Page 101 of The Gilded Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 2)

ALEX

I watch Sabine, growing increasingly worried. Ever since Lord Cavinder cornered her the day after we returned from the ocean, she’s been more withdrawn. The princess is often lost in thought, and her eyes have lost their unique luster. I’m afraid her magic is dying under the curse.

And the only person I can ask about it is still gone.

I’m at odds with myself, anxiously awaiting Alaric’s return so he may free Sabine but also dreading it because it means she’ll leave.

“Charles has invited us to his estate tonight,” Frederick says as he adjusts his cuff link, standing with me as the orchestra warms up before the show. The doors will open in ten minutes.

“Yes, that’s fine,” I say absently, flipping through a script Dennis wanted me to read. Already, I must begin planning for the next show. “What about Sabine?”

“If she accompanies you, I can’t see why it would be a problem to bring her.”

“Let them know we’ll be joining you.” I look back at the script, studying it a little too closely. “Will your father be attending?”

“I imagine.” Frederick drops his wrist and turns to me. “Did something happen the day I was visiting my mother? Why does it feel like everyone knows something I don’t? I don’t think I’ve seen you and Father exchange two words since Sabine moved back to the hotel.”

I want to tell him, but how do you break the news to a person that their father is committing such atrocious acts for the sake of money?

“It’s nothing,” I finally say.

Frederick frowns for several seconds before he dismisses the question. “I keep things from you as well, so I suppose we’re even.”

“What do you keep from me?” I demand.

He gives me a “wouldn’t you like to know” look, and then he heads toward the foyer. “I’ll see you after the show.”

“I need to go that way anyway,” I tell him, wondering if I should just admit what Sabine told me and be done with it.

Before I take even two steps, Dennis jogs down the side stairs, calling my name.

I turn back to Frederick, frustrated. “Would you take Sabine some tea? I’m afraid she’s losing her voice. I was going to check on her, but…”

“She sounded a little scratchy this morning,” Frederick agrees, his irritation vanishing.

“Mr. Devereaux,” Dennis says again. “I need you to—”

“I’ll be there in a minute,” I snap. I lower my voice as I ask Frederick, “Do you think she’s all right?”

“She might need a few days to rest her voice.”

I blanche at the thought. “We don’t have a few days.”

“Do you want her to lose it completely?” Frederick jerks his head toward Dennis. “Go. I’ll take care of Sabine.”

“Thank you.”

Before he goes, he catches my arm. “But we need to talk.”

Acknowledging him, I sigh. “Come to the hotel after dinner.”

Frederick nods, releasing me. I turn toward Dennis, prepared to put out whatever fire has come up this time.

* * *

“Are you with the theater, dear?”Charles’s mother asks Sabine during the final course of the meal.

Next to me, Sabine primly dabs a napkin to her mouth as she searches for an answer for Mrs. Blakely.