Cursed by the Phantom Prince (Once Upon A Curse)

Chapter 4

4

RHAN

F ionn was fishing. There was no other explanation for it. He was trying to scare me or blame me for something I had no control over. The only disturbance I knew about was when the Fae discovered that earth existed parallel to their own world. The human influence on this realm had upset the balance; that was a known fact and something my father and mother worked so hard to correct.

Could there have been another incident? By returning to this world, I’d fulfilled my mother’s wishes, but could it go deeper than that? I was tied to this world like all Fae were, but was my human half the disturbance Fionn had been referring to?

Too many questions and no time to look for answers. The dinner the queen planned for tonight was fast approaching and I needed to prepare. I wouldn’t deny that what the consort had to say had unnerved me, I was certain that was his objective all along. There was no basis for anything he said without further proof.

I pushed the meeting with Fionn to the back of my mind for later analysis when my head was clearer. I had a dinner to attend, which meant I needed my wits about me. I hadn’t worked tirelessly for years to understand the game that the Fae were constantly playing to let a conversation throw me off.

“This dress color suits you,” Lua complimented, jolting me from my thoughts.

I refocused on the mirror in front of me and had to agree with my handmaiden. The gown was a deep red with undertones of purple that complimented my violet-colored eyes. Lua insisted that my long black hair be left hanging and styled with thick curls. Roses the same shade as my dress were woven into my hair, along with black jewels that glinted with light every time I moved my head.

“You’ve outdone yourself,” I exclaimed, loving she knew how to compliment my features. She was a master at her craft.

“You say that every time,” Lua quipped, her words muffled by the pins she had clenched in her mouth.

“Because it’s true,” I insisted, touching a rosebud that was tucked near my ear.

Over the years Fae features had subtly changed my appearance. My eyes were slanted slightly upward, while my ears had developed a point to the tips. These changes weren’t drastic, which made me stand out more. In passing I could pass for a full-blooded Fae, but with closer inspection I’d never be mistaken for one.

On earth I’d been careful to hide my differences. I had to blend in while I was there so no one could inform my uncle, brother, and grandfather that I existed. There I had to hide in plain sight, while here I stood out like a sunflower in a wheat field.

“Nervous?” Lua wondered, looking at my reflection in the mirror.

My hands were clenched in fists around the wispy fabric, wrinkling the pristinely pressed material.

“A little,” I admitted, loosening my grip on the dress and forcing myself to relax.

This was just dinner with the queen. We’d shared countless meals together, so I shouldn’t be nervous. The interaction I had with the consort had rattled me for no reason.

I need to get a grip.

Lady’s nails clicked on the polished stone floor as she made her way to my side. She didn’t speak, just laid her head in my lap, letting the weight of it comfort me. I stroked her ears, doing my best to calm my scattered thoughts and ground myself in the present.

‘Thank you,’ I said to my oldest friend.

‘We’re in this together,’ she assured me, looking up with her deep brown eyes.

‘Yes, we are.’

An impatient knock sounded from the door, making Lady’s ears twitch and Lua to scowl at the offending door.

“Perfection takes time,” Lua grumbled, adjusting a couple curls so they hung like she wanted them too.

Satisfied, Lua bustled to the door and cracked it open.

“I’m here to escort the Princess,” a male voice announced, causing me to flinch.

“She’ll be ready momentarily,” Lua replied quickly before shutting the door with a click.

‘Why is he here?’ Lady asked, a growl rumbling in her chest as she glared at the door.

Fionn hadn’t mentioned that he would be escorting me to the dinner. I expected it to be a Thorn guard, which were the Queen’s personal soldiers; they answered to her and no one else.

“It’s fine,” I grumbled, resigned to the fact that the Queen’s Consort would be escorting me to dinner. It would be rude to decline now that he’d arrived and informed me of his intentions.

I have no idea what the queen sees in him.

‘Ambition and his connections, I’m sure,’ Lady said, standing and shaking out her gray fur. ‘Let’s not keep the queen waiting.

I followed her lead and stood, making my way towards the door with Lua hovering around to be sure that everything stayed in place. Pausing, I waited for my handmaiden to finish her inspection, letting her fuss over my hair and fluff up my train. With a silent nod of approval, she approached the door once more. She pulled it open, revealing Fionn dressed in the colors of the Court of Dawn.

“Princess,” he greeted, bowing slightly at the waist while I did the same.

Apprehension filled my lungs as I walked through the doorway, sharing a quick glance at Lua to reassure her that I’d be fine. Once in the hallway, Fionn turned so he was facing the same direction I was and offering me his arm.

Without hesitation, I placed my hand on the crook of his elbow, fighting the urge to snatch my hand back. Thankfully he was impeccably dressed so I didn’t have to touch his skin. The last thing I wanted was a glimpse into his mind. The thought so revolting I had to dig the fingers of my left hand into Lady’s wiry fur to ground myself.

“You look exquisite,” Fionn said, as we walked down the hallway. “The colors of Dawn suit you nicely.

“Thank you,” I replied, thankful for the Thorn guards who fell into step behind us.

At least I wasn’t completely alone.

Lady huffed, reminding me that she was there too. I grinned, stroking her neck to reassure her that I’d never forget her.

“I don’t know why you insist on bringing your beast with you wherever you go,” Fionn quipped, putting my teeth on edge.

To him Lady was a foul creature that I brought into this realm. My existence was a stain he barely tolerated, but having a canine companion accompanying me wherever I went was a step too far in his book. Unfortunately for him, the queen saw the value in having a creature like Lady and insisted that she be treated like the asset she was, overruling his every protest.

“She is the first member of my guard,” I retorted, knowing he had no argument to that.

As the future Queen of the Court of Dawn I had the power to choose who protected me. The members of the Thorn guard had been handpicked by the queen, as had all the other court monarch guards. Each contained the best of the best warriors from that court.

The Court of Dawn had the Thorn Guard. The name was a fitting representation of our court’s sigil, which was a sword pointing downward with a golden crown decorated with rubies and intricately crafted roses. Rose blooms were beautiful and innocent looking but they had thorns that could stab and slice any who got too near. It was a warning not to underestimate something beautiful.

“A terrible first choice if you ask me.” I bit my tongue so I wouldn’t snap back that I hadn’t asked his opinion in the first place.

I remained silent as we walked through the castle, doing my best to tune out the consort as he drawled on and on about what he would change if he could. It was bordering on treason, but the consort was nothing but strategic, able to talk himself out of any situation. It was frustrating to no end.

The castle corridors were spacious and made completely of light gray marble that was harvested from the nearby mountains. The deep reds and purples of the queen’s court complimented the gray stone beautifully. The colors reminded me of the dawn, which was what the queen had been going for.

After walking for what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at the queen’s private meeting room. Gold had been inlaid into the wooden door making a beautiful rose design with the Dawn crown nestled in the petals. It was beautiful and filled me with intense pride. This court had become my home and the queen my adopted mother.

When we were six feet away the door swung open, the magic in the wood recognizing us and allowing entry. My hand tightened in Lady’s fur as nervousness made my body tremble. I may be a princess now, but entering a room with royalty was something I didn’t think I’d ever get used to.

Regardless, I raised my chin and straightened my shoulders, determined to enter the room like the Fae Princess I was.

A long table had been set up in the middle of the room, set with delicate china and decorated in the colors of our court. Candles were set around the room, giving off an intimate feeling. If I didn’t know this was a dinner with multiple guests, I’d describe it as romantic.

Beyond the table was an open balcony with a perfect view of the setting sun. Fionn led me toward it, Lady keeping pace right beside me. Stepping out into the cool night air was a relief from the stifling company that I was attached to. For the first time since I left my chambers I felt like I could breathe again

“There you are,” a feminine voice exclaimed, drawing my attention away from the beautiful sky and to the Queen of the Court of Dawn. “Impeccable timing.

“Thank you, my queen.” I greeted my adoptive mother with a deep bow. Even Lady bowed her head in greeting.

“Come let me see you,” the Queen insisted, gesturing toward the empty space closer to the railing. “The colors tonight are exquisite.”

I straightened and moved to the space the queen had indicated. I faced the horizon for a moment before turning around to face the way I’d come. Lady sat down beside me, leaning against me as a reminder that I wasn’t alone. I returned my eyes to the queen’s, then belatedly noticed that there were other guests standing against the wall.

Ignoring them for the moment, I stood as still as I could as I felt the eyes of two Fae looking me over. A shiver ran down my spine but I ignored it.

Now was not the time for nervousness.