“You know I won’t let anything happen to her,” Sebastian replies.
I hover on the other side of the door for a few more moments, wanting to hear what they say.
“If he lays a finger on her, I will kill him,” Constantine says forcefully, and I gulp. He’s getting that way again. Itchy.
“He won’t hurt her. They may have the worst father-daughter relationship going, but he needs her. Plain and simple.”
“There is nothing simple about this,” he grouses.
“Tell me about it,” Sebastian says heavily and then there is silence, so I turn towards the shower and step in. I am dreading this trip. In fact, I would rather be going anywhere but there. But I must remember that in a few days, we will be going to Miami and I will find Cole. I will make Constantine understand that I need a charge. He has thousands so surely, he will understand the need. But it is tough luck for him if he doesn’t, because I am going to find Cole and turn him and bring him home with me.
I step back out into the bedroom to find them sitting together on the bed in silence. Both of them look up at me in appreciation as they see my chosen outfit, acceptable for attendance at the Dark Fae Court. A long, deep purple gown with thin straps to show off the markings on my arms, and a full-length black velvet cloak to cover up my Dragon tattoo. No need to poke the bear.
“You look beautiful,” Constantine says.
“Hm, it’s too bad that he won’t think so. He hates how I look. Maybe I should just comply with his request and Shift into something he might accept.” I turn to the mirror and Shift, changing my hair to drop to my waist, black with a purple sheen to it and eyes the color of amethysts. “Maybe now he won’t look at me with such disdain.” I turn and meet their wide eyes as they take me in.
“Aefre, you shouldn’t have to change yourself for him to accept you,” Constantine says as Sebastian just says, “Wow.”
“I know I shouldn’t have to, I don’t want to, but I don’t want any drama either. The smoother things go the better and if he likes the way I look, then it is a start.”
“He is a fool for not appreciating you as you are,” he grumbles.
“Well, thank you, my love,” I say as I swish forward and bend to kiss him. “I will see you in a few days. I love you.”
“I love you,” he says. “Be careful, and don’t go anywhere on your own. I don’t trust him, or any of them with you.”
“I won’t let her out of my sight,” Sebastian says as he takes my hands and Teleports us deep into the forest, just beside the Faerie Ring that takes us to the Fae Kingdoms. “I would never say this in front of Constantine because I know how he feels about your natural self, but don’t Shift back until we return. I do think you might find he will be more receptive if you look like him.”
“I hope so. I know I shouldn’t care what he thinks, but it does hurt when he looks at me like I am less than nothing,” I say sadly.
“I know. But that you are not, my love. Remember who you are,” he says.
I nod and with a stiff back step into the circle with him and we are transported to the Fae Kingdoms.
We step out of the ring and head west towards the Dark Fae palace. East is where the Light Fae live. We walk in a companionable silence for a few minutes until we reach the black path that leads to the palace. There is no one waiting for us as we weren’t expected, so we just continue to walk in silence, me dreading this meeting, and him worried about it for me.
Soon we see the palace in sight and the Dark Guard escorts us the rest of the way. Even in my different guise they know who I am because of my markings and I am treated with a wary respect, but with a hint of contempt. We aren’t kept waiting once we reach the palace as someone had gone ahead to announce our arrival and we are ushered into the Throne Room, where both Drake and his awful wife, Maurelle, are sitting waiting for us. Sebastian tightens his grip on my hand and we both bob our heads as we are greeted with unpleasant stares. Although, I am sure I see a glimmer of acceptance flash in Drake’s eye before it vanishes, and he resumes his icy stare. Maurelle is glaring at me with open hatred, and, well, I can’t blame the woman. I am living proof that not only did her husband cheat on her, but I also remind her of her own failings to give him a daughter.
“Aeval,” he says, his violet eyes narrowing at me, as I stiffen at the name he gave me, remembering the “You are a Fae Princess, you will have Fae name” speech. Fortunately, it is like my own, but it still rankles me.
“Drake,” I say, refusing to call him Father and I won’t submit to calling him Your Majesty. If anything, he should call me that.
“It is about time you came. You have been very neglectful of your duty.”
“Yes, well, I do have an Empire to run,” I say haughtily, and I note with satisfaction that he dislikes the fact that I have an Empire and he only has a Kingdom.
His eyes then bore into Sebastian. “Kalen,” he calls Sebastian by his given Faerie name. “I trust you got back in time to see to her.”
See to me? That’s…unpleasant and upsetting as Sebastian nods his head. So clearly, he did “see to” the other me. Slut, I think irrationally, as I was probably doing her husband at the same time as she was being “seen to”.
“Very well. Let us hope that something comes of it this time. It is late now. Tasha will show you to your,” he pauses and watches for a reaction as he says, “room. Tomorrow we will discuss your nuptials.”
I open my mouth to say for the thousandth time that I am already married, but Sebastian squeezes my hand and I close it again. I really shouldn’t provoke him.
Drake smirks at me as he knows he has annoyed me. “It is about time that you both take your rightful places. Dismissed,” he says with a wave of his hand.
My mouth drops open in outrage that he has dared to treat me so casually. One of these days I am going to show him who I really am. One day, but not today, as Sebastian whisks me away, sensing my anger. “Don’t let him get to you,” he whispers. “That is why he does it. Show him you don’t care.”