What game is he playing?Am I supposed to say something first?
Like a fool, I do precisely what Delphina and Serafin warned against. “Thank you for the gown and help to get ready.” As soon as the words come out, I squeeze my eyes shut and grimace.
He laughs deeply, and the sound is a caress against my skin. “It’s all right, my dear. I won’t hold you to any debts for your gratitude today. I see my servants have told you a few of the fae rules. Not a bad idea to familiarize yourself with our world. But if I am being honest, my kindness may not extend too far. I would love nothing more than to have you beholden to me, to stay here in my kingdom. Because when I look at you, I see something quite special. That is not something I say often.”
My pulse quickens.
Warnings should blare in my mind, but I can’t help the butterflies that rampantly flutter in my chest. “King Grager.”
“Please, call me Niethal. Such formalities are for court.”
“Niethal,” I drawl. “I don’t know what you believe you see in me, but I can assure you, I am just a human.”
He leans back in his chair, wine in hand, and studies me. I try not to squirm under his gaze, but it’s like he peers through me, into my soul. “No, I suppose you wouldn’t know how special you are, but I can show you. Would you believe me if I said I have been waiting for you? That I knew you would come, and when you did, you would change everything?”
I blink rapidly, processing what he said. How could he know I was coming?Before thinking better of it, I say, “You certainly have a funny way of welcoming someone sospecialinto your kingdom. I can only imagine what happens to those you dislike.”
He straightens in his chair and sets the wineglass on the table harder than necessary. “As I said when we first met, I apologize for how you were welcomed into my land. Devlin was dealt with accordingly.”
My hand stills on my water glass. “What happened to Devlin?” While I don’t appreciate being shot with an arrow, the idea of someone being punished when I am healed doesn’t sit well with me.
“Let’s not speak of him anymore. I want to talk of how I can help you become who you were meant to be. Of whatwecould be together.”
I lift the cup to my lips and drink deeply. What could he know about me that I don’t? And what does he believe we could be together? Even though I have drunk half my water, my mouth feels impossibly dry. Niethal watches the glass at my lips closely. His own pink, full lips parted as if eagerly awaiting my response. I swallow and clear my throat, pushing thoughts of his mouth from my mind. “Even if I believed you, I have no intentions of staying here. Ineedto go home.”
“Yes, yes. You will go home, all in good time. We must wait for a crossing. They have a will of their own.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Niethal has it in his head that I’m special. Usually, this is the part of the fairy tale I love, when the characters go on a grand adventure together, but I can’t help but feel uneasy. What do I know about him besides the fact he is handsome, charming, and well spoken? Sure, my heart nearly beats out of my chest when I’m this close to him, but I need to be smart. It appears I’m stuck here until the next crossing. So what’s the harm if I hear Niethal out? Deep down, the dreamer in me hopes he is right. That I’m destined for some great fate, and he could be a part of it. The butterflies in my stomach do a massive swoop at the idea.
Idiotic, hormonal butterflies.
A handsome male shows interest, and suddenly I’m a simpering fool. “All right, Niethal. If I must wait for another crossing, there is no harm in seeing if what you believe is true.”
Joy illuminates his eyes and he claps his hands together once. “That is wonderful, my dear. I am glad to hear it. Another reason I invited you to dinner is to tell you of the ball I’m hosting at the end of this week, and I’d love nothing more than for you to accompany me as my honored guest.”
“I’d love to,” I reply without hesitation.
“I cannot wait to introduce you to the other kings.” He leans forward and takes my hand, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. The nerve endings tingle under the touch, but he doesn’t move. He looks up at me from under his lashes and, with a broad smile, says, “You and I are going to do extraordinary things together.”
CHAPTER 5
GRACE
N
o matter how soft the bedding or how tired I am, I can’t seem to sleep. The only things I can think of are the dinner I had with Niethal two nights ago and meeting the kings at tonight’s ball. So after tossing and turning for most of the night, I finally give up and rise with the sun.
The castle is quiet as I stroll, except for the stray servant here and there, but none bothers me. Walking has always helped settle my nerves. At home, I would wander the woods behind my house for hours, losing myself amongst the trees. And when I returned, my mom would be in her rocking chair on the front porch, waiting. She would shake her head and laugh, asking how long I’d been gone this time.
Mymom.
Does she even know I’m gone? Probably not. I haven’t spoken to her in nearly three months. We write letters, but it’s not the same as seeing her, talking to her.
No one back home will even notice I’m missing. I should have tried harder to keep in touch with friends, but many moved to bigger cities after school finished. Not me, though. I stayed in Trimton, in the same house I’ve always lived in, making and selling salves and tonics in town just as my mother did.
Running a hand down my face, I scold myself. I should have tried harder to sleep; my thoughts have strayed into bitter and gloomy.
A stray ray of sunlight catches my eye as it reflects off a mirror down the hallway, and I move toward it and stare at my reflection. Dark bags shadow my eyes.