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The king was in his element, spouting off more instructions and vibrating with the energy of being in charge.
“We will need to attend an event together eventually. Your brother can lead that, but make sure you are…yes.”
The king frowned, confused. Nate watched the wheels turn, struggle, and not continue, and disappointment crashed hard that the initial energy was gone, and the man looked as blank as ever.
“And the blood parties? They are getting more uncontrollable.”
“Your brother will handle that.”
There was a finality to the tone that ended the conversation before it flew off the ground, and there was nothing Nate could do save for insisting on it, forcing his father’s hand, and either embarrassing both of them or cluing the guests in on the man’s current state of mind. It became more obvious as Hathor entertained some houses and conversed with them, losing track of some questions and not answering a few. To anyone else, Hathor was either just developing a haughty mood or playing with them. Nate knew the truth and was ready to step in when the man stood up.
But someone beat him to it. “Your highness, may I accompany you to your destination? My father couldn’t make it, and I know he likes accompanying you on your garden walks.”
Hathor looked at Stephanie Rue, recognized her, and nodded his assent. The crowd parted for them and bowed as he left.
“The queen always sits on that throne,” a silky voice announced, the disapproval clear. “Just because you are the prince and very hot doesn’t mean you can.”
“I sat there as a son keeping his father company,” he replied, turning to acknowledge Sylvia. The bikini she wore bared everything and even made her nipples visible when she arched them, but he felt nothing.
“Our house sets it up for every single event, and we always want it honored, not disrespected,” she mused. “Of course, I can let it go just this once. How about we….”
“Oh, there you are. Nathaniel, I have something exciting to show you. You can touch it, too, since I know you are in so much need of it. Come on.”
Astonishment flooded his system at the kiss on his cheek before he was dragged out of there. He followed her along the halls, then couldn’t stifle his chuckle when they were out of earshot.
“What was that all about?”
“Giving you an excuse to leave early, of course. You want to follow Stephanie and your father, don’t you?”
Oh, this woman…he nodded, then continued shadowing her before he took her hand, reveling in how she knew him so well.
“Wrong way. Come on.”
He led her in the other direction, using a shortcut that would end in the garden but ensured that they wouldn’t bump into the two along the way.
“What’s this exciting thing I can touch and am in so much need of?” he asked, glancing at her.
She smirked. “Flowers and fresh air. I’m assuming the garden has that.”
He didn’t confirm, hastening until they reached their destination. He stepped back to let her soak in the view of the large room with a domed roof, where tiny lights dotted the beamlines and matched the stars visible through the glass paneling.
“No flowers,” she said in disappointment.
“The sun’s what matters to my father. And look.”
He placed a finger on his lips, signaling her to be quiet as shadows crossed the artificial light. As soon as Hathor and Stephanie passed the first row of bushes, they glowed, spreading until the rest of the garden glowed a vibrant green, too. The eerie, haunting effect had Winter’s face enraptured, the visible joy of seeing something she considered magical drawing her in. On instinct, he didn’t let go of her hand, tugging her to a hidden corner as they listened to the laughter. The garden visit was brief and the other two left. But Nate and Winter stayed behind and watched until the glow turned dim again.
“Does it only glow for him?”
“No. It glows when it feels a presence. But the presence has to be close. The bushes were imported from an abandoned Fae land. We don’t get along with Fae. A majority of us despise them on principle due to our history of war. But he loves this garden.”
She got lost in her ruminations, no doubt reviewing the pixie’s lessons.
“I felt the king’s excitement earlier,” she finally said. “Then it just turned…ugly. He was struggling to think. He was in pain here.”
She touched her chest, sadness etched on her features as if she could feel it, too. His thumb brushed her cheek.
“He’s fighting it. He can’t let the other houses see his weakness or else….”
