Narissa was privy to a good bit of knowledge where the possible coup of Queen Elowyn by Prince Aspen was concerned. After all, she’d been there when those wretched creatures attacked House Celestine during Novalise and Asher’s wedding. She’d witnessed firsthand the destruction they’d caused, just as she’d seen how Queen Elowyn’s magic failed to assist them intheir time of need. Shockingly enough, it had been Prince Aspen who sent the fiends back to whatever earthly hell in which they belonged—though some believed he created them as a diversion to distract from his intent to overthrow his mother. If the prince painted himself in a good light by saving Celestine from those foul beings born of tainted magic, then he would no longer look suspect.
But Solarius wasn’t about to be deceived by such tactics.
Prince Aspen had come to their aid, yes, but he’d also done so in the form of the Eyrewolfe, a massive wolf-like beast with a skull for a head and large curving horns. If the prince could keepthata secret from his subjects, there was no telling what other matters remained undisclosed.
“Ariesian is reminding me that we’re invited to House Celestine for the annual Yuletide Ball.” Which Solarius knew meant they would go not only to make an appearance, but that it would also be one of the first times he and Narissa were seen out by society. Their behavior would be telling. “And he has asked me to join him in a game of starshoot.”
Her brow quirked, a flicker of amusement passing over her face. “Starshoot?”
Solarius grinned, the fondness of the memory flooding him. “It was a game we played with my father when we were younger. He could create anything from the stars, so he would make constellations in different animal forms and we would shoot them with bows and arrows made of stardust. But that was before?—”
Before he died.
Before Lord Zenos Starstorm Celestine, who was strong, powerful, and exceptionally brilliant, had fallen asleep one night and never awoken.
Queen Elowyn had carried out a brief investigation into his cause of death, but the royal healers declared there was no foulplay within a few days, and so he was buried beneath the stars, leaving behind a wife and eight children. Already his legacy was forgotten by everyone, save for those born of his blood.
But Solarius did not believe his father had left this life due to natural causes. Fae did not simply go to sleep and never wake up. That was an affliction in the mortal realms, something suffered by humans. For a fae to fall into an eternal slumber, it would have to be forced or sought out with precise intention. A charm, perhaps. A poison or tonic. Lord Asher Firebane’s mother came to mind, as she willingly ended her own life after her bastard of a husband died.
Yet Solarius knew without a doubt that Zenos Starstorm would never in the span of centuries take his own life. If anything, his father was far too stubborn for such a demise.
Something warm and soft covered Solarius’s hand and his mind quieted.
“Sol?” Narissa’s lulling voice summoned him from the chaos of his thoughts.
He glanced down to see her hand covering his own, where he clenched the bed linens so tightly his fingers curled into fists. She stroked the pad of her fingers across his knuckles. It was a gentle sweep, back and forth, and he found it oddly soothing.
“Apologies, my lady.” He forced his hand to relax beneath her touch.
“Would you like to talk about it?” Her tone was achingly tender, and his heart strained in response.
Solarius shook his head, not wanting to discuss his demons. Even if she was showing him a kindness, he had no desire to share his inner turmoil with Narissa. At least not until they explored whatever personal tension was brewing between them. It would seem their past courtship was not quite how either of them remembered, and he had every intention of having thatconversation with her soon, even if that meant she would show her claws and teeth.
“Another time.” He eased away from her and shoved off the bed. “Anyway, Tovian is the one who possesses such magic now. Since he and Nyxian have returned and settled after their seafaring travels, I imagine Ariesian is keen to have us all together for some sort of brotherly bonding.”
“You’re leaving then.” It wasn’t quite a question as it was a statement, and Narissa refused to meet his gaze, busying herself with the glistening ruffles of her skirt instead.
“Yes, only for a short while.” When she failed to look at him again, he shifted his weight and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Do you not have any dalliances or social gatherings of your own to attend? I would assume you have any number of ladylike matters requiring your attention.”
“I…of course.” Narissa snapped off each word, and when she finally lifted her face, her eyes were shadowed and her full lips were pressed into a hard line. “Of course.”
Something about the look on her face set him on edge, almost worried him. But he shrugged off his concern. Knowing Narissa, she was probably contemplating his death. “I shall return in time for dinner. I promise.”
Her smile was pinched.
Part of him wanted to haul her into his arms and kiss that cross look right off her face. The other part of him knew better. Best to wait for her fury to calm, lest he try to kiss her and end up drowning in the wave of her wrath.
“I’ll be back before nightfall.” Solarius took one more long look at her before leaving. Her legs were pulled to her chest, her chin resting upon her knees. She was staring at the stained glass window, the depiction of the sirens and their separate desires holding her captive.
Narissa sighed and refused to look his direction.
Solarius accepted his dismissal with the grace of a scorned lord. He turned on one heel and walked out of her bedchamber without another word.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Annoyance fired through Narissa.
She supposed she ought to be grateful that Solarius had decided to leave her alone, yet instead she found herself oddly vexed by his abrupt departure. They had not yet been married for a full cycle of the sun, and already he couldn’t wait to get away from her.
