Page 39 of The Gilded Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 2)

ALEX

Sabine twists her hands in her lap as she looks out the window, watching the bustling city in the evening light. She’s too beautiful, too perfect. I am both drawn to and repelled by the princess—attracted to the woman, repulsed by her blood.

Not only does Sabine represent the people I hate, but she’s also their future queen. It’s difficult to look at the princess and not connect her with my living nightmare. I don’t even know if the other troupe members are still alive. And if they are, do they wish they were dead?

“Will you be recognized at court?” I ask Sabine, the thought just occurring to me. “Is it dangerous to escort you there tonight?”

She shakes her head, still looking out the window. “We interact very little with human royalty. As far as I know, I’ve never met King Balthus or any of his courtiers.”

“What about the other Fae courts? Are you friendly with them?”

“Others are,” she answers, letting the curtain drop. “I’m not allowed to leave West Faerie.”

“You mentioned that. Is it because you’re the princess?”

“Yes, but that’s not it exactly.” Her tone is scathing, as if the subject is a sore one. “Male heirs from the other courts are allowed to travel before they claim their thrones, but I’m an exception. We’re the only court in all of Faerie that passes the crown through the females of the line. There has been a sovereign queen in Auvenridge for as long as history has been recorded, and my siblings are both brothers. My aunt was executed for treason, so my female cousin isn’t eligible for the throne either. I have no heir; therefore, I must be shielded.”

“Yet you risked leaving Faerie.”

Sabine shrugs, turning her attention to the window once more. Changing the subject, she says, “The buildings are so tall here. I’m not sure I’ll ever grow used to the city.”

We slip into silence. I’m lost in my thoughts, and Sabine is lost in hers.

My mind wanders to her unofficial audition. Her voice…it’s exactly as I remember, but now she can sing in Favoran. If only I could convince her to stay and take the stage in Candace’s place. We’d sell out every night; I have no doubt. I wouldn’t even need Charles’s money.

But even if Sabine agreed, what would we do about her obligations? A princess can’t run away to become an actress. Her people would find her eventually, and I have no desire to draw that kind of attention to myself.

I glance at her, conflicted. Sabine could return the theater to its former glory, the way it was before my father died. Through her, I could pay off my debt and restore his legacy.

My prima donna is right before me, and I cannot cast her in the role she was born to play.

We reach the castle grounds long before I devise a solution. The footman opens the door, and Sabine steps from the carriage, drawing every male eye in the vicinity.

She’s not mine, but a jealous beast stirs in my chest. It settles when she turns and waits for me to offer my arm.

The princess looks around the courtyard, taking in King Balthus’s formal garden and the fountains and benches strategically placed amongst the symmetrical beds. Topiaries are trimmed into shapes that resemble animals or spheres, and knee-high hedges are cut into rectangles that fence in summer-blooming flowers.

“How does it compare to Auvenridge?” I ask her, knowing she’s tallying the differences between this castle and the one she grew up in.

“Everything is very orderly,” she answers. She certainly doesn’t mean it as a compliment. “But the plants are rich with magic, so the gardeners must see to their needs.”

The statement makes me uneasy. Though I’m well aware the princess is Fae—it’s not something I’ve been able to put out of my mind—I don’t care for the blatant reminders.

Sabine turns back with a faint smile. “And I very much doubt I’ll find a fairy gate hiding in any of the hedges.”

“A fairy gate?” I ask, unfamiliar with the term.

“They connect with fairy rings in the human realms, but only on a full moon when our magic is at the height of its power.”

“Your magic cycles with the moon?” I ask, glancing at the darkening sky. My captors were careful to keep that information from me.

Sabine turns back. “Not completely, but if you ever find yourself stranded in Faerie, you best hope it’s during a new moon.”

“Why would I find myself in Faerie?” I ask sharply.

The princess’s eyebrows fly up at my tone, and she turns away. “Perhaps if you were planning to visit…someone.”

Speechless, I watch her as she makes her way down one of the well-manicured paths. The light from the garden lamps reflects off her hair, making her look like a vision against the backdrop of the now purple sky.