As I ranted silently to myself, a creaking noise made me look up.
Right above Fergus’ head, and above the heads of the other contestants, a chandelier was swinging. As I watched, the entire light fixture pulled away from the ceiling and tumbled toward the ground. “Fergus!”
The contestants screamed, knocking over chairs as they tried to scramble away. Fergus looked up and threw his arms in the air. Blue magic burst from his fingers, cradling the chandelier and stopping its fall a hair’s breadth from himself and the girls who hadn’t found safety.
He stepped back out of the way and lowered the chandelier softly to the ground.
The crowd in the hall clapped. His back was to them, but not to me. He closed his eyes for a long moment, then plastered a smile upon his face. “Sorry to scare you, ladies and gentlemen. I just wanted to show you that whichever of the girls I choose, she will be safe with me. I will do everything possible to protect her.”
Like the waves at the ball, I didn’t believe this was put on with Fergus’ blessing for show. This was another attempt to hurt Fergus and the surrounding people. Though it seemed no one else agreed with me.
The guests clapped, and Piper ran up and threw her arms around Fergus. “Thank you, Prince Fergus. I owe my life to you.” She giggled. “Even if it was only for show.”
He extracted himself from her grasp. “You’re welcome, Piper. Now, I believe the carriages are waiting.”
The journey back to the castle was quiet. No one spoke to me, and any other conversing happened in hushed whispers. Unfortunately, they weren’t quiet enough for me not to hear. Those who spoke made it clear they were upset and thought I’d cheated. I didn’t have the energy to defend myself. Especially because I was almost certain I’d be as annoyed as they were if I were in their position.
By dinner time, I still didn’t want to deal with them, so I didn’t go to the common room. I found a hidden seat in the back corner of the gardens where I stayed until long after the light had dimmed in the sky. I found I didn’t have the energy to get up and walk to my room.
“I thought you’d be celebrating, not moping.” Fergus’ voice surprised me. I hadn’t heard his footsteps upon the grass, and thought I was well hidden from unwanted company all the way down here.
I looked up at the castle. “That would make me a bad winner. Plus, I have no one to celebrate with.”
Fergus watched me with thoughtful eyes. “Or could it be that it’s not a win worth celebrating?”
I met his eyes. It was like looking at my own palm, I recognized them so well. “You think I don’t want to be here?”
He glanced at his hands, as if considering. “I think you differ greatly from the other girls.”
I shuffled over on the seat and nodded for him to sit. If he wanted to talk, I was up for it. I pulled the hair away from my ear closest to him. “That would be because I’m human.”
He sat down and shook his head. “I don’t believe that’s the reason. I know … knew a human. You are far more serious than she ever was.”
If only he knew. “With respect, the Seelie Queen was never human. She just thought she was. And just because she was brought up in Iadrun, that doesn’t make her one of us.” I was pretty sure that most people from Iadrun would argue exactly this.
“Doesn’t it?” he asked. “Because I’d have thought that’s precisely what it meant.”
I didn’t answer. I didn’t want to risk giving myself away, and I was certain if I said anything more on this subject, I would. Despite knowing I was fae, I still felt more human than fae. I could never return to Iadrun and live my life the way I’d once planned. To the people of Iadrun, I was now someone to treat with fearful respect, or perhaps just fear. And here in Faery, I always felt like I wasn’t fae enough because I’d barely spent any of my life here.
Fergus fished in his pocket and held out the jewelry I’d given the children. “I believe these are yours?”
I nodded. “I wanted the children to have them. You shouldn’t have made them return them.” I’d go to the Court of Darkness tomorrow and give them back.
Fergus stared at me for a long moment, brown eyes intense. My heart raced and though I knew I should want him to stop, I wished he’d keep looking at me this way. The way he’d once looked at me when we were bonded. “Relax, Amber. It wasn’t real. All those people have homes to go to with plenty to eat and drink. Well, apart from the one that touched you. I don’t know where she came from.” He shrugged, but I knew. Piper had put her there. “I just wanted to see what you all would do.”
It was a test? In that case, I’d only passed because of Piper. Had she not locked me out, I would never have thought to speak to anyone. “They spoke to me first. The children.”
Fergus’ brow creased.
“If they hadn’t, I might never have given them a second thought.”
A slight smile crossed his face. “And you’re telling me this because you think you cheated?”
I nodded. I guess that was what I was saying.
“You realize they spoke to everyone? Surely you must have heard them as you walked into the building?”
I shook my head. But I had been far behind the others.
“There’s no reason to feel guilty. You didn’t get an advantage over anyone else here. You just reacted differently.”
“Maybe you should tell that to the others,” I said glumly.
He grinned and pushed to his feet. “I don’t think you need any such thing. I get the feeling you can more than look after yourself among the other contestants. And likely anywhere else.”
EIGHT
I’d no sooner returned to my room after speaking with Fergus than there was a knock on the door. I continued unpinning my hair, ignoring the tapping. I wasn’t in the mood for Piper right now—or ever, for that matter.
The knock sounded again. Louder and longer this time.
I continued letting my hair down. She could knock as loud as she liked. It would make no difference. I still wouldn’t answer. I dropped the hairpins on the dressing table and picked up my hairbrush just as she knocked a third time. Then the handle turned.
Oh, no. That was not happening. I threw my hairbrush down, jumping to my feet. When I reached the door, I threw it open, ready to give her an earful.
But it wasn’t Piper. My breath blew out with a whoosh.
I stared at my guest before falling into a deep curtsey. “Princess Willow. How lovely to see you.”
She gave a bland smile, glancing along the hallway before speaking. “May I come in?”
The very last thing I needed was my ex-friend barging into my room, thinking she was speaking to someone else. She didn’t give me the chance to decline, pushing through the door and into my room. The heels of her shoes clicked against the wooden floor.
I shut the door behind her and looked over to find her staring at me, an expression I couldn’t read on her face. “Is there … something I can assist you with, your Highness.”
Disappointment flashed across her face, quickly chased by a wide grin that didn’t reach her eyes. “You’ve never called me that before.”
My heart sank. Oh. She knew. I shook my head, hoping I could push her words away. “I … I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting you before.”
She let out a dramatic sigh, her eyes wandering across my face. “Don’t be ridiculous. Let’s stop the games right now.”
I stared at her, indecision stilling my movements. She hadn’t yet used my name, but neither did she seem to believe I was Amber. I stalled, hoping to get her out of my room before she accused me of something I couldn’t deny. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re talking about. And I was just about to go to bed.” I reached for the door handle to show her out.
“Don’t touch that.”
With a barely disguised sigh, I turned back to her, plastering a smile on my face.
She watched me for a long moment, during which I forgo
t how to breathe. Then she heaved out a deep sigh of her own and walked over to the window. Somewhere in the direction she looked was Hidden Bend, the place where Rhiannon had slaughtered the Unseelie King’s army. I couldn’t see it from that window, and I’d spent enough time gazing out there the last time I stayed here to know it was pitch black right now.
“I knew it was you from the way you spoke to my brother today. And then by the way you looked at him when you were on the stage.” She shook her head. “The other girls look at him with dreamy eyes and silly smiles, but you…” Her voice died out while my heart hammered so loud she must surely hear it.
I had to stop her. I didn’t want to hear how I looked at Fergus. I didn’t want the words to leave her lips. But I stood there like a stone statue. I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move. Couldn’t stop her from telling me that even when I wore another’s face, around Fergus I could be no one but Bria.
Her back was still facing me. “I asked Jax, you know. Pestered him, actually. I mean, if anyone knew you were here, it would be him.”
I let out a thin breath. She wasn’t certain. It was only a hunch. There was no chance Jax would have given me up. I bit down on my tongue, torn between ripping the pin off my tunic and showing her who I was, and denying everything. How I wanted to talk to my friend again. I shook my head and took the only option possible. “I’m sorry, your Highness. I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
She almost sounded bored. “He confirmed it, of course. He was never good at keeping secrets from me.” She turned to face me, her face split by a huge grin. “Bria. What are you doing here? It’s good to have you back, but couldn’t you have come to visit me?” Despite her smile, her eyes were pained.
For a moment, I was locked with indecision. I was still prepared to deny what she clearly knew. Then the recognition in her eyes, the familiar smile on her lips and her extended arms ready to hug me made the decision easy. I ripped off the pin and dropped it on the dresser. By the time I’d done that, she was moving toward me.
She hugged me like I was a life raft in the middle of the ocean, her arms so tight I could barely breathe. I squeezed her just as hard back. I had missed her. Stars, I’d missed them all. But she was the only one I’d get to tell—Jax was all business these days, and Fergus could never know.
“Nothing’s been the same since you left,” she said into my hair.
“Or for me.” That was the understatement of the year. I’d been a princess in name only the last time I saw her. Now I was a queen. And aside from Selina, none of my friends had come to my coronation.
“We’ve all missed you. Even Fergus. Though, now that the bond is gone, he’d never admit such a thing.”
I swallowed. I felt the same way. And just like Fergus, I wouldn’t admit it. “I’ve missed you, too.”
She pulled back and looked at me, a giggle escaping from her lips. “I just knew it! It had to be you. No one else would dare talk to Fergus that way.”
I took the chance to take her in properly. As a friend rather than the Princess of Unseelie. The past year had added maturity to Willow’s features, though her cheeks were still round, a dimple in each one. Her blonde hair was shorter than she used to wear it, her waves falling to her shoulders. And she seemed a little thinner. She looked great.
She squealed and pulled me into a hug again. “How did you get here? Why are you here?”
I wriggled out of her grip, a frown forming between my eyes. “Didn’t Jax tell you any of that?”
She shook her head. “No. He was … too busy.”
I tilted my head. “Busy?”
She dropped her gaze to the rug beneath my feet. “Yes. He has many things to do for Fergus. He—”
She didn’t fool me. Not this time, at least. And before, perhaps I’d allowed myself to be fooled. “Jax didn’t tell you about me, did he, Willow?”
She looked at me, then dropped her gaze back to the floor. “No.” Her voice was soft. “He refused to answer one way or the other. But I was certain it was you. I had to come and find out. Are you mad?”
“Me? Mad with you?” I grinned at her. “You realize I’m the one that’s been sneaking around your castle disguised as a human these past few days, don’t you?”
She squealed again. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
I couldn’t either. But I had to keep reminding myself why I was here. “I think Fergus is in trouble. I’m trying to watch out for him.”
She pointed a finger at me. “Ah. You’re the one who claimed someone tried to poison him.” She shook her head. “I knew it wasn’t Jax who’d seen it. There’s no way he’d let the culprit live if he’d watched it happen.” She wandered over to the plush seats and fell onto one of them. “Do you have any suspects?”
I did, actually. Just the one. “Piper Ashfox.”
Willow’s eyebrows rose. “Wow. I didn’t expect that. She comes from an excellent family. And I get the feeling Ferg likes her.” She tilted her head. “Why do you think it is her?”
I drew in a breath. “I … don’t know. I have no evidence. It’s more of a feeling … based on the way she treats people.”
Willow pursed her lips. “You know you can’t accuse her of anything based on that?”
“Which is why I haven’t mentioned it to anyone else.”
Willow nodded. “Okay. I’ll do some digging as well. See what I can find out.” Willow’s face grew serious. “Fergus is not happy, Bria. This year has been hard on him. I guess Jax told you.”
I shrugged. “Only a little.” The truth was, I hadn’t asked, either.
Her eyebrows lifted. “Oh. Well, he’s so busy here at the castle. He barely rides Obsidian now and never has time to go with the Wild Hunt.” She sighed. “He hates most of the tasks he has to perform as king. I help where I can, but nothing seems to improve his mood.” She gave me a sideways glance. “I think he really misses you.”
I shook my head. That was one thing I was certain of. “I’ve seen him with the other girls. Trust me, he doesn’t miss me.”
Willow threw me a look that said I’d never been so wrong about anything in my life.
I shook my head. “Our bond is gone, Willow. We can’t feel anything for each other anymore. Besides, I’ve been watching him these past few days, and he seems happy.”
She nodded, eyes distant. “Perhaps.” She bounced to her feet. “I should go. Those girls will wonder why I’m here and it wouldn’t do to stay with you long.”
I glanced at the door as if I could see through to the other side. “I’m sure they’ll have plenty of questions.” I wasn’t sure how I’d answer them, either.
She shrugged. “Tell them I was telling you off for the way you spoke to Fergus today. Tell them I put you on your last warning. Tell them I don’t like you nearly as much as my brother seems to.”
I opened my mouth to say again that Fergus didn’t like me at all, but she was already at the door.
She gave my hand a squeeze, then opened the door and stepped out, looking down her nose at me. “If you value your place in this contest, you won’t speak to him that way again. In fact, do not speak to him at all unless he first speaks to you.” Her eyes danced, but her face was serious.
The girls in the corridor pretended not to listen, but I’d never heard it so silent out there.
Willow slammed the door behind her, and her heels tapped down the hallway.
I smiled as her footsteps faded away, returning to my seat and picking up the black glass. I didn’t think Fergus was spending time with any of the girls individually tonight. I certainly hadn’t heard any of them announce she was going out with him. And I wanted to see him when he was alone. I wanted to see if he was as unhappy as Willow suggested.
The glass remained dark longer than usual before finally clearing. As a scene appeared in front of me, my breath caught. He wasn’t sitting alone in his rooms, or staring off into space at his desk, or caring for Obsidian in th
e stables the way I’d expected.
He was on Lanwick Island.
I was watching him as if I stood a few steps behind him. The ocean sparkled in the darkness as he wandered along the sand, and the lights of his home lit up the beach. I could almost hear the crash of the waves as they landed on the shore and smell the salty air. It was just another place I missed more than I’d ever admit. All because I made a promise I didn’t realize I was making.
But none of that was what made me stop breathing.
It was that there was a woman walking beside him. He wasn’t alone there.
He turned his head to say something to her, a genuine grin on his face. When she answered, his smile grew even wider and he nudged her with his shoulder, still laughing.
I threw the glass across the room, hoping it would break.
It didn’t, but at least Fergus’s image disappeared from upon it.
Willow was wrong. Fergus wasn’t unhappy at all. He was having as much fun as he’d ever had, with beautiful women falling over him the way they had before I came to Faery. But that wasn’t what bothered me. It was that he’d taken her—whoever she was—to Lanwick Island. His private place. His home. He barely knew her. He could have taken her anywhere in Faery, yet he’d chosen the place where we’d shared the most time together.
I sank down on the bed, the piece of glass glittering at the edge of my vision. Why hadn’t he chosen to take Amber there? Why did I even want him to?
I’d never expected coming to Unseelie would be this hard. And now that I wanted to go home, I had to stay.
The following day, Fergus invited Piper on another date, and Piper made sure everyone knew. No one in the history of Unseelie had ever squealed so loud upon receiving an invitation.
I watched from the window of the common room as they left the castle grounds on horseback. Fergus rode Obsidian, a picnic blanket sticking from one saddlebag, while Piper rode a small chestnut horse, and even from up here, looked less than comfortable doing so. That brought a smile to my lips—Fergus would never be truly interested in any woman who couldn’t ride.
Kingdom of Future's Hope (Royals of Faery Book 4) Page 11
