The Dark Fae (The World of Fae #1)(15)

Was she showing her female possessiveness? If Alicia hadn’t been pretending to be Deveron’s distant cousin, she’d have put some moves on Deveron to outdo the snooty redhead. Well, not because Alicia felt anything for him, but she knew he wanted out of the relationship with Lorelei, and she wouldn’t have minded helping, just a little.

But of course if Alicia did anything like that, she was certain she’d put herself in more danger. Cool it, Alicia. Be the weak, indisposed nobody and blend into the background like a shy violet tucked beneath a shrub full of blooming roses.

Shy violet her foot. She’d never be able to play that role.

Alicia reached out to Deveron and yanked at the bottom edge of his tunic. “Isn’t he a sweetheart?”

He couldn’t have grinned any bigger nor could Lorelei have given her a more demonic look. Oh well, nobody could say humans didn’t have their own devilish moments to want to even up the score.

“Your cousin can remain behind here to rest as my steward said she is unwell. One of my ladies can see to her.”

“I’m to keep an eye on her at all times,” Deveron said.

“Oh? Even when she beds down for the night?” Lorelei smiled. “I’m teasing of course.”

Right.

Wouldn’t Lorelei like to know how Alicia had been with him in his bed already, as innocent as it was?

But before an issue could be made of whether they would take a walk with or without the pretend princess, Ritasia appeared.

“Here you are,” Ritasia said to Deveron and Alicia. She smiled. “What are we doing?”

Lorelei stiffened her back.

Ritasia winked at Alicia. Evidently, Ritasia didn’t get along with Lorelei any more than Ritasia did with the princess’s brother.

Lorelei quickly said, “Deveron is taking me for a walk. Since you arrived at such an opportune time, perhaps you could stay with your cousin and watch over her instead.”

Deveron took a deep breath of exasperation. Alicia imagined he was sorely vexed with his sister’s intrusion. But truthfully, Alicia felt it would be best for all concerned, for the moment.

“I can,” Ritasia said.

Lorelei took Deveron’s arm. “Later, ladies.” The two maids followed them along the stone path, keeping a respectful distance.

When they disappeared down the path, Ritasia sat next to Alicia on the stone bench. “They were still searching for you and Deveron at the castle, having found traces of his recent faery dust trail in his room. But then word reached us that he was taking his duties concerning Lorelei to heart and that was the end of the concern. For the most part.”

“For the most part?”

“You’ve caused quite a stir, Alicia. Deveron has never transported a human girl anywhere before. And the rumor you can see the fae when we’re invisible has reached my mother. The search continues for you, but not in the Denkar kingdom.”

“They’ll assume I’m with Deveron. Don’t you think?”

“Maybe. Though I’m sure no one wants to upset Lorelei so they wouldn’t want to make a scene in attempting to apprehend you here. Or they may believe he wouldn’t risk offending Lorelei and bring you here. In any event, they are searching other kingdoms at the moment. Though not all will be receptive to our questioning.”

“And Cassie?”

“She is fine. Micala is a good fae. A perfect gentleman.”

Alicia looked in the direction Deveron had taken. “Does he always get even?”

Ritasia laughed. “You bet. Why?”

Alicia shook her head.

Ritasia’s brown eyes sparkled with interest. “You will have to tell me someday what prompted that question.” She ran her hands over her emerald green gowns. “I have to know who your parents are.”

But Alicia knew Ritasia meant she wished to know who Alicia’s fae parent was. Alicia felt she had to know, too, if she was going to survive this hunt for her. She felt that Ritasia might be able to help her find her father. But if Alicia found him, would he protect her? Or pretend the half human/half fae wasn’t his daughter? She stamped down the sorrowful feelings that rose up deep inside her. She shouldn’t care. She couldn’t. Survival was all that was important for now.

“I never knew my father’s name.”

“Then he’s the fae.”

“He wrote in a journal about fae ways. About several of the kingdoms.”

“About the Denkar?”

Alicia nodded.

“Some of the other kingdoms wrote some awful things about us. But in history you’ll find no society is above doing wrong at some time or another.”

“Your people destroyed my kind.”

“Fae-knowers?” Ritasia swallowed hard. “Yes.”

“And your mother would have me put to death if she knew the truth about me.”

“We don’t know that,” Ritasia said, defending her mother.

“You think she wouldn’t?”

“If you endangered our kind…” She let her words trail off. “Or she may keep you prisoner. On the other hand she will not like it that Deveron is so infatuated with you.”

“As a human plaything. To get even with me.”

Ritasia smiled. “Pray tell what did you do to him?”