Page 96 of Court of Winter

“You work?”

“I do.” Even if trying to restoreoremwasn’t anywhere near as taxing as laboring in the fields, I was being paid for it, therefore, it counted as work. Besides, I had already been granted more rulibs than I could count, and I was also receiving free room and board. A giggle threatened to hit me. Mother, that was funny. To think I was being paid in not only rulibs but also in feathered beds and petite mince pies.

“Is something funny?”

I managed to muffle my laugh. “I was just thinking about my latest profession.”

“Which is?” His eyes darkened as his gaze raked over my frame. My cleavage swelled from the dress, and his hand lay dangerously close to my backside.

I scoffed. “It’s not what you’re thinking.”

“Such a shame.”

“For you maybe.”

He chuckled. “Indeed. So tell me, Ilara Seary, daughter of Mervalee Territory, if you are not a courtesan, what is your profession? And how did you end up here, hidden away by the prince?”

I smiled coyly, then cursed all of the champagne I’d consumed. While I wasn’t drunk, the alcohol had loosened my tongue and was making me do bold things.Stupidthings, like flirt with this male, so I pressed my lips together. This male was asking a lot of questions, as though he was on a mission to learn as much as he could about me. And I might be new to the court, but I’d already learned that innocent curiosity wasn’t what drove fae here.

So I merely replied, “I suppose you shall have to keep wondering as I don’t intend to tell you.”

The noble laughed, his head tilting back before he glided us through two pairs of dancing fae. “Regardless of where you come from, Lady Seary, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Lord Michas Crimsonale, heir to Highsteer Castle and son of Osaravee Territory. I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance.”

I stiffened in his arms as the music’s tempo increased. “Your father is Lord Crimsonale, the male who sits on the king’s council?”

“He is.”

Of course.No wonder he was seeking information about me. His father had probably instructed him to do so. “And the other male, the one with the trim beard that you were standing with, is he your brother?”

“That’s correct. Sirus is ten winters my junior.”

A ball of anxiety formed in my stomach. “Your father seems very interested in me.”

“He does? Why do you suppose that is?”

I studied his expression, looking for any traces of deceit but found none. Blessed Mother, I couldn’t tell what was a game and what was genuine with him. If only Cailis were here. Her truth affinity would decipher immediately if Michas was lying. But my sister wasn’t at my side, so I decided to keep my answer honest yet vague. “He followed us to Harrivee Territory the other day.”

Michas’s eyes turned to saucers. “Why would he do such a thing?”

“You truly don’t know?”

“On my honor, my lady, I don’t.”

I sighed. Truly, I had no idea if he was being honest. “Your father heard that the prince had taken a wingless female captive, and he sought me out. It was after I met your father that I was invited to this ball. And now, how ironic, that the first fairy I’m dancing with outside of the royal family is another Crimsonale.”

Michas laughed. “All right, all right. You got me. I’m intrigued by you, but my father didn’t send me over here on an ulterior motive. I came of my own accord. I truly wanted to dance with you because you’re new, and Prince Norivun and I...” He shrugged. “We have a bit of a history, and I knew he would be irritated if I spent time with you. There, you’ve caught me, and I’ve spilled all. Do you still wish to dance with me?”

I studied his expression and desperately wished again that Cailis was with me. But seeing as she wasn’t, I knew I’d have to settle with trusting my gut, which was currently telling me that Michas was a troublemaker but perhaps not a deceitful fairy.

I shrugged as I tugged my hand free. “Honestly? I think I’ve had enough dancing. My head is beginning to swim.”

“Of course, allow me.” Michas glided us off the dance floor, and I caught sight of Nuwin on the opposite side of the room, worry rolling across his features as he began making his way toward us, but the throne room was large, and other fae kept stopping him to engage him in conversation.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Michas had intentionally chosen an exit as far from Nuwin as possible. The young Crimsonale led me through the throng of onlookers. One female’s gaze was piercing when I passed. She was tall, reed-thin, and had a pointy chin. Her eyes narrowed when she beheld me.

Shuddering, I nearly jumped when Michas whispered into my ear, “And that would be Lady Taberitha Wormiful, the archon of Kroravee Territory.”

“She looks like she wants to eat me.”