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Rue’s magic felt very similar. A warm glowing presence at my side, appealing but not available for connection, despite the almost constant urge to reach for it—for her.

Rue’s voice cut through my thoughts. “What is the next step in proving your eligibility for the throne?”

“Meeting the king himself.” I grimaced at the thought.

“Are you afraid he will hate you?”

I laughed without mirth. “Afraid that I won’t hate him. By all accounts, he sounds like a charming fae. I suppose he would have to be in order to get away with all he has.” The pure audacity of the fae king made my stomach sour.

“Don’t hate him.” Rue’s touch on my arm disrupted my ruminations. My magic flared and heated beneath my skin as it reached for her.

Unheeding of the magical firestorm she had set off in my senses, Rue continued speaking. “Hate leads to bitterness, which will turn your heart hard and twist you into something horrible.”

“What do you suggest instead?” Gazing down into her soft green eyes, I was tempted to promise her whatever she asked as long as she continued to touch my arm.

“Pity him.”

“He is the king of the Unseelie. What about his situation makes him pitiable?”

“He lost his fated mate, destroyed his marriage, and attempted to take over the Seelie throne, gaining him a curse that is stealing his power from him. He has lost everything of value.”

I smiled down at her. “Only you, of everyone around me, would see the riches we have seen thrown about over the past weeks and say it is of no value.”

“Riches are cold without family and companionship.” Rue smiled then, truly smiled, her eyes softening in a way that drew me. “Even now, Mela’s joy while playing with Jas and Heath makes all the difficulties of our situation worth it.”

“What difficulties? What matters are causing you to struggle?” The words escaped me before I thought how they might sound. I had no intention of diminishing her experience or feelings.

Thankfully, Rue took no offense.

Tilting her head, she frowned. “The rules of this new life are hard to work out. I am no longer a servant, which means I am not allowed to truly work. Hemming my clothing is discouraged, but I am allowed to sew decorative patterns on fine linen to adorn the house as decorations. As a female, I am not permitted to speak on topics of consequence, but I must learn to converse on a whole range of frivolous topics so I can be an engaging conversationalist.” She rolled her eyes. “Madam Milana acted horrified when I pointed out the foolishness of Lord Moritz carrying around a cane when he clearly didn’t need it to assist his walking.” Rue’s mouth tightened in suppressed amusement. “Apparently it is an affectation.” She nodded back in the direction we came from. “Lady Lyra encourages me to try out occupations within these new restrictions, but no one else appears to care that I have no occupation or focus. Such lack of purpose chafes me. Yet, I should be content. For once in my life, I have no fear of when I will eat next or if I will have a safe place to lay my head at night.”

I ached at the thought of her living with so much uncertainty, even as guilt that I hadn’t done something about it irritated me.

“I am scheduled for a lecture on the fiscal situation of the kingdom next. Would you like to join us? It won’t necessarily be interesting, but it would offer a change of scenery and occupation.” Sensing her hesitancy, I hurried to add, “But if you have other plans…”

She shook her head before I finished. “Nothing is pressing, and I would welcome a change. Are you sure you and Nerio wish for my company?” She studied my features earnestly. “I am assuming Nerio is included as well, considering his claim.”

“He is.” And I suspected he would love seeing her. The fop asked after Rue almost every time I saw him. Apparently, she had charmed him completely during the introductory dinner and every encounter since had deepened his fascination with her. My irritation rose, causing Rue to give me a side-eye as we walked.

“Are you certain you wish for me to join you?” she asked, pulling away slightly and releasing my arm. I felt the loss acutely but tried to hide it.

“Please join us. You might discover a new interest. I recently discovered I enjoy geography and studying foreign policy.”

Her eyebrows rose in amused surprise. “Truly?”

I nodded. “Plus, Nerio would enjoy seeing you and stop asking me constantly about how you are faring.”

“There.” She swung around to face me and narrowed her eyes as she peered up at me, the picture of focused study as she confronted me. “You are irritated.”

“At Nerio, not at you.”

“Oh?”

Ducking my head slightly, I drew in a deep breath. “He asks after you daily.”

“Oh.” Her whole being deflated as she mulled over the news. “And what do you think that indicates?”

“He cares about your wellbeing?”