Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Her words remind me so much of something my mother would say that my eyes burn, and my throat feels thick with tears. I want to tell her that she never failed Jas, that the princess is lucky to have a sister like her, that any secrets Jas has were secrets kept in an effort to protect Brie. But I can’t, so I only nod.
“I will see you soon.” She peers over my shoulder, toward Misha. “Think about what I said.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Felicity
THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF balconies with beautiful views at Castle Craige, and the grand balcony jutting out over the mountain just off the courtyard is no exception. Only it’s lousy with partygoers with their faerie wine and fake smiles.
My head is spinning, and I need a bit of privacy, so I slip away from the ball through the servants’ hall back into the castle. I weave through the kitchen where the staff is preparing trays of sparkling wine and desserts. On the other side, I find a narrow staircase and take it up two flights. I don’t know where I’m going, and I’m not sure I care. I just need to be alone. I need to be away from that crowd and the idea that somewhere among those females might be the one Misha will love. One who deserves his love.
Off the stairwell and down a long hall that takes me away from the cacophony of the ball, I find Misha’s favorite dining terrace—empty tonight but for the breeze and the starlight. I take in several shaky breaths of night air before finally feeling my muscles relax.
I feel like I just walked away from a gift, but what could I do? Tell the shadow queen that, yes, I want to be with Misha? Stay here and allow him to think he’s courting Jasalyn only to drop the real princess in the middle of this once Erith is dead and I can go home? Or worse? Allow Misha to get close to me simply because I can’t resist and have him realize the truth before I’m safely back home?
The wind picks up and lifts my hair off my shoulders. I lean my forearms on the carved wooden rail and close my eyes, letting the breeze dance across my skin.
“How did I know you’d find a reason to sneak away from the party?” Misha’s deep voice asks behind me.
Turning, I give him a gentle smile. I can’t help but be glad he’s here. Can’t help that my heart unclenches and my blood hums in the warmth of his presence. “How did you find me?”
A caw echoes through the sky, and his hawk lands on the opposite railing.
“Good evening, Storm,” I say to the bird before turning back to Misha. “I forget you have eyes everywhere.”
“Not quite everywhere,” he says, looking me over slowly. “I haven’t had the opportunity to tell you how lovely you look in that dress.”
My cheeks heat, which is ridiculous. He probably wouldn’t find the real me attractive at all. Plump figure, white hair, blue eyes—Jasalyn’s opposite in nearly every way. Not that I have the right to feel bitter about such things. “Thank you.”
“I’ll admit, I was surprised when you didn’t want to make it yourself. I always loved your work. I know your sister’s favorite items in her wardrobe are the ones you created as well.”
I shrug. “Just a little burnt out on it.”
He nods and steps up to the rail. The sun has long since set, but the moon is bright and the streetlamps in the valley beyond make for a lovely view.
I shift to stand by his side. I feel natural here. Safe.
“Brie said she talked to you about what’s happening in the Seelie Court. The pressure their king is under.”
Does that have anything to do with the Sebastian she mentioned? “Briefly,” I say, hoping we can move on before I say something damning.
“I think the advisors are grasping at straws. Marrying you off to the golden king won’t appease anyone, but your sister is in an awkward position, given her history. If she shoots it down, it will look like she still harbors feelings for him.”
Does Abriella call the golden king Sebastian? “Wait—shoots what down?”
“She didn’t tell you that part.” He flinches. “There are advisors in this realm who think all political woes can be solved by a wedding. Some of my advisors default to the same problem-solving, but personally, I don’t agree. Those in Ronan’s court who are questioning his legitimacy as king are the same ones who would balk at an Unseelie princess as their queen.”
I cut my eyes to him. “Then why push the idea at all?”
“Because they’re fools. Devious fools.” Misha shakes his head. “I can’t decide what’s worse, that his advisors may really be so foolish as to believe a marriage to you would quell any unrest or the more likely reality.”