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I glance around the space, wondering what he thought when he was in this room. There’s a bed in the center of the room. A cracked, full-length mirror I stole from a trash pile in the corner, one nightstand, and a dresser with everything I own in it.Did he think this room was sad? Pathetic?
He’s probably never seen a room like mine in his life, so, yeah, that’s probably exactly what he thought.
I don’t like the idea, but I take a step into the room. Close enough to touch the shimmering dress. A dress that is more beautiful than every item in this house combined. Hell, I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen a fae woman in anything prettier, even the royalty.
Then I notice something else. Sitting beside the gold dress is a pair of gold heels that buckle around the ankle. They’re absolutely beautiful, but not so high that I think I won’t be able to walk in them, although I’ve never worn heels. There’s also a little blue jewelry box.
Reaching for the mysterious box, I open it and gasp. A golden necklace with amber stones, the official stone of the Summer Fae, glimmers within the box, along with a matching bracelet. The stones are large and finely polished to reflect every drop of light. Anyone who sees this jewelry will believe the wearer is among the Summer fae royalty.
If I wear this, it’s Prince Sulien’s not-so-subtle way of claiming me as his own. It’s a bold move, but then his whole plan is bold. Reckless. Dangerous.
“And I’m going to do it.”
I sink onto the edge of my mattress as my knees give out. I’m going to do this. There was never any actual choice. When the decision is between letting my grandmother and father have everything they’ve ever wanted and more, or continuing to barely survive as their hope dies, there’s no decision to make.
Tonight, I’m going to don this dress. I’m going to pretend that there’s enough fae deep inside of me that the magic will choose me as Prince Sulien’s mate. And then, I’m going to play the part of the handsome fae’s wife. He won’t touch me in private. I won’t touch him. There will never be children in my future, and I’ll never know true love.
And each day, I’ll hope. Hope that the prince doesn’t betray our secret. Hope that he doesn’t get bored with me or find another woman he’d rather match with, maybe even his true mate. And this quiet home I’ve grown to love will fade away.
Lying back on the bed, I swear my face feels wet. But I don’t cry. Crying is stupid. I was never going to marry some man I loved and have a bunch of children. That was never my life, regardless of what my father and grandmother thought. So, I’m not really losing anything.
“I’ll be queen.” I thought the words would come out happy, but instead, they’re broken and sad.
SIX
Sulien
Everything about tonight is so fucking fake it makes my teeth hurt, and my headache grows worse. I can spot a glamor from a mile away, and this whole ballroom is one giant glamor. From the decorations, to the women, who have been throwing themselves at me all night—like rubbing against me will magically turn them into my mate come midnight—it’s all a sham.
It’s no wonder I’m tired of it all.
Where is she?I check the time again. Midnight is approaching with every passing second. Then, the magic will awaken. Then, I must drink the potion in my pocket, and Cassia must be in my arms.
I hope she just wants to make an entrance.
My lips nearly smile at the thought. Cassia is many things, but most certainly unpredictable. Maybe I hadn’t expected her to comeflyinginto my arms with my proposal, but her complete refusal was not among the things I thought she would do.
A fae woman wearing a pink mask winks at me as she passes, and my amusement fades away. I need to focus. To keep my eyes open for Cassia’s entrance, to bring her to my side as quickly as possible once she arrives.
Candles flicker all over the massive room, hanging from the ceiling in crystal cages that reflect light in every direction. Black material weaved with amber threads, spills from the walls, making the room look dark and mysterious. Concealing couches in shadowy corners where fae fuck, then exit, straightening their skirts, and pretending to be ladies.
I sigh and slowly make my way to the ornate table littered with drinks and more food than necessary… What a waste. None of these women are going to eat. They’re going to sip on drinks and hop from man to man, hoping to make some kind of connection.
And the men? They’ll spend their evening in dark corners of the castle, fucking random women, taking breaks to take potions to keep their dicks hard, and they’ll chug drinks to make it easier to believe that any of this matters. The whole affair is sad and pointless, like most of life as a fae.
I need a stiff drink right now. Maybe the men have the right idea on that. Forgetting all of this seems like the best thing I can do.
“And how is Prince Sulien this evening?” Lady Takara asks, sliding up to me, wearing a white mask with little horns and an auburn dress… which is ballsy as hell. By wearing auburn— wearing my colors—she’s basically marking herself as a fae from the Summer Court. As a fae from the House of Wealth, it signifies to everyone that she’s hoping that I’ll be her mate.
I want nothing to do with this arrogant woman. An arrogant woman who I suspect framed Cassia as a thief. Still, it’s never a good idea to insult any fae. Peace between us may have lasted for a long time, but it’s more fragile than any of us care to admit.
“I’m fine.”
She puts a hand on my arm, which I don’t appreciate. “You’re looking fine too, and we match!”
I’m wearing black pants and an auburn shirt, along with a golden ring with an amber stone. It’s an outfit that’s expected of me. Not one I care about in the least bit.
Does this woman actually think I care about my clothes or hers?
