The Dark Fae (The World of Fae #1)(40)

“For what reason? And speak carefully. I will know if you’re lying.”

Because the prince already had his mind made up as to the reason, Deveron assumed.

“I’m not of the sphinx fae,” Deveron said.

Grotto glanced at the royal sphinx medallion encircling Deveron’s neck.

Deveron explained, “I’m lion fae.” Before the prince could close his gaping mouth, Deveron added, “The crown prince of the Denkar.”

Grotto stared at him, not uttering a sound.

“If my mother learns you have imprisoned me, she won’t hesitate to wage war with your people.”

The dragon fae ignored the importance of Deveron’s words. “Why did you take Alicia from South Padre? Surely you realize your actions could have provoked the same response from our kingdom.”

Now for the tricky part. Alicia’s people had to know that she was half human, so there would be no secret in that. He would explain the truth of the matter. “My mother assumed Alicia was half human.”

Grotto’s eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to speak, then clamped it shut.

“My mother had no idea that Alicia was half dragon fae. It is the human part that would have disturbed her, particularly when I became interested in Alicia. As for myself, I never gave her fae heritage any thought. She didn’t know which fae she came from.”

Grotto looked at the floor for a moment, then looked back at Deveron. “If you have lied about who you are, it will not go well for you.” He started toward the door, then stopped and turned. “What did you mean that you’re interested in Alicia?”

“She’s a remarkable fae.” Deveron couldn’t help smiling.

Grotto scowled. “The king will not be pleased.” He stalked out of the cell.

***

In the countess’s bedchambers, the king’s luminescent green eyes sparkled with interest while his lips quirked into a smile as he observed Alicia. Dimples punctuated his tanned cheeks. “She looks just like her mother did at that age.”

“It is indeed Princess Alicia,” the countess said.

“What ails you child?” he asked.

Alicia assumed mentioning the upset over her father wouldn’t set well with the king. He probably wouldn’t want to hear anything about the man who stole her mother’s heart, then encouraged her to run away.

“She’s only now learned about her father,” the countess said.

The king’s cheeks darkened.

The other man poured a powder into a goblet filled with wine, then handed it to Alicia. “Drink this and it’ll settle your stomach.”

She noticed then the guard standing in the doorway. Would he make her drink the concoction if she refused?

“Drink, dear Alicia. Afterward, I will have your mother brought to you.”

Under guard? Like Alicia was being guarded?

If the king felt any compassion toward her, could she get Deveron released? “A sphinx fae, Deveron, brought me here. He’s being held in your dungeon. Will you release him?”

Again the king’s face grew stormy. “He is my enemy.” He began to pace. “No, I will not release him until I know the reason for his being here.”

Then she realized the difficulty. Her grandfather most likely hated the sphinx for the one taking her mother away from him. Would it help to tell the king, Deveron was really the crown prince of Denkar? That if his mother learned the dragon fae held Deveron prisoner, she probably wouldn’t hesitate to wage war with them?

“Your Majesty,” Alicia began carefully.

“Kingship,” the countess corrected her. “Your Majesty is a human term.”

“Drink the medicinal wine,” the other man said.

“The doctor knows best,” the king added.

Alicia hoped it wasn’t drugged to keep her complacent. She sipped the drink. It tasted like wine and a hint of cinnamon and tingled on her tongue.

“Call for her mother,” the king said to the countess.

She smiled at Alicia, then curtseyed to the king and left the room.

“Drink,” the doctor coaxed.

The concoction warmed her throat all the way down to her stomach.

“About Deveron…”

The king shook his head. “I will not speak about the prisoner again until Prince Grotto has had a chance to talk to him.”

Would they treat him badly? Torture him? She gritted her teeth, hoping she could change her grandfather’s stubborn mind.

Before she could worry about it further, rapid footsteps grew closer to the bedchambers. The countess said, “Oh yes, Princess Viviana, she cannot wait to see you.”

When Viviana stepped into the room, Alicia nearly fell out of the bed to reach her. Her mother looked so different, dressed in the fae gowns of powder blue silk, her blond hair piled high on her head in an elegant hairstyle. Her green eyes were blurry and her cheeks glistened with fresh tears.

They hugged and kissed as everyone else in the room remained deathly quiet.

“Alicia, I worried so for you. I should have returned you here long ago. I should have told you about our heritage. Can you ever forgive me?”

“You wanted to protect me. You only did what you thought best.” Alicia hugged her mother again, wanting her mother to know she felt nothing but gladness to be with her again. Then she touched the golden collar encircling her mother’s neck. Though it looked like a piece of elegant jewelry, she figured her mother would feel ashamed to have to wear the retaining collar, prohibiting her from conducting any fae magic. “Is this really necessary?” She looked at the king.