Page 86 of The Ever King

“Send Celine to tend to her. Make certain she doesn’t try to get bold and escape or slit her pretty neck out of desperation.”

Alistair muttered a prayer to the god of the tides and kissed his center knuckle. Old rituals from Skondell he’d adopted over the turns. “She is from the earthen fae?”

“Play the fool if you’d like, Alistair.” I scoffed. “You feast on gossip like you feast on air. The princess is to remain in my chambers, but send for a gown. She will be at the return feast.”

“A gown? My King, perhaps you do not understand this, but ladies come in differing sizes. The needleworker needs time to shape and tailor cloth and—”

“Alistair, I may have been raised by cruel men, but I’m no stranger to the female form. The princess seems built like my mother, does she not?”

Alistair blinked. I did not speak of my mother—ever. I waited for his stun to pass, and his smug propriety to return. “Aye, My Lord. Their figures seem close. I will see what we have in the old chambers.”

“Good.” I turned away, anxious to conceal the new corded tension in my neck.

“You think it wise to bring the woman to the feast?”

“You don’t?”

Alistair pinched his thin lips until they disappeared. “I think, My Lord, you have a fae from enemy lands. I think you have not claimed her as yours but for in your mind. I think there are many who seek vengeance for unjust wars.”

“True,” I agreed. “And I am the only one in this palace I trust.”

“Yet you leave her to be alone with Tidecaller?”

“Celine is loyal to me out of oath. She won’t touch her.”

“You plan to claim the earth fae?” The old man locked his fingers in front of his plump belly, unruffled, always seeking direct commands no matter how eccentric.

“Make no mistake, Alistair,” I said, grinning. “I claimed her long ago.”

He bowed at the waist, then left me on the outside bridge leading to the main halls of the palace. I paused and glared at the sails on the new ship aligned at the back docks below.

Skulls with bloody eyes adorned the banner of Gavyn’s vessel. White sea birch on the ship for the House of Bones was designed to be slender and sleek. Better for sailing through the narrow canyons in the isles where Gavyn ruled.

A turn older than me, Gavyn Seeker was the only face in the noble houses I could stomach, and it was a relief to see only his vessel.

Joron Seamaker from the House of Tides would’ve brought his eccentric ship with the dozens of angled sails, painted with the skull likeness in a rogue wave of his banner. The deck bulged, and his helm was crafted in the center.

No galley belowdecks, his crew survived by mastering their gifts to work the sea and its creatures. They fished with their songs, and if they failed, they starved.

Lord Hesh of the House of Blades was given his title of lord for reaching the uppermost rank of High Farer in the kingdom’s fleet. The House of Mists did not associate with the House of Kings unless forced or enticed. Even then, Narza would likely find a way around it.

Gavyn had a purpose for being here, but the others could stay away for good for all I cared.

I didn’t want Hesh or Joron to see Livia. Already, I wished my grandmother had not interacted with the princess.

She was my hope for defending the kingdom. With so many unknowns, anyone might try to take such a gift for themselves. But should I make it known she was mine, make her invaluable to the people, then they would stand for her, the same as me.

That was the hope. That was what had to happen.

Certain no one was near, I turned from the council room and pulled back a panel in the wall. Hidden corridors sprawled through the walls of the palace like a web. I emerged into an alcove of one of the numerous studies.

Two women, dressed in the blue and gold of the servants, polished the silver edging across the hearth, unaware I’d arrived.

“I always thought earth fae had more fur,” one woman muttered. “But you saw her? She’s almost dainty-like.”

The other woman snickered. “He arrives cold as ever, but all possessive over the earth woman. Talk says he’s gonna claim her.”

“She’ll want to keep the lights doused,” the first snorted through a laugh. “Think he’s ever bedded anyone in the daylight with them scars?”