Cursed by the Phantom Prince (Once Upon A Curse)

Chapter 11

11

RHAN

E ntering the gardens was one of my favorite things. The scents hit me and I paused just to breathe in the sweetness in the air. The gardens were the focal point of the Court of Dawn, the palace having been built around them. Flowers of every kind were planted here. Most I recognized from my years in the human realm but there were some that I had never seen before.

Larek stood in a grassy clearing in the rose section of the garden. It was my favorite and I was delighted that he’d chosen this area but another part of me felt that his decision couldn’t be a coincidence. I got the feeling that the Court of Stars Prince did everything with intention. I liked that about him. Most Fae would resort to trickery, resulting in turning something mundane into a battle of wits.

My muscles were sore from my earlier session with Rea and exhaustion pulled at my mind. I wasn’t in the mood for Fae half truths or riddles so I prayed that this meeting wouldn’t be too taxing. My bed was calling my name, but since it was early afternoon, a nap would be counterproductive.

“Princess,” Larek greeted as I drew closer, turning and bowing.

“Prince Larek,” I returned the greeting and curtsied.

“I was just admiring the extensive gardens,” he gestured to the flowers all around us. “I seem to have been drawn to this section.

“This is my favorite part of the whole garden,” I told him, stepping closer to a yellow bloom and inhaling.

“Most of the flowers here are quite pungent.” he waved a hand under his nose and I wondered if his other senses had heightened considering his lack of sight. “These here don’t seem to be as strong.”

“Do you like roses?” I asked, moving so I could touch one of the yellow rosebuds.

“Is that what these are? Roses?”

“Yes, we are in their section.”

“Hmmm, you probably find that suspicious, but I can assure you I wandered here by accident.”

I laughed, finding Larek’s humor endearing. It was incredibly easy to talk to him which made me forget about the Fae and their games. Doing that could get me killed, or worse, enslaved, but I was tired of always having my guard up. I just wanted to have a normal conversation without analyzing everything that was said.

“I don’t find it suspicious at all,” I reassured him with a smile, watching as Ithildin readjusted himself on Larek’s shoulder. “Ithildin seems to like the garden as well.”

“He loves being outdoors,” Larek replied, reaching up and running a finger down the falcon’s chest to his feet. “Would you like to hold him?”

“I’d be honored.”

Larek held his wrist up and Ithildin stepped onto it, his wings flapping to maintain his balance. With a smile, Larek offered me his other hand. I placed my right palm against his, expecting to feel sensations, but nothing happened and I breathed a small sigh of relief. The last thing I wanted was to have more visions. They were useful but frustrating at the same time.

Ithildin stepped from Larek’s wrist to my own, his talons resting against the delicate skin. His grip was surprisingly strong and I instantly knew that he was a deadly hunter. I drew him closer to my face so I could look him in the eye. His green iris regarded me but I couldn't tell if it was curiosity or if he was sizing me up.

I instinctively tried to reach out with my mind like I did with Lady. My mind brushed against his but he didn’t move or indicate that he’d felt it at all. I tried again, this time conveying that I meant him no harm and wanted to be his friend. He blinked, the only reaction I’d gotten from him, so I smiled.

“You are so regal and handsome,” I complimented him, not sure if he understood me or not but he seemed to straighten and puff out his chest.

“He likes you.”

“How can you tell?”

“Ithildin and I share a similar connection that you and your canine have,” Larek said, pointing at his temple. “I’m not sure how yours works but we communicate without words.”

“I made the mistake of teaching Lady how to speak,” I chuckled, running my fingers over Ithildin’s chest feathers.

“Truly? That is remarkable. I’d never considered it before but maybe I could teach Ithildin.”

“I think he would be perfectly capable of learning.”

“Something we’ll need to work on,” Larek smiled, holding out his arm so Ithildin could grip it with taloned feet. “Where is your companion? I thought she’d be in attendance.”

“She’s actually out hunting. She usually does at this time of day. She’ll be back in a couple hours.”

“Excellent,” he praised, transferring his falcon back onto his shoulder. “I asked the staff to provide refreshments but I’m not sure where they set it up.”

I frowned, wondering why the staff didn’t think to tell a blind Fae where to find his requested refreshments.

“I insisted I could find it on my own,” Larek continued, as if he was reading my thoughts. “The garden is more extensive than I realized.”

“Allow me to be your guide,” I said, slipping my arm through his so I could steer him in the right direction.

“Splendid,” he agreed, patting the hand on his bicep. “To be led by a princess is truly an honor.”

I laughed, thoroughly enjoying his company.

Leading him through the gardens was easy but I couldn’t help but make detours to different areas I loved. I described everything to him and I could tell that there weren’t many Fae who were accepting or gracious of him. The Fae didn’t have weaknesses so I had no doubt that Larek had been looked down on for his disability. The Fae could make me so angry at times.

The more time I spent in Larek’s presence the more at ease I felt. The previous night was our first meeting, but walking through the gardens with him made me feel like I’d known him all of my life. I’d never felt this way about any other Fae.

In the center of the gardens was a gazebo only large enough for two chairs and a small table between them. The table was set with all of the necessary elements one might need for afternoon tea. I guided Larek to a chair then sat in the opposite one, inhaling the heady scent of freshly steeped tea leaves and honey.

“This smells delightful,” Larek said, taking a second to feel around the table to orient himself with everything. Once done he picked up his cup by the handle and took a delicate sip of the amber colored liquid. “It’s been an age since I’ve tasted such incredible tea.”

“I’m so glad that you like it, it’s one of my favorites.”

“I think it just might be my favorite as well.”

We drank our tea in silence and I loved that there was no awkwardness. Most people would feel the need to fill the quiet with pointless conversation but just existing in the same space as another was all the talking that needed to happen.

In the back of my mind I knew that I should have my guard up, analyzing everything he said to figure out the true meaning, but I was so sick of playing such games. Why couldn’t the Fae just be sincere for once?

“I am glad that you are in good spirits. When you collapsed last night I was worried for you.”

“Thank you,” I said, returning my tea cup to its saucer. “I’d never experienced anything like it and I do apologize for ruining the evening.”

“There was no ruining of anything,” Larek assured me. “I am curious, however.”

“About the circumstances leading to my collapse?”

“Yes, but if I’ve overstepped by asking, I do apologize.”

“It's natural to be curious,” I replied, wondering how to go about explaining while not revealing the whole truth. “As I’m sure you are aware, Queen Róisín is my adoptive mother since my real one passed away shortly after my birth. My mother was a gifted seer able to see the past and the future. I inherited her gift to an extent. When I touch someone I get a glimpse into their mind. Usually it’s a sense of their emotions but sometimes it’s more than that.”

“Ahhh,” Larek nodded, taking another sip from his cup. “So you made contact with someone and got a little more than a glimpse or a sense of their emotions.”

“Correct,” I said, grabbing a dainty cake from the serving tray.

“Would it be impolite to ask whom you touched?”

“It was Lir. I’d tripped on my skirts and would have fallen had he not caught me.”

Talking about what happened had transported me back to the previous night. I could feel the ghost of Lir’s hands on my upper arms preventing my fall; his palms were rougher than I would have guessed. I remember sucking in air at the sudden contact, a strangely alluring scent filling my lungs. He smelled like the night sky, a coolness that made me shiver pleasantly making me want to draw closer.

My heart pounded in my chest at the memory while my cheeks flushed. I hadn’t had time to analyze anything from the previous night and talking about it now had brought the minute details to the forefront. There was something about Lir that called to me. A darkness that was inside him. It beckoned me like I was a moth and it was the flame. I wanted to touch the blackness I’d sensed in him, telling myself it was merely curiosity.

“I wondered if it had something to do with the stoic guard,” Larek mused, rubbing his chin and jerking me back to the present. “Have you spoken to him about it?”

“No,” I replied, the idea never occurred to me.

“I understand your hesitancy and would assure you Lir is devoted to the prince, not the King.” He paused, taking another sip of tea like he was gathering his thoughts. “I fear the state of the Moon Court is more dire than what I’d led you to believe.”

“How so?” I couldn’t help but ask with interest.

“The court is divided. The king against the prince. The lower fae of the court are eager for a new regime while the king and his supporters are stubbornly holding onto the old ways. Progress is slow and seeking a match for his son is the king’s way of distracting the court. The king hopes a marriage will drive the prince to distraction, satisfying the prince’s supporters for a time.”

“But that’s not what the Prince wants right?”

“At first, no, but after more discussion he has come around to the idea, hoping an alliance with the other courts will force the king’s hand to relinquish some of the court’s ruling power. That way he can start making changes for the good of the court and the realm.”

“The realm?”

“I’ll be straight with you, Princess, because I abhor half-truths and I believe that honesty is better than manipulation. The realm is dying and it all started in the Moon Court.”