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Chapter Fifteen
Kent
Three days flew past. Before we completed preparations, the court descended on the household in a wave of chaos. Carriage after carriage pulled up to the front entrance and disgorged their heavily decorated occupants. Sprites, high fae, dwarves, nymphs, dryads, and brownies in their traveling attire emerged like butterflies from cocoons and fussed about, greeting each other and gossiping.
I watched it all from the top of the staircase to the main entrance. At my side, Lord Greyson glared down at the lot of them.
“Don’t be deceived by their feathers. Every one of those fussy bits of pretty fluff is a dangerous creature desperate to grasp and hold on to every bit of power they can get their claws on. And, make no mistake, they will kill, maim, and sell their children to gain the smallest bit more power.”
“Makes me wonder yet again why I should bother with your scheme,” I replied.
“Because they won’t be your only subjects.” Rue’s soft answer soothed my irritated senses as she slipped her hand into mine. “There are many more fae who live beyond the court and they need you more than these courtiers.”
Lord Greyson grunted. “I am glad to hear that at least one of you has been paying attention to my lectures.”
“Just because I listen doesn’t mean I agree,” I pointed out as I tugged Rue closer and savored her magic threading through our connection. The mating mark on my forearm warmed pleasantly.
“That is just because you haven’t traveled through the realm yet.” Lord Greyson frowned at Rue. “Where is Mela?”
Rue leaned into me. “Securely behind the door of your personal apartment. Thank you again for offering to include her in your children’s security routine.”
Lord Greyson nodded curtly. “I don’t want any accidents with my children or your charge. Humans are vulnerable when there are this many fae underfoot and such stakes at hand.”
“Greetings, Lord Greyson!” Lord Moritz took the stairs at a mincing run, his cane dangling from his elbow. In his shadow was a tall, imposing male with medium-length silver-blond hair and piercing blue eyes that assessed each of us.
At my side, Rue tensed and took a step back and partially behind me. She didn’t release my hand, though.
Ignoring her reaction, Lord Moritz continued unperturbed, “I wish to make known to you Lord Stanton, the leading contender for the throne.”
“Lord Greyson.” Lord Stanton bowed to his host. “You are most gracious to host such an event on such short notice.”
I didn’t need Rue’s magic to interpret the icy intent in the cold glance Lord Stanton flicked my way.
Rue dropped my hand and caught my elbow sleeve instead as she hid herself behind me. By the time Lord Greyson turned to me to make introductions, she wasn’t visible. “Lord Stanton, may I make Master Kent known to you?”
I bowed, as was proper for an inferior addressing himself to a male of higher rank. “Well met, my lord.”
“Master Kent, I greet you.” He offered me a painfully precise nod. “If I am not mistaken, you are one contender for the crown.”
“I am.”
“Then by week’s end we will be either brothers or enemies.” He narrowed his piercing gaze at me.
“Or neither,” I pointed out.
“I wasn’t aware of any other option.” Lord Stanton tilted his head slightly, the first unregimented movement he had made. “Either we are related or you are a traitor to the throne, which will make me your enemy when I take the crown.”
“Tell me, Lord Stanton, do you come by your title via your mother’s line or your father’s?”
“My mother’s. I never met my father, yet according to my mother, I take after him.” He glanced over my shoulder, clearly distracted. “Who might your lovely companion be?”
“Mistress Rue is under my protection,” Lord Greyson stated flatly.
Lord Stanton frowned at his host. “As though I would hurt a lady beneath a fellow noble’s roof.” The tone of indignation struck me as a bit overdone, but maybe Rue’s obvious reluctance to be in the fae’s presence influenced me.
“Might I be permitted a greeting, mistress?” Lord Stanton asked in an oily, persuasive tone. Identifying the signs of persuasion magic, I reached behind myself and offered Rue my gloved hand. She immediately claimed it, weaving her slender fingers through mine before she stepped out from behind me to meet Lord Stanton’s intensely interested gaze.
“Friends?” he asked as he took in our joined hands.
