As I make my way back to the castle, the memory of Ella’s lips upon mine replays in my head. Does she desire me as I do her? Does she love me?
Gritting my teeth, I try to push down these thoughts. Even if she does, she cannot be mine. We are too different, and… I am dangerous. I am Dark Fae. I think of King Erebyr. She would never be safe if I took her as my mate.
When I enter my father’s chambers, his head snaps toward me. His expression is stern yet pitying at the same time. “I have found a match for you.”
“What? Why?” I demand indignantly. “I thought that was the purpose of the ball this evening.”
His lips flatten to a grim line. “You need someone who understands you, Ryvan; someone who knows what you are. You cannot merely choose anyone. I… do not know why I did not realize this in the first place. Perhaps it is because I still think of you as—”
“Light Fae,” I finish his sentence solemnly. “You and Oradon have taught me to hide what I am very well.”
He nods. “Even so, I found someone for you, my son.”
I open my mouth to argue that I do not want anyone, but he lifts his palms placatingly.
“Before you protest, I want you to understand that I merely want your happiness, my son. Your bed—the vines are nearly ready to bloom.”
I say nothing, for he is right. After a moment, I lower my eyes to the floor, struggling to accept my fate. “Whom did you find?”
“Lorala, daughter of Lord Fenlyr.” He pauses. “She and her father, they… know about your condition. I have asked for every eligible woman to attend the ball so that the choice might be yours, Ryvan. But if you refuse to pick a mate yourself or”—he arches a brow—“you do not find one suitable, Lorala would make a good partner.”
I lift my eyes to him. “How do they know?”
“I hinted at your… affliction.”
“You mean my curse,” I mumble, bitterness tinging my voice.
“You are not cursed, my son.”
Although it is difficult, I bite back my anger. He refuses to acknowledge how dangerous I am. He always has. His love for me has blinded him to what I am.
He places a hand on my shoulder. “Think on what I have said.”
My brother appears in the doorway, he darts a pointed look my way. “I, uh… need you to help me with that… project you promised to help me with.”
Father’s brow wrinkles. “What project?”
I purse my lips at my brother and then turn back to Father. “It’s a surprise for grandfather’s upcoming birthday,” I tell him, hoping he will not question us further. Never mind that grandfather’s birthday is still two months away.
He turns to me. “Will you consider what I’ve said?”
I nod, and then follow Eryl out into the hallway. “Why are you here? I thought you were going to stay with Ella until I returned?”
He blinks at me. “She asked me to leave so she could get cleaned up.”
“Cleaned up?”
He nods. “Yes, I conjured a warm bath for her to use.”
I grit my teeth in frustration. “A griffin came for her last night. She should not be left alone.”
His eyes widen. “A griffin? What did—” His gaze drops to my hands and dawned understanding flits across his features. “You took care of him.”
I give him a grim nod.
“Ella witnessed your… powers?”
“Yes.” I meet his gaze. “She was not afraid either.”
He gives me a faint smile. “She has no reason to fear you, my brother. No one does.”
I clench my jaw but say nothing. Eryl and I have been over this many times. He does not recognize my curse for what it is and I do not feel like arguing with him about it right now.
He claps a hand on my shoulder. “I will help her get ready. We will find you this evening.”
I motion for him to follow me to my room. I pull the glass slippers from the drawer beside my bed. “She’ll need to wear these shoes. They are enchanted and will help her pass into our kingdom without discovery.” I pause. “You can cast the spell of deception to mask her appearance, can you not?”
“Of course.” He makes a show of bowing low to me and then grins. “No one will know she is human once I am done.”
I do not doubt his words. Eryl’s Light Magic is almost as powerful as my Dark.
