Page 37 of Facade

Disappointment settled over me. What had I thought he'd smell anyway? Maybe that stranger hadn’t smelled anything on me other than normal scents. “Oh Evanee, beneath the lavender-scented soap, you smell like horse and manure.”—I huffed a laugh as I imagined the white-haired male saying something to that effect. I peeked over at Aiden and met nothing but darkness. My face hardened instantly, patience snapping. What was his deal?

Thaddeus stood, eating nothing at all, and walked straight for me.

“My Queen, may I borrow you a moment?” He bowed before me, hand outstretched. The fake title made my skin crawl, but for the sake of appearances, I obliged.

We left the dining hall, crossing through the ornate entry to another door. The hallway beyond was narrower than the halls upstairs, and the walls were completely bare.

“I didn’t see a trunk on the carriage for you. Did you not bring additional clothing? I mean no disrespect in asking.”

My step faltered. I wasn’t entirely sure how to answer that. What Queen would travel without multiple trunks?

“Not at all, Thaddeus. I had to pack light.” Very light.

“Then I would like to offer one of my trunks, and you may pick whatever suits you for your journey,” he said as we came to a door that he unlocked with a key and pushed open. There were no windows to let in any light, but Thaddeus snapped his fingers, and little balls of light appeared throughout the room. My eyes widened as he gave me a mischievous grin. Before I could ask what he’d done, I stepped inside, my mouth falling open.

The room was large, and every inch was filled with beautiful gowns in every shade and cut. Some fabrics had been folded and placed on wooden tables against the wall, while the more elaborate gowns were carefully draped on dress stands. On the opposite wall were shelves of shoes. Leather boots, slippers, heels… Anything a female could want.

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” he said, a whisper of sadness lacing his voice.

“They’re gorgeous.” I gaped, not daring to step further into the room, afraid I'd mess up the careful preservation of all the fabric that had been laid in here so deliberately.

“They were my wife’s, my one true mate.”

He walked past me, running his fingers over some jeweled fabric. It was a beautiful dress, strapless in a shade of onyx with sparkling beadwork through the bodice, then flowing skirts of the same onyx mixed with gossamer.

My brow furrowed at the term he had used. While I’d heard of mates among the Fae, it was rare to hear of any true mated pairs on this continent.

“May I ask what happened to her?” Other than this room, there were no signs of a female’s presence here—no portraits throughout the house, either. Come to think of it, there wasn’t anything personal of any kind that I’d observed.

“She died a long time ago.” He moved about the small room. “A sickness had spread across another realm, and she was determined to aid them. It had been spreading quickly, and she believed that it was no ordinary sickness, but one from sinister forces. She was the only one of our people willing to try to stop what was spreading. But when she left on the ship…. She never made it. The ship was attacked, and everyone aboard died.”

He shook his head and walked further into the room, scanning the different fabrics laid out with longing. “I blame myself. I should've gone with her, but I’d stood with those in charge, foolishly believing it wasn’t our place to intervene. I’ll never forgive myself for that. She was my everything.”

The pain in his voice tugged at my heart, and I moved to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” He patted my hand. “I didn’t mean to put my grief upon you.”

He quickly swiped the back of his hand against his cheek.

“My purpose in bringing you here was to let you pick anything you need.” He turned, his smile returning as he gestured to the clothing and shoes in the room.

“I—I can’t take your wife’s clothing, but thank you so much. I’m fine with this. Truly,” I said.

“Nonsense! She was not one for fancy attire. It was I who kept buying them for her. She accused me once of trying to dress her as one would a doll.” His eyes glazed as he smiled fondly.

He shook his head again, as if he could physically shake the memories away. “She preferred that over there.” He pointed to an outfit of black leggings, a black tunic with long sleeves on either side, and knee-high boots to complete it. Hanging on a small hook beside the ensemble was a brown satchel, a white scarf, and a thick, black coat lined with white fur.

“I have to admit, I can see why she'd choose that over the gowns, as beautiful as they are.”

“Please, take it. It would honor me to see a Queen wearing my wife’s favorite outfit, and I am sure it would have honored her as well.” He held his fist over his heart.

I chewed on my lip.

“Thaddeus, you said the other night that you were unique.” I gestured toward the magical balls of light floating throughout the room.

Amusement danced behind his eyes as he studied me.