The door opened, and I turned to see Iian and Kerr enter carrying trays of food and drink, which they set on the table in the dining area.
Conlan stood. “Just in time. I was about to tell Jesse what it was like to train under Korrigan.”
“Excellent.” Iian flashed a smile and gave me a small bow. “Dinner is served.”
* * *
Hours later, I was on the balcony staring at the stars when my door opened. My heart gave a little leap when Lukas entered with Kaia. I had given up hoping to see him tonight.
Our eyes met, and he smiled, setting off butterflies in my stomach. Neither of us spoke until he crossed the room and joined me on the balcony.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d still be up,” he said as he leaned against the rail. “I wanted to see how your day went.”
“It was good. Faris and I spent half the day outside, and I had dinner with Conlan, Iian, and Kerr.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been around much since we got here. This business with the barrier is taking more of my time than I expected. And then there is my father…” He paused, and I waited for him to continue, but he seemed to be lost in his thoughts.
“You don’t have to apologize. I know you have a lot of responsibilities here.”
His gaze came back to me, and for a second, he looked like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. He smiled, and it was gone, but I knew I hadn’t imagined it. He was burdened by something, and I wished I knew how to help him.
I faced the valley that was shrouded in darkness. Far off in the distance, lightning flashed over the ocean. The storm was too far away to affect us, but the sight of it sent a shiver through me.
“Are you cold? The nights can be cool this time of year.” Lukas turned and put an arm around me, drawing me against his side as if he did it all the time. I leaned into his warmth and suppressed a happy sigh. It was balmy here compared to New York, but he wouldn’t hear that from me.
“I know my parents are safe from Davian on your island, but what if there is a storm, and I’m not there to help them?”
Lukas’s hand rubbed the arm not pressed against him. “The storms have only been happening in the cities with the most portal use, so your family is safe in that remote location. And I have four trusted guards posted there for added protection and daily updates.”
“You do?” I tilted my head to look up at him, but his face was hidden in shadows.
“Your family’s safety is a priority for me. Never doubt that.” He stared into the darkness for a long moment. “I’ll take you to see them soon.”
His words made me giddy with happiness. “Really?”
“I promise.”
I rested my head against the crook of his shoulder again. “Am I allowed to ask if you’ve made any progress with fixing the barrier?”
He raked his free hand through his hair. “We have all come to the agreement that neither Unseelie nor Seelie can do this alone. Arrangements are being made to meet with Seelie so we can work on a solution together.”
“How will that work? Queen Anwyn caused all of this when she had the ke’tain stolen.”
“That is not common knowledge, and we have no proof of her involvement,” he said, sounding as unhappy about it as I was. “But we have to put aside our differences for the good of Faerie.”
I scowled at the darkness. I understood the importance and role of diplomacy, but I was glad I didn’t have to see or speak to the Seelie queen. I didn’t think I could be civil with the person who had nearly destroyed my family.
“I have business to tend to in the morning, but I’ve freed up my afternoon. How would you like to visit town with me tomorrow?”
I pulled away to look up at him. “Do you even have to ask? I want to see everything!”
He laughed and surprised me when he leaned down to press a featherlight kiss to my forehead. There was nothing sensual about the gesture, but every nerve ending in my body felt it.
Lukas stayed for another hour, and we kept the conversation light. Mostly, we stood quietly, listening to the far-off sounds of the valley. Long after he bid me goodnight, I lay in bed unable to sleep as I thought about our outing the next day.
When I finally slept, I dreamed of Gus, but he was no longer the tiny drakkan I’d known. He was as big as the one I’d seen yesterday, and his red-gold scales moved like flames under the sun. I called to him, but he didn’t remember me. Sadness filled me as he flew away until he was no more than a spec in the sky.
* * *
“Ready to go?” Lukas asked when I opened my door to him and Kaia the next day.
I stepped outside and closed the door behind me. “Are you kidding? If you’d been a minute later, I would have left without you.”
He chuckled as we walked down the hallway. “Have you always been this impatient?”
I made a face. “No, but I’ve also never had to spend a whole morning getting fitted for a wardrobe. Who knew that could be so exhausting?”
I’d awakened in a great mood, and that had lasted until Sereia had shown up at my door to help me choose a wardrobe. After we’d butted heads once more over what colors went best with my hair and coloring, we had spent another hour arguing over what articles of clothing I needed. If it had been left to her, I would be wearing dresses every day. That might be the style for most females at court, but I preferred pants for everyday use and dresses for more formal occasions.
Lukas laughed again when I recounted my ordeal for him. The sound must have carried ahead of us because when we reached the courtyard on this level, the dozen or so people there seemed to be waiting for him to arrive. It was the first time I’d been outside of my quarters with him, and it was surreal to see everyone bowing or curtsying to him.
I wasn’t surprised when I received more than a few furtive glances. Yesterday, I’d been the object of curiosity because I was the “new” faerie. Today, I was in the company of the crown prince.
“Vaerik,” said a sultry female voice. It was followed by something in Fae that I couldn’t understand.
I turned my head to watch a blonde female approach us from the other direction. It was the same one who’d shot me the death glare the day I arrived, but now I might as well be invisible. She only had eyes for Lukas.
He replied to her in Fae and looked at me. “Jesse, this is Rashari.”
“Nice to meet you.” I pasted on a smile that was as fake as the one she gave me.
“Ah, yes. Vaerik’s little ward,” she said as if she were speaking to a child. “How lovely to meet you.”
She didn’t wait for my reply before she turned her hungry gaze on Lukas. “I’m so happy I ran into you. I wanted to tell you what a wonderful time I had last night.”
My body stiffened, and I felt a tiny stab of pain in my chest. Lukas had told me he’d had dinner with his father.
“The king deserves all your praise,” Lukas said courteously. “He enjoys hosting his dinner parties.”
Rashari smiled coquettishly. “And I am honored to be invited. I look forward to doing it again soon.”
“I am glad you enjoyed it. I apologize for rushing off, but Jesse and I are going to town today.” Lukas didn’t wait for her to respond before he took my arm and started to walk away. I dared a glance at Rashari, whose pinched smile did not mask her chagrin.