The Dark Fae (The World of Fae #1)(43)

Well, Alicia was certain she’d hear more from both her mother and grandfather about her poor manners after the meal.

But just after everyone was settled into their chairs at the high table, a messenger brought word to the king. He looked at Viviana, then at Alicia. And again he shook his head.

Now what had happened? The suspense was killing Alicia as the king motioned for the man to leave.

Loud voices and the tromping of more boots nearing the great hall caused everyone in the hall to cease their conversation.





CHAPTER 21





As soon as the gray-haired man entered the hall, Deveron knew him to be Raglan’s father. No doubt upset with his son’s visiting the dragon fae, particularly after imprisoning two of their royals, he was sure to worry Raglan might have been incarcerated. King Persenus approached the table, acknowledging first that his son was all right, then greeted the dragon fae king and smiled broadly at the lion fae queen. But the next man who entered the hall forced Alicia to rise from her chair.

What was going on? Did King Reynolds learn Deveron was interested in Alicia and not his daughter, Lorelei? Great. Now he had to explain himself out of this situation.

King Reynolds’s gaze shifted from Alicia to her mother, and Deveron could see a flame burned for Alicia’s mother.

Alicia folded her arms and scowled at King Reynolds.

She couldn’t be his daughter. She was half human. Wasn’t she?

Deveron nudged at her arm, trying to get her to sit down beside him again.

But instead, she stepped away from her chair and stalked toward King Reynolds. “How could you leave us like you did? And mother? How could you come here and show your face when you married that despicable…despicable…”

Deveron joined her, hoping to make a new marriage proposal at once while the time was ripe. He couldn’t believe his good fortune, or Ritasia’s that King Reynolds was Alicia’s father. He bowed to King Reynolds and said, “My mother has attempted to make an alliance between my kingdom and yours. I wonder if you would wish to still make this…only Alicia would be my bride?”

Alicia’s father’s mouth dropped as he looked from Deveron to Alicia. Then he frowned. “This would have to be decided by—”

“I wholeheartedly agree to the arrangement,” Queen Irenis chimed in.

And why not? Not only would his mother be allied with the sphinx, and it appeared Alicia was next in line to the Venician throne by virtue of being King Reynolds’s first child, but also an alliance would be forged with the dragon fae. Would King Tibero agree also to the proposal?

Deveron waited with baited breath. Say yes, King Tibero. Say yes.

The king looked at Viviana who nodded her consent.

Alicia’s mother was agreeable. Now if only the king would agree…

Queen Irenis tapped her fingers on the table as she waited for King Tibero to announce his decision.

He nodded.

Deveron smiled, but Alicia did not.

She wasn’t interested? His blood heated. She would turn down the crown prince of the lion fae?

“Nobody asked me,” Alicia said, her chin tilted upward, her lips pressed firmly together in the cutest little pout.

“Would you agree?”

“I…”

“Not for another year,” King Tibero said. “She doesn’t come of age until then. She cannot make a decision of this magnitude before then.”

Viviana seemed to take a deep breath of relief.

“Nonsense,” Queen Irenis said. “She is not the one to make the decision. Her elders have made the decision for her.”

“A year,” the king reiterated.

“I will make sure you don’t change your mind during the year,” Deveron said, kissing Alicia’s hand.

“Without seeing the young man,” the king added.

“What?” Queen Irenis squeaked. “You can see they’re clearly in love. They’re meant to be together.”

His mother didn’t care about things like that. She wanted commitment and feared during the year, politics might change the scheme of things as they now stood. What if King Tibero decided to marry his granddaughter off to someone else? Was this the reason for his agreeing to the marriage, only to revoke the plans by the end of the year? Would he have other suitors chase after Alicia, wearing her down until she felt she loved one of them instead, particularly as she wouldn’t see Deveron in so long? Maybe her feelings for him would fade with time?

He smiled and led Alicia back to her seat. He had no intention of staying away from her. No intention whatsoever. Another dark fae quality. Extreme perseverance…when it was something one wanted badly enough.

When they sat together, she glanced over at her father who sat next to her mother. Alicia’s grandfather didn’t seem pleased, but Viviana did.

They talked in whispered secrets and laughed and touched with fond remembrances. Good thing his Venician wife didn’t see him flirting with his former dragon fae wife.

Deveron handed Alicia a slice of bread. “You won’t forget me during the year, will you?”

“How could I ever forget you, Deveron?”

“Time has a way of making memories fade,” he said glumly.

She smiled. “Somehow I can’t see how it would be possible. Do you fear I might find someone else more appealing in that time?”