"No!" she snapped all too suddenly and the man looked like he might jump out of his skin. She heard wings flutter and knew that they were likely the only thing that had kept him perched on the bench. "We will find rooms at one of the local taverns."
She could not bear the thought of returning to the palace. At least she could hide from Delilah here until Theo finally saw reason and opened up the docks again.
"Very well, Miss." The driver nodded and tipped his green hat. "But I must warn you, we might be stuck in this traffic a little while longer and I wouldn't be surprised if all the rooms are taken when we arrive at whichever tavern you choose."
Fleur knew that he was probably right but she had to at least try. Returning to the palace would be her last option.
At that point in time she half wanted to throw herself from the cliffs and brave the long flight home on her own wings just to avoid Delilah's wrath.
Chapter 15 - Theo
Having sent half the royal palace guard to the docks to ensure that no boat left the isle, Theo realized that he could not bring himself to leave his study.
This was the last place he had seen her face, the last place he had felt hope before she ripped it away from him. He felt deflated, wingless, hopeless.
Though he was pawing over the mountain of paperwork on his desk, he found he could not concentrate on a single word.
Deciding to take a break, growing more and more frustrated as he tried to figure out how to fix his situation, he placed his head in his hands.
That is how he was sitting when the door was thrown open so hard it slammed against the wall it was attached to.
"My Lady! Stop!"
"You can't go in there!"
"The king is not to be disturbed!"
The rattling of chainmail accompanied the guards who were trying to prevent the intruder from entering.
When he looked up his hopes were once more scattered to the four winds. For just one moment he imagined that Fleur had returned, so determined to be in his arms that she had fought her way past the guards.
Instead, he found the icy gaze of Lady Delilah on him. A guard reached her and hesitantly placed a hand on the woman's forearm.
"If you wish to keep that hand you will remove it from me," she warned him without taking her eyes off Theo. He saw seriousness in her eyes and knowing that many nobles were not against violence, he decided it was best to intervene.
"It is alright," he said to nobody in particular. "Please, leave us."
"But, My Lord…" one of the guards began to argue, then seemed to realize who they had been talking to. The three guards who had entered the room bowed their heads and dismissed themselves from the room. Theo thought how funny it was that three grown male fae could not stop Lady Delilah.
Then he remembered how formidable both she and her family were. They were influential, well respected and rich. Not to mention the fact that other than the two of them, everyone believed her to be the next queen of the Summer Isle.
"What are you doing here? Have you come to say goodbye?" Theo asked, not bothering to get up from his desk and give her the usual respectful greeting from a king to his betrothed.
"Goodbye? Why would I wish to do that?" Delilah looked puzzled. She crossed her arms over her chest defensively and looked at him from beneath thick lashes.
Theo got the distinct impression that much had changed since their last encounter. Her expression was no longer angry or upset. Instead, she seemed cold and measured, almost as if she were holding her fury just beneath the surface.
"During our last meeting you assured me that you would be on the next boat out of the Summer Isle," he reminded her, careful to keep his voice from rising or gaining volume.
"Oh, My Lord, that was before you dismissed Miss Fleur from the palace," Delilah said, her tone sickly sweet, her eyes brimming with amusement.
"What? No! I haven't dismissed anybody from the palace." Theo shook his head, instinctively getting to his feet.
"Oh, I just assumed you had sent her away," Delilah said. She was clear, expertly twisting her face into a variety of expressions that might have appeared to be real emotions if not for the fact that Theo had already learned not to trust her. After all, she had assured him she would be gone by dawn and yet here she was. "I mean, I saw her not an hour ago leaving the palace in one of your carriages."
Theo's stomach rolled and threatened to make him sick. He clutched the edge of the desk and prayed. I hope the guards made it to the docks in time.
Imagining Fleur sailing away from him while he stood on the cliffs, broken-winged, made him feel even more hopeless than before.