These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows 1)

He sighs. “The war might be over, but the tensions between our courts are higher than ever. There are some who believe the solution is in taking out the monarchies of both courts and starting over.”

“What do you believe?”

He studies me for a long beat. “I believe change is coming. And that the right leader could unite both courts.” Shaking his head, he stands. “That’s enough political talk for one night. Let’s get you inside.”

I’m quiet as we head back into the palace. I immediately miss the night air and the solitude of the courtyard.

Just inside, a group of girls dressed in slinky gowns head toward the ballroom. Since the queen’s away and my attendance isn’t required, I’d forgotten that there was a dance tonight. My maids are probably already in my chambers, waiting to see if my headache has improved so they can dress me like a doll.

“Shouldn’t you be joining them?” I ask Sebastian, hoping he doesn’t notice the jealous edge to my voice.

He cuts his eyes to me. “I think we both know I’d rather spend my night with you.”

There go those stomach butterflies again, but I ignore the sensation and bump him with my shoulder. “You’re a shameless flirt.” I bite my lip, trying to hold back the question that’s been bothering me all day.

“What?” he asks. “I know that look. What are you thinking?” He’s smiling as he tucks my arm under his and leads me to the kitchen. When he looks at me like that, it’s so easy to see the boy I knew from home. So easy to forget everything else.

“You said you were planning to come back to Fairscape for me.”

“I meant it, too.” He pushes into the kitchen. It’s empty, like the last time we were here, but the smell of tonight’s roasted chicken, squash, and stew hangs in the air—a bittersweet reminder of how pampered this life is.

“How would that have even worked, Bash? Were you planning to come home, pick a wife, and then return to Fairscape for me as a married man?”

He rolls his shoulders back. “I’m hungry. Are you?”

“Don’t avoid the question.”

“I’m not. But I need something to eat.” He smiles and waves a finger toward the large cooler against the wall. “We have ice cream. It’s fresh.”

My mouth waters. I remember ice cream from my childhood. It’s not a common treat in Fairscape. Fresh milk is expensive, and once the ice cream is made, you have to eat it right away, but the richest households in Elora have iceboxes where they always have frozen treats on hand. Is that what it’s like to live in Faerie? Ice cream in every kitchen? Ending each day with that creamy sweetness melting on your tongue? I arch a brow and pretend I’m thinking about it rather than revealing that I’m already drooling. “What flavor?”

“We have many flavors, but if I recall, chocolate anything is your favorite.”

Those words make me feel vulnerable, and for some reason they make me suddenly aware of my nightclothes and bare feet. Sebastian brought me chocolate for my birthday last year. Just a small portion purchased from one of the vendors at the market. It was such an indulgence, and it felt like too much, but the thoughtfulness of the gesture had made me fall even harder for him. “Chocolate sounds good.”

He takes out two bowls and spoons, and I laugh.

He flashes me a grin. “What?”

“When it comes to tedious tasks like scooping ice cream, I always imagined faeries would use their powers.” Or their servants.

“That would just be showing off,” he says, winking.

And if magic is life the way Finn described, maybe they don’t use it so carelessly.

Sebastian scoops a hearty serving of chocolate ice cream into each bowl before handing one to me.

We eat in silence, leaning against opposite counters like we did with our tea, and my bowl is half empty before he speaks again. “I planned to come back once I was in a position to free you from that contract. To be honest, I never let myself think it through too far. I knew you’d hate me when you learned who I was, but I promised myself that as soon as I had the power, I would help whether you wanted me to or not.”

I want to point out that he’s a prince, to ask why he didn’t help us sooner, but given all he’s done for me, that seems like the question of an ungrateful brat. Instead I stir my melting ice cream in my bowl. “When we get Jas back, can you find a way for her to stay here for a while? Maybe not right away, since you might still be in the middle of picking a bride, but . . . eventually? I want her to know what this is like, and when we return to the human realm, I won’t be able to provide her with anything close.”