Page 84 of The Gilded Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 2)

After waiting for them to leave, I walk to my dressing room, feeling a strange heaviness I didn’t expect. As I’m brushing out my hair, there’s a knock at the door.

I watch Alex peek his head inside in the reflection of the mirror.

“I didn’t say you could come in,” I say.

He gives me a smile that should be apologetic but isn’t. “I wasn’t sure you were still here.”

My eyes catch on the plant he holds—a baby spruce in a little pot, surrounded by white, frothy alyssum. I slowly turn, my eyes fixed on the planter. Thoughts of the show and my earlier conversation with Lord Cavinder are forgotten.

“What is that?” I ask.

Looking mildly self-conscious, Alex joins me, setting the miniature tree on the dressing table. “I thought about getting you roses, but you cringe every time you go near them—”

“You noticed that?” I ask.

“—so I was going to get you daisies, but then I saw…this.” He frowns at the tree. “And I remembered how you enjoy the public garden, so I wondered if you might prefer something alive.”

I stare at the little tree, my heart full.

“Congratulations on your first performance, Your Highness,” Alex continues when I don’t respond. “You were sensational.”

“You brought me a tree,” I whisper.

Alex doesn’t answer right away, and then he clears his throat. “It’s strange, isn’t it?”

I stand, shaking my head as I meet his eyes. “It’s perfect.”

His lips twitch into a smile before he presses them into a thin line. Gruffly, he says, “I’m glad you like it.”

“I do.”

“Thank you,” he says quietly. “Sabine…you have no idea what you’ve done for me. News of the show will travel throughout the city, and—”

“You’re welcome,” I say, saving him from finishing when it sounds like he’s getting choked up. “I’m glad opening night was a success.”

Alex studies the tree. “The theater is dark the day after tomorrow. I thought that maybe…” He pauses as if collecting his thoughts. “Perhaps we could…”

“Yes?” I coax, curiosity getting the best of me.

He meets my eyes, looking like he’s growing frustrated with himself. “You mentioned that you’d like to see the ocean. Would you like to go sailing with me? There’s an island near the coast where you can collect seashells. We could take a picnic.”

My heart soars before I can catch it. “I’d like that.”

Alex watches me for a moment longer, and then he raises a brow. “It’s not too human an outing for you?”

Smiling, I shake my head.

“Good.”

We stand here for several uncomfortable seconds, unsure what to say.

“You should probably…” I nod toward the door.

“Yes,” Alex agrees, but he doesn’t move. “I need to mingle.”

“Go on then.”

“I hate that you’re hidden in here,” he says, becoming solemn. “You deserve to bask in the audience’s praise.”

“It’s better this way—truly.”

He doesn’t seem convinced.

“Go,” I say again, nudging him toward the door.

Reluctantly, Alex leaves, smiling at me before he steps into the hall. As soon as he’s gone, I turn to the little tree and run my finger over its prickly needles.

It’s better than all the bouquets in the world.