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I took a sip from the glass of water Feron had fetched me. He interacted with everyone with a wide smile and open arms. He was never rushed, meandering from one group to the next with me on his arm. He asked after their families, their friends, as if he knew them. He even referred to his servants by name.
I stood, holding the glass in front of my lips, studying him. I couldn’t imagine the king behaving so warmly at court. I tried to find a crack in his mask, a pinched brow or tense neck, but there was nothing. Feron was completely at ease.
Unlike me.
“You are quieter than I expected,” Feron said, as the last group of people crossed the room in search of refills of their wine.
“I’ve never been to the Faeland before. As you know,” I added, raising a brow. “I thought it best to observe.”
Feron tilted his head to the side, smiling down at me. “And have your observations met your expectations?”
I tensed, unsure how to answer his question.
“I expected you to put a knife in my head,” I said honestly.
Feron’s eyes widened. A cool silence settled between us, hanging in the air. I stood tall, refusing to blink until Feron broke into a fit of laughter.
“Keera, we may be old,” he said, clapping his hands, “but we have not resorted to killing dinner guests for entertainment just yet.” He smiled so wide two dimples appeared on each of his cheeks.
A wave of heat washed over my skin. I smiled, hoping he couldn’t see it in my face. “So the killing will come after dinner, then?” I pushed, placing my water glass on a passing tray.
Feron’s laughs stopped in his throat. His full lips were set in a straight line as he addressed me. “If I wanted you dead, Keera, you never would have set foot in this city.” A shiver ran down my spine as his violet eyes pierced through me. “I have no plans to kill you. Tonight, or tomorrow. I expect the same of you,” he said, his eyes flickering to my skirts. My skin crawled against the concealed blades along my thigh.
I swallowed a thick gulp of air.
“You break the treaty so freely and I’m to think you’ll allow me to leave? To tell the king?” I crossed my arms and hoped I looked more dangerous than I felt.
“If anyone has broken the treaty, it is you,” Feron said, crossing his thick arms to match my stance.
I ignored his point.
“The Fae are meant to turn any Halflings over to the Crown,” I pushed.
Feron’s lips twitched. “You expect me to kill you because you have met my citizens?”
“Halflings are owned by the king,” I said automatically. The moment the words left my lips the names on my skin seared under my dress.
Feron lifted his chin as his brows pinched along his wide nose. “Then let the king collect them.” The cheery lilt in his voice was gone. His tone was nothing but serious.
I blinked twice. “Youwantme to tell the king?” The blood drained from my face.
Feron let me stew, taking a sip of his wine. “No, I do not,” he said. “But it does not matter if you do. The king will not cross into the Faeland.”
“The king is a proud man,” I said before I could stop myself.
Feron smirked. “I am aware of Aemon’s pride. But let me ask you this, Keera. Has the king ever been concerned about Halflings coming to hide in the Faeland?”
I shook my head.
“I am not surprised. I am sure it is more than the king led you to believe. But the truth is that Aemon is fully aware Halflings live freely in these lands. Just as I am fully aware that he will not take the trouble to claim them as long as I do not expose his secret.” He gulped back the last of his drink and placed it gently on a table beside him. The green gemstone hugging his fingers reflected faelight across my face.
“Why tell me this?” I asked, thoughts swirling in my head. What kind of game was Feron playing?
He offered me his arm and I took it cautiously. “I am not playing a game, Keera,” he said with a sideways glance as we walked toward the tall doors across the room. “I only think it is fair that you know as much as the man who claims to own you.”
His words shook through my body and left me feeling cold and empty. I didn’t like the way his violet eyes trailed over me, like he was reading the run of thoughts inside my head. Using his magic on me. The floor spun under me; my head felt faint.
“Keera?” Feron grabbed my elbow sensing the spike of my heartbeat.
