Page 36

Sav

I dressed quickly. Even with three magical alarms, I’d overslept.

It felt as though I had closed my eyes for a moment before I was cracking them once more.

I had lain in bed—running the pad of my thumb over my mouth—for hours, unable to banish the memory of his lips on mine from my mind.

Now, I’d be lucky to make the last morning audience.

I couldn’t spend another day in this court.

Juniper, the dryad who’d helped me, and all the other fae trapped by Dane, were counting on me and I was dancing with males and making googly eyes at humans.

A sharp knock at the door made me pause. Nothing good came from a knock at my door.

“Sav. Hurry!”

I exhaled, rushed forward, and swung the door wide.

Hazel stepped in, glowering at me. “After all I did,” she railed, wasting no time with greetings. “To make you look innocent.”

“What?” I smoothed my skirts, glancing at my reflection in the mirror.

Hazel spun to face me, sparkling eyes narrowing. “I went to great lengths to ensure the people of this court believed there was nothing between the two of you. You came in smelling like each other, for Mab’s sake, and you threw it all away.”

I moved to the corner, pulling a plain gold comb from my bag. “Hazel, you’re not making sense.”

“I draped myself over him at the table so Robin wouldn’t be suspicious of the way you were eye fucking each other. But you couldn’t keep it in your pants until your uncle granted your request and now? Now you’ll be lucky to leave with your head.”

I forced down the knot of tension rising in me and crossed the space, grabbing her shoulders. “Hazel, what are you talking about?”

“Heath reported you.”

A cold stone settled in my stomach. Heath. Heath had seen Jack in my room and assumed we were together. Not just for the night. But… together.

“Mab.”

“I know. Regent Goodfellow is in a foul mood over it.”

“Hazel. This is bad.”

She nodded in exasperation.

“Jack?” My throat constricted. Had they already arrested him? Had I slept comfortably in my bed while he met some horrible fate?

“He’s with Mother Mahonia. She’s giving him the last of his medicine. I asked her to keep him busy while we sort this out. If you must run, I’ll get him out and meet you.”

I nodded, all the misplaced anger I’d had the night before gone. Hazel was a better friend than I deserved.

“I need to go to the baths.”

Hazel’s nose scrunched in confusion before her eyes widened.

“Kaspar.” Hazel had only visited my court a handful of times after Bracken, but she was there the day Kaspar’s betrothal request was announced.

She knew better than anyone what it would cost me to ask him for anything, but there was no judgment in her tone.

Uncle or not, if Robin thought I had feelings for the human, both our lives were in danger.

I nodded. “I need the prince.”

We raced down the corridor, avoiding eye contact with any of the guards who might decide to take me into custody at any moment and escort me to my execution.

I sank to my knees beside a tub and ran my hand through the bubbling water. “Kaspar. Come at once. It's urgent.” Hazel watched the door, turning back to me every few moments. “I’ll owe you a favor.”

The water rippled, and I swore under my breath.

Of course. He'd come for nothing less. The ripples grew into tiny waves and I sat up as liquid sloshed over the lip of the tub.

Bubbles burst along the surface, and a crown of seashells broke through, followed by waves of aquamarine hair.

Cerulean eyes that perfectly matched his mane—and a lake glistening on a hot summer day—met mine.

“My lady calls?

“Kaspar. I don’t have time. Name your favor and dress for an audience with my uncle.”

He stepped out of the tub, water dripping to the floor, as velvet slacks materialized around his waist, slung low, exposing an expanse of scaled skin along his torso and up his sides. Swirling blue designs trailed up his arms, circling his pecs and ended just below his neck.

“You’ll need a shirt and coat. Regent Goodfellow will see you in nothing less.” With any luck, his presence would be all I needed to convince my uncle there was nothing between me and a human.

A midnight blue overcoat appeared, rolling down Kaspar’s back in tails, and a bright teal silk shirt unfurled into navy tipped cuffs and collar. He grinned as my gaze dipped to his feet.

“Do you have any shoes, Cinderella?”

Kaspar coughed a laugh that turned into an easy smile. “I do. Have you nothing to say about the effort I’m making for my fiancé?”

I groaned, and Hazel motioned to her wrist. “Kaspar, your favor. Name it.”

Shining, pointed shoes materialized as he held out an arm to me. I took it, rising from the ground, and Hazel escorted us from the room at a clipped pace.

He moved with a fluid grace reserved for the water folk and that calming presence I’d so adored before I was to be sold to him settled in my bones. It would be okay. With Kaspar by my side, my uncle couldn’t accuse me of anything.

“I ask very little of my fiancé for this favor. Only that you maintain our friendship, no matter where our paths take us.”

I eyed him as we reached the entrance to the throne room. “My friendship. That’s your price?”

He nodded.

“My friendship and nothing more?”

Kaspar’s head tipped toward me, mouth stretching wide to expose two rows of sharp teeth.

There was something dangerously beautiful in that smile.

I trusted him. Despite myself, I believed he wouldn’t stab me in the back if it came down to it.

Once, I might have corrected Kaspar. I might have told him friendship wasn’t something to be bargained for and that he already had mine, but I wasn’t feeling so charitable toward the male these days.

“It’s a bargain.”

His arm squeezed my hand as the magic hit my chest and he tugged me forward, turning into the throne room. The line was short, most of those who had come to see my uncle having arrived far earlier than we had.

A nervous thrill shot through me, and I leaned into Kaspar.

“I’ve got you, princess,” he said, standing straighter on his human legs.

My breath caught as my heart gave a few small thumps. I didn’t want to take comfort in those words, but they were ones I’d never heard from my father or any of the males in my life.

Robin sat up in his chair when he spied us. “I see we’re graced with true royalty today.” He beckoned us to pass the others waiting in line.

Kaspar tugged me forward.

I cast apologetic glances at the low fae who had likely waited hours for this audience. If Kaspar noticed their scowls, he was unaffected as he marched toward my uncle with all the pomp of a royal, fully expecting the treatment his title afforded.

Robin dipped his chin to Kaspar, then cast his disapproving gaze to me. “Niece. I see you came to your senses with no enticement from me.”

I dipped my chin. “Uncle. It’s time my fiancé joins me at court.”

Kaspar stood taller.

“I take this to mean the rumors of your refusal are untrue?” My uncle had never been one to mince words.

“Kaspar and I are still negotiating terms, Regent Goodfellow.”

My uncle’s brows fell, auburn slashes severe on his handsome face. “What is there to negotiate?”

I swallowed, glancing at Kaspar. “Well. I cannot survive under the water and Kaspar, Prince Kaspar of the lakes and streams, does not wish to live on land—”

“What are these but semantics?” Robin’s gaze was hard. He wasn’t asking. He was demanding.

“You’re right, Uncle.”

“Don’t placate me, girl. Is the date set?”

I glanced at Kaspar again. His gaze was fixed on someone at the back of the room, but feeling my stare on him, he faced my uncle, not missing a beat. “I have affairs to attend to before my court is prepared to welcome their new princess.”

Robin seemed mollified by this answer. He nodded. “Very well. Lady Briar, you have tarried in the winter court long enough. Return to Spring and make amends. A prince cannot expect his princess to join him with her magic bound. See that you resolve the matter so you may proceed as planned.”

Everything I’d hoped to achieve in coming here, lost because of one fae male’s ego.

I would not receive aid from the winter court.

I was only leaving with my head because of the male at my side.

Heat boiled my veins at the injustice. One of my closest relations cared only for his own family’s ambitions.

I had been na?ve to assume anything else.

My uncle dipped his head in respect to the creature with the grandest title in the room and my fake fiancé smiled, turning and giving his back to my uncle. I backed up, but he tugged me around and several hisses scalded my back as we left.

In the corridor, I whirled on Kaspar. “What did you mean by making me disrespect my uncle by turning my back on him like that? You may be a royal, but I’m not.”

Kaspar’s bored gaze dipped to me. “You’re expected to be a princess soon. Start acting like it or no one will believe you. My people will not bow to a female who won’t show spine to her own titleless male relative.”

My mouth dropped open. “Titleless? He’s regent to the most powerful court in Faerie. Until Mab returns, he rules this land.”

“Sav!”

My gaze snapped up, meeting burning emerald eyes, and my stomach dropped. “Jack. You can’t be here. My uncle could have ordered your death. Might still.”

Kaspar made a noise that was suspiciously like a horse’s whinny. “You haven’t eaten the human yet? I thought you brought him as a snack.”

Jack scowled at Kaspar but ignored his comment. “I was with the healer when Hazel arrived and offered me another tour of the palace. We all know I don’t need another tour. What’s going on?”

I frowned. “We need to leave. Now.” He wasn’t dumb. I’d give him that. To Kaspar, I said, “He’s not a snack, he’s my friend.”

The words snagged Kaspar’s attention. “Friend.” His bright blue eyes swiveled to Jack. “Did you make a bargain with her?”

I sighed in exasperation, but I couldn’t blame the water fae. They didn’t understand the nuances of relationships the way we did. “You don’t have to bargain for friendship. Friendship is given freely, or it’s not worth anything.”

He hissed, the gills along his neck ruffling open and closed. “You tricked me! We made a bargain.”

Jack’s eyebrows climbed up his forehead and he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Jack. Give us a minute?”

He frowned. “I need to talk to you.”

I shook my head. “Later. You need to get out of these halls. I don’t trust my uncle not to arrest you.” Jack’s dark brows were slashes across his face and he eyed Kaspar as though he were sizing up a threat. “Jack. Go.”

Hazel appeared from some dark corner and tucked her arm through Jack’s.

I backed up, pulling Kaspar with me. “Come on, Kaspar, it’s time for you to go.”

He watched Jack and Hazel moving down the hall. “You’re attached to the human.”

“It isn’t what you think.” I tugged him back the way we’d come.

“I should like to stay awhile.”

I bit back a dozen replies, pulling more insistently on his arm.

His skin was cold even through his jacket and I shivered.

When we were young, I was closer to Kaspar than just about anyone, except maybe my twin, but over the centuries—me on land and him underwater—we rarely saw one another and eventually, we became strangers.

As children, he had always wished to be a part of our world and his had fascinated me.

But things were different now, and we could no more fit in each other’s world than I did in the human one.

“That won’t be necessary, and I’m sure your subjects need you.”

We trailed the long hall, and I glanced nervously at the wolves as we passed. Robin had seemed to buy our story, but we weren’t truly safe until we were gone from the winter court.

Outside the baths, he stopped. “I want to stay. I want to experience your world a little longer.”

I released his arm, turning to face him. “Kaspar, be serious. The land is dry and cutthroat. You would hate it.”

His blue hair moved on an invisible breeze and he rocked slowly as he stood outside the door, searching my face. “I fear for you among the ruthless land courts. With me by your side, no one will dare harm you.”

An unwelcome emotion crashed over me. Gratitude.

I didn’t want to be grateful for the male who had colluded with my sister to steal my freedom and caused my banishment to the human realm.

He didn’t get to make me feel anything after his betrayal.

But after a lifetime of learning that those who were closest to you had the most power to hurt you, I shouldn’t have been surprised.

Still, that day lived with me, never far from the surface.

Even knowing Kaspar wasn’t like the land fae, his cold skin a mirror to his icy heart, his deception had scarred.

Was it worse that he didn’t understand my pain?

Wasn’t capable of comprehending the depths of his treachery?

“Your offer means a great deal to me, but the price of your aid was friendship, and I gave it. Was the payment not sufficient?”

Kaspar’s ocean eyes swam with some dark emotion I couldn’t decipher. “I have named my price. I ask for nothing more.”

I nodded, and he searched my face, coming to some decision before turning to march down the hall, clothes dissolving as he went. His bare ass shook as he pushed the door to the baths open, disappearing from view.