I took in my new surroundings and knew we were still in Jax’s private tower since I hadn’t passed through another ward, but the double doors at the far end of the hall promised that our privacy would be ending soon.
“The dining hall is in the palace’s central area, right?” I asked and tried to recall everything that Alec had shown me. If I remembered correctly, the large, opulent dining area overlooked the palace’s central courtyard.
“That’s correct.”
With each step that our shoes made on the stone flooring, the tension around Jax’s shoulders grew. Before my eyes, the crown prince of Stonewild was emerging, his more carefree counterpart—my mate, Jax, and the Dark Raider—vanishing.
“We’ll find a way to convince them to accept me, my prince,” I whispered, falling back into the role that was required of me. Outside of his private wing, I could no longer call him Jax. In public, he was either Prince Adarian or my prince.
He inhaled sharply. “Indeed.”
At the hall’s end, he swept open the doors and ushered me through them. The second we stepped into a common walkway, the doors to Jax’s area sealed behind us, another ward falling into place that prickled the skin at my back.
Voices drifted to us from farther down the halls, and a servant passed us, carrying a large bucket with cleaning charms and supplies.
The second she saw us, she paled and scurried away.
Jax’s brow furrowed, watching her. My mate’s hand clamped even more around mine, and together we strode down the center of the hall.
My long navy gown swirled around me, moving easily with each step. I knew I looked the part. This gown made me appear as though I belonged here, but deep down, I knew I didn’t.
Nerves began to tumble in my stomach, but for the first time in my life, my collar was no longer adding to my inner anxiety. I only had my emotions to deal with now since the suffocating collar was gone, and I took some comfort in that.
Jax led me around another turn, and more servants appeared. Each one that saw us either stopped in their tracks, jaw’s dropping, or they turned and hurried away.
I frowned. “Why are they all acting strange?”
Jax’s forehead furrowed. “I was wondering the same thing.”
“So that’s not normal?”
“No.”
“Do you think it’s because word’s spread that I’m your mate and your parents found out and are angry?”
His nostrils flared. “Even if they are upset, that doesn’t change anything.”
We rounded the final turn to the dining hall, and the guards standing near the entrance doors both stiffened, their shoulders drawing back.
“Prince Adarian,” the one on the right called. “Your father’s been looking for you.”
“I’m sure he has. We’re scheduled to meet him at eight,” Jax replied, breezing right past the guards.
My heart began to pound frantically as the energy in the palace grew stranger with every step we took.
We swept through the narrow hall into the dining room, and the large chamber spread out before us. But instead of only the king and queen being in attendance, as Jax had requested, the entire hall was filled with noble fae.
But none of them were talking. Dead silence greeted us.
And at the center of the room, standing near the king and queen, waited my guardian.
I froze mid-step and blinked.
Then blinked again.
But Guardian Alleron was stillthere. He was free of his chambers. And he washere, with the king and queen.
Disbelief shook me first, but panic descended just as fast. At my side, Jax’s entire body went rigid.
