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It seems that he’s as excited about the wedding as Poppy was.
As soon as Prince Stellan sits down, King Basilicus turns to my father. “What’s going on, Emrys? I know you wouldn’t come if it wasn’t urgent.”
“There have been some… developments,” Father begins.
I nearly snort at his wording. Developments? Fae may not be able to lie, but they can skirt dangerously around the truth.
Prince Stellan sits up straighter, watching my father more closely.
“Please, Emrys, don’t do the fae thing where you soften the truth. Tell me everything.” King Basilicus leans forward, urging my father on.
My father stays quiet.
I clear my throat. “Poppy was stripped of her powers and sent to live with the humans.”
Father turns to glare at me. “Wisteria.”
“What? They deserve to know.” I turn to look at King Basilicus. “And since my older sister is no longer available for the marriage alliance, I am to take her place.”
Prince Stellan’s eyes immediately land on me and he studies me even more carefully than before. I can’t blame him for this—before, I was just the fae emperor’s daughter. Now, he knows we are to be married.
Father sighs. “I was going to say it more delicately than that.”
My father’s words cause me to look away from Prince Stellan’s intense gaze. “You were going to soften the truth. King Basilicus asked for you not to. I just helped you.”
“You’ve never been one to speak your mind,” Father says.
I shrug. “Maybe because the council meetings are stuffy. That, and the fact that they take everything I say so seriously. I’m scared I’ll speak and accidentally start a war.”
“Being at the beach has loosened your tongue.” Fathercocks an eyebrow at me, shaking his head. “You’re more like your mother than I gave you credit for.”
Fathernevertalks about my mother. She’s been a taboo topic for as long as I can remember. To hear him speak about her has my heart racing.
“Your eyes…” King Basilicus stares at me, like he can read my very soul. “Whenever Poppy is around, her eyes are usually orange, yellow, or red. But I’ve watched you, and since you’ve arrived, your eyes have stayed purple and blue, aside from when they flashed green for a moment. This means you’re comfortable around us, yes?”
I lick my lips. “Purple is my natural eye color. Blue can mean a few different things, though it typically means I’m happy or relaxed. I am comfortable around you. Why would I have a reason not to be?”
His grin widens as he turns to my father. “I’m not sure what happened with Poppy, not that it matters to me, but I will say I am pleased with this change. Wisteria will make a fine queen one day.”
Father frowns. “She is meant to be a lot more than amerequeen.”
I kick his leg beneath the table, reminding him to mind his temper, and then I smile at King Basilicus. “Excuse my father. He is still adjusting to the change in my status.”
Father takes a deep breath. “Since Wisteria is to marry Prince Stellan, we do need to change the date of the wedding.”
Prince Stellan shifts in his seat. I turn to glance at him. The moment I make eye contact, he looks away from me.
“Why the change of date?” King Basilicus asks.
“Because Wisteria doesn’t turn twenty two for two more weeks,” Father explains. “Fae are not permitted to get married before their twenty second birthday.”
King Basilicus nods, turning to look at Prince Stellan. “Why don’t you and Imp—”
“Wisteria,” I say, once again cutting him off.
He nods. “Why don’t you and Wisteria go somewhere and talk while I speak to Emperor Emrys?”
Prince Stellan gives him a curt nod and stands from the table. He offers a hand to me and I accept it, allowing him to pull me up. My fingers tingle where our skin makes contact and my stomach tightens.
