Chapter 28

Firo paced to the end of the corridor again. They had come talk to the queen when Aireese had been called to go speak with King Troy about the man that Ava’s friend had dragged out of the vegetation. Any other time he’d be consumed with needing to know the information from that man, but right now, at this moment, he couldn’t think beyond telling his queen that he deceived her five decades ago.

Turning, he looked at the guard standing outside her reception room. He couldn’t even focus and remember his name right now. The guard sent him another curious look. Firo shook his head and paced the other way. What did everything Amyas told them about truly mean? He couldn’t even puzzle it out in his current state.

Airesse appeared halfway down the corridor. He hurried to her.

“That man held a lot of magic, but he had no idea why he was there by the river. He told King Troy he’d been drawn there but couldn’t figure out why.”

Firo closed his eyes and let his head drop forward. “Another useless piece.” He looked at her.

“I’m afraid so.” She sighed. “I don’t know how to begin to tell Mother about any of this.”

He snorted. “I’d rather have my wings plucked off than tell her I’ve lied to her.”

“You had good reason, and if you hadn’t, who knows if Ava would still be living right now.” She searched his face. “If she is the one needed, all would have been lost if you hadn’t hidden her away.”

What she said made sense, but it still wasn’t going to save him.

“Ready?” She turned toward the guard and started walking.

“Not in the slightest.” He reluctantly followed her.

No matter how many times he was in this room, he was taken by how white, pristine and polished it was. He’d been told that previous queens had preferred bright and bold colors. Not their queen. Firo had never been before the queen without half of her court lurking nearby. This time was no different. Queen Aurora was speaking to her two advisors, Dannas and Satori. The other eight people in the room, he was certain, had no title or task of importance. They were all dressed as if they were going to a ball or celebration—they were always dressed this way.

Aireese stooped inside the door, her hands clasped in front of her. He stood beside her. They would remain here until the queen acknowledged them.

He studied the queen while she was otherwise occupied. She wasn’t a tall woman, but being as powerful as she was, size didn’t matter as far as intimidation went. Her hair had once been as blond as Aireese’s, but now silver highlighted it. Her eyes were light and always, even when angry, held a sparkle. As far as wings, he was sure there were none so feminine and dazzling in all of FaTerra. Even though she was elder age, they weren’t silver yet. They were a multitude of colors that appeared to make them iridescent. Firo couldn’t begin to guess her age. To know for certain would mean had had to check the fae registry—which was a long process, so he had never bothered.

“Whatever they’re discussing isn’t good,” Aireese whispered.

Firo looked to see the Queen’s composure wasn’t in check. She was genuinely worried about something. “We should inquire about that before sharing our news.” He said quietly.

“I was thinking the same.”

When the queen paused and turned and looked right at them, everyone else present did the same. They were like little puppets, he thought.

He bowed low and held it longer than her daughter. The pecking order was a very real thing here. He wasn’t the lowest but was still far enough down the list that proper respect being shown to their ruler was a big deal.

“Daughter.” The queen stepped toward the front of the raised area.

“Mother.” Aireese went toward her.

“You have news.” The queen looked around at the others. “We’ll need privacy. Thank you.”

Several very theatrical bows later, the extras were leaving the room.

He went and stood behind his princess.

“I think we should talk in private, and then you can share what you wish with your advisors,” Aireese said in a soft voice.

The queen held her daughter’s look for a moment before glancing at Satori and Dannas. “I will send for you when we’re finished.” They bowed their heads to her and quickly left the room.

In thirty years, the queen hadn’t made eye contact with him, so when she did now, Firo’s heart beat louder.

“What is it? Your consort doesn’t look well.”

All the air left his lungs at once.

“Mother, Firo is not my consort. We are friends, and he is my only guard.”

The queen went over and sat down and then motioned for Aireese to do so as well. “When I was your age, I had more than one. What are you waiting for?”

The last thing Firo wanted to bear witness to was a discussion about the queen’s sex life. Past or present.

Aireese sat down. “What were you so concerned about when we came in?”

He had to focus hard not to smile at how cleverly his princess changed the subject.

“So many have passed away in Interealm in the last half year. We were discussing how we would go about finding out how they did.”

Aireese turned and looked at him, an odd look on her face. It took him several seconds to piece together what her expression was conveying.

“It could be.” He said slowly.

“What could be?” The queen looked from him back to her daughter.

Aireese sat stiffly on the edge of her chair. “We encountered very powerful magic earlier while we were in Interealm with Prince Quinton and his mate.”

“What were you doing?”

Aireese looked at Firo. He would have preferred not to speak, but wasn’t going to let her try to explain everything alone. “Princess Cristy saw something. We were checking it out when a force like I’ve never witnessed, held all of us immobile.”

“All of you?” She looked at her daughter. “Even you?”

Aireese nodded. “Yes.”

The queen’s brow furrowed. “So many strong fae have died, and it should have been impossible for that to be while in Interealm.” She lifted her head higher. “How did you break it?”

Her daughter glanced at him hesitantly. “We’ll get to that part in a moment. I only brought it up because it could explain why so many of ours aren’t coming home.” She cocked her head. “Another powerful magic holder was drawn to this power…”

“We have to find them and stop it.” The queen’s tone was that of a ruler now.

“We will.” He nodded.

“Good. Now, what is so important that you couldn’t speak in front of my advisors?”

Aireese blew out a breath. “Prophecies, angels and complications.”

The queen studied her briefly and then looked at Firo. “And lies. I believe you forgot lies on your list.”

She knew. Firo felt like the walls were closing in on him.