Page 13

The human court, filled with warm browns, greens, and earthy tones, contrasted sharply with the fae court, which boasted bold reds and yellows. The driver turned off the main square, heading into a different court.

She never thought she would come to the Golden City, not even when she had stolen enough coin to get her parents out of the forest and closer to the village. But she had always wanted to. She had wanted to see the world, to experience everything she had only read about in silence.

Lucius allowed her to soak in every breathtaking sight as the carriage slowed to a stop in front of a large, gated estate. A guard stood at the high golden gate, blocking the entrance. Beyond the gate, a cobbled road led to a massive mansion surrounded by neatly trimmed shrubbery and gardens.

Since it was on Lucius’s side of the carriage, Tavia leaned over him, peeking out. He slid back in his seat, giving her more room to view the estate. She had so many questions, but when she looked up at him, a softness in his gaze silenced them.

“That’s beautiful,” she said.

And suddenly, she wasn’t sure if she was talking about the estate or how his emerald green eyes sparkled whenever he looked at her. If she hadn’t seen him actually feed, she would never have known he was a vampyre.

His pale skin matched his silver hair—a common trait among the moon fae, a race that lived in the royal fae castle. There had always been a moon fae on the throne. It was their way.

Her mother was a moon fae, but somehow instead of being part of the royal court, her mother lived more like the old forest hags talked about in tales.

One who preferred mushrooms over chocolate .

The current king, Kane, was half moon fae, half dragon.

She wondered if Lucius had any royal blood in his lineage. If he did, why wouldn’t he be at the castle? But she suspected Lucius had his own treasures—things he deemed precious. And when he looked at her with that warm, beckoning gaze, she felt like one of those treasures.

“Driver,” Lucius said, never taking his gaze off her, “take us to the gardens. My bride has a fondness for flowers.”

Tavia didn’t remember ever saying that, but she slid back into her seat, eyeing him with a smile.

The driver continued, and Tavia wondered if they were going to discuss the masquerade.

“Shouldn’t we be thinking about tomorrow?” she whispered, leaning closer so the driver wouldn’t hear.

He leaned into her, shifting ever so slightly. Taking her hand in his, he said, “We will. But we have the afternoon. Why not embrace it?”

How was she supposed to say no when he wanted to spoil her, to show her the things she had always dreamed of? He had been kind and generous. That constant warning in her mind—the voice telling her not to trust him—grew quieter .

Would it be so awful to enjoy this?

She had robbed plenty before. Nothing as big as a masquerade, and she still didn’t know what it had to do with a vault. She didn’t even know what they were truly searching for.

But she wanted to enjoy today, to be in the moment for once in her life, and not worry about tonight or tomorrow.

If she wanted to play the perfect bride, she needed to become more comfortable around Lucius so that people would believe they were indeed in love.

She noticed he hadn’t let go of her hand, and she didn’t mind. He looked at her, and she looked back at him, her heart thumping wildly.

Would he kiss her? Did she want him to?

Her mind raced with doubts and, at the same time, curiosity. What would his lips feel like? She imagined they’d be soft.

But Lucius only patted her hand and pulled away, leaning back into his side of the carriage to look out the window. She wondered if something was bothering him. His clenched jaw and the way his hand gripped his pants suggested tension.

Was he in the mood to feed? Was her closeness making it harder for him to resist?

“Here we are,” the driver said, bringing the carriage to a stop.

Lucius stepped out and offered his hand to help Tavia down. Then he pulled a few silver coins from his pocket, handed them to the driver, and guided Tavia toward the path ahead.

They stood before a massive glass structure, the foliage inside visible through the clear panes. Lucius led her down a white stone path, each stepping stone painted with a butterfly or bird. Various patrons sat on stone benches outside while others shuffled in through massive wooden doors.

As she stepped inside, the fresh floral scent hit her nose, and she breathed it in deeply. Birds chirped sweetly above, flying across the space.

She couldn’t tell how far the atrium stretched or how many flowers and butterflies lay ahead, but she had never been more excited.

At the entrance was a wooden stall manned by two fae, their golden skin, tawny hair, and matching golden eyes nearly identical.

“Good afternoon,” Lucius said, dropping a handful of silver coins into a box .

One of the fae retrieved two wooden mugs filled with birdseed.

Tavia’s eyes widened. Lucius smiled.

He led her deeper into the atrium, past rose gardens, daffodils, and sunflowers taller than she was. They stopped by a makeshift fountain off to the side.

“Here,” he said. “Just do as I do.”

He lifted his mug slightly, and soon, beautiful blue birds flew down, eager for the food. Tavia lifted her mug while bright blue finches fought over Lucius’s seeds. A large, white bird with a stunning plume landed on her mug, dipping into the seeds.

Tavia smiled.

He didn’t need to share this with her. It wasn’t part of their agreement or plan. Yet, here he was, spending the day with her as if he cared.

She ignored the uneasiness creeping in and focused on the birds, the flowers, and the beauty surrounding her.

Tomorrow, everything would change.

But for today, she would enjoy every moment, even if it was their last together.