CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

BETH

“It is time, Princess.”

Bleddyn stood by the bed, fully dressed, carrying my bundle. I wrapped my arms around my middle and squeezed tightly. Today was the day that set my path for the future. I might find out where my friends were and how to free them.

But at the same time, I’d be entering a maze of palace intrigues. My uncle hated me since I stood in the way between his ambitions and the throne. Just thinking about it made me not even want to get out of bed.

Bleddyn’s expression was sympathetic. “I shall wait for you outside. Make haste. The royal guards are on their way. You must not keep the king waiting.”

He turned and left me alone with my wallowing thoughts. I squeezed my eyes shut and groaned quietly before pushing my covers back. This was happening, whether I was ready or not.

I washed as thoroughly as I could, wincing as the rough cloth touched my sore lower lips. Images of last night’s events flashed through my mind, but I forced them away. It wouldn’t do to get turned on before presenting myself at the court.

Anyway, I had a different problem. As I picked up my tunic and pants, I wrinkled my nose. A reek of sweat and unwashed body wafted from the fabric. I stared at the clothes in dismay. Couldn’t they at least have sent me some decent attire before taking me to the palace?

Ugh. I’d love to burn the damn things rather than allow them near my skin. I already had a rash on my neck because of the rough fabric. But what choice did I have?

Maybe they’d done it on purpose. Maybe the prince wanted to see me arrive in rags so that everybody at court could see me as a beggar. Somebody who didn’t belong.

Actually, that was exactly how I felt. Who was I to join the royal family? My mother might have been Fae, but I’d grown up as a human. Magical, sure. But still human. I’d never even guessed a different realm existed until my dad told me the truth. I should have begged Bleddyn to take me home via the portals and forget about all of this.

Then I thought of my dad. How we’d watched cable shows together when I was little, even though he’d hated cartoons. How he’d taken me for my first pizza in the next town. How he’d been so proud of me when I graduated, wiping away tears when he thought I wasn’t looking.

I’d hugged him during his last visit to the Farkas Academy for Magical Advancement, not knowing it would be the last time. My world had come crashing down when they’d told me he’d been murdered.

I grit my teeth and threw on the old clothes. I wasn’t here to make friends or negotiate some palace intrigue. My goals were clearly defined. Find out who ordered the killings. Rescue my friends and get out of here. End of. If I didn’t look like a Fae princess, tough luck.

When I left the room, Bleddyn was waiting outside. His stony face cracked into a pleased smile before he took my hand and pulled me against his body.

“Let me give you some advice to ease your transition. Do not show any fear, any hesitation at the court. It would be taken as a sign of weakness, and the one thing the Fae will not abide is weakness.”

He squeezed me tightly, then let go. “I have the utmost confidence in you.”

As we walked down the stairs, the door burst open. Four Fae entered, lead by the commander I’d met before. He dipped his head in Bleddyn’s direction before addressing me.

“We have orders to take you to the palace as our honored guest.” Then he turned around without waiting for an answer.

My eyes narrowed at his bizarre behavior. He called me an honored guest, but did not extend any other courtesies to me. He hadn’t bowed or offered to take my bundle. I glanced at Bleddyn, whose lips were pressed together hard. Clearly, he’d noticed the lack of deference toward a new member of the royal household.

As we left the tavern, he said so quietly only I could hear him, “Remember to not show fear.”

The four soldiers stood at the corners of something I’d only ever seen in movies. The bottom was a giant tray for me to sit on. The walls enclosing the structure were made of fine fabric in pastel colors. It looked beautiful with layers upon layers of pink, blue, yellow, and white silky swathes. On each corner, wooden handles protruded so that the men could carry the litter on their shoulders.

Once inside, I wouldn’t be able to see or be seen. I imagined how the palanquin would sway in rhythm with the bearers’ steps. The thought alone made me motion sick. On the upside, I wouldn’t have to power-march the mile or so to the palace like last time. Whatever the guards’ opinion was of me, at least I’d travel in style.

Under the watchful gazes of the men, I crawled into the damn box. The inside was lined with soft pillows. The floral perfume was overwhelming and not entirely pleasant. Flowery scents I’d usually enjoy, like lavender, lilac, and rose wafted from the fabrics, but they were so strong, they added to my growing sense of nausea.

They picked me up, and then I wished I’d walked. I had to hold on to not be flung around the inside, the motion like being buffeted by waves on the high seas.

I had no horizon to orient myself, and my stomach didn’t know which way to go. I pressed my teeth together to stop myself from getting sick.

If I asked them to let me out so I could walk the rest of the way—would that be showing fear? Fuck it. I had enough after fighting down another surge of nausea. Pulling the curtains back on the damned thing, I said, “Stop.”

The four men ignored me, continuing the wavelike motion. This time, I shouted, and to my surprise, they followed my command. I struggled free of the silky pillows and got out of the box.

The commander sprinted past the front carriers. “No, milady. You must remain inside.”

I tilted my head back to meet his gaze, standing as tall as I could and spreading my legs to anchor myself. Then I said firmly, “Absolutely not. I will walk the rest of the way.”

The look of confusion on his face nearly forced a chuckle from me. But I kept my expression impassive. When he opened his mouth to object, I shut him up with a firm, “No.”

His eyes narrowed as he stared at me, trying to will me into submission. But that was not going to happen. My stomach gave another lurch to remind me why I didn’t want to travel in this blasted thing any longer. When he looked away, I knew I’d won.

Just like the first time I was brought to the palace, the Fae soldiers surrounded me, leaving one of theirs behind to guard the litter. And just like the last time, I could barely see two paces ahead of me.

It took me until we were nearly at the palace that I realized why they wanted me to use the litter. It was the same reason why they were closing in around me until I was invisible to anyone. And why I hadn’t been given new clothes.

Nobody in the kingdom would see my face and realize who I was, dressed as I was in my peasant garb. If I disappeared, nobody would even remember how I’d entered the palace as the newest member of the royal household.