The chilling feeling in me grew. “It sounds like you’re speaking of war, of taking the land by force. Is that what you’re saying, Michas?”
He shrugged and gave a lopsided smile before turning his attention back to the maze. Below, a few fae ran over the frosty cobblestones and laughed, chasing each other before dipping back into the icy topiary. “I suppose I’m simply answering your question.”
“Does the king know of this talk?”
“Of course, he does. He keeps telling my father such a move is preposterous.”
I sighed inwardly, feeling relief that the king opposed such actions. Leaning against the railing more, I asked, “Has there been support for an invasion from others?”
I sincerely hoped there hadn’t been. Such talk wasn’t just ridiculous—it was idiotic, and to even contemplate it was worrisome. We’d lived in harmony with the Nolus fae for hundreds, no thousands of winters, despite our bordering land. And that was because we honored that border. We kept to ourselves. They kept to theirs. It was an unspoken tradition among our kind. The different species of fae stayed on their continents for the most part, too prideful to venture to other parts of the realm, as though doing so would imply their continent wasn’t superior.
Some fae, however, lived elsewhere, but I could only recall ever meeting one Nolus fairy in all of my life. It had been in Firlim’s harvest market, and that fairy had been living in the north for most of his adult life.
“There’s been support of . . . concern,” Michas finally replied evasively. He drifted closer and pulled his jacket around me more, his hands hovering just over my breasts. His expression shifted as his gaze stayed on my cleavage, and the heat around him grew.
I suppressed an eyeroll. So that was where my time with him was going.
But I was glad for the excuse to leave. I needed to think, because what Michas had declared told me exactly why the prince had taken me. He wanted to use my magic to restore the orem not just to keep us from starving but to prevent a war.
“I’m going back inside.” I made a move to push away from the balcony’s railing, but Michas stepped into my path.
“I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable. Please, stay. We don’t need to speak of political strife.”
I crossed my arms. “The political talk isn’t why I’m leaving.”
He held his palms up, his stance non-threatening. “I’m sorry. I’ll keep my distance.” He took a step back. “But please stay. There are to be fireworks soon. The view from here will be unparalleled.”
His tone held no aggression, yet I eyed him with suspicion. “Why are you interested in me and wanting to keep me with you?”
He smiled, the look so charming that I once again felt he was being honest. “The prince has taken an interest in you, which of course, intrigues me. I personally have found our conversation stimulating. Your brashness and honesty are rare. And truthfully, Ilara, you’re an absolutely beautiful female. Any male would endeavor to keep your attention. So, will you stay?” He drifted closer to my side, not touching me again, but he was close enough that it wasn’t entirely proper. “You’re truly breathtaking. I would love for you to accompany—”
An avalanche of power suddenly crashed into me, sucking the breath from my chest as the crown prince appeared in the doorway, his hair tousled and his body flexing with power. His aura pounded from him in waves as he stood in the balcony’s doorway with Nuwin just behind him.
“See, brother. We’ve found her, and she’s just fine,” Nuwin said, clapping the crown prince on the back.
But the prince’s gaze landed on where Michas stood, and a savage expression rippled across his features. “Step away from her. Now.”
The Osaravee lord’s lips peeled back. “I’ve done nothing wrong, my prince. She’s here of her own choosing.”
“I said, Step away from her.”
Michas muttered a sound of irritation, then dipped his head toward me. “Good night to you, Lady Seary. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” With that, he stalked past the prince and Nuwin and returned to the throne room.
Nuwin made to follow him, but Prince Norivun extended a wing, stopping him. “I’m not through with you, brother.”
Nuwin gave a lopsided smile. “I’m sure you’re not.”
“Did you think it was a game? You dare to take her from my side on tonight of all nights?”
The younger prince’s expression turned sheepish. “She needed a break from you, brother. I simply provided her an escape. I was trying to be a gentlefae.”
Norivun lowered his wing and closed the space between them until they stood toe to toe. “You know what she is to me, yet you still play your games?” he said it so quietly that I almost didn’t hear him.
What I was to him? I cocked my head, wondering what he meant by that comment.
Nuwin gave his brother an appeasing smile and patted his shoulder. “It was just some harmless fun, Nori. All’s well. And look, Michas even kept her warm.” Nuwin gestured to the jacket I wore.
The prince cursed as the aura around him strengthened. Bowing, Nuwin gave me a wink before leaving the balcony and closing the door behind him.
Alone on the balcony with the crown prince, I stiffened as he prowled closer to me. The air seemed to thin with each step that he took until it felt as though I couldn’t catch my breath. All the while, I kept thinking about what Michas had claimed—that Norivun had mistphased back to the castle repeatedly during his time away to murder more fae.
Vivid blue irises swirled with power as the prince’s nostrils flared. “Did Michas hurt you?”
“No, not at all.” I pulled the noble’s jacket tighter around me. “We talked and danced, and he said he wanted to get to know me more. That’s all.”
“But he was nearly . . . touching you.”
“So?”
The crown prince’s eyes narrowed further. “Why are you wearing his jacket?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I was cold, and he offered it.”
His frown deepened, and then in a swift move, Michas’s jacket was off my shoulders and fluttering to the ground. Cold air assaulted me, but before I could gasp, the prince unbuttoned his own jacket and slid it around my shoulders. Warmth as hot as a roaring fire settled over my skin, and the prince’s tantalizing scent of snow and cedar came next.
My heart pounded as his top settled around me. “What did you do that for?”
“I don’t like seeing his clothes on you.”
“Why?”
“Because.”
“Because why?”
“Does it matter?”
I straightened and knew if I didn’t ask now, I would always wonder. “Can I ask you something, and do you promise to be honest?”
His expression turned guarded. “What do you want to ask me?”
“Did you mistphase repeatedly back to the castle during the month I was locked within the Exorbiant Chamber to handle commoners who’d come to the castle with their concerns of the dying crops?”
His lips parted as genuine confusion swam across his features. “No, of course not.”