“Now they’re sounding less like debts and more like incentives.”
The hand holding his teacup twitches, nearly spilling on the tabletop. He sets the cup on the table and looks at me with a rueful grin. “I hate to end our morning, but I need to get back to the castle and finish preparations for the ball. I am looking forward to our evening together, my dear.”
My heart leaps at the way he purrsmydear. Stars above, I’m in deep.
He stands and offers me his hand before leading us back through the streets of Grager. If anyone whispers or stares, I don’t notice.
Back at the courtyard, he guides us toward the door, but I stop him. “I think I’ll stay out here for a few more minutes and enjoy the quiet morning before the day starts.”
His lips part, and his expression softens. “This garden suits you well. Your presence only increases its beauty. Let’s do this again—how does tomorrow sound?”
The words rush from my mouth. “It sounds wonderful.”
His eyes brighten before he turns and strides toward the door, but before entering, he looks over his shoulder and winks before disappearing inside.
I sit on the bench, watching the bustling city below, and my smile widens, thinking how exciting tonight will be with Niethal. Every moment spent with him is dangerous, not in the life-or-death sense, but for the risk to my heart. Maybe being stuck in the fae realm isn’t as terrible as I once feared.
CHAPTER 6
ISIAH
A
s the horse walks the dirt road, I shut my eyes and let the gentle rocking lull me into a restful daze. Riding has always been my favorite way to center myself. The way the air flows across my skin at a steady gallop sets me free, as if I could be anything, anywhere. Like I’m not only destined to rule but to be somethingmore. But by the end of every ride, I’m brought back to the reality that my fate is bound to Daminae. One day, the weight of the kingdom will fall on my shoulders, and there will be no riding away from it then. Attending Niethal’s ball today only takes me one step closer to that future.
The road transitions into cobblestones as Castle Grager comes into view. It sits on top of a large hill above the city. As we ride into town, we pass taverns, brothels, gambling dens, and butcher shops, which faintly remind me of Thorne. Well, minus the smell. I give my father credit; he takes great care of our city and its cleanliness.
“Think we have time for a quick drink?” Mikal says from the back of our procession. “All this riding has made me thirsty.”
Liam shifts in his saddle, turning toward Mikal, and sneers. “Yes, all you want is an ale. It hasnothingto do with the brothel attached to the tavern.”
Mikal looks indignant as he prods his horse forward, matching stride with mine and Thom’s. “If I wanted a female, I wouldn’t go to a brothel. I don’t need to pay for that sort of entertainment. I was just looking to have a few drinks with my brothers, is all.”
Thom glances at me and we exchange a knowing look before he turns back to Mikal and says, “Sure you were, Mikal, and Isiah will find himself a princess at the ball tonight.”
I snort at the idea. “As much as I’d love to delay this, we need to get to the castle.”
Mikal frowns, as do the others. I’m half tempted to grab a drink when a pair of males fall out of a tavern, fighting on the ground.
Corren’s horse rears as the drunken males roll near its hooves. “Forfuck’ssake, it’s nine in the morning. Get out of the road and go home!”
Our horses sidestep the two, who barely notice us as we continue on the road toward the castle.
We pass the perimeter wall lined with armed guards every twenty feet, and as we curve up the road and through the main gate into the courtyard, there are even more guards in their gaudy purple and gold uniforms.
Across the courtyard, King Tullid of Liethe appears to have just arrived as well. His golden surcoat shines in the early morning sun, adding warmth to his rich brown skin as he and his party dismount. Ronan Tullid has been a longtime friend of my father’s since before the war—they were the only vassals who didn’t take up arms against the crown.
King Tullid’s copper-brown eyes catch my gaze, and we tip our heads to each other.
Thom climbs off his horse and grabs my horse’s reins. “All right, show’s on, prince. Hop down and give me your horse. Time for you to act all lordly.”I sneer, but that only amuses him more. “Perfect. Keep that up, and you’ll blend in nicely.”
I climb down, and he and the others give our horses to the stable hands before heading toward the castle.
A tall blond male greets us at the entrance, and I study him. He looks familiar, like I have seen him before, but I can’t place where. The scar on his cheek tugs up with his smile. “Greetings and welcome to Castle Grager. My name’s Reagan. If you would follow me, I’d be more than happy to escort you to your rooms,” he says, gesturing to the castle’s entrance, and we follow him inside.
A large crystal chandelier hangs from a vaulted ceiling in the main foyer. Purple and gold castle standards with Niethal’s house sigil hang from every open wall, and what’s not covered with purple sigil is gold or gold-plated. Whatever trades Niethal made over the centuries have made him quite wealthy.
We round the bend and go up a double spiral staircase, continuing our trek through the castle. While Castle Thorne is large, Castle Grager is enormous. We walk corridor after corridor of closed doors, seeing only servants scurrying about. After climbing the fifth staircase, my fingers curl and clench at my side. Either Reagan is lost, or he’s leading us in circles to make fools of us. Just as my mouth opens to say something, he finally stops and points to a row of five doors. “Here are your rooms.” He slides a hand in his pocket and pulls out a watch. “It’s half-past nine now, and tonight’s celebrations begin at seven. A servant will come and escort you to the ballroom then. I look forward to seeing you all there.”