Exchanged Page 11

  Callannon rose from his chair near the fireplace, setting down a book he’d been reading. His eyes darkened at the sight of her as she walked toward the bed, where a set of clothes had been laid out. Aubriel leaned down and ran a hand over the yellow dress. As she straightened, she felt Callannon’s heat and firmness press against her back. She arched into him, noting the feeling of his embroidered cloak against her shoulders.

  His arms wrapped around her, finding her waist. “I trust the bath was suitably pleasing?”

  “I wouldn’t have minded company,” she replied. She turned to face him, the towel falling off her and revealing her freshly cleaned self to Callannon. She parted his cloak and leaned into his chest. “Don’t you agree?”

  Callannon’s hands trailed down her bare back to cup her bottom. “Fully,” he growled as he gently lowered her onto the bed, kissing her with a hungry passion.

  Aubriel pushed his cloak off, forcing him to break away long enough to cast the heavy garment to the side. He pressed down against her, and she reveled in the solid weight of his body.

  A knock sounded at the door. Aubriel tensed, and Callannon pulled away only long enough to say, “Not now,” before returning to kiss her right where they left off.

  It was another few moments before Aubriel melted back against him, easing into their natural rhythm as he parted her lips and slipped his tongue into her mouth. Their fingers intertwined, and she allowed herself to sink into the bed beneath him.

  “Are you going to keep your queen waiting all day?”

  Aubriel gasped against Callannon’s mouth and felt him go rigid. His eyes met hers, his voice a whisper. “Get dressed. Quickly.”

  Shooting like an arrow from a bow, Aubriel raced to collect the clothing Callannon had put on the bed, but it was wrinkled in a heap on the ground. Kicking it under the bed, she bolted to the wardrobe and grabbed the first dress she saw, a butter yellow. At her feet, Acorn tugged out a pair of silver slippers. Giving the fox a grateful pat, Aubriel quietly ran back to Callannon’s side as he straightened his doublet and hair. With a deep breath and a look of warning, he opened the door.

  “I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.” The queen’s voice was smooth and sharp, like rose thorns.

  Aubriel saw Callannon bow slowly, and followed suit. From her lower vantage, she took her first opportunity to look upon Queen Titania of the Summer Kingdom. In all her life, Aubriel had never seen a woman as tall or regal as the queen was. Her skin had a faint golden sheen, much as Callannon’s had a silver one. Her violet eyes were lined with thick, blonde lashes, and wisps of golden blond hair framed her face.

  Perhaps Aubriel didn’t hide her confusion at the queen’s outfit as well as she thought if Titania’s piercing gaze was anything to go by. The clothing certainly looked fit for summer, comprised of two parts so it exposed her sleek stomach. A long skirt hugged her hips and swept to the floor in a midnight pool, sporting two slits along the sides that showed off her legs. Rather than a bodice, fabric the same color as the skirt sat wrapped around her chest and left her generously proportioned figure more exposed than hidden. Her hair was tucked under a wide-brimmed hat, and her whole outfit was covered in chromatic rosebuds that constantly changed color. The queen looked as beautiful as she did ridiculous.

  “Your majesty, I was not expecting you this morning,” Callannon replied, perfectly composed.

  “No, you weren’t,” Titania said, still focused on Aubriel, a curious mirth in the queen’s gaze. That and something more dangerous. Aubriel felt like a wolf was stalking her. “I had no idea you already had company, Lord Thray. Do introduce us.”

  Callannon turned to face Aubriel. “Miss Aubriel, I am pleased to introduce Queen Titania of the Summer Kingdom.” Satisfaction flashed in Titania’s gaze. “Queen Titania, this is Miss Aubriel of the Forgotten Mists, my exchanged.”

  Aubriel couldn’t help but smile as Titania failed to keep her eyebrows from shooting up. So much for remaining inconspicuous. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Queen Titania.”

  “And I yours.” The queen turned to Callannon. “Exchanged? I would ask where you’ve been hiding her, but the Forgotten Mists? I didn’t realize you’d been there.”

  “I haven’t.” Callannon took Aubriel’s arm in his and drew her close.

  Titania’s gaze swept over them, obviously interested in the story of how they came together.

  “What brings you to Sagma House, my queen?” Callannon paused just long enough before asking the question to make it seem natural, but Aubriel was sure he was eager to get rid of the queen. He didn’t let a shred of his nerves show. She was impressed. No wonder Oberon relied on him for negotiations.

  “I have a few matters I wish to discuss with you before this evening. Shall we walk?”

  Whether they wanted to or not, the queen’s suggestion left no room for refusal, so they walked. Titania threw curious glances at Aubriel but kept her conversation exclusively with Callannon. Aubriel thought that was for the best, as her heart was thudding in her throat, leaving her half choked. A brief furry rub of Acorn against her leg calmed her a bit, but she still had difficulty paying attention to anything because she was so nervous.

  Thankfully, Callannon appeared to have the situation under control. His cool, calm demeanor made her question if he had truly been worried before opening the bedroom door. His firm hold on her arm grounded her.

  Titania walked through the manor with the utmost grace, instructing Mrs. Delia and the other servants to leave them be. They went down the entry steps and around the side of the manor to the entrance of the hedge maze. She knows. Aubriel nearly stumbled. I don’t know how, but she’s figured out I’m mortal. She’s leading us to the hedge to make Callannon send me back through the gateway. Was she watching us that whole time? Waiting to make her move?

  Aubriel looked up at Callannon, searching for some kind of warning look or sign of what was to come. His attention was fully focused on Titania, his features smooth and unworried. He still felt tense, but less so now.

  “This is better.” Titania stopped just outside the entrance to the maze and turned to face them. “As for the ball this evening, I trust the guest rooms are prepared and looking their best.”

  “Of course. That is a matter I see to every year.” The corners of Callannon’s mouth turned down slightly. “They are always in the utmost condition, especially for the Summer’s Dawn Ball. The guesthouse has been properly attended to.”

  “King Oberon and myself will occupy the master suite,” she continued as if Callannon had not spoken. “Our special guests will take the grand suite.”

  Callannon’s demeanor faltered for just a moment, betraying his surprise. He and Aubriel asked at the same time, “Guests?”

  “I know the king and I don’t typically stay at the guesthouse, but we thought it would be best while the Deepwood royals were visiting.”

  “Deepwood?” Callannon said slowly. “The Summer Court is not allied with the Deepwood Court, despite our commonality in being seelie summer fey. That will make this ball...difficult. We are not on bad terms now, but one wrong move and we could be.”

  “I agree completely.” Titania eyed him critically. “I said almost the same thing when the envoy relayed the Deepwood’s intentions to form an alliance, but you sided with Oberon.”

  “I did.”

  He sounded confident, but Aubriel could see something in his face, hear something in his voice. The spinning of his mind in an attempt to remember something that should not have been forgotten. Whatever it was, Titania was holding it over his head. One look at the queen’s wry smile told Aubriel that Captain Salda wasn’t the only one who harbored a dislike of Callannon. Why else would she toy with him?

  “Don’t you remember? Oberon suggested that it would be best if we preclude our treaty negotiations with the Summer’s Dawn Ball. And we all know how fond Oberon is of parties.”

  A heartbeat passed before Callannon nodded. “Yes, I remember the hum
an envoy that came to court with the message. Forgive my momentary confusion.”

  Titania opened her mouth to say something—likely to cut Callannon down—but Aubriel cut in. She couldn’t stay silent and let the queen torment him. “I look forward to meeting everyone.” That could’ve been more intelligent, but at least she’s giving me that cold look instead of him.

  A thin smile grew on the queen’s lips. “Miss Aubriel, why don’t we take a little stroll through the maze and chat amongst ourselves.” Callannon started to speak, but Titania didn’t let him. “I’m sure we won’t be long.”

  Without waiting, Titania turned and strode into the maze. Aubriel gave Callannon a helpless look, and he squeezed her arm tightly. “Go with the queen, Aubriel.” His dangerously steady voice dropped. “And be careful.”

  “I will.” She reluctantly pulled away and followed Titania, giving one backward glance before entering the maze herself. Acorn started to follow her but paused and returned to Callannon. The sight of them was quickly blocked by the tall hedges cut to the shape of verdant walls.

  Aubriel swallowed. All she had to do was avoid the gateway in the maze. Even if they did come across it, she supposed the only thing she actually had to do was avoid being pushed back through it. Callannon said that the gateway would revert back to its normal state, but did that mean the hedge was still an open gateway, only leading somewhere completely different? There were so many questions she should’ve asked, so many things she didn’t know. She had been too overjoyed by being with Callannon to question the intricacies that made their meeting possible. She resolved to ask him later, assuming she made it out of the maze.

  The first corner turned to reveal Titania waiting—patiently, Aubriel hoped—and admiring a blooming flower in the hedge. She turned at Aubriel’s approach. “Come, Miss Aubriel. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting someone from the Forgotten Mists, and I’m quite curious about you.”

  “I’ve been curious about you as well.”

  Titania laughed and made a whimsical motion with her hand. “I can count on you to be trustworthy, can’t I?”

  A small jolt shot through Aubriel, like nerves...but that wasn’t right. “I suppose.”

  “What business brought you into contact with my husband’s advisor?”

  Stay close to the truth. It’ll keep you from giving yourself away. “It was an accident. I didn’t know who Lord Callannon was until we’d spent some time together. He’s so kind, and we became fond of one another quickly.”

  “That does sound like Lord Thray.”

  Aubriel cursed inwardly. All the time they’d spent on manners and etiquette and she never thought to ask how to address someone. Callannon always used Oberon and Titania’s first names after their titles, so she thought his title worked much the same way. Apparently not.

  The queen seemed less offended over the mistake and more smug. “What is it that you do? And where exactly did you two meet?”

  “I’m a craftswoman.” The line came smoothly, just as she and Callannon had practiced. “I was dealing with an unhappy patron when Lord Thray found me. He helped me out of the situation, and we grew close quickly. It wasn’t long before we agreed to become exchanged.”

  “Lord Thray does come from humbler origins.” Aubriel bristled at the implied insult as Titania considered the story. Wasn’t Titania of “humble origins” herself? The queen continued, “It isn’t a surprise he would choose to exchange with someone like yourself. He doesn’t hide his feelings toward the nobility as well as he thinks.”

  To answer would be to walk into one trap or another, Aubriel was sure, though she couldn’t imagine what hazards awaited. She remained silent. They turned a corner and exited the maze onto an archery range, and she let out a low sigh of relief. The potential disaster of being pushed into the gateway had been avoided. At least for now.

  If Titania grew annoyed by Aubriel’s silence, she didn’t show it. “I have a favor to ask of you. The ball tonight is more than a simple party where we hope to entertain foreign guests. The Summer Court needs this alliance. Our situation with the Deepwood has always been tenuous at best. You offer an advantageous position of not being from either land. Would you agree to talk with the queen and king? To relate back to me any information they confide in you?”

  Another jolt shot through Aubriel, and she glanced down in time to see Titania steadying her hand. “I think I might...”

  An arrow pierced the air between them, hitting one of the targets with a heavy thud. Aubriel ducked into a crouch and reached for her bow and arrows, which she found obviously missing, in reaction. She prepared herself to spring in front of Titania when something caught her eye. Holy Rabek, is this your doing?

  Atop a tower near the rear of the manor, Callannon stood next to a shorter, stockier man with dark hair and finery unequalled to all Aubriel had seen thus far. His clothing resembled Callannon’s, but something about the leaf embroidery reminded her of Titania’s odd rosebuds. He jumped in excited delight, waving a bow triumphantly. His purple jerkin caught gold highlights in the gleaming sun. Even from the considerable distance, she was certain a small smile graced Callannon’s lips.

  “It would seem my husband has chosen to join us.” Titania’s voice was flat, her beautiful face hard.

  It was difficult not to judge quickly, but Aubriel couldn’t keep from thinking it was easy to see why the king’s marriage to the queen might prove strenuous.

  Aubriel jogged in an attempt to keep even with Titania’s long strides, but even then she failed. In the rush to present herself to the queen, she hadn’t noticed how short the yellow skirts of her dress were, swaying around her thighs. She tugged at the long sleeves, as if that would help somehow. When they reached the base of the tower, Titania didn’t hesitate to enter, grumbling about climbing the staircase to her husband.

  A moment later, Callannon exited the tower onto the grass below, closed the distance between them, and took Aubriel in his arms. “Are you alright? Did everything go well?”

  She buried her face in his chest, inhaling his scent. “I think so. I told her how we met—the simple version—and she seemed satisfied.”

  “Good.” He nuzzled the top of her head. “She didn’t try to ask you anything about me, did she? Or how you traveled here?”

  Aubriel shook her head. “No, but she did want me to get information from the Deepwood king and queen. She made an odd motion with her hand when she asked. I thought it was just her way of being whimsical, but it gave me an odd feeling.”

  Callannon grasped her shoulders and pulled back to meet her eyes. His gaze was more tight with worry than she’d ever seen, and her stomach knotted. “What exactly did she say? You didn’t agree to anything, did you?”

  “I agreed that I was trustworthy, but I didn’t get a chance to respond to her about the Deepwood royals. The arrow flew between us before I could say anything.”

  “I got to you in time, then.” Callannon pulled her back into a hug, his body sagging with relief, though her worry lingered. “Oberon didn’t know that bow was enchanted to always send its arrows into their targets. He was suspicious of me trying to get him to shoot near you two. If Acorn hadn’t nipped at his heels, I don’t think he would have ever released the bowstring.”

  Bree held Callannon a moment longer before pulling away. “Should I not agree with Titania? What more is going on?” Callannon tended to forget that she still didn’t understand much of the fey and their interactions.

  “You can agree with her, but never when she makes that motion. She was trying to bind you in a contract with her. Had you agreed to her suggestion, you wouldn’t have been able to back out later. If you failed to do what you agreed to, it could have meant servitude with no clear end. Do not trust her.”

  Aubriel shuddered at the thought of how close she’d come to falling into Titania’s trap. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”

  A small yip sounded at the base of the tower as Acorn came bounding out. With one last s
queeze of her shoulders, Callannon straightened to wait formally. Titania emerged, arm in arm with King Oberon. Titania’s heels put her even with her husband’s height. The queen’s mere presence was enough to make Aubriel want to hold Callannon and not let go. On the tower and across the field, Oberon had looked short next to Callannon, but up close, he still towered over Aubriel.

  The fey couple paused, Oberon taking Aubriel in. Instead of Titania’s harsh violet, his eyes were green with a warm, golden rim around his pupils. Aubriel did everything she could to make a good impression, from standing tall to ignoring how the breeze rippled her skirt. His eyes met hers for just a moment before turning to Titania, but it was enough to give her pause. She felt Oberon might be just as able to poke holes through her facade as Titania seemed to be.

  “This is her?” Oberon whispered, almost too quiet to be heard.

  Titania nodded.

  The king of the Summer Kingdom turned his full gaze on Aubriel again and held it for so long she was sure he was waiting for her to do something, though she had no idea what. She nearly jumped as Oberon let out a booming laugh and slapped Callannon on the back.

  “Callannon, congratulations! I knew you were holding out on me, but even I hadn’t guessed you were holding out this much.”

  “She came as promised.” Callannon’s smile mirrored Titania’s: happy, but tight. “King Oberon, I’m happy to introduce you to my exchanged, Miss Aubriel of the Forgotten Mists.”

  Oberon took Aubriel’s hand and bent as if to kiss it, but he held her gaze. “I knew Callannon wasn’t telling me enough about you.”

  It was oddly intimate and doubly uncomfortable with Titania standing there. His hands were warm and steady, his touch deliberate. She could see why other women might respond positively to the king, even if she didn’t, and it suddenly made sense why Titania might be so miserable married to this man.

  “It is an honor to meet you.” She dipped into a low curtsy. “Lord Thray speaks of you often.”