The Dark Fae (The World of Fae #1)(32)

As soon as Alicia saw Deveron stalking toward her, she smiled with such a sunny expression she could have warmed the chilliest day. Certainly, her joyfulness cheered him.

He smiled back, relieved she exhibited such good spirits, but as soon as he could, he had to spirit her away from here. The situation was bound to get ugly.

“Queen Irenis is sending an escort for the lady. May I know her name?” Raglan asked.

Deveron ignored him, realizing the worst…his mother would imprison Alicia next. When he reached Alicia, he said to the guards, “Release the lady at once.” He had no intention of being disobeyed and would take every step necessary of freeing Alicia.

The two men looked at Raglan, who motioned for them to do as Deveron ordered.

“What do you intend to do with her?” Raglan asked.

When the guards released her, Alicia wrapped her arms around Deveron and squeezed tightly. “You came for me. You kept your promise.”

The great hall grew silent. Deveron hugged her back. “I wanted a rematch. No female fae has ever beaten me at archery. Besides, I haven’t figured out how to get even with you for that earlier incident.”

She laughed. “Thank you, Deveron.” She released him long enough to embrace Ritasia. “And you, too, Ritasia.” Then seeing Micala, she said, “What’s he doing here? Where’s Cassie?”

Worry threaded her words and Deveron wanted to explain what had happened without Raglan hearing what was going on. He moved her toward the head table.

“Your mother took her home,” Deveron said, wrapping his arm around her waist. He led her back to the table.

“What?” Alicia’s eyes grew round.

“Your mother came to visit you at South Padre and found Micala with Cassie.”

Alicia’s shoulders sagged. “What was she told about me? She must be worried sick about my vanishing.”

A servant set another plate at the high table.

Deveron took Alicia’s hand and squeezed it with reassurance. “She thinks a fae took you. What do you know about your mother?”

He pulled her seat out for her, but she stood staring at him. “Alicia, have you eaten?” He motioned to the chair.

Prince Raglan still stood, and so did the rest of the courtiers. Until the prince sat, no one else could.

Alicia shook her head.

“Then sit and we’ll eat and drink for now. We must leave right after the feast.”

“So soon?” Raglan took his seat. The rest of the courtiers sat in their seats.

Deveron helped Alicia into hers as she seemed to be in a daze.

“What about my mother?” she whispered.

“She’s the dragon fae.”

Alicia’s lower lip trembled as her eyes watered. She shook her head. “It’s not possible. My father is the fae.”

He passed a goblet of wine to her as everyone resumed eating, though the conversation remained muted.

Raglan leaned around Deveron and said to Alicia, “We haven’t met, young lady. But I’m Prince Raglan and you are?”

“My cousin,” Deveron said, buttering a slice of bread. He handed the bread to Alicia.

Raglan smiled at Alicia. “And your cousin’s name is?”

“Lady Minxsa,” Deveron said.

Raglan chuckled. “I’ve heard you speak of the lady. But she is of the turtle fae, not the dragon fae. The guard from Venicia distinctly told my father she was a dragon fae.”

Alicia whispered to Deveron, “Why would you think my mother is a dragon fae? It’s my father who is of the fae.”

“Eat, Alicia,” Ritasia warned. “Before we have to leave.”

“You cannot leave.” Raglan folded his arms. “Not unless you tell me what this is all about.”

Deveron faced Raglan. “She is a dragon fae. You’re right. My mother will want to imprison her because Alicia has distracted me from my duties.”

“I hear Queen Irenis wishes you to wed Princess Lorelei.”

Deveron gritted his teeth. “It won’t come to pass.”

“It is rumored you have feelings for the dragon fae.”

Alicia’s brows rose as if she questioned if this were true or not.

Deveron said to Raglan, “I promised to protect her.”

“Ah.” Raglan leaned back in his chair. “So that is what you call it. Why do you care so much for her?”

Deveron poked his fork into the dark meat of his fowl. He had no intention of discussing his feelings for Alicia with Raglan or any other.

Raglan said, “She’s most entertaining. Wouldn’t you say?”

Deveron glanced at Alicia, wondering what she’d done to solicit that remark from Raglan.

She swallowed her bite of food. “I was climbing the cliffs up and down, just for the sphinx fae’s benefit. Their accommodations hadn’t suited me.”

“The dungeon?” Deveron asked. He couldn’t help how irritated his voice sounded. He promised to keep Alicia safe, and instead, she ended up in a dungeon, no doubt manacled to prevent her from escaping in the fae way.

“Most unpleasant. The cells could use some good cleaning for one. I thought the sphinx fae were neutral. It seems they are not. Certainly I had committed no crime. And yet here I’m shackled in one of their prison cells.”