A Kingdom of Gilded Thorns by D.T. Benson

Author:D.T. Benson [Benson, D.T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orisha
Published: 2023-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

After class, we’re released for a break and Ziani, Nydia and I follow Vielle and Baila to an airy sitting room where lots of faerie women are lounging around, sipping tea or wine and gossiping.

“Can you believe their lives?” Ziani whispers.

A few faerie ladies look our way and she quickly clamps her mouth shut.

I cover Prince Nykolas’s ring with my left hand as Vielle and Baila lead us to a less populated corner of the room. We settle onto deep-cushioned, pale pink chairs arranged in a circle around a pink glass table. The room is all pink and white, with delicate floral patterns adorning the walls and sheer curtains fluttering in the gentle breeze that wafts through the open windows.

“Tea?” a maid asks us.

“Please,” Baila says. “And a selection of tea cakes.”

“Coffee for me,” Ziani says.

The maid inclines her head then slinks away.

“Look who just arrived,” Baila says excitedly.

We all follow her gaze to the door. A young woman in an ivory gown has just walked in. Of all the faerie females I’ve seen since my arrival, she is hands down the most beautiful, with glorious red hair that, in combination with hazel eyes and skin the gold of fall leaves, gives her a stunning autumnal beauty.

“Is she a princess?” Nydia asks.

“No, that’s Dabria,” Vielle says. “She was one of us, a Guild of Ladies apprentice, but part of last year’s crowd. She’s our next queen.”

Ziani frowns. “She’s married to Prince Nykolas?”

“No, but he’s supposed to be courting her.”

I’m unprepared for the strange stabbing feeling that pierces my heart.

“What does ‘supposed to be’ mean?” Nydia asks.

“King Xander selected Dabria for him earlier this year, as he needs a wife before he ascends the throne. They’re betrothed.”

“There’s zero chemistry between them,” Baila whispers. “But who cares about chemistry if you get to be queen?”

Vielle’s eyes dance. “It goes to show just how well you can marry as a Guild apprentice. It’s a pity the Crown Prince, the most eligible bachelor in the country, is now taken, though.”

“He’s hardly taken if his father tried to push her onto him and he’s yet to court her,” Ziani retorts.

Vielle and Baila exchange a look.

“Should I tell her?” Baila asks Vielle.

Vielle nods. “Go on.”

Baila leads forward. “We know that Prince Nykolas seems…fond of Riva.”

Heat flashes into my cheeks.

“But it’s against our constitution to have a human as spouse to a monarch,” Baila continues. “Any human the prince selects will be nothing more than the mother of his children. She won’t be his queen. And he’ll likely kill her once she has birthed enough heirs.”

Nydia gasps.

“It’s true,” Vielle says. “That’s what most of the royal males do. Their faerie wives won’t allow the human mothers of their husband’s children to become objects of affection.”

“Between you and me,” Baila whispers, “it would be much better for the three of you to be chosen by nobles. They won’t kill you, and you’ll live a comfortable life as a member of their harem. Those who don’t desire a harem sometimes wed their human instead of a faerie lady, and they’re known to treat them well.

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