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“Elix,” I replied. He laughed and nudged his wife, as if I’d said something hilarious. Their grins alarmed me for reasons I didn’t quite understand.
“Oh, we know. Everyone knows who you are,” his wife informed me.
I flushed and smiled, but before I could think of something humble to say, he continued. “You’re the one who can control all the four elements, right?”
The smile on my face froze, and I glanced at Jace. As I suspected, he was listening, his head swiveling toward the minister, who leaned in confidentially. “That’s quite a talent for a mere fae to possess.”
My neck stiffened, and I again looked toward Jace. I wasn’t sure how to respond, but it wasn’t the first time I’d had this very thing hinted at me. I just hadn’t expected it in the middle of a royal dining hall, surrounded by all of these finely dressed faeries.
“Is it?” I muttered uncomfortably, shifting my weight in my seat.
“That’s an awful lot of power for a non-noble to hold,” he went on as I bristled. “It would make sense if you were of some royal bloodline. The royals have powerful bloodlines. But you are just a commoner, are you not?”
He stared at me, but the question was obviously rhetorical.
“I looked you up. You’re trending everywhere,” he went on. “I can barely turn on a screen without seeing your face.”
Courtesy of Jace’s PR team.
I could sense that I wasn’t going to like where this conversation was heading, even before the minister spoke.
“Are you?” his wife pressed. “Noble blooded?”
“Not that I know of,” I muttered, looking at Jace intently now. I needed him to end this before I said something ugly.
“Are you sure you’re fully fae?” Thaddieus asked bluntly. His implication was out there now, and my guard fully erected.
Yep. Now it’s on.
My lips parted to retort sharply, but before I could utter a sound, a strong hand fell on my knee. Jace’s fingers squeezed at my bare skin reassuringly, his head barely shaking “no.”
“What else would she be if not a fae?” Jace interjected sweetly, his voice even. But I knew better. He was lulling this idiot into submission before going in for the kill. My shoulders raised almost to my ears, my body vibrating with upset.
“Well, I would think that maybe her bloodline is mixed with dark magic, being able to control so much!” Thaddieus said frankly. “We know that the Order of Souls had a hold all overMystara. It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that if she’s not noble and not an enchantress, it’s the only other logical explanation.”
His words carried far enough that some of the other guests turned, and my complexion waned. My breaths started to escape in uneven rasps, but I became even more acutely aware of Jace’s hand on my knee as his eyes flashed.
“Are you suggesting that my fiancée is associated with the Order of Souls?” Jace asked deliberately, enunciating every word. The look in his eyes reminded me of the party at Goldhaven Palace, and my heart froze in anticipation.
“N-No, Alpha,” Thaddieus sputtered. “Of course not?—”
“It sounds to me like you were,” Jace growled.
“I’m just telling you what it said online?—”
“Oh, we have an internet scholar on our hands, everyone,” Jace cooed loudly.
Thaddieus paled. “I’m not?—”
“Do you know who I am, sir?” he hissed, baring his fangs before the minister could finish his protest. Thaddieus drew back, realizing his mistake too late.
“O-of course, Alpha.”
“And you would dare to say something like that about my betrothed, anyway? To my face? You must be either very brave or very stupid.”
“What’s going on over there?” King Cade demanded, his voice booming out as the minister tried to look away. The music quieted, but Jace wasn’t finished. He leaned in closer as Thaddieus drew back. I sat fully erect, like I might shatter into a million pieces. The minister tried to dart his eyes away, but Jace wasn’t having it.
“Were you reared in a cave, Minister Thaddieus?” he barked. “When a king addresses you, you don’t look away! I think I have the answer to my question: Stupid it is.”
