The One - Four Fae for the Princess

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ring in the air. I take my place beside my mother as she stands at the head of the long table. Father is seat

on't recognize catches my eye. He's tall, his presence quietly commanding, though he doesn't seem to be trying to draw attention to himsel

n ask, my m

m voice commanding the assembly. "We have a ne

of something that passes between us. It's hard to describe. A pull, a faint sense of recognition, though I'm certain I've never met him before

e man. "He hails from Ambrosia but has decided to defect to

interest. Prince Direken is from Ambrosia, and their peop

ords really cat

tone steady, though I catch the f

among the fae, and they hold a power that can change the course of king

d unflappable, but now, for the first time, I think I see him flinch. It's quick, barely noticeable, but it's there. Why? Eirli

here are bigger t

een us again. It's a spark of curiosity, something I can't explain but can't ignore either. I'm

rm

next to Queen Kimalissa and King Fratino, is the woman who has haunted my d

ril

reams have circled around for so long has me reeling. I can feel the weight of her gaze sweeping across the room, and for a moment, our eyes lo

ready f

ities that only make sense when the events are right in front of me. The universe rarely gives me clear, unambiguous answers. Still, the fact

st in my own thoughts, not in front of the council. I have a role to play, and

nobles, the potential alliances we need to form, and the threats we must be wary of. I listen carefully, m

a fire behind her eyes. It's clear she has deep respect for her mother, and a love for her

ar my throat and speak, my voice s

na, rather than entangling ourselves too deeply in the politics of other kingdoms. We must be cautious

ve overstepped. Queen Kimalissa's expression is unreadable, though her gaze feels sharper than before. I ch

waiting for the

an eternity, Queen K

always been at risk from those who seek to manipulate us for their own ends.

cil. Yet Maerilee is still glaring at me as though I've insulted her pers

o stay out of other kingdoms' politics, yet it's her duty to her ki

mn

my mouth. I insulted her. And the last thing I wanted to do was

this. I watch her, wondering how I can apologize, how I can explain myself without making th

ce catching in my throat as I hurry to catch up with her. I hate

ok at me, her e

tant. Gone is the warmth I saw in her eyes earlier,

my words coming out in a rush. "I just-what I said in there-it wasn

a hand, cut

rmiton," she a

brushing me off, and I don't blame her. I probably sound like an idiot

n't important. I know you're doing everything you can for Altinna. I just... I've seen things. In my

omething soften in her eyes,

her voice still cool but less harsh now. "You d

away, leaving me standing there

well. I always mean well. But somehow, I've managed to make things

't I shake the feeling that my dream