Page 112 of Chosen By the Fae King
Nox's arm tightened around me in silent warning. “Lord Dalric. I would caution you against insulting my mate.” His voice was soft but laced with menace. “I shall forgive you this trespass as I know the loss of your Dori must be affecting your better judgment. My condolences to you and your wife.”
Dalric's lips arced. “How gracious, Your Highness.”
The sneer in his tone gave him away, but Nox merely inclined his head in acceptance of the insincere attempt at an apology. I doubted Dori's death was more than an inconvenience for Dalric when it should have been a devastating incident.
Not allowing his manners to get in the way of courtly procedures, Dalric introduced his companions who were cousins of his. Neither had knowledge of any plot.
As Dalric and his brethren moved on, I frowned up at Nox. “Do you know him well?”
“We have met on occasion at court. He has never made a pretense of his dislike for my family or rule.” Nox gazed down at me, his eyes glowing faintly. “And now, it seems, he extends that dislike to you.”
“I can manage his petty insults,” I said dismissively.
“Can you now?” Nox's smile held a hint of canine. “Then perhaps I should step back and allow you to put him in his place.”
I snorted. “Tempting as that may be, now is hardly the time or place for such confrontations over someone's dislike of me. I'm sure it's going to be a common theme in the short term. As I said, I can manage.”
Nox sighed. “You're determined to make me proud with your restraint and wisdom, aren't you?”
“One of us has to display those qualities,” I retorted dryly.
A bark of laughter escaped him. Nox shook his head, the glow in his eyes softening to muted warmth. “Touché, little hellion.”
The next group approached, a large family of wood nymphs dressed in earthy tunics and trousers. I released a small breath of relief at their friendly smiles and bowed heads. At least this introduction would be free of thinly veiled hostility.
Nox performed the introductions, his voice warm and inviting. “May I present my mate and chosen bride, Lady Aeryn of Greenhollow.”
I inclined my head in greeting, offering a small smile. “Well met,” I said, using the same wording they had.
The wood nymphs echoed the sentiment, their thoughts radiating welcome and congratulations. I didn't see any of the contestants with the large group.
“I'm sorry, but whose family are you?”
The matriarch giggled. “We're Hilda's family. She spoke very highly of you and asked permission for us to visit, which His Highness kindly agreed to.”
She could have knocked me over with a feather.
I relaxed, reaching to clasp their hands in turn and murmuring my thanks for their kind words. As they departed to greet Hilda on the far side of the veranda, Nox reached up to close my mouth.
“Shocking, she comes from all that bubbling energy and warmth, isn't it?” he remarked.
“Yes.”
“Hilda acts her part when I need her to, but she's actually quite loyal.”
I was shaking my head in wry disbelief when a stir of unease rippled through the courtyard. I glanced up to find a burly fae in charred leathers storming across the cobblestones, his molten gaze fixed high on the steps.
On me. Oh gods.
“Boaz,” Nox whispered to me as he signaled the guards to let him through. “Zoriyah's father.”
My heart leapt into my throat as he bounded up the stairs, fists clenched and rage etched into every line of his harsh face.
“Murderess!” he bellowed.
Nox threw up shadows to shield me as he jumped a few steps down to meet Boaz before he got to the top. The wall of guards closed in tight.
Panic and guilt squeezed my heart. I faltered back a step, colliding with solid warmth. Hands steadied me.