This is the same room in which Niethal and I dined. A pit opens in my stomach, remembering how new and exciting everything was then. My eyes dart between him and the empty chair to his right—what was my chair—and his mouth creases into a smile that brings out his dimple.
Stupiddimple.
Once I sit, the three kings follow suit.
“You all remember Grace,” Niethal says, his gray eyes roaming over me.
“Yes, good day, Lady Grace. You are as lovely as ever. I am King Lancet Briar of Tyrone. We met last night, but it must have been an overwhelming occasion. We are grateful to have you with us.”
He is vaguely familiar. His long blond hair, green eyes, and lightly tanned skin combined with his sharp jaw and angular nose form a comely face. He’s probably near a thousand years old like Niethal but doesn’t appear much older than me.
“Yes, it was all so…unexpected.”I glance at Niethal as I say the last part, but he doesn’t react.
My spine straightens when the other king at the table looks at me. He’s intimidating, with dark shoulder-length hair; furrowed, bushy brows over dark eyes, and an olive complexion. A scar runs through his left eyebrow. “I’m King Fintan Holford of Culhan. I don’t believe we had the pleasure of meeting last night. But I saw your magic and I’m impressed. You were not wrong about her, Niethal.”
Niethal looks me up and down again, eyes lingering on the emerald stone hanging from my necklace before meeting my gaze. “You are a vision of beauty, my dear.”
I wish I could stop the heat that burns in my cheeks. Niethal’s opinion should no longer matter.
The last king walks into the room, bowing in acknowledgment to the other kings. He’s tall and slim, with a clean-shaven head and rich brown skin and eyes. The golden fabric of his tunic brings out gold flecks in his eyes, much like mine. Of all the kings, he appears the friendliest. His face warms when he glances at me. “A pleasure again, Lady Grace. I know the ball was eventful, and in case you forgot, I am King Ronan Tullid of Liethe.” He reaches for my hand and places a chaste kiss on my knuckles before taking his seat.
Apparently, everyone thinks I don’t remember them, which, if I’m honest, I don’t.
The three kings are incredibly handsome and charming, much like the other fae I’ve met. I suppose hundreds of years’ worth of practice enchanting people helps. The most notable thing about the kings, though, is the air of magic that surrounds them. While I’m only getting a sense of it, it feels like they could unleash massive amounts of magic at any moment.
Isiah is the last to join the meeting, and the kings turn at his arrival. Kings Briar and Holford openly sneer, while Niethal’s expression remains bored. Only King Tullid gives a brief nod of greeting. Isiah meets each of their stares as he strides into the room, but then his eyes meet mine, and his cool expression warms before taking a seat.
Niethal leans forward, resting his elbows on the table.“My fellow kings, prince”—he gives Isiah a side-eyed glance before continuing—“and lady. I appreciate you extending your stays to discuss the future of our kingdoms. We have an opportunity we’ve not had since the borders were created. We can take back the lands the king and queen stole from us.”
King Holford and King Briar grin at Niethal, as if this is what they had hoped. King Tullid and Isiah are the only ones who appear hesitant.
“What do you think of that, Grace?” Niethal asks me, and his question is so unexpected my head draws back, and my brow furrows.
“You want to know what I think about the fae invading the human realm?Truly? As if you don’t know what I’ll say.” I stare at him blankly, but he doesn’t respond. “I don’t think the fae should take over the human realm. But I’m sure that surprises no one, seeing asIam from there.”
Niethal cocks his head to the side and squints. “Are you so certain the human lands are still your home? What happens when you return and they discover your magic? Do you truly believe they will be so welcoming?”
He isn’t wrong. I don’t know what would happen if I returned home and someone saw me using magic. Would they leave me alone? Or would it be worse? People are often fearful of things they don’t understand, and what would be more frightening than someone magically setting things on fire?
I tug on my necklace, sliding the emerald along the length of the chain. “Even if that is true, I still wouldn’t want the human lands invaded.” I let the disapproval drip from my words. “What would happen if you did? Would the humans be enslaved in fae kingdoms?”
Niethal reclines in his seat, steepling his fingers under his chin. “It rarely happens, but when humans cross into our kingdoms, they are treated fairly, for the most part. They work, and in return, receive shelter, food, and clothing. I’d imagine it would be much like that.”
I stiffen and cast him a probing gaze. “For the most part? What about the other circumstances? Say a human doesn’t want to serve, refuses. What then?”
The other kings’ faces give nothing away when I glance around the table. Isiah is the only one who meets my gaze, and from the slight downturn of his mouth, I get the impression the humans don’t fare well.
I stare at Niethal, waiting for an explanation.
He looks like he would rather chew glass, but he answers, “Humans who are unwilling to work for their keep are shown how to behave.”
“That sounds like a nice way of saying beaten.”
Niethal lowers his hands to the arms of the chair and, with a hard edge to his voice, says, “You forget, Grace, we are not like you. We do not hold your sentiment for insubordinate humans. Something you should do well to remember.”
My lips curl. “Yes, my mistake thinking you may have a heart. If it’s all business, let’s skip the small talk. Why am I here? I know it’s not my counsel you seek, nor my opinions.”
The corners of Isiah’s mouth twitch, and it bolsters me.