Mad Queen by Jewel Killian

Author:Jewel Killian [Killian, Jewel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-02T16:00:00+00:00

I had the estate to myself the rest of the day. Rowan was in the castle doing princely things and Braxis was avoiding me, which I found immensely amusing. So, I spent my time in the library sifting through more history and mythology books than I ever had, even in my time at Rhygaard.

Drya was right. All the sources I’d found agreed on the same creation mythology. And whether I wanted to admit it, that made sylph and undine and even fae related. Sort of. I’d even found scholarly sources backing up Braxis’ assertions about the sylph, which felt more burdensome than darkly entertaining as it had yesterday. But as much as I liked research, by mid-afternoon my eyes were bleary and I headed upstairs to get ready for my night with Archer.

Although he was tightlipped about the plans for our evening, I was looking forward to it. Archer was so easy-going, I couldn’t imagine having a bad time with him. Plus, I had the sense that I’d get to see his true personality one-on-one. Within the group dynamic, everyone had their assigned rolls, and I was curious to see who Archer was outside of that.

I went to the box and pulled out everything. Drya made such beautiful clothes, I had a hard time choosing, but I settled on a pair of black trousers with silver stitching and a draped gray shirt with a plunging neckline that reached past my sternum. I finished it with a bejeweled belt and boots.

On a whim, I pulled up half my hair and braided the top sections in an intricate style reminiscent of sylph fashion, leaving the rest down and free. I pulled a few pieces loose to frame my face and called it done.

On my way out of the guest chamber, Rowan came into sight, leaning against the railing of the stairway, and my traitorous heart fluttered at the sight of his bared chest and piercing gaze.

“You look nice,” he said, and his slow smile zinged through me.

Rake.

“Drya makes beautiful clothes,” I replied.

“That she does. And you wear them beautifully.”

I stared at him, gaze hardening. Why wouldn’t he leave me alone? Let me evade his smiles and compliments and that stare that refused to let me hide.

“Archer and I have plans this evening.”

Rowan’s smile faltered, shoulders tensing. “I hope you enjoy yourself,” he said smoothly, teal eyes darkening.

“Thank you,” I clipped out, passing him to descend the stairs. It was still far too early to meet Archer, but I had to get out of there.

He reached out, fingertips grazing my arm as I passed. “I can wait as long as you need, Vestra.”

I spun around to meet him, shocked to see how close he was. How good he smelled. How fiercely his gaze bored into me. I backed away, stumbling on the step, and if Rowan hadn’t been there to grab me, I would have fallen all the way down.

Of course, if he hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have been walking backward down the steps at all.

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