Fae's Refuge by M. Lynn & Melissa A. Craven

Author:M. Lynn & Melissa A. Craven [Lynn, M. & Craven, Melissa A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Twin Rivers Press

Tierney and Veren arrived at the throne room earlier than usual the following morning. Keir spent most mornings with his court, listening to his lord’s reports and requests the way Tierney’s mother and father would hear directly from their people—no matter their class. In Vondur, it seemed the common folk didn’t matter much. At least, not in the eyes of the court. Though, she liked to think Keir would change all that.

Gulliver joined them a few minutes later, giving Tierney a flash of his mischievous smile to let her know he’d accomplished the task. The poor maids were probably already off to their beds.

“Easy as giving me a cupcake and asking me to eat it.” Gulliver sidled up to her, offering her his arm. “Shall we take a turn around the room and see if we can run into a maid-less king?”

Tierney tucked her arm around his and nodded. “Let’s do just that, though I will never understand this court’s obsession with walking around the throne room when there’s a perfectly good garden outside. Keep up, Veren; we’re going to talk to the king.”

“I don’t know how you plan to get through the mob around him.” Veren walked on her other side, his hands clasped behind him like a soldier.

As they joined other groups walking aimlessly around the room, Tierney kept her eyes on Keir. He seemed bored, like he would rather be anywhere else. She couldn’t say she blamed him. Swarms of courtiers vied for Keir’s attention, but to Tierney, he looked more like a caged lion than a man who actually wanted the attention he was receiving.

“This is stupid.” Tierney tugged Gulliver and Veren along with her. “I’m a princess of Iskalt. If I want to talk to a king, I don’t need to play these infernal court games.”

“Just don’t get us put on the executioner’s block this time.” Gulliver walked uncertainly with them. “You know how this room makes me nervous.”

It was just a few weeks ago she, Gulliver, and Declan stood on the gallows right outside this room. She shuddered to think about that day.

“Your Majesty.” Tierney dipped her head into the graceful nod of a crown princess greeting another monarch. Several of the courtiers surrounding Keir gasped at her lack of butt-kissing, as her mother would call it. They still believed her a Grima spy and Gulliver some kind of abomination of dark magic.

“Princess Tierney and Lord Gulliver.” Keir returned her nod, ignoring Veren altogether. “We don’t usually see you here at court since your return. I’m delighted you’ve decided to join us.” He didn’t even sound like himself. She decided she preferred surly, grouchy soldier Keir over this pompous imposter.

Tierney ignored the lords and ladies who refused to move aside for them. She stepped around them, as if they were nothing more than statues. “Your throne room isn’t our favorite place, you’ll understand.” Tierney lowered her gaze.

“Nor is it mine,” he murmured under his breath, sounding more like himself. “As a matter of fact, I’d like to escape, and your arrival has given me an idea.

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