Page 7 of Veil of Shadows (Fae of Woodlands & Wild #2)

CHAPTER 7

Morning sunlight bathed my chambers in soft light while noises from Jaggedston carried through the thick panes. The palace had been built high up, overlooking the city. I’d learned that much from my wild run through the palace. But while sounds from the city did carry through the windows, they were faint. Faint enough that when I’d first arrived, I hadn’t been able to distinguish them.

The bells, though, weren’t quiet. Every morning and well into the evening, the bells rang on the hour, letting the Stonewild fae know the time as they carried on with their busy lives. Considering the last toll I heard had been ten rings, I assumed Jax would be arriving soon, even if we’d been up until the wee hours of the morning.

Despite our late night, I’d woken early, too energized to truly sleep. Consequently, I’d been dressed for hours. Black breeches covered my legs, and I’d chosen the last remaining top purchased in Fosterton that I hadn’t worn yet. The blood-red long-sleeve garment was fitted throughout, except for the sleeve cuffs, which flared around my wrists. The cinched cut highlighted my waist, and the square neckline revealed a hint of cleavage.

Of my new clothing, it was the most revealing, yet it was nothing compared to the seductive gowns Guardian Alleron had forced me to wear. But the crimson color felt appropriate. Daring in a way. After all, it wasn’t the norm for an abducted female to join her captor and his gang of masked bandits on their quest to find his missing half-breed brother.

Too keyed up to sit still, I paced in my chambers, braiding my hair in the process. Once finished, I had a long, smooth braid down my back. Lillivel would have been aghast if she saw it. It was nothing like the intricate creations she’d woven through my hair, but it was the best I could do on my own.

I spared a glance at the frosted window, and my brow furrowed. “Where is he?” I whispered under my breath. The crown prince of Stonewild was indeed taking his time.

I turned and paced the other way across the chambers’ soft carpet.

A quiet knock abruptly came at the door, and my heart jumped into my throat.

“Finally.” I grabbed my bag and hurried to greet the crown prince.

The door cracked open, and I was about to call a greeting to Jax when a male I’d never seen before sauntered into the room.

I froze, my feet planting to the center of the chamber.

The male was tall and lean, an easy smile readily forming on his lips. Light-brown eyes regarded me from a handsome face, and thick mahogany hair covered his head.

“Before you panic,” he said, his tone low and deep as he raised his hands in a non-threatening manner, “I’m one of the prince’s friends, but we haven’t met yet, so no need to scream or faint or zap me with that powerful magic of yours, or whatever it is you’re considering doing.”

Magic indeed surged through my body, but some of the pounding in my chest slowed. I still clutched my bag protectively to my abdomen, as though the canvas sack would offer any protection from a male who truly intended to do me harm.

“Who are you?” I asked warily.

Once the door was firmly closed behind him, he dipped into a bow, the movement practiced and smooth. It hinted at a lifetime of court duties. “Lordling Alexander Maysin Pruveen Graniteer of House Graniteer at your service, but please, call me Alec. Everyone else does, including Jax.”

I loosened my claw-like fingers around my bag. The fact that he knew Jax’s nickname, when only his raider friends called him that, had to mean that Alec was one of them. But then my brow pinched. House Graniteer. Something about that rang a bell, and then I remembered whatever had pulled Jax away for three days had to do with that House.

“And what brings you here today, Alec?”

Alec’s smile widened, and his aura carried a sense of playfulness that had me relaxing my grip on my bag entirely. “Jax asked me to fetch you. He had to attend a council meeting this morning, and it’s running longer than expected. At the moment, he’s unable to leave, so he thought it made a good opportunity for your face to be seen in the palace more than the, um”—he covered his mouth, as though attempting to hide a smile—“the one time you were seen out of these chambers yesterday afternoon. He figured if the servants and nobles saw you about, with someone of such esteemed bloodline as myself, then they would be less inclined to ask questions, especially if you begin turning up at court events with us in the future. I am known, after all, for being quite appealing to the lovely females in our realm.”

Court events with them in the future? So Jax wasn’t going to keep me locked in these chambers every time we returned here. He truly was going to give me the best chance at freedom that I had in my new life with him.

I smiled tentatively. “Well, you know, in my defense, I had no idea you were all leaving for three days. If I’d known, I never would have tried to escape, and then you wouldn’t be here having to save face among the servants.”

He chuckled. “True, but since we can’t undo what’s been done, I hope you’ll accept my company this morning?”

“I suppose I could do that. Does that mean I don’t need this yet?” I indicated my packed bag.

“Correct, you can leave that here. We’ll retrieve it before we depart.”

He made a move to head toward the door, but I stopped him, knowing once we stepped foot into the hall, I would have to watch what I said. “Alec, you’re a member of the House that had the emergency the other day, aren’t you?”

He sighed. “I’m afraid I am.”

“May I ask what happened?”

“Stars...but it was a most unfortunate situation. Our northern lands had been plundered by the Lochen. An entire city had been seized, and Jax was needed, since I’m sure you can understand how useful his magic is in such situations. Thankfully, he and other powerful House nobles were able to restore order.”

I tried to imagine what those three days had been like for them, because if Jax’s magic had been utilized, there’d likely been fighting. “Does everyone know that Jax can wield magic from all four kingdoms? Before meeting him, I had no idea that any royal in any kingdom had that kind of ability.”

Alec laughed. “You would be surprised what the royals keep hushed throughout the kingdoms, but to answer your question, no, most don’t know what Jax is capable of. He doesn’t flaunt his magic. If anything, he keeps it hidden, and he never uses his Mistvale magic unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Why is that?”

“As you know, being able to wield magic from all four kingdoms is exceptionally rare. Once his magic began to manifest, his parents grew concerned. If word spreads that they bred such a powerful child, one likely capable of overpowering every other noble or royal on the continent, some may view him as threatening. The king and queen were concerned that an assassin would be sent to murder their sole heir. Therefore, they kept his magic a secret. Most don’t know of all that he’s capable of, although it’s common knowledge that he’s a stag shifter.”

My brow furrowed, but I nodded. “That’s why I had no idea about him. The royal family has kept his powerful magic concealed.”

“Indeed. The royal family, especially in this kingdom, is very good at keeping secrets.” His expression turned grim, and I wondered if he was thinking about Bastian.

Not wanting to test the bargain’s ability to let me speak of the prince’s half-brother, I switched subjects. “Is everything back in order now on the northern coast?”

Alec grinned, revealing a mouthful of perfectly straight white teeth. “Oh yes, the city has been restored, and the Lochen who tried to steal our goods and cause egregious mayhem have been driven back to the sea. All is well once again. Until the next time, that is.” He laughed lightly.

Cocking my head, I tried to contemplate what other princely duties arose last minute like that for Jax. Truth be told, I had no idea. “Anyway, if we’re to be wandering about the palace this morning, does that mean the trip to Faewood is delayed?”

“Only slightly. We’re still doing that too, just a bit later than planned, thanks to this dastardly meeting.” The noble held out his arm, his chivalrous offer hard to refuse. “Shall we? I would love to show you more of the palace, Elowen. Let me lead the way.”

I kept my hand looped through Alec’s as we strolled down a wide hall. Mosaic tiles covered the floor in this area of the palace’s north tower. Large bouquets of fresh flowers, carefully arranged in blue vases, dotted each table between windows. Fresh air swirled around us, and I inhaled deeply, loving the scent of roses and junipers.

We were two hours into our stroll, yet I was enjoying every minute of it. I was still slightly breathless from the long climb up the tower’s stairs, but the warm breeze swirling through the open windows and the bright sunshine streaming onto the patterned floor made the entire climb worth it.

“Then what happened after Nellip tripped?” I asked, still breathy as I smiled up at Alec.

The noble grinned. It was an expression I was quickly learning he wore regularly. “Probably what you would expect. Entirely intoxicated, Nellip fell down the stairs, staying unconscious the entire flight down. The prince, in a similar state, tried to break his fall...even though Nellip’s job as his personal guard is to keep him safe at all times. But no matter, Prince Adarian tried anyway, but all that did was make him join his guard in their tumble.”

I laughed softly, picturing it.

Flashing me another wide smile, Alec continued, “The two of them landed in a heap on the bottom landing, Nellip entirely oblivious, and the prince moaning in pain. And to top it all off, a stone sculpture of Queen Rashelle—a gift from the Nolus king many full seasons ago—promptly fell from the table they’d rolled into. It smashed on the top of Jax’s head and gave him a lovely cut that sliced him open just above his ear.”

I laughed, but even though Alec’s stories had all been light and fun, I had come to learn one important matter. All of the Dark Raider band’s nicknames were similar to their real names but spelled roughly backward.

Alec had also informed me I must always use their real names when in public or where others might hear. A part of me warmed when he’d told me that. They obviously trusted me enough not to reveal that secret.

I raised my eyebrows. “And this unfortunate accident down the stairs was all because you were trying to out-drink one another?”

“Correct.”

“How . . . dashing.”

A twinkle filled his eyes. “I never said we had brains at that age. Brawn? Indeed.” He puffed his chest up. “But brains? No, none at all. In that department, we were severely lacking.”

“But you all recovered, obviously.”

“With horrendous hangovers, yes. Although, when the queen learned of our drinking game, the broken statue, and a deep gash on the sole heir, well. ..” He winced. “That didn’t go over so well. I’m afraid Nellip was banished from the palace. It was only after three months of the prince begging his mother to allow him to return that the queen finally relented. Nellip has never once drunk on the job again.”

I wrinkled my brow and thought back to the inns we’d stayed in during our travel to Stonewild’s palace. That wasn’t entirely true...

Alec’s smile turned cheeky. “Well, not in any official capacity, that is.” He waggled his eyebrows.

I laughed anew, the sound ringing down the hall.

Two wildling servants walking by us in the long corridor gave each other knowing looks before dipping their heads together and whispering. They scurried away, but not before I caught a few words.

“...I heard the prince had a guest staying in the palace. Nobody knew who she was, though, until yesterday.”

It was only when they reached the end of the hall that I drifted closer to Alec and whispered in his ear, “You weren’t kidding when you said that news travels fast through these walls. I’ve only been walking with you for two hours, and it seems as though all of the servants already know who I am.”

Alec turned to face me, but I’d leaned so close to him that our lips almost brushed.

I quickly pulled back, but all he did was lean closer, his own lips pressing against my ear. “And that, dear Elowen, is entirely the point of this little wander. By nightfall, your presence within these walls will already be seen as old, boring news. They’ll likely think you’re another conquest of mine who’s succumbed to my charms and is entirely helpless to resist my appeal.”

I scoffed in amusement. “If only that were true.”

He brought a hand to his chest. “Are you saying it’s not?”

His aghast look had me giggling again, and he nudged me playfully. The noble slipped his arm around my shoulders, steadying me as we both laughed like children until a throat cleared loudly from behind us.

Sobering, I peered over Alec’s shoulder.

Jax stood only feet away with his arms crossed.

My jaw dropped. Jax’s casual sweater and pants from last night were long gone. Instead, he wore official royal attire in Stonewild colors. Dark navy slacks and a navy jacket, both made of fine wool, covered his frame. Gold buttons trailed up the jacket’s middle all the way to his throat, and embellishments in cobalt blue, gold, and shades of green decorated his shoulder straps. A long forest-green cape was clasped around his throat, and the gold stitching along its edges was bright enough to reflect the sun.

He looked magnetic. Important. Regal . And in that moment, I felt the social differences between us so sharply that it felt as if a knife pierced the space between us.

But if the Stonewild prince noticed my response, he didn’t comment. Instead, his attention fixated entirely on Alec.

“Having a nice tour?” the crown prince asked, his tone brisk.

Alec, still grinning, immediately bowed to the prince, even though his arm stayed around me. “Your Highness.”

Jax’s gaze dropped to where Alec was touching me before shifting upward. A rising pulse flickered in his aura, so subtle that I would have missed it if not for his close proximity. “Ready to go, then?”

Alec smiled cheekily. “Of course, and it’s about time. I thought we’d never leave.” He tugged me closer, but I barely reacted. I’d gotten used to Alec’s frequent touches and teasing flirtations. It didn’t actually seem to hold any meaning. “And I did as you asked, my prince. I’ve been showing the lovely Elowen all over the palace, loudly telling our foreign visitor of our kingdom’s magnificent history and anecdotes.”

“Which apparently consists of stories from our youth involving drinking games.” Jax’s nostrils flared. “You’ve outdone yourself, Alec. Even I heard a few whisperings on my search through the halls trying to find you two.”

My eyebrows shot up. “You’ve been looking for us?”

“I have.” Jax’s gaze remained on his friend. “Lordling Graniteer seems to have forgotten that the ship we’re taking departs at two, and it’s already well past one, so we should be on our way.”

“Ship?” I repeated. “We’re taking a ship back to Faewood?”

Both males ignored me as Alec sighed loudly. “Oh galaxy, you’re right, I did forget, but no matter.” Alec ushered me forward, brushing past Jax in the process. The prince’s arm stiffened when we swept by him. “We’ll still make it. It’s not like it would depart without you anyway, my prince. Come on then, the southern kingdom awaits.”