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

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

13

TIERNEY

Tierney and Keir were the first to arrive in the dining hall.

“Why such a big room for one table?” Keir moved to stand in front of the enormous fireplace at the front of the room. The poor man was always cold.

Tierney gazed around the familiar room, trying to see it for the first time through Keir’s eyes. A long table sat on an ivory and blue rug under an enormous chandelier made of powerful crystals.

She cringed at the sight of so much power used for simple adornment. What must Keir think of them? She turned her back, moving to the buffet table to pour them each a glass of wine.

“It used to be a dining hall for the full court.” Brea entered the room, dressed in her preferred tunic and trousers. She rarely wore queenly attire when it was just the family and a few guests. “When the twins were small, after I first came to Iskalt as queen, I couldn’t handle the intensity of having the court present at every meal.”

Brea stepped up beside Keir, admiring the family portraits that sat along the mantle. A human custom she insisted on keeping.

“I didn’t want my kids to have to grow up behaving like perfect little princes and princesses all the time. I wanted them to enjoy the occasional food fight and laughter around the dinner table. So, I banned the court from the dining hall. We hold frequent dinners in a more formal setting where the court joins us.”

“Food fights?” Keir turned toward the queen, his back straight as a rod and his hands clasped behind his back like a soldier.

Tierney lingered by the buffet table to watch them.

“Well, we had four kids under the age of ten, so tantrums often ended up with flinging mashed potatoes and vegetables they didn’t want to eat.” Brea shrugged. “When you have kids, you’ll know what I mean.” She clapped him on the shoulder and joined Tierney at the buffet.

Brea made a show of pouring her own glass of wine and muttered out the side of her mouth, “You’re related to all the royals—or as close to related as you can get. So, what does my daughter do? She goes and finds herself a handsome king—don’t be mad at Toby for telling me—from a fabled land and brings him home to dinner.” She turned, leaning against the table. “And he is handsome, isn’t he?” She elbowed her daughter.

“Mom,” Tierney hissed, hoping Keir hadn’t heard her. “He is a king. He has his own kingdom to rule. It’s not like that.”

“It looks like that.” Brea gave her a knowing grin. “If you remember, I was supposed to be the heir of Eldur, and you see how that worked out.”

“Stop it.” Tierney’s face flushed scarlet.

“Well, does he have a younger brother?” Brea raised her brows, all innocence.

“Why, are you leaving Dad for a younger model?”

“Of course not, but we’re going to be right back here with Kayleigh in a few years, and if the man has a brother, then they need to meet.

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