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“Oh, right now?”
She nodded. “I’ll show you the way.”
I glanced at Bessie, who nodded encouragement.
I followed the servant through the maze of hallways. It was going to take a while before I knew my way around here. This place was a labyrinth.
Finally, she led me into a dining room. Empty plates stood on the table, but only the King was present. He sat at the head of the table. When we walked in, he looked up.
Was I supposed to bow? I wasn’t sure, so I tried to curtsy, which probably looked like an inelegant squat.
The King smirked, and the servant snorted, but she quickly tried to cover it with a cough.
“Ellie,” he said. His voice was cold. “Come in. Are you hungry?”
I started shaking my head, but my stomach rumbled, contradicting me.
“Bring her food,” he said to the servant, who hurried away. “You missed supper in the mess hall, I imagine. You’ll eat here. Dex informed you about tomorrow?”
“To be in the arena at dawn,” I said, nodding.
“Good. Breakfast is before that. Eat well. You’ll need your strength.”
I was used to an early start, but eating before dawn was going to be a challenge. I nodded. I would do what I needed to stay here.
King Rainier stood, and I watched him as he paced the room. His stature was upright, his manner proud. He walked like a male who knew how to handle himself. I didn’t doubt that he could. I doubted he was the type of warrior to lose in a fight.
“You won’t fight with the others for a while. We’ll need to get you up to speed.”
“I can handle myself,” I said.
“Yes, apparently, you can.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “What I mean is, I don’t need to be singled out. I can get up to speed.”
“You’re not Fae, Ellie,” King Rainier said.
I groaned inwardly. I was aware of my limitations.
“I know, but I can make up for my lack of magic with my fighting skills.”
“Your style is rough, unrefined. You need a lot of work, but you’ll get there.”
I bristled at his hard remarks.
“I’ll prove myself worthy,” I said with a clenched jaw.
King Rainier turned to me, and his expression softened. His eyes became drowning deep, the color of the ocean rather than the cold ice in his gaze, and my heart skipped a beat. I forced myself to look unhindered, but his effect on me was jarring.
Damn it, he was the King, he was taken, and he’d tried to have me killed. If there ever was a red flag situation, this was it.
Keep it together.
“I’m sure you will,” he said.
His eyes were warm, but behind them, sorrow lurked like a beast that waited to devour him.
For just a moment, I saw the male behind the mask. He was a king and powerful Fae, but he was also a being with feelings. And he was hurting. As if my thoughts had opened a floodgate between us, I tasted his sorrow on my tongue. It tasted like the first spring rain, and it was so intense, it made me sad, too.
