Page 82 of The Hidden Fae Prince
With one last bow, he saunters away. Tansy attempts to follow, but Seren snags his sleeve.
“We need to talk,” Seren says, tightening his shields. He can’t handle Tansy’s emotions today.
Tansy turns guarded. “Don’t tell me you need more party planners. I’m not stepping into that bloodbath.”
“You got lucky this time,” Seren says, releasing his sleeve. “Gevain didn’t have to rescue you.”
“Of course he did,” Tansy says. “He wants to curry favor with you.”
True, but not the point. Seren focuses. “I know you want to stay in Elladar, but reading random spellbooks isn’t the way.”
“What is the way?” Tansy asks, sharp.
Seren can’t answer.
“You could do it.” Tansy gestures, encompassing Seren head to toe. “Once you’re crowned the King of Summer and all that, you could bind me to this realm. Haelwen’s done it before.”
Grief strikes with cold claws. For the mother Seren never knew. For the parents he did know, missing their real son for twenty years. Lysandra waits in the Garden of Rites. Seren needs the crown, but resisting Tansy’s urging is easier when he can’t help, rather than won’t help.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Seren says, feeling inadequate.
Tansy’s laugh is a snarl. He steps close enough that across the courtyard, Idalia lowers her baton watchfully. “You arriveout of nowhere, thinking you know what’s best for everyone. But you don’t know this realm, and you don’t know me. You didn’t bring me here, and you don’t get to decide when I leave.”
Seren gestures for Idalia to stay back. Tansy has the right to be angry. Their lives have been twisted mirrors. They understand each other the most and least of anyone.
“You’re right. I don’t know you.” Seren stares Tansy down. “But you’re also wrong. I didn’t arrive out of nowhere. I arrived from the village of Wymond. It’s a real place, with real people. They don’t have magic, but they have revels and sorrow and riverbanks of fresh strawberries. And snow. Have you ever seen snow?”
With a shaking breath, Tansy retreats. “I don’t care. It sounds terrible.”
If Seren pushes too hard, he’ll lose Tansy completely. “We should meet up soon. I can tell you how terrible Wymond is, and you can warn me ahead of your next curse.”
Tansy tousles his light hair. “I think I’m done with curses. But sure. How can I turn down a private audience with the Summer Prince?”
As Tansy darts off, Seren takes a moment to collect himself. Not even an hour apart, and he already misses Nevander’s company.
Hopefully the royal artificer will be easier to handle than Tansy.
26
A Distant Mother
AnticipationquickensNevander’ssteps.An hour apart is too long, and he’s relieved to find Seren waiting outside the garden. Seren leans against a marble column, either relaxed or tired. Nevander should usher him to rest. The royal artificer can wait until Seren’s had a day’s rest and a change of clothes.
Except Lysandra has waited long enough. Nevander should have sent for her, and she’ll certainly call him on that.
The important thing is that Seren is ready for his crown. He’s done escaping. He reached for Summer magic. Nevander will see his prince crowned, then take the changeling human home, and the realms will balance again.
Seren lights up at Nevander’s approach. “You were quick.”
“I sent a bird to Valerian. He’ll enjoy the trip to Spiritwood.” Nevander nods to Jasper, who fidgets at the gateway. “I also spoke with the seneschal about festival security. He seemed relieved to be rescued from Gevain and Morana.”
Seren’s eyes glint with a very fae sense of mischief. “I may be responsible for that.”
His collar sits askew around his neck. Nevander itches to straighten it, but after last night, simple touches feel a thousand times more intimate. Ritekeeper Jasper is watching. Unsaid words crowd behind Nevander’s lips.You look beautiful. I missed you.
“I also picked up a scry-warding ring,” Nevander says, lifting his hand.
The etched gold band sits snug around Nevander’s left middle finger, above his carryhold. Leaving Seren’s side isn’t an option. Caging Seren in the palace is tempting but impractical. That means Nevander must become difficult to find.
