So I merely replied, “I suppose you shall have to keep wondering as I don’t intend to tell you.”
The noble laughed, his head tilting back before he glided us through two pairs of dancing fae. “Regardless of where you come from, Lady Seary, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Lord Michas Crimsonale, heir to Highsteer Castle and son of Osaravee Territory. I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
I stiffened in his arms as the music’s tempo increased. “Your father is Lord Crimsonale, the male who sits on the king’s council?”
“He is.”
Of course. No wonder he was seeking information about me. His father had probably instructed him to do so. “And the other male, the one with the trim beard that you were standing with, is he your brother?”
“That’s correct. Sirus is ten winters my junior.”
A ball of anxiety formed in my stomach. “Your father seems very interested in me.”
“He does? Why do you suppose that is?”
I studied his expression, looking for any traces of deceit but found none. Blessed Mother, I couldn’t tell what was a game and what was genuine with him. If only Cailis were here. Her truth affinity would decipher immediately if Michas was lying. But my sister wasn’t at my side, so I decided to keep my answer honest yet vague. “He followed us to Harrivee Territory the other day.”
Michas’s eyes turned to saucers. “Why would he do such a thing?”
“You truly don’t know?”
“On my honor, my lady, I don’t.”
I sighed. Truly, I had no idea if he was being honest. “Your father heard that the prince had taken a wingless female captive, and he sought me out. It was after I met your father that I was invited to this ball. And now, how ironic, that the first fairy I’m dancing with outside of the royal family is another Crimsonale.”
Michas laughed. “All right, all right. You got me. I’m intrigued by you, but my father didn’t send me over here on an ulterior motive. I came of my own accord. I truly wanted to dance with you because you’re new, and Prince Norivun and I . . .” He shrugged. “We have a bit of a history, and I knew he would be irritated if I spent time with you. There, you’ve caught me, and I’ve spilled all. Do you still wish to dance with me?”
I studied his expression and desperately wished again that Cailis was with me. But seeing as she wasn’t, I knew I’d have to settle with trusting my gut, which was currently telling me that Michas was a troublemaker but perhaps not a deceitful fairy.
I shrugged as I tugged my hand free. “Honestly? I think I’ve had enough dancing. My head is beginning to swim.”
“Of course, allow me.” Michas glided us off the dance floor, and I caught sight of Nuwin on the opposite side of the room, worry rolling across his features as he began making his way toward us, but the throne room was large, and other fae kept stopping him to engage him in conversation.
I couldn’t help but wonder if Michas had intentionally chosen an exit as far from Nuwin as possible. The young Crimsonale led me through the throng of onlookers. One female’s gaze was piercing when I passed. She was tall, reed-thin, and had a pointy chin. Her eyes narrowed when she beheld me.
Shuddering, I nearly jumped when Michas whispered into my ear, “And that would be Lady Taberitha Wormiful, the archon of Kroravee Territory.”
“She looks like she wants to eat me.”
“She might. She’s been known to devour young ladies of the court.”
He chuckled as I hurried on, but despite the distance I put between me and Lady Wormiful, I still felt her eyes digging into my back as though an ice pick severed my spine.
Once through the crowd, the Osaravee noble didn’t stop. Michas led me to another set of doors, behind the throne that led to a balcony. The queen watched us when we passed. She still sat alone, speaking to no one.
“Does the queen often sit by herself without socializing?” I asked.
Michas shrugged. “Usually. She’s never been loquacious.”
My brows pinched. Loquacious or not, her expression said there was more to it than that. A sadness clung to her, almost like a veil of desperation, and I was reminded of how she looked in that brief glimpse I’d gotten of her when the prince had flown me past her tower, when he’d uttered the peculiar words, She lives in peace.
She didn’t look peaceful, though. She looked anxious and lonely.
Mulling that over, I followed the Osaravee noble outside. Crisp, cold air greeted me when we stepped onto the balcony. Goosebumps immediately broke out across my skin, and I shivered, rubbing my arms.
“How ridiculous of me. You’re freezing.” Michas slipped his coat off and placed it around my shoulders before I could protest. Heat from the clothing soaked into my chilled skin as his scent flooded me. He smelled of juniper and a hint of cinnamon—not bad but not overly interesting either.
I pulled his coat closer, thankful for the warmth.
He offered a crooked smile. “I figured the fresh air would do you good, and the cold out here will keep some of the pestering nobles away.”
I inhaled the cool breeze. “Thank you.”
Michas leaned his forearms against the railing, which overlooked the edge of the maze peeking out from around the castle’s corner. Since he wasn’t crowding me and truly seemed interested in my well-being, I faced him more.
“Can I ask you something?” I quirked an eyebrow.
“Anything.”
“What’s happening in the court right now? Why have fae gone missing?”
Michas cleared his throat. “Where did you hear that?”
“Is it true?”
He interlocked his fingers and looked down. After a long moment, he finally said, “The continent is starving. Did you know that too?”
My heart beat harder. “Yes.”
His eyebrows rose. “I’m surprised. The prince seems intent on keeping it hushed. Fae have died for voicing their concerns.”
“Don’t you mean they’ve been murdered?” My insides clenched. I knew all too well what he spoke of.
“I suppose that’s the less dignified way of saying it.”
“Or just the truth.”
He inclined his head. “True. In that case, if we’re to speak freely, I suppose it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you when I say that some are whispering that we shouldn’t live on this continent at all, that it was never a natural place for us to inhabit despite our realm’s magic, and if we’re going to survive, we’ll need to move. Perhaps that’s the reason fae are disappearing, because commoners are starting to say that too, and the prince doesn’t want those beliefs to spread.”
“You’re saying that the crown prince is the reason several commoners have disappeared during the past weeks? But he was gone. He wasn’t even in the castle.”