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“Thank you.”
“And very much like a Queen.”
“Perfect.”
He led her out of her room, and down through the halls she knew so well.
“Where is everyone?” he asked after a few moments.
“At court, I assume,” Aledwen answered.
“But...”
“Haven’t you heard of being fashionably late?”
“Well, yes, but...”
“And making an entrance?” she teased, a smirk lifting her mouth.
“Oh.”
“Yes. Maximum impact.” She’d never felt more devious than she did right now, but it’d be worth it. When she entered her mother’s throne room, all eyes were going to be on her. And they were going to have to listen to what she had to say.
Seventeen
The guard outside the door looked particularly uneasy when Aledwen asked her to announce her. Not that anyone would blame her. She was being faced off by a rather determined looking princess with a dragon shifter on her arm. That was intimidating enough, without knowing that what was about to happen would go against the Queen’s wishes.
“Announcing her Royal Highness, Fae Princess of Spring, Aledwen, and her escort, Dreyfus of Flock Kinnon.” The woman’s voice cracked with nerves, but Aledwen was pleased. She’d already opened the door and announced them after all. The damage was done whether she wanted it to be or not.
A hush fell over the room as Aledwen and Drey stepped in. She tamped down on the urge to grin like a fool, and kept her face a cool mask of calm.
As she walked towards the throne at the back of the room, she was unsurprised to find the twins standing sentry over her mother. She nodded at each of them, a gesture they returned. Which was helpful. Not having to voice things to them would allow this to run much more smoothly.
“Good morning.” Aledwen kept her voice steady, ensuring it carried throughout the room for everyone to hear. There was no point wrestling away power, if not everyone was able to witness it. “I’d like to introduce my mates to the court.”
There was a murmur throughout the room, though whether it was because of what she was doing, or her use of the plural mates, she wasn’t sure.
“Daughter,” her mother acknowledged. There was a slight shake in her voice that told Aledwen all she needed to know. Her mother knew what was coming, or at the very least suspected. She hoped it wasn’t one of the men who’d told her. But she doubted it. She’d seen how angry they’d been.
Aledwen let go of Drey’s arm, and took her seat on the throne one step down from her mother’s. She wasn’t quite sure what had happened to her, but she was suddenly particularly resentful about the way her mother had treated her throughout her life.
Just why had she been hidden away. Well, not hidden away as such. But why hadn’t she been part of society like any good heir should be? It was like her mother had waited until the last possible moment to let her know the other fae. It had to be about keeping hold of her power, and if their theory was correct, then there was a very good reason...
“Are you going to introduce us?” her mother hissed from the side of her mouth, but Aledwen didn’t fail to notice the worried sidelong glance she gave Cyprus, who was to Aledwen’s right, as she spoke.
“Everyone, it is my pleasure to announce, Dreyfus of Flock Kinnon, and Brandon and Cyprus Reed,” she nodded towards each of them as she said their names, and they each turned to bow to her in turn. Drey had told her that would happen. Apparently he’d spent some time reading while he’d been guarding her mother, and found it was common practice for a fae’s fated mate.
“Welcome to the Spring Court,” the Queen said through gritted teeth. “Do any of you wish to address the court?” This time, her voice shook, and Aledwen almost felt a perverse sense of pleasure over the fact her mother was on such a back foot. It had taken a long time to get her to this stage.
“I do,” Drey responded instantly, taking a step towards them. He gave Aledwen a lingering look, before shifting his attention to the older woman.
“As Aledwen’s mate, I wish to know if there are any outstanding marriage requests.”
The Queen’s face blanched as clear panic overtook her. There was no way she could lie here. Getting caught out in a lie would be particularly bad for her right now.
“There is a treaty that hasn’t been signed yet, requesting Aledwen’s hand in marriage, yes.”
“And does this treaty pertain to anything else?” he asked, his dark eyes narrowed towards the throne. If it was Aledwen under his gaze, then she’d have been scared beyond belief. Then again, if it was her he was looking at, then his expression would be much, much different.
