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The silence is intensely awkward. There’s a funny mixture of guilt and pride in my chest. Guilt that Lucinda feels embarrassed, and pride because of how fiercely protective Elva is. She really is the best thing to ever happen to me. Sometimes having someone come in and help clear out the cobwebs in families is good.
Just when I’m about to break the silence and offer for us to stay somewhere else, Lucinda speaks again. Her words are careful and precise. “I’m happy you both are here. When would you like to get together for a small party?”
Cherie and I look at each other, stunned. Mattias is just happy to be here.
Elva grins. “How about tomorrow night? I’ll help you plan. I’ve heard your family is a big fan of fish.”
We all start laughing. There’s so much joy crammed into this moment we all might burst.
Mostly, I’m just so grateful. I’ve never really felt that before.
Shortly after we unpacked, we find ourselves in the office of the Governing Council. We don’t really have royalty in the Summer Court, it would be far too easy to trick and control them.
There is no receptionist to receive us because the smart room has been designed and programmed to take care of us easily. Elva is really freaked out by it. I just think it’s cool.
She squeezes my leg as the door opens automatically to the counsel room. “Are you ready?”
She knows why I’m nervous. It’s not the negotiations.
We stand up together and walk in hand-in-hand. Elva has placed a royal circlet around her head, the insignia now two soaring birds… a snowy owl and an osprey. I hadn’t asked her to do it.
The reason for my anxiousness is sitting in the middle of the table. An inconsequential place for a big station. His russet brown hair is so long it reaches the mid-section of his back. He sits up so straight he looks like he literally has a stick up his ass.
Anger and embarrassment swirl inside of me.
“The Queen Regnant and her Consort have arrived.” The artificial voice is speaking through hidden speakers around us.
Everyone is smiling, so bright and cheery. I hope Elva can see the daggers in their eyes, the calculations of wondering exactly how to trick us into some terrible deal.
“Welcome, Nathaniel and Elva. Everyone, meet my son and his wife, Her Highness Elva.”
I’m so tense that I can hear my bones creaking as I walk. Now that I am someone with power, I am worth his time.
“Andrius, council.” Elva nods to everyone graciously.
The first order of business is trade routes and then a travel agreement between our Fae courts. Surprisingly, the meeting goes very well. Elva, unsurprisingly, is even-keeled and sees through all of their baiting. It must be infuriating for them. One member briefly brings up the crown prince that I killed, but it is quickly swept under the table as a problem for a later date.
At the end of the meeting, everyone stands, and there is a bit more of the lightness in the air. I am grateful, even though I spent most of the six hours locked in there, avoiding Andrius’ staring.
Just as we are leaving the building, I hear footsteps walking quickly towards us. Andrius is standing there, a forced smile plastered on his face.
“Can I have a word with my son?” He says to Elva.
“Son. You really like using that word now, don’t you? Too bad it gave you a violently sick reaction for the last century and a half, no?” I spit out. A very bitter flavor has coated the insides of my mouth.
Andrius pouts, “Oh, come on, I was never very good with the baby stuff.”
“I most definitely was not a baby when you began being cruel.”
“Nathaniel—”
“No, just stop. I don’t want to hear it. You’re too late. I wish you the best but stay away from my family and me. You are nothing to us anymore.”
He stares at me, stunned, for several moments before I turn and walk out the doors. I find Elva’s face upturned and her arms out as she stands in the last rays of light. She looks golden, like a goddess.
She pries open one of her icy eyes, studying my expression. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I say and snake a hand around her waist, kissing her temple. Her skin is warm. I growl a little with delight. “Let’s go back and hang out with my mom?”
