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“Yes,” her mother admitted quietly.
“Care to elaborate?” His voice was almost as cold as Aledwen’s emotions, and she didn’t blame him. The moment the two of them, or more accurately, the four of them, let their emotions get the better of them, was the moment they lost control of the situation. Which was already proving difficult enough from Brandon’s balled fists at the other side of the throne.
Aledwen longed to go comfort him, to let him know that it was all going to be alright. But that wouldn’t help their cause.
“There’s a series of treaties between the elvish High Lord and I.”
“I can corroborate.” Fane stepped forward from the rest of the assembled court. His gaze flickered to Aledwen, before turning away again. She had no idea what was going on there. But a tug in her gut told her that he was as much hers as the rest of them were.
Only he didn’t seem to feel the same.
“Please go on,” Drey prompted, though she knew it was all for show.
“What do you want me to say?” Her mother’s anger rose, and Aledwen bit back a smile. While the Queen may not realise it, she was doing exactly what they wanted her to. If she was angry, then she’d likely let things slip that she shouldn’t otherwise. Which was pretty much the only way they were going to be able to catch her out.
If Cyprus’ theory was true, then there was no doubt of her mother’s intelligence. She just hoped they hadn’t underestimated her. That would end badly. Probably with a trip down to the dungeons and an appointment with some chains. Her mother would stay clear of torture at least.
And that was why she’d kept Aledwen away from the rest of the fae. If she ever caused a problem, then she’d be easy to get rid of because no one knew, or cared about her. What her mother probably hadn’t expected, was for her to end up with three shifters in tow. Or an elf.
No. She couldn’t think of Fane like that. Not yet anyway. He clearly hadn’t accepted what he was to her yet. Even if the other three had already recognised. Meaning Fane probably knew already, just wasn’t acting on it, bizarrely.
“Please tell us about your treaties.”
“There isn’t much to tell.”
“What’s in them?” Drey asked, his piercing eyes never leaving her.
“That is none of your business,” her mother half-shouted. Perfect, she was just where they needed her.
“As one of the future Consorts of Spring, I think it is.” Drey kept surprisingly calm, showing neither his anger nor his excitement.
“You know what’s in them.”
“Better than you do, I expect,” Drey announced loudly, causing a cascade of gasps throughout the room.
“That’s-”
“Completely true,” Fane broke in. “I’ve brought all of the treaties since the Princess Aledwen’s birth, and you’ve signed all but the most recent one without even asking to read it. No fae has even been remotely interested until the Princess was allowed to court.” His eyes flickered to her again, and this time there was no mistaking the protectiveness and affection that was lingering there. He was definitely as much a part of her as the others. His speaking out for her now was a good indication of that.
“That doesn’t mean-” her mother started.
“You could have signed away anything,” Drey pointed out.
“You almost signed away your own daughter,” Fane added, receiving a sharp look from the dragon. He hadn’t intended for that information to come from anyone other than the Queen herself.
However, it still seemed to have the desired effect, and the assembled fae began to titter among themselves.
Deciding enough was enough, Aledwen rose to her feet, straightening her spin and trying to sound as confident as possible. Which would be hard, considering she was shaking inside. This wasn’t quite what she imagined would happen when she was finally allowed at court.
“What did you gain from the first treaty, Your Majesty?” she asked coldly. Her mother looked her way, with fear in her eyes. But this wasn’t fear of Aledwen. Nor was it fear of losing her. Instead, it appeared to be the fear of getting caught. Which worried her no end. And broke her heart more than a little.
That look told her all she needed to know. Her mother had never truly cared for her. Even the small acts of affection she’d felt over the years had just been acts to try and control her. All Aledwen represented to her mother was a loss of power. Especially now she was eighteen and would take over the Birth.
“Well?” Drey prompted, but Aledwen waved him down. This was on her now. She needed to show the fae who she really was.
“Masking powers,” her mother whispered.
“Masking powers for what?” Aledwen asked loudly, making sure that the court could actually hear.
