AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Or survive.
Not unless Thalore agrees to find a way to break this bond between us so we can live separately.Or he agrees to live in my realm with me.
I dismiss the thought. Thalore is a lord in Avedon. He has a life here, just like I have a life of my own. Even if Thalore agreed to move to my realm, he would need the queen’s permission.
I don’t know Queen Ulla well, but I know she’s not a female who easily forgives. My mating with Thalore ruined her plans for her daughter, and she won’t let us get away with it. I can only hope that whatever she has planned won’t be too bad. Because like it or not, I am currently at her mercy.
Until I find my way out of this mess.
CHAPTER 2
Julleyand the others have moved all of my belongings to Thalore’s rooms, somewhere in the west wing of the palace. I’ve never been. If I could help it, I never would.
But tonight, I will have nowhere else to sleep. I will be forced to find my supposed mate’s family’s rooms, and I’ll be forced to be around him despite my desire to keep as much distance between us as possible.
I’m wandering through the courtyard, ignoring subtle glances and hushed whispers. A glance at the sun confirms the time for dinner draws near. Rather than submit myself to a dinner with the nobles in the queen’s dining hall, I find myself venturing to the guards’ quarters and the armory attached to it.
The sound of male voices greets me as I step into the weapon-dense space. At first, no one notices me. But the moment that changes, voices die down until the only sound I hear are the heavy breaths of the males sparring in ring at the center of the room.
“Guardian Loftin.” General Wilm, the fae in charge of the royal guard, rises from his place among his soldiers. He walks my way.
“Hello, General.”
He stops less than two feet away. His arms cross. “What are you doing here?”
I blink, taken aback by his unwelcome tone. “I wanted to work out.” That’s not entirely true, but it’s a better answer than admitting I’m avoiding Thalore.
The general’s familiar green eyes flicker with remorse. They harden the next second. “I take it Thalore did not tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“There has been a change in your position at Court.”
I grimace. “I’m aware.” No one cares that I do not acknowledge my supposed mating with Thalore. They treat me like a fae lady with their deferential nods and awed stares when the truth is I am nothing other than a Shadowguard Guardian, eager to return to my former life in the mortal realm.
The general swallows. “What I mean, Lady Andrea?—”
“Don’t,” I snap. Immediately, I go to apologize. “I’m sorry, General. But please don’t call me lady. I’m Andie. Please call me Andie.”
He clearly wants to object. But his expression softens ever so slightly and he nods. “Very well. There has been a change in your position, Andie. You are no longer a member of the royal guard.”
My jaw drops. “What?”
“Members of nobility are not permitted to hold positions with the royal guard.” Regret laces his tone.
I am stunned.
“But that’s ridiculous,” I counter. "I’m a trained Guardian. There’s no better job for me than one with the royal guard.”
“That’s the thing, Andie. Ladies don’t work.”
Indignation fills me, followed swiftly by reluctant understanding.
The fae view of females and their capabilities are outdated, to say the least. My participation in the betrothal contest hadcaused quite a stir, but fortunately the queen allowed me to act as Thalore’s champion.
At the time, I believed Thalore’s decision was based on faith in my abilities. I believed he valued my skills and what I could accomplish as an ambassador for my people. I really thought he was different.
Come to find out he only asked me to the fae realm because he thought I was fae. He wanted me closer to figure out if it was true.
