My smile dimmed slightly, however, because it struck me that such a plan wouldn’t work on everyone. It certainly hadn’t with Koraline. While I thought that there was a possibility that Lillith and I might find a way to move forward, I was no closer to developing a sisterly bond with Koraline than I’d been since we’d met. Even though I’d been a child when I’d burned her, her grudge still held, and if anything, the events in the maze had only heightened her dislike of me.
Yet I brushed that worry aside and focused on the positive. Most were likely to see reason and not hold someone accountable for actions they did as a small child. I could only hope that I hadn’t hurt too many others when I was young. If I had, it would be harder to convince the fae of our kingdom that I wasn’t to be feared. Grudges might run far and wide for all I knew, but I would endeavor to find a way. Somehow, I would.
My mother squeezed my hand, then eyed my father. “She’s right, Russem. We need to tell the truth. If we don’t, the fear our kingdom once had may return, and then the council will demand that Primelle ingest potions to curb her power. Now that she’s an adult, her growth and development will no longer be impacted. We no longer have an excuse not to give her that.”
I gulped. It was what I’d been worried about too. When fae were extraordinarily powerful, and especially when it’d been proven their magic was dangerous, it wasn’t uncommon for the Supernatural Courts to rule that their magic must be curbed with potions, and oftentimes, such action resulted in not only a fairy’s magic being suppressed but their mind being dulled too. However, such potions adversely affected growing children. If I’d taken them as a child, it would have affected my growth and development, but now, they would merely turn me into a fogged and muddled fairy, no more capable of wielding magic than reciting my own name.
I curled my fingers into my palms. Just the thought of that...
It would be like living with a true cuff that actually worked on my magic, only it would be wrapped around my body, dulling my senses and reflexes and fogging my mind. I would be a shell of myself.
My father nodded. “Perhaps, but even the truth won’t guarantee Primelle’s safety, not from who’s after her. After what happened last night, that much is apparent.”
I took a deep breath, knowing they wouldn’t like my next request, but I had to try.
“I have one more thought.” I squeezed my father’s hand tightly. “Let me hunt for answers too. I know that you want to keep me behind warded walls while others try to uncover what’s going on, but I’m quite good at research. It’s possible answers lie in the academic libraries or even our private home libraries.” I thought of my uncle Arnel and what he’d offered and wondered if my parents would feel safe if I went to his estate and was behind his wards. “And Kole confirmed that the creatures only come out at night, so as long as I’m back in the palace behind the wards before sunset, I should stay safe. Besides, I’ll still have an Imperial Warrior with me in the libraries, so I won’t be unguarded.” I nodded toward the hall, where Royden waited, then my tone turned pleading. “Please? May I help and start researching?”
My father and mother shared another troubled look, but my mother shrugged. “She’s right. They only come out at night, so if she’s back by sundown...”
A deep sigh came from my father, but eventually, he nodded. “All right, Prim. I suppose that’s reasonable. You can start researching, but Kole, or whoever is assigned to you each day, is to stay at your sidealways. And you must be within the palace each daybeforedarkness arrives. Understood?”
“Yes, of course.” I squeezed both of them. “And last, and I swear this is thelastthing, but I’ve been meaning to ask about my best friend, Harrietta Blackthorn. You’ve met her before when you were disguised as Opalin and Roosep. Anyway, I miss her dreadfully. Is it all right if she visits me here, at the palace, and brings my galaxy nephew, Siam, too? And she’s also offered to help in the libraries, so I could see her there as well if that’s okay.”
My mother grinned. “Of course, Harrietta is lovely.”
My father chuffed. “Ah, yes, Harrietta. The redhead.”
I returned their grins. “So that’s all right?”
My mother beamed. “Yes, darling. We adore Harrietta, and she is most welcome here anytime.”
My father voiced his agreement too, and I jumped to standing, relief running through me that while I had to pick asuitablemate, I didn’t have to only pick friends of noble lineage.
“Thank you. Thank you both so much.” Impulsively, I hugged them.
They hugged me in return, and my father said quietly, “We just want what’s best for you, Primelle. That’s what we’ve always wanted.”
It waslate by the time I left my parents’ chambers, but we’d come to a decision on several things. We agreed that I would attend the next council meeting with the ten House leaders, and my father would call in witnesses from my neighborhood, my employment, and from schools I’d attended over the seasons to act as character witnesses.
And if that failed to appease the Houses’ worries, my parents would then consult fae they’d worked with previously who were skilled in political and public relations. Because everything boiled down to how others perceived me. If we could find a way to convince the fae of our kingdom that I wasn’t a threat, then my future would be brighter.
I could only hope that it worked, because if it didn’t, magic-suppressing potions were inevitably in my future.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Kole arched an eyebrow at me the following morning. “I’ve heard that your parents are allowing you to begin researching.”
Nodding, I replied, “They are. I was hoping to begin today and see Ree too.”
He canted his head. “Actually, I had something planned first, if that’s okay with you.”
“Oh? What did you have in mind?”
He cupped the back of his neck, and his aura spiked. “Well, I was hoping it would be a surprise.”
“A surprise?” I raised my eyebrows and eyed him playfully. “I adore surprises.”
His lips kicked up. “Something told me you might.”
