“She’s also the grand niece of Princess Hyacinth of the North Valley kingdom.”
That last caught my attention, it sounded like something I should know. Granted all those hours I’d spent with Lucien in the classroom had been spent studying him more so than the books or listening to anything the old tutor had had to say.
“Why does that name sound so familiar?”
“She’s the fairy princess who was destroyed by the royal uncle during their mating ritual. The one who caused the rift between the kingdoms that has lasted even until today.”
Could that be it? Could that be his reason for giving into this, the reason why he’s going through with it, accepting it so easily? Of course, it’s his sense of duty to his people. He’s always put his clan first above everything else, even his own wants and needs.
What else could it be? Lucien has never loved any of the women who’ve found their way into his bed. I’ve always known this, I know him so well. Yes, that must be it, the pressure from the elders to put his own feelings aside, to sacrifice himself for the reunification of the clans.
The feeling of elation that thought brought didn’t last very long though because right this moment he was with her, sharing something as intimate as a dream spell.
“Did she see her? What did she say she looks like?” Jealousy burned a hole in my chest as I walked slowly over to the mirror that sat on my golden vanity. I saw the same face I always do at least a hundred times a day, golden perfection with the dark eyes of my people. Lucien is counted among the few with lighter eyes but he has the dark locks of our kind, while I was blessed with much lighter hair that stands out from the rest and make me in my opinion, unique.
I have many admirers these days. Once I’d grown out of my awkward stage and the others had come to accept me as part of the monarch’s household through his son and daughter in law who had adopted me into their fold, the teasing and bullying had tapered off somewhat.
These days there is no shortage of men vying for my hand and affection, but I will never accept any of them. No one will ever take his place in my heart. “She looks the same as all her people, only…”
“Only what? Why is it taking you so long to answer me today?”
“She said the girl possesses a unique beauty even among the fae. Her locks are a reddish hue the shade of a rich wine and her eyes are the palest blue, the kind that is prized….” I threw the silver brush from the vanity top at my trusted servant who barely ducked out of the way in time to avoid being hit. How could she say those words to me? Words that cut deep, like a saber each one.
Drusilla dropped to her knees in obeisance and bowed with her head touching the floor. “Forgive me your highness I did not mean to offend.” I took a deep breath that was meant to calm but had no effect whatsoever.
Damn her, why did she have to be beautiful? Why couldn’t she be like all the others? Though not unattractive, there’s never been anything special about any of them but…
“What else did she say? Tell me.”
“She said, she said the crown prince is very protective of his mate, that the reason he hasn’t taken her yet is because he doesn’t want anything to go wrong with the mating that may harm her.”
“She said that?” Drusilla nodded in misery, the same misery I felt at her words. Men usually don’t care too much about the female’s feelings when it comes to the mating ritual. Since the woman will be bound to them forever anyway they never see the need. For Lucien to care this much…
The pain took me to my knees and I crumbled to the floor feeling broken. Drusilla rushed over to my side as the first teardrop fell onto my cheek. “Don’t be sad mistress, it doesn’t mean anything. You know the crown prince has always been kind.”
I knew her words were only meant to appease but still they were just the thing I needed to hear right this second. I patted the hand she rested on my shoulder as I gazed off into space. I was already second-guessing my decision to have someone keep an eye on them.
When the night hag had approached me with the offer I’d jumped at it so desperate was I for news. I knew it was a risky thing to do since they were our sworn enemies and not to be trusted. But they didn’t want Lucien and the fairy mating any more than I do. They have their reasons, which she didn’t share and I could care less.