Page 4 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses (Cursed Fae Courts #1)
Chapter Four
Aurelia
M y heart pounded to the beat of my hurried footsteps as I raced through Sunspire’s halls to the grand foyer below. Servants scurried aside to let me pass. I took the stairs as fast as I dared in my heels and gown. My blonde hair trailed out behind me, cascading down my shoulders in loose, messy waves. After returning from the debacle in the forest, I’d only had time to hastily comb it out though it undoubtedly needed a wash—or two, thanks to the musty, dead smell I swore still clung to me. But there’d been time for no more than a cursory attempt at taming it before I pulled on a fresh gown and shoved my feet into these awful heels. My mother was going to be furious that I hadn’t made more of an effort. Hopefully, the knowledge that I’d been attacked by an Obsidian—possessed by Heliconia, no less—would soften her irritation toward me.
As long as that knowledge didn’t include the story of my death magic. Sonoma had made me swear not to mention it—not even to my parents. I’d agreed immediately. Mostly because the idea of telling them I possessed the same magic as the Furiosities left my stomach in knots .
Death magic was the mark of evil.
What did that make me?
There’d been no time to ask before Sonoma and I had split ways. She’d gone deeper into the forest to hunt for any more of them while I’d raced here to greet the prince.
My future husband.
Who was currently about to walk through the front entrance, I realized as I reached the bottom of the stairs.
No, scratch that.
His entourage came first.
I noted the half-dozen footmen and even more Autumn soldiers who hurried into the grand foyer ahead of him before my mother’s tongue clicked with judgment. Bracing myself, I glanced at her. She glared at my dress and then my hair, her disapproval a darkening storm cloud in her normally bright green eyes.
“What have you done with your hair?” she whispered in horror as she grabbed my arm and pulled me close. “And you were supposed to wear the new dress I sent up.”
“Too many laces. There was no time. Sonoma and I had an … encounter,” I said quietly, though my words drew my father’s sharp stare.
“What kind of encounter?” he asked.
“She asked that she be the one to tell you,” I said just as the trumpet sounded again—this time so close that I flinched at its sudden harsh notes.
A signal that the prince himself was crossing the threshold.
The trumpet call was an outdated tradition and a little ostentatious in my book, but apparently Callan had requested the full extent of royal formality.
My mother adjusted her grip, holding my arm with a lighter touch, one meant to offer affection—and I was grateful for it. But even with her silent reassurance, my heart lurched as I looked at our guest .
Prince Callan, heir to the Autumn Court throne.
His chestnut hair hung just long enough to brush his forehead and cover the tips of his pointed ears. His russet jacket lined with gold buttons shone in the sunlight that framed him in the doorway. As if even nature herself had been consulted in the planning and perfecting of such a moment. But it wasn’t his impeccable clothing or immaculately styled hair that caught my attention. It was those golden, gleaming eyes.
With one swift glance, his sharp eyes took the measure of every fae in this room, including the king and queen—and me.
I fought the urge to squirm.
He was handsome with his tousled brown hair that shone like auburn in the light. But his eyes glimmered with something that felt too pointed to be genuine warmth. And his smile—a charming curve of lips—was just the right amount of friendly and just the right amount of controlled. He wielded that smile like a weapon; I knew that instinctively.
He strode into the room with ease, his presence commanding the attention of everyone as though he’d been born for this sort of thing—because he had. The only son of widowed King Duron, Callan Ashfall had built a reputation as the ruthless and unyielding commander of Grey Oak’s vast armies. Armies that Sevanwinds desperately needed if we were going to escape the Winter Court’s fate.
My thoughts drifted to my encounter from earlier, and I shuddered.
Callan’s gaze marked it as he drifted closer to where I stood.
“Prince Callan,” my father greeted. “Welcome to Sevanwinds.”
“Your Majesties.” His voice had a rich, smooth timbre that could’ve been mistaken for sincerity if I hadn’t already been on edge. Instead, it reeked of false tribute. “King Tyrion and Queen Celeste, your hospitality is appreciated.” He bowed deeply, perfectly, before straightening to face me. His golden eyes locked onto mine, assessing me with a mixture of intrigue and calculation. “And you must be the beautiful Princess Aurelia. I’ve heard so much about you, but none of it did justice to your loveliness.”
Even if I hadn’t heard the rumors of his many conquests, his flattery wouldn’t have found its mark.
“Prince Callan,” I said. “Your reputation precedes you as well. Welcome.” I offered a quick dip of my chin that was almost insulting when paired with my backhanded words.
But his smile never faltered.
His gaze lingered, and I fought the urge to shift uncomfortably under his scrutiny. “I hope I don’t disappoint.” He winked, startling me, then turned away as my cheeks flushed with surprise.
“And Queen Celeste, you are a vision of summer’s beauty.” Callan took her hand and brought it to his lips.
My mother peered down her nose at him, not unfriendly but certainly not impressed. If only he’d realized a compliment to her sharp, strategic mind would’ve gone so much farther. “Your Highness,” she said simply. “Welcome to our home.”
“It’s truly an honor,” he told her.
She sniffed, apparently satisfied by his gratitude. “It’s a shame your father couldn’t make the journey.”
“He is immensely disappointed to miss it, but our borders remain as threatened as yours, I’m afraid. We couldn’t risk both of us so far from home.”
“I understand completely. Send him our best.”
“Of course. I hear you enjoy a good hunt, Your Highness,” he said, turning to my father.
“Indeed. We’ve scheduled a day of it in honor of your visit,” the king replied, and I listened politely while they spoke of their plans for a pheasant hunt at dawn .
“And will the princess be joining us?” Callan asked, glancing at me.
“On the hunt?” My father lifted a brow in my direction, clearly letting me make the call. But spending an entire day trekking through the forest with the Autumn prince—before I was legally required to do so—wasn’t my idea of a good time.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to pass,” I said.
“You do hunt, don’t you?” Callan glanced from me to my father, forehead creasing as if in concern. “Surely you allow your females to learn a warrior’s skill. You do have three surviving Aine still in your service, after all.”
I nearly winced. The Autumn Court had lost all three of their Aine last year to Heliconia’s attacks on their borders. And with the selection process currently forbidden, it left them without such a safeguard for the future.
“The Aine protect against threats to the realm,” I said, not sure why I felt the need to defend them—he hadn’t outright compared Sonoma, Amanti, and Lesha to pheasant hunters, but it felt close. “That’s not quite the same thing as hunting game for supper.”
“Of course. I merely meant that you are to be protector of Sevanwinds. Surely you see the value in a warrior’s training.”
His voice was light, but suspicion pricked at me. Did he know about my training somehow? Had he seen me in the woods today with the Obsidian? My heart beat faster, but I forced it to slow again.
“I reserve my hunting for securing political alliances,” I said with a smirk.
My mother stiffened, and I knew she was mentally chastising me for such a provocative answer. But I held my ground.
The prince’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “A worthy endeavor, especially in these dark times.” He paused before adding, “I’m sure we’ll make a formidable team. ”
I remained silent, refusing to take the bait.
“Your engagement party is scheduled for tomorrow evening,” my mother said, clearly trying to fill the silence. “After that, you’ll have a couple of days of excursions so you can become acquainted with our lands, and then the wedding itself will be held on the Solstice.” She caught the eye of the maid lingering at the edges and added, “As I’m sure you’re tired from your journey, a maid will show you to your rooms so you can rest.”
“Tomorrow then.” Callan looked at me. “I imagine we have much to discuss about the future of our courts.” He gave a small, almost conspiratorial smile before bowing slightly. “Good night.”
Before I could respond, he turned and strode away, leaving a trail of courtly charm in his wake. My parents’ faces mirrored one another’s: a mix of unease and resignation.
Play nice , my mother’s expression seemed to say. My father gave me a grim nod as if to remind me of the stakes.
As if I could possibly forget.
Walking slowly back to my room, I swallowed hard, trying to unwind the knot of anxiety forming in my chest. Callan was handsome, yes. Charming, undeniably. But something about him felt too calculated. Like a game was already being played and I was the piece he intended to move next. Except, instead of being his queen, I had the distinct impression that, if I wasn’t careful, I’d be nothing more than his pawn.