Prince of Never by Juno Heart

Author:Juno Heart [Heart, Juno]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780648339281
Published: 2019-12-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

COURT of MERITS

Lara

“This time, Lara, you must serve the long table in front of the dais,” says Elowen, the tall fae in charge of the banquet staff.

With one arm, I hug the tray of sweets to my velvet dress, using the other to wipe sweat from my brow. It’s like a furnace back here in the kitchens.

Her eyes drop to my chest. “Do take care or you’ll ruin the fine gown the queen has seen fit to honor you with.”

“What little there is of it,” I counter, pointing at the shocking amount of skin on display between my throat and belly button.

Frowning, she runs her eyes over the mulberry-colored material flowing to my bare feet. The length is fine, but the dress is too revealing—like a Vegas showgirl’s, but sewn with leaves and dewy petals instead of sequins. My boss, Max, would have a heart attack if he saw me serving food in this getup.

I peer through clouds of sweet-smelling steam and bustling staff until I spy a girl holding an identical tray to mine. She’s been serving tables at the back of the Great Hall, far away from the queen and her bizarre-looking guests. “Can’t I work Selene’s table instead? She won’t mind swapping.”

“No, you cannot,” Elowen scolds, pushing me through an arch that leads to a long hallway lined with torches. The passage opens onto the Great Hall where, from the shining dais, the sparkling High Fae preside over their court and entertain their intense-eyed guests—King El Fannon and Prince Temnen of the Court of Merits.

I draw a long breath, reminding myself I’ve managed to survive this extraordinary day so far. Waiting tables is easy.

This afternoon, I coped with being scrubbed, rubbed with scented oils, and then groomed and dressed like a child’s favorite doll. And over the hours of the feast, I’ve since adjusted to the sight of creatures from dreams, all cavorting like feral children who’ve consumed too much sugar. Now, they no longer make my palms sweat.

I’ve even managed to relax under the scrutiny of the Merits, their calculating gazes following my every move. But I still haven’t got used to Ever, lounging beside his mother like an overindulged brat—a vision of cruel beauty dressed in black and silver and crowned with a self-righteous sneer.

Mostly, I’ve tried to ignore him and the flock of fae girls wrapped around his legs, vying for attention as they pass him food and wine, slobbering over his person. It’s obvious what they’ll be helping him with after the banquet. And I hope they have fun. Truly.

As I serve honey-soaked cakes topped with clotted cream and silver-spun candy, it becomes apparent this table is the most unpleasant one in the room. Situated closest to the throne, these fae are nasty, their jokes more cutting and disgusting. It’s difficult to weave my tray through their bony limbs and scaly wings as they poke and flutter around me.

“Give me three more of those,” demands a fae with decaying horns protruding from his forehead.

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