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“There are supposed to be six members, but one died while Dallas was away retrieving you. The High Court has the final say in any decision that affects the entire kingdom.” Orla huffed. “They want to meet you, and we have to deal with what losing the sixth and oldest member of the court means.”
We approached an archway, and I started, “What?—”
She lifted a finger, cutting me off, and gestured to an archway on the right side of the hall where a massive room came into view.
Ten rectangular tables made of vines were placed strategically throughout the space. Large branches grew from each table into seats framed with large yellow cushions that resembled petals of flowers for the back and bottom. A large canopy of vines arched over the entire room, and more plants grew in the corners. Twinkle lights lit up the room, and again, this place felt magical. Especially this garden. Every inch of this place was bursting with plants and flowers, and the succulent scents were like the best perfume I’d ever smelled.
Six commanding figures sat at the first table, and Dallas was grinning as he leaned against a plant on one side of the room.
All six figures stood and turned toward us.
My first instinct, as always, was to size up a room quickly, but something inside me couldn’t do it.
For the first time in my life, I had no control over my body, and my eyes fixed on a man on the far side of the table. He was tall, dark, and commanding, with ice-blue eyes that sliced straight through to my soul, making me feel naked.
His jaw clenched as he scanned me and pushed shaggy, dark, wavy hair out of his face. He frowned as he leaned over, placing both hands on the table. Intimidation laced every twitch of muscle as he practically vibrated, his presence chilling despite the warmth of the air.
His hands glowed a faint blue and sparks the same color as his irises flickered out of them, spurting from his skin. Then something even more ridiculous happened. A frosty glaze spread over the table from underneath his palms.
This man, both beautiful and terrifying, was furious with … me. Or with Alina, who he likely believed me to be.
Something like ice chips and lightning flared in his eyes, and I hoped like hell I could convince him I wasn’t Alina before he killed me. Because that look? That was a man on the edge of murder.
Chapter Four
“King Kieran,” Orla snapped, body rigid. “Your magic isn’t allowed in Summer territory.”
“Unless provoked.” His jaw clenched.
I didn’t know how to describe his voice. The tone was icy, but his voice was deep and husky, and I wanted to close the distance between us.
I planted my feet firmly, refusing to be the type of woman who ran straight into danger. Listening to those red flags was important to avoid perilous situations.
Dallas chuckled from his place against the wall across from Kieran. The cocky prick said, “Don’t try to justify your provocation as due to being in Summer territory. You came here of your own free will.”
Kieran’s steely gaze moved from me to Dallas. If five other pairs of eyes hadn’t been on me, I would’ve crossed my fingers, hoping Kieran would kick Dallas’s ass. The prick deserved a severe beating, and if I couldn’t give it to him, I’d settle for the Winter King doing it on my behalf. Kieran was twice the size of Dallas, and I had no doubt the Winter King could take him.
“No one has said anything to you or drawn a weapon on you.” The tall, elegant woman who’d spoken crossed her arms, bunching the silk of her white dress with its golden lace bodice at her waist. Though her gown was sleeveless, pieces of white silk draped her arms, contrasting with her light-brown skin. “After two thousand cycles, are you trying to negate the peace treaty and attack my queen?” She arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow and narrowed gray eyes the shade of a storm cloud.
At least she was aligned with my sister and her territory.
King Kieran stiffened, and his magic vanished, but the ice that had sprouted from his hands remained. He lifted both hands from the table and wiped them on his navy-blue suit, which had a silver snowflake etched on the pocket. “That wasn’t a show of aggression, Kaley. I just can’t believe they’re trying to pass her off as Princess Alina.”
He was the first person to agree with me.
“Don’t be daft.” Kaley ran a hand over her long, mahogany-brown ponytail. Her pointed ears bore gold hoop earrings.
A man sitting by King Kieran’s side chuckled menacingly, bringing my attention to that section of the table. The woman sitting on the man’s other side had to be his sibling if not twin. They both had long, snow-white hair that contrasted with their dark skin. The biggest difference between them was their eyes, his irises so pale they would have blended with the whites if not for a thick blue ring that outlined them, whereas the woman had navy-blue eyes that were almost black.
Still, neither of them was as terrifying as the Winter King.
“And calling my king daft is provocation enough.” The man clenched his hands. “You must respect all royals, including the Winter King.”
Based on that interaction, I assumed he supported King Kieran.
“Brother,” the female beside him said, confirming my assumption about their relationship. “Don’t be summerheaded.” She smirked and ran a hand along her fishtail braid. The style gave her an Elsa-like look.
Why wasn’t I surprised that the Winter fae used summer-themed words as insults? Apparently, both sides disliked each other equally.
