Fantastic.
Hopefully, Delphina can fix that before the ball tonight.
I should go back to my room and get a few hours of sleep, but the reflection of a door behind me sparks my curiosity. I’ve never been through there. I push it open and the warmth of the morning rushes over me, a welcome change from the chill of the stone walls. The fountain in the courtyard’s center trickles quietly in the peace of the early morning. Paths extend from the fountain in every direction, bordered by flowers of every color. Yellows, reds, purples, oranges.Starsabove, this courtyard is beautiful. My hand dips into the fountain, and the cool water swirling between my fingers feels wonderful.
“I’m not sure what’s lovelier, this garden or your smile,” a familiar deep voice drawls from behind me, and I jump, clutching my chest. “Apologies, my dear. I didn’t mean to startle you. You looked so happy I couldn’t help but come over. Mind if I join you?” Niethal looks handsome as ever in his usual purple and gold attire. His dark hair is pushed back from his face, revealing his sharp jaw and straight nose. He extends his arm in invitation and smiles, and I grin like a fool.
“Of course, yes, please,” I stammer and silently kick myself for it. Tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear, I hook my arm through his. “I’ve seen this courtyard from my window and always meant to visit it in person. It’s beautiful first thing in the morning as the sun rises and reflects off the fountain.”
He pulls my arm closer to his side as we follow the path away from the castle. “Well, I am glad I’m here for your first visit. I forgot how pleasant it is to walk and simply enjoy the view. Thank you for reminding me.”
“I thought giving thanks was frowned upon by the fae. What if I hold you to the debt?”
He lets out a deep laugh and playfully nudges my side. “Oh, it is, but I believe being indebted to you would be interesting. Bend me to your will.”
Warmth creeps up my neck, heating my ears, and I stare straight ahead. We’ve reached the end of the path and stand at the crest of a large hill. Flowers and trees surround us on either side, but below lies a bustling city. Niethal stares down the hillside and gestures with his free hand. “This is Grager, the largest city in Selen.”
I give him a sidelong look. “You named it after yourself?”
His outstretched palm freezes mid-air, and he turns to look at me, an amused smile creeping up his face before he says,“It’s customary in the fae lands for the city the king resides in to bear his name. It’s my home.”
The city seems to go on forever, with never-ending rows of beige buildings and colorful roofs. “The city is lovely. It’s more than I ever expected.”
“And what did you expect from the fae realm?”
What did I expect? Magical castles floating in the sky? No, I never considered what the fae realm would be like. The stories I’ve been told spoke of impossibly beautiful beings with magic that disappeared long before I was born. I shift on his arm, standing a little taller. “I guess nothing. I never expected the fae to exist still, or to find myself among them.”
“Are you still upset that you are here?” he asks, his voice taking on a wistful tone as if my answer matters. It takes less time to respond than I’d like to admit.
“No. As much as I want to go home, I find I’m enjoying myself. It’s been too long since something new happened to me. It’s like an adventure.”
And it’s true. Being here has shown me how much of the world I’m missing out on.
He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and his knuckles linger on my cheek, brushing against my skin. My eyes snap to his face to find him watching me. “I could give you a tour of Grager. There’s a small café I’d love to take you to. They make the most delicious scones.”
I nod and take a deep breath as a lightness blooms in my chest. “I would like that.”
He tucks my arm firmly to his side and leads us toward the city.
“Don’t you need to let the guards know you’re leaving?”
As if the very idea is ridiculous, he lets out a hearty laugh. “My dear, I am the king and will do as I please. Besides, there’s no need for guards—I will be the one to protect you in my city. There’s no other I trust with something so precious.” I bow my head as warmth floods my cheeks, but he rests his hand on mine when I do. “Don’t look away when you smile. It’s my favorite emotion to cross your face.” I glance at him with the shy smile still on my lips, and he sighs. “Ah, yes, there you are. Beautiful.”
Shouts of joy and laughter fill the air around us as we make our way through the streets of Grager. The town has a vibrancy that is missing from Trimton. Smells waft from bakeries and cafés, though the undeniable hint of rubbish lingers among them, but more pleasant ones soon replace them. There are so many fae wandering the streets, buying and selling goods from carts outside the buildings that I find myself overwhelmed.
I don’t miss the glances being cast our way by passersby. Some eyes widen, seeing their king walk amongst them, while others openly sneer at seeing a human draped on his arm. They murmur as we pass. I catch some comments and my smile falls.
“Do you not like Grager?” Niethal asks, eyeing me thoughtfully.
“Yes, I do like it. The city is wonderful.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“It’s, well, don’t you see them staring? Hear them whispering about us?”
He glances around, and everyone staring suddenly finds more important places to look. “Let them watch. What they think means little to me.” He continues leading us down the cobblestone street with steady steps. He’s right. It shouldn’t bother me what strangers think of me, think of us. If they want to watch, so be it.
We go by butcher shops, tailors, and taverns before passing a brothel. A large-chested fae female watches us as she leans against the front doorframe. Her eager eyes linger on Niethal, roaming his body, and I glance out the corner of my eye at him, but he doesn’t seem to notice her lustful stare. My lips thin toward the female, and I adjust my grip on his arm, pulling myself closer to his side.