Page 114 of The Gilded Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 2)

“I travel to the Sionna Court.”

I stare at him, trying to make sense of that. When I can find no delicate way to phrase it, I say, “But you’re half.”

Alaric laughs. “That’s right.”

“Don’t the people of the court…care?”

He leans forward, resting his elbows on his legs as he meets my eyes. “They don’t know.”

“How is that possible?” I demand.

“When you first saw me the day you sang upon the stage, you recognized me just as I recognized you. Did you know I was half?”

I pause, startled.

“And more,” he says quietly, “I wield magic.”

“That’s another one of my questions. The Cahlvare curse is a strong, ancient spell—impossible for many. How were you able to create it?”

“Some half-Fae take after their human parent; others take after their Fae parent. I inherited my mother’s gifts, just as I inherited her complexion and smile.”

“Your magic wasn’t diluted?”

He shakes his head.

“But…that’s the argument,” I say, my mind whirring. “That’s why it’s forbidden for us to marry humans, to have children with them. It’s to preserve the magic, to keep it from fading into obscurity.”

Alaric shrugs, and then he says, “Now I have something to ask you.”

“All right,” I agree, though I’m not sure I want to be on the other side of the questioning.

“What is the heir of the Auvenridge Court doing in Davon?”

“It seems ridiculous, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t know about ridiculous, but it’s certainly dangerous.”

“I felt like I was suffocating,” I say quietly. “Everyone has expectations of me—good and bad. Many are wary because I’m Queen Marison’s daughter, but others want me to have her strength. And the truth is, I don’t. I’m often unsure, always too indecisive. I find the idea of so many people relying upon me terrifying.”

“So you came to Valsta to get away?”

“It was only supposed to be for a few days,” I explain, glancing toward the doorway. “Just an indulgent holiday before I was chained to the throne.”

He laughs softly, shaking his head.

“How did you meet Alex?” I ask.

Alaric hesitates for a moment, and then he lowers his voice and says, “I went into West Faerie on a whim, mostly out of curiosity. I happened to cross paths with Alex near the northern border.”

“That’s near Ian’s territory.”

“He was caged like a bird, hanging from the side of the road. A nearby sign said, ‘Do not feed.’ Strangely, there was a raspberry bush right next to the cage, huge and filled with ripe berries. When I asked Alex why his master would put him so close to a food source, he said the bush wasn’t there when Lord Treald imprisoned him.”

“Truly?” I whisper.

“I reasoned if the woods decided he was worth taking care of, I might as well free him.”

The forest has been known to take a liking to people, both human and Fae, offering protection and gifting favors.