Page 90 of Facade

The court was full.

All of the courtiers, Lords, Ladies, and even humans of high standing were in attendance. Foods of every variety were being prepared in the kitchens. The smells snaked through the stone corridors of the white-marbled palace. I didn’t care about the attendees or the food. I didn’t care for the large, five-tiered cake on display just outside the grand hall. I didn’t even respond to the emissary, his greasy hair sticking in patches on his balding head as he offered congratulations. My gaze had locked on the dais ahead, where the King sat tall and proud, an iron crown adorning his dark, full head of hair. His piercing blue eyes locked on me, and a hush settled over the gathered crowd as they turned their attention my way.

Acid burned in my stomach.

Mother placed her hand on my back, shoving my frozen feet forward. I reluctantly moved, my strides heavy. Every step closer to that dais buried my freedom deeper in its grave.

The Queen’s gray eyes assessed me, the corner of her mouth slightly hitching, as if she approved of the mare she'd purchased, for that’s all I was at this point. Her golden hair fell in ringlets around her, beneath a flashy golden crown studded with diamonds and sapphires. She stood, her violet skirts flaring as she clasped her hands in front of her, letting a little giggle escape.

“My, my. You are as striking as I’ve heard. You wonder, when you hear a young female is the most beautiful in the realm, but you, my dear, are absolutely exquisite. Isn’t she darling?” She turned toward the male on her other side, who'd been standing further back in the shadows.

As he moved forward, his uniform was unlike that of the warriors lining the walls in their black fighting leathers; his clothing was pristine, unmarred. White pants with a white tunic and a royal blue button-down coat. He held his head proudly; a smirk etched on his face. Deep blue eyes picked me apart as they scoured every inch of my body. My gaze hardened as I, too, held my head high, despite the deep urge to run—not just from this maddening arrangement, but from the scrutiny of the court, as they too assessed and judged.

My gaze locked on him as the Queen looped her arm through his.

“Evanee, I’d like you to meet my son, your betrothed—Prince Aiden Nightbane.”

24

Evanee

I was on all fours, retching into the wet slush on the hard, frozen ground. Aiden kneeled beside me, rubbing my back, each circle he made grating against my nerves. His voice barely penetrated the heavy thrum of blood rushing through my head.

After a final gag, I rocked back on my heels, dragging my sleeve across my mouth.

“Evanee! What happened?” Aiden demanded, grabbing my hands and hauling me to my feet. Words eluded me, shock and disbelief stacking one atop another. Prince Aiden Nightbane. My betrothed…

“Evanee, you’re shaking. Are you alright?” I barely registered his hands gripping my shoulders, my breath ragged.

“I know who you are.” The words barely made it past my lips. He froze before stepping back, hands dropping to his side.

“What do you mean?” He tried to keep his voice light. Darkness lurked underneath the facade anyway. Instinct screamed at me to stay silent—pretend this was just another unfortunate side effect of my spasms and to sneak off later as planned.

But he hadn’t told me the truth. And I had to know why.

“I remember you,” I said, voice firmer. He frowned. “What I am. And I’m pretty damn sure Malachai is the same.”

“Don’t use foul language,” he warned through gritted teeth. “Whatever you remember, it can’t be discussed here.” He turned to walk away, dismissing me yet again.

“Seriously? That’s all you have to say?” I lurched forward, grabbing his arm and wrenching him toward me. A snarl tore from him, eyes flashing in warning.

“Aiden, I’m telling you that I remember who you are. What we both are. I know that you were the prince of the Gargoyles. And I was supposed to marry you,” I whispered the last part. The reality of that sentiment had not yet sunk in.

Wild eyes snapped to mine.

“You remember… being betrothed to me?”

“Yes, I do. Vaguely.” I offered him a smile, but I didn’t feel the relief I thought I would. Or excitement at finding out that the male I’d grown attracted to and almost slept with had been my betrothed. Instead, something twisted low in my gut as his smile spread—slow, satisfied, and entirely unsettling.

“Now you understand why I continue to call you my Queen.”

My smile faltered—then fell altogether.

“Why have my memories been blocked? Why was I at the Fae Queen’s summer castle, as a servant?” He pursed his lips. “Why go through this charade of a journey? Why not just tell me who you are?” My foot slid back a step. “And how are you the captain of the Fae Kings’ guards?”

“To save our kind, I made choices,” he said quietly. “Sacrifices. You wouldn’t understand—”

“You’re blood oath with the King? Didn’t work out, did it? They were still annihilated. And how did I end up here, Aiden? How—”