Page 31 of A Kingdom of Magic and Rain

I was speechless for a moment, deeply touched by the gesture. “You would lie on my behalf?”

His brows knitted as he looked conflicted. “Sometimes lying is necessary. Like in this case. We wouldn’t want to spread panic.”

“Thank you.” I lifted my hand to reach for him but dropped it, giving him a weak smile instead.

Gray nodded and left my side. He walked over to where Tom, Killian, and the guards were waiting. I couldn’t hear what he said, but the group visibly relaxed after he had delivered the message. He had sold the lie that would help them sleep at night and still place trust in the royal family. The lie that one day soon might cost them their lives.

I whirled around from the group and clamped my hand over my mouth to stop a sob from escaping. Until recently, I could have pretended that the Fae were a terrifying myth that lived only in our history books. But the events of tonight couldn’t be ignored—the Fae were real, and they were knocking on our gates.

December 7th

“I can’t believe you’ve been staying with us for a month.” Thea took a sip of her wine. Her eyes sparkled in the glow of the fireplace. “I’ve enjoyed having you around.”

“I have, too,” Gray chimed in, eyeing me above the rim of a glass full of amber liquor.

Tom didn’t try to conceal the look of contempt at their words but chose not to comment as he brought his own glass to his lips.

The four of us were having drinks in the sitting room after dinner as a heavy rainstorm wreaked havoc outside. It had been raining on and off for days, but at least it wasn’t freezing. We had taken advantage of the warmer weather and released Quilliam back into the wild the previous day. My heart squeezed as I thought about the hedgehog. I hoped that his new nest hadn’t been washed away in the torrent. Frowning, I took a sip of my wine before setting my glass down on the nearby end table. I couldn’t believe a month had passed since I had arrived at the manor. I was beyond disappointed in myself for not being able to harness my magic during all that time. On the verge of crying, I excused myself and retreated to the library.

Gray found me a little while later. I was curled up on the sofa with a book when he walked in.

“How are you doing?” he asked after picking a book off the shelf and joining me on the sofa.

“I’ve been better,” I admitted as I wiped away a tear. “I had hoped to have made more progress with my magic by now.”

“I know.” The lord sighed. He looked at me for a moment, contemplating something. “Give me your hands.”

I set my book aside and reached for him. When he gently took my hands in his, the contact sent a wave of subtle shivers through me.

“What are you doing?” I asked when he closed his eyes, his features taught in concentration.

“I’m trying to use my powers to awaken yours.”

“Is that even possible?” I had never heard or read of such a method.

“I don’t know, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Let me know if you feel anything.”

I closed my eyes and looked within, focusing on the source of my powers inside me. The well that I always pictured holding my magic was quiet and dark, as it had been all month.

“Is anything happening to your magic? Do you feel it moving at all?” Gray asked.

“No.” I shook my head and opened my eyes.

When he reopened his eyes, I could have sworn they were glowing. Mesmerized, I got lost in the shimmering silver as I stared at the lord.

“What is it?” he asked, one side of his mouth turning up.

“You have the most stunning eyes.”

“Says the girl with a golden gaze.” His smile grew. “The Golden Princess.”

I scoffed. “A moniker I’ve earned because of my resemblance to the Golden Queen, but I am not living up to her legacy. I will go down in the history of this kingdom as the only royal who couldn’t wield her powers.”

“No, you won’t. Just because you haven’t harnessed your magic yet doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”

“Will it happen? Before it’s too late?”

“It will.” He assumed a serious expression. “I know what happened on the border a week ago was very unsettling, but all has been quiet since. Besides, I’ve sent word to your father about the ‘sighting’, and I don’t see him bringing the cavalry, so he must not be that concerned.”