Exchanged Page 14

  Yet taking this chance could bring about good for Ginette and her relationship with the Summer Kingdom. “I’m still unfamiliar with this land, but I can ask Lord Thray if such herbs can be found here.”

  “If you could, and if you could keep this a secret, I would gladly grant you a favor.”

  Aubriel knew little of favors except they were rare to come by, and her lingering doubt of the queen’s honesty vanished. “You would have to follow my instructions carefully.”

  Ginette nodded, listening intently.

  “You will need to share information with me that you might consider personal or intimate, but I promise it’s necessary to help you conceive.”

  “That’s not a difficult thing,” Ginette said with a laugh. “I have shared much with the court alchemists and gotten nowhere. You already seem more competent and far less eager to please.”

  “Competent about herbs from my own homeland, perhaps.” Aubriel smiled and gestured to the queen. “And I may be less eager to please you, but I’m more determined.”

  “Is that how you caught Lord Thray? Determination?”

  Heat bloomed on Aubriel’s cheeks. She didn’t have to say anything for Ginette to look at her knowingly. It was a good thing Aubriel avoided telling lies. She never did manage to convince anyone...except perhaps herself.

  “Could you give me these herbs soon? By tomorrow, perhaps?” The queen was obviously used to getting what she wanted in a tight time frame.

  “That depends on my conversation with Lord Thray. Even if I could get them tomorrow, they’ll do no good unless it’s the right time. When did your last moon cycle finish?”

  Ginette paused in thought, no trace of embarrassment on her face. “Five days ago, give or take a day.”

  “You’ll want to wait a few days more before taking the herbs, assuming I can find them. That should put you near the time frame when you’re most likely to conceive.” Aubriel hoped that a fey woman’s timing was similar to that of an elven woman, but she was beyond the point of return now. “That also means you will need to...be with King Jekob, and more often than normal.”

  “That shouldn’t be too difficult, though he may wonder why I’m eager to warm our bed each night.”

  Aubriel blinked in surprise. “You don’t already share a bed each night?” She hadn’t missed the way King Jekob looked at his queen or the way his fingers curved over her hip before they parted ways. Ginette’s beauty was otherworldly. Her skin glinted, and she had a full figure that was hardly concealed and as elegant as a work of art.

  Ginette’s eyebrows rose, then a smirk grew on her face. “So that is how you keep Lord Thray’s attention.”

  Aubriel opened her mouth to protest but stopped when she noticed the queen’s teasing smile. “It hasn’t hurt.”

  Ginette gave Aubriel a sideways look, her features becoming more serious. “Let us not share this secret with my husband. I don’t want to get his hopes up only to dash them. He blames himself for not being able to fill me with the heir we both desire.”

  “I won’t share this secret with anyone, although I will need to explain my request to Lord Thray so that I don’t worry him.”

  “I understand, but for now we should return to the party. I’m glad we spoke, Miss Aubriel. Already this visit to the Summer Kingdom is proving productive.”

  They exited the maze and returned to the ball to find the guests happily intoxicated and having lost enough of their earlier edginess to pull Ginette into conversation. Aubriel, with her sweeping gown that was much less revealing than anything the fey women wore—including the staff—made her way to the drink table, cautiously looking about for the red-haired captain who had yet to make an appearance.

  “Miss Aubriel.”

  She nearly jumped out of her skin, spinning to see Titania standing behind her with the look of a predator that just captured its prey. Aubriel silently cursed the noise and glamor of the ball. In trying to avoid one hunter, she fell into the grasp of another. “Your highness, so nice to see you again.”

  Titania’s eyes narrowed. “What happened? Did you manage to smooth things over with Queen Ginette?”

  “I did,” Aubriel said slowly, choosing her next words carefully. “The queen was forgiving of my ignorance concerning the topic of children. We talked the matter over, and no harm seems to have been done.”

  “What else did you speak of? Did you gain any information from her? Anything that might be pertinent to solidifying the treaty?”

  “I—”

  A hand wrapped around Aubriel’s arm and tugged her backward into the crowd, away from Titania’s scowling face. The room spun, and when Aubriel finally managed to gain her bearings, she was held tightly against Callannon in the middle of the dance floor, looking up into his bright eyes. He leaned down to whisper just next to her ear, making her shiver with longing, “Tell me, did I manage to save you?”

  “That’s twice now.” She pressed her hands into his and enjoyed their private moment. “It seems I’ve quite the debt to repay.”

  His chest rumbled with a chuckle. “I’m sure we can work something out.”

  The huskiness in his voice was enough to make warmth well between her legs. “Stop that or I’m going to be extremely rude by making the ball’s host retire early.”

  He let out a low groan of dismay. “I was about to suggest we do exactly that.”

  Aubriel savored the way Callannon’s body moved with hers to the slow cadence of the dance. She recognized many of the guests she’d met earlier, including Queen Ginette and King Jekob, dancing under the open stars with them. Being among the fey felt more magical than she imagined, and far more dangerous, but she still felt safe against Callannon. Regardless, Aubriel scanned the ballroom again, looking for the captain. “I don’t think I’ve seen Captain Salda yet. Is she not here?”

  Callannon’s grip on Aubriel tightened at the mention of the captain. “No, which concerns me.” He pulled back slightly to look at her. “I was also concerned about being forced to leave you with the queens.”

  “It’s alright.” She wanted to ease the concern on his face. It never failed to twist her heart. “We had a bit of a misunderstanding, to put it simply, but things turned out well. I’ll tell you more about it once we’re alone. The short of it is that Queen Ginette and I went off alone, and you saved me from having to explain my confidential conversation to Queen Titania.”

  A small smile lit his face and just as soon vanished when the music changed. “Let’s get off the dance floor.”

  “Callannon?”

  He was already leading her through groups of couples, rearranging themselves as the first tune segued into a second, faster dance. The dance floor’s edge was only a few paces away when someone bumped against Aubriel’s side. She turned to apologize and instead let out a gasp as she was swept out of Callannon’s arms and back onto the dance floor. She looked into grey eyes that shone in a dark face with black hair. “King Jekob!”

  The King of the Deepwood spun her further into the dancing crowd. Callannon frowned and, hardly looking about, grabbed the woman nearest to him, tugging her onto the dance floor. Aubriel smiled inwardly at Callannon’s determination to get to her and how it made him blind to the spread of sanguine over the woman’s cheeks.

  “Miss Aubriel. Good to see you again.” King Jekob’s voice was deep, and although he didn’t speak loudly, he commanded attention. “I hear you and Queen Ginette have become fast friends.”

  Her mind raced to catch up with her feet as they wheeled across the floor. “The queen is kind and easy to speak with.”

  “If she is with the right company, which you seem to be.” Jekob twirled her about and danced them past Callannon, whose eyes were intent upon her, reminding her of how he had looked at her when they made love earlier in his bedroom. She tried to focus on Jekob’s words. “You should consider a position as Ginette’s handmaiden if treaty negotiations continue as well as they’ve started.”

  Aubriel let Jeko
b spin her again before speaking. The offer was insulting, yet the king’s tone implied he felt he was giving her a chance at something better. His arms felt uncomfortable. She was no handmaiden, and she wasn’t interested in finding out if he treated his own staff the way he treated Callannon’s. “I must speak with Lord Thray before coming to an answer.”

  This must have been the correct thing to say for Jekob gave a respectful inclination of his head. “Of course.”

  The song struck a high note, and the dancers changed partners. Aubriel sighed in relief as King Jekob was asked to step aside by a rosy-faced satyr. His horns reached no higher than Bree’s shoulders, but she eagerly danced with him away from the Deepwood king. The satyr was as sprightly as he was drunk, and although he didn’t bother with conversation, he danced much closer and more suggestively than she would’ve liked. She spent most of the dance dodging him and putting distance between them. Thankfully, the partners changed again.

  “You look to be enjoying your first ball here.” King Oberon gave a knowing smile and placed a hand on her lower back, not allowing her to pull away easily. “Tell me, is this party better than those in the Forgotten Mists?”

  “It’s inarguably more lively, King Oberon.” Aubriel tried not to stiffen as his hand moved to her hip for a moment as he rounded them in another direction. “Lord Thray’s presence also helps.”

  Oberon chuckled and scanned the crowd. “So it does. I’ve had no better advisor than him.”

  “And no better friend.” Aubriel kept her chin up as his gaze turned back to her. “Callannon speaks so highly of you.”

  Oberon raised his eyebrows before cracking into a wide smile. “Does he? I’m not surprised. We have to look out for one another. There are many who would use us or attempt to manipulate him in an attempt to get at me.” His gaze hardened for a moment on someone behind her. As they spun, she noticed Titania standing near where he had gazed. “I trust you're good at keeping secrets.”

  “I don’t think Callannon would have exchanged with me if I wasn’t.” Aubriel wasn’t one to sidestep answers, but Oberon’s intentions were so unclear. He appeared to care for Callannon greatly, but his hands on her body hinted at something different.

  “You’re right.” Oberon stopped dancing and pulled back slightly. “Come with me.” His hands moved over her forearms to clasp her own.

  A panic bubbled within her, but Aubriel pushed it down. “Where, your highness? What of the ball?”

  “Don’t worry, no one will question us.” His hazel eyes traveled to her mouth and neck, resting on the neckline of her dress. “I would like to know what it is Callannon finds so enrapturing about you.”

  No! Her hands clenched, digging her nails into the king’s hands. He recoiled at the shock of pain, breaking his hold on her and allowing her to step back from him. She was done with kings treating her like she was something to be used and enjoyed at their leisure. Royal or not, she would not give of herself to anyone other than Callannon. As if he heard her silent cry, suddenly Callannon was there with his arm around her waist, glaring at Oberon.

  Oberon put his hands up, nail marks fading but still visible on his palms, and bowed his head, the dancing couples surrounding them in a blur. “I’m sorry, friend, Miss Aubriel. I had to be sure.” He looked at Aubriel apologetically, his earlier interest gone. “Not many would refuse me.”

  Callannon’s gaze was withering. “I appreciate you looking out for me, friend, but I did not need Aubriel’s trust to be tested.”

  “Forgive me, but I did.” Oberon moved closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I couldn’t watch you go through what Venta put you through again. Not if I had a chance to stop it. If Aubriel had exchanged with you just for your position and influence, she wouldn’t have hesitated to accept my offer. At least now I know she’s genuine.”

  Aubriel glanced between them in confusion. Yet again, she was reminded of how little she knew of the men before her or of their relationship with each other. Whatever conversation passed silently between them was serious, but that was still no excuse for how she’d been treated. She straightened. “King Oberon, you will find me to be an open and honest person. If you wish to know something about me, ask me directly.”

  To her surprise, King Oberon bowed deeply, drawing attention from the nearby dancers. Aubriel wished he would stop so the surrounding fey would turn their gazes away from them. A grand entrance with Callannon was one thing, but being bowed to by the king of the Summer Kingdom was another matter entirely.

  “Stop,” she whispered.

  “I’ve offended the exchanged of my advisor and friend.” Oberon stayed in the bow. “I hope you will one day accept my apology.”

  “I will if you start treating me like my own person.”

  “Your forgiveness is the only thing that can move me.”

  “I forgive you. Just stand up!”

  The smile on his face as he rose was much too smug. Callannon tightened his hold on her waist, his face a mixture of anger and satisfaction. “This will not be quickly forgotten.”

  “I’m counting on it.” Oberon clasped Callannon’s shoulder. “I’m truly sorry.” The king made to leave, but paused. “You’re lucky, Thray.”

  Callannon’s hard look softened. “I know.”

  Oberon released Callannon with a nod and turned toward the drink hedges. “If you will excuse me, I need to sample more of your staff’s concoctions before dealing with the shrill one.”

  Titania’s laugh floated over the dance floor as if on cue. A slight shudder passed through the king, but Aubriel felt no sympathy. Callannon pulled them to a secluded spot behind the staircase, his eyes looking over her. “Are you alright?” Before she could respond, he added, “I'm so sorry.”

  “I’m fine.” I think. “As much as can be expected. King Jekob asked me to be Queen Ginette’s handmaiden, King Oberon asked me to his bed, and if Titania ever finds out about either, her dislike for me will only grow.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against him. “Will you be alright?”

  “I must be.” Callannon stroked her hair. “Oberon shouldn’t bother us again, although I’ll make sure he suffers suitably for his actions. Perhaps a few comments about accepting the offer to join the Sorcerers’ Enclave will have him tip-toeing around us.” He tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. “King Jekob was also eager to take you away from me, was he?”

  “He claimed it was because of Queen Ginette liking me so much.”

  “Let us hope that much is true, at least.”

  Aubriel didn’t bring up any opinions on the matter. Callannon finally looked calm again, and it wasn’t as if Jekob had been as forward as Oberon. “Why would he try to take me to his bed, Callannon? I understand why Jekob would make his offer, but not Oberon. Does this...does this have something to do with your last exchanged?”

  ~*~

  Titania sipped a drink at the edge of the ballroom, watching the party unfold. Her husband was nowhere in sight. If Salda hadn’t been sent on what Titania was sure to be pointless distraction by Oberon, the captain would be gaining the information that Titania could not. As it was, the queen kept her eye on the Deepwood king and queen as they danced closely to a slow tune.

  I think I might gag.

  Give it another century or two and they might not be so fond of each other. If the treaty came to fruition, she would be able to watch the degradation herself. For now, she needed to remain affable. Ginette was not so difficult to speak with, which was both blessing and curse. A weaker-willed woman would be more easily manipulated, but Ginette’s position as queen in a matriarchal society made her firm, resolute, and resilient. Such qualities would make their treaty talks the following day productive.

  A flash of pink and gold caught Titania’s eye. Had it not been for the absurdly petite woman’s ridiculous hair and dress, the queen might have missed her. Aubriel of the Forgotten Mists was sneaking off through one of the servant doors with Callannon Thray. The queen hid a disgusted
look behind another swig of her drink.

  Callannon had an arm wrapped around Aubriel’s waist, and the two leaned in close to whisper to one another as they slid out of sight. It wasn’t hard to guess where they were going or what they were planning to do. There had been a time when Oberon looked at her that way, but that was decades ago. If not for that, or the close eye he kept on his advisor, Titania might have thought Callannon charmed by his new exchanged. After all, Aubriel had charmed Ginette quickly enough.

  Another flash of gold caught her attention, but this time at the entrance into the ballroom from the gardens. Oberon. He practically stumbled in with a slightly dazed look, wading through the guests who sought his attention. She narrowed her eyes. Both Callannon and the foreign royals were inside, so what had drawn her husband away from the party?

  Setting her glass down on a passing servant’s tray, Titania straightened and picked her way across the ballroom. She stopped in front of her husband, who looked like he was going to politely excuse himself before he registered who stood before him.

  “My queen,” he said with all the warmth of a blizzard. His features were hard and suspicious.

  She forced a smile. “Just the person I was searching for, my king.”

  Oberon’s mouth tightened into a grim line. “You’ve found me. May I go?”

  Titania didn’t find Oberon’s demeanor humorous in the least, but she couldn’t let him know that. She laughed. “My darling, much of the ball has passed, and we’ve hardly interacted. It’s customary for us to share at least one dance, and you know how it pleases the nobles.”

  He was stuck, and they both knew it. Whether a natural characteristic or born from being king, Oberon could never resist putting on a show, especially when it concerned members of the court. His hands tightened into fists. “Fine. Would you be so kind as to join me for the next dance, darling?”

  My company isn’t that miserable, is it? We spend much of each day together either working in court or ensuring the realm remains safe. Surely a few minutes on the dance floor cannot be so trying.