AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, I would, sir,” she replies rather forcefully, even though I expect her to decline. “I like a good gin. Neat, if you have it.”
Since alcohol impairs judgment, I don’t keep a selection of spirits in my office. However, I should have a canister of bourbon in my drawer. “The staff must remain indoors, so pardon me for not having them bring you gin.” I open the drawer and take out the black canister from the back. I uncork it and peek inside to make sure Pavonos hasn’t snuck in and drunk it all. Still full. I sniff it and taste, waiting a moment to ensure the savage who gave it to me wasn’t trying to kill me.
Once I confirm the bourbon’s safety, I offer it to the princess, wondering if she’ll choke on the nasty taste.
She extends her arm, but doesn’t approach, behaving as if she fears me. But that’s not true, because she hugged me.
Confused, I frown, but when her chin quivers and tears spill out of her eyes right before she covers her face and sobs into her hands, I understand what’s happening with her.
She did indeed suffer something terrible last night. While she’s in this state of distress and shock, I remain in the office with her and wait for her emotions to pass, wait for her to assimilate her husband’s death and her subsequent reaction, mainly her request that I provide her with refuge.
She could have murdered a royal, however, so before I show the kitten mercy and let her warm up inside my house, I must determine her innocence. Meanwhile, the Summer Court will remain in lockdown, the dungeons and entertainment closed and all our guards in defensive positions.
7
D’ARTARON
Since the Summer Court comes alive at night, breakfast is often served around noon, if not completely skipped over in favor of brunch or lunch. Now, it is well past noon, and while the princess naps on my spanbed, I part the blinds and catch sight of clear skies and empty beach. Empty apart from the guards ensuring no other portals or people appear within our court.
It’s only a matter of time before they come looking for her.
I turn and lean against the window, take a moment to watch her sleep, and immediately wish I hadn’t. Thoughts of waking up next to someone so cute and gentle while also powerful in her own right disturb me. Looking at her is wrong, wrong, wrong. And so I quit and give her my back.
The beach is lovely.
The weather is perfect. The winds mild.
The waves gentle.
Reminding me of her curves.
Okay, forget the waves.
Just as I look up, intent on removing the flock of iron birds still hovering over the court, I hear shouting outside. Having suffered a stressful event, the princess sleeps deeply now, so I slip outside without waking her and cross the courtyard at the same time that the messenger from the Spring Court enters it.
“Afternoon, Commander.” The young male reaches into his brown messenger bag and hands me a roll of fine paper. The fact that someone sent me a hand-delivered message instead of a magically transported one makes me believe it’s news of the Spring prince’s death.
The royal seal is missing. Instead, a seal I don’t recognize other than knowing it’s from the Spring Court puts me on alert. I immediately slide my blade under the seal and read the message. I read it again, then roll the letter back up and pocket it. I take out several gold coins.
The Summer Court is the richest of the fae courts, and our coins hold the greatest value. The male can run and hide with this, because surely the person who sent him will tie up loose ends. The young male is a loose end, but I can buy silence in this court, the binding power of my king’s voca magic allowing me to tie tongues and minds without having to resort to violence.
“Did you deliver such letters to anyone else?” I ask while I slip him a few coins.
He nods.
I slip him more coins. “Who?”
“I don’t know, but he dressed like a highborn. Smelled like one too.”
“From your court?” I keep depositing coins into his bag.
“A golden claw pendant hung from a thick leather band around his neck.”
“Gotcha.” I remain calm and drop the final coin into his bag. “You did well. The Fallen Court makes for the best hideout. Don’t look back.”
“But my girlfriend is?—”
I grab his chin, forcing his gaze up. “If you go back to the man who sent you, you die. You go near her, both of you die. You are a dead man walking.”
