Destined for the Fae King (Courts of Faery #3)

Chapter 31

T he hours that pass don’t lessen the crushing weight of guilt and despair that threaten to break me apart. It’s not just that either. This waiting around in sadness reminds me all too much of when my dad died. It was quick too, as heart attacks often are. Fine one minute and gone another. I wasn’t even there for it. It’s the after that’s painful for those who are left behind.

There was numbness first. Shock. Then such deep sadness that I didn’t know how I’d ever smile again or how I could even breathe without feeling the pain of loss. I wasn’t that close to Bailey. I’d only known her a couple of weeks, but I’d talked to her this morning. She’d smiled at me. Comforted me. And now I’ll never have that again.

And I can’t help but think it’s my fault. That fate destined me for the fae king and had to get her out of the way to make that happen. Even my mother said I was destined to wear the crown. I thought it was just optimistic talk back then, but now?

Now I can’t help but wonder what I did to piss the fates off so terribly.

The death toll is up to three. Bailey and two guards—thankfully neither of whom is Adeline’s lover. He is safe. For the moment .

The queen seems certain that The Choosing cannot be canceled, not since we are bound to the king. The bonds prevented us from being taken away, which we thought to be the biggest risk from the Unseelie. No one imagined that they would harm a human. It’s so foolish, so contrary to their goal of gaining the power that a human could offer them.

We pondered whether it might be accidental, but Tharin, in one of his reports back to Elaine, said Bailey’s wound was intentional, the arrow quick and efficient.

At least she didn’t suffer. It’s the only good news we’ve had.

There have been a few more sharp tugs on our bond marks. I can almost feel Vasilius’s rage mingling with my own.

The head of the king’s personal guard arrives to speak with us and the dowager queen. “We’re to move you all to Calida at first light.”

Elaine smashes the end of her cane against the floor. “He cannot be so foolish as to charge into battle for reckless vengeance. He will start a war that we do not need.”

The king’s burly guard flinches. “I am sorry, Your Grace. He will not be dissuaded. I have tried, as has Prince Lysandir. ”

She begins to rise. “Let me speak with him.”

“He will see no one. He has left.”

“Left?” she asks in disbelief, sinking back into her chair.

He nods slowly, frown deepening. “The king ordered that we not follow him.” To us, he says, “Your maids are readying your things for travel. You should rest while you can. All of your rooms have been thoroughly checked for safety, and we’ve tripled the guard.” He snaps his fingers and more guards enter. “We will escort those who wish to return to their rooms.”

Several women leave. A few of us remain. I can’t seem to make myself rise from the sofa. The presence of others is the only thing keeping a leash on my emotions. If I were alone, nothing would hold them back anymore.

When Tharin returns some time later, those of us who remain look to him for news. “Advisor Memnon is awake,” he says.

Some of the tension in the room releases. But Elaine only says, “And?”

“He was not able to provide much information. He saw—” Tharin looks quickly at us before adjusting his stance and starting again. “He saw the beginning of the encounter but was quickly injured and knocked out. A small, targeted attack, he believes. Our investigation of the area confirmed as much. There could not have been more than one or two attackers.”

“And you’ve found them?” she continues.

Tharin swallows.

“No, Your Grace.” At the thinning of her lips, he continues, “We have been able to find no trace of them outside of where the attack took place. No physical evidence. No scent. Even that which we found at the site was fleeting—barely detectable, like they found some way to disguise their scent without concealing it with another.”

“Some nasty blood magic to be sure.” The old queen’s voice holds all the venom of a viper.

The mention of it leaves me glad I haven’t eaten. An empty stomach is preferable to one turned by the mention of the dark rituals the Unseelie are said to perform, especially now that the magic of their land is all but extinguished.

“And the king?” she asks after a moment. “He has returned?”

The pause before he answers says everything. “No, Your Grace.”

With considerable effort, Elaine gets to her feet, hunching over her cane. “Then I must rest and prepare to travel as well. ”

“Is that wise?” Tharin asks, though his voice is soft, full of more concern than he’s ever shown me.

She looks up at him, considering. “Someone must make him see reason. I must try.”

They hold each other’s gaze for a moment before Tharin nods. “Then I will see the women returned to their rooms so you can rest.”

It’s only me, Adeline, and Cora—who’s been unusually quiet and somber. We go without argument. A quick shift and we’re closer to our rooms but not quite there. Night has fallen while we’ve been cloistered in the dowager’s room. Complete darkness looms outside the nearby windows, and I can’t help staring at them, wondering what dangers lurk beyond that I cannot see. Not that I need to worry about that, I suppose. My destiny seems set.

“Your hall has been completely warded against shifting,” Tharin says by way of explanation. “And we’ve posted extra guards at all entry points. No Unseelie will get close to you.”

We wander toward our rooms when Tharin steps closer to me. “Mira, a moment.”

Adeline looks at me in question, almost like she doesn’t want to leave me alone, even though her guardsman is one of the ones waiting to escort us to our rooms.

It’s okay , I mouth. She sighs softly but continues on.

Tharin and I wait in silence until the others have departed. “Mira, I—"

“I know,” I cut him off sharply. “You don’t need to say it.”

He crosses his arms. “I don’t think you do.”

“Fate is set. This proves it, right?”

His lips thin, and I expect him to agree with me. Instead, he sighs, his arms swinging free. “I wanted to say that you should not blame yourself. If your fate is set, so was hers.”

Tears burn at the corner of my eyes, and I squeeze my fists tighter to try and push them away. “Why not just tell him? End this.”

He rakes a hand through his hair. “I vowed not to. And I—” He looks away then back at me. “I doubt the king is in a mood to take a queen right now.” Tharin clasps my shoulder. “Rest. Be kind to yourself. For him , if nothing else.”

I know he doesn’t mean the king anymore, though anyone listening might not.

I scowl and open my mouth, prepared to snap at him when he vanishes. Lucky bastard, being able to disappear whenever he wants.