grasp.
“Yeah, thanks to me,” Tristan pointed out. “I’m pretty sure I taught you that move.”
“Ha! You wish you were this good.”
They tussled for a few more minutes before calling it a draw and parting with brotherly pats on the back. Something Orik said sat with him all the way up to June’s room. Would he be happy with only a few years with June when he knew that would never be enough? Could he bear to watch June grow old and slowly perish while he remained young? Would it be kinder to the both of them to end it now?
These questions plagued him as he entered her room and found the unexpected sight of Leanora perched on her couch. What in the world?
A sudden terror washed through him. Had Leanora done something to June?
But then he spotted her with Thaddeus and his mother, eating dinner at the table. June looked rattled, distress creasing her expression. What had she endured with Leanora here? He might have more groveling to do than anticipated.
“I can explain, June. Please.”
With an affronted tone, Leanora snapped, “You should be worried about explaining to me.”
Tristan spared her a glance. “Leanora, why are you here?”
“Excuse me? Why wouldn’t I be?” Leanora shot to her feet. “You seem to be more concerned with this off-worlder than you are of your own fiancé.”
Exasperated and impatient, Tristan reminded her, “You’re not my fiancé.”
June focused on Thadd
eus. “It’s okay. You’re okay. No one is going to hurt you. I promise.” Why was June comforting Thaddeus like that? Tristan noted that Thaddeus was now staring at the table, his arms folded into his armpits.
“Don’t be an idiot, Tristan,” Leanora continued. “You would be stupid not to accept me at a time like this. Your kingdom is falling apart.”
“That’s a ridiculous exaggeration.”
Thaddeus pulled his knees into his chest and covered his ears with his hands. What was going on?
“They think you committed patricide,” Leanora pointed out. “They are losing faith in you. Joining our families is the only way to restore that faith.”
“Enough!” June snapped. “If you’re going to argue, I would appreciate it if you both get out.”
Injured, he faced June, but she was still fussing over Thaddeus, who was shuddering. “What’s going on?” he asked.
June glanced up at him, her expression fierce. That look alone could spark his lust if he didn’t sense the underlying tension. She pushed away from the table and made her way toward him, grabbing him by the wrist and tugging him toward the nearest bedroom. “We need to talk.”
“Aye,” Tristan agreed, allowing her to tug him along, yet a little confused.
“Edel, will you please watch Thaddeus?” June asked, though it didn’t appear as if she intended to wait for the answer.
“Yes. Of course, dear,” his mother called after them. She too sounded befuddled.
As if hoping to cut them off, Leanora nearly tripped over herself on her way around the couch, but she wasn’t quick enough.
“Leanora. You should leave.” June declared.
Tristan really shouldn’t have been amused by Leanora’s outraged expression as June closed the door in her face.
“June,” Tristan started, wanting to get right to the point. “I know you must be angry with me—”
She wheeled around on him. “That doesn’t matter now.”
“It doesn’t?”
“Well, no, yeah, it does matter, and yes, I’m pissed and I can’t believe you—” She cut herself off and took a breath. “But it doesn’t matter now. It’s done. And it’s not what I need to talk to you about. I think someone hurt Thaddeus.”
