Page 40 of Death of a Mortal

“Ah, Prince Varyn, the king and queen will be most delighted.”

“Wait…prince?!” Surely, I’d heard the man wrong.

The male just smiled and spread his arms wide. “Welcome to my home.”

Chapter 12

A Beautiful Cage

I had argued.I had pushed. I’d even sworn! Good gods, how long had it been since my last bath? And all along, he was the prince—the son of King Caedryn. I had more or less insulted the fae to him.

What an idiot.

“Why didn’t you tell me? What do I call you, Your Highness?”

“Just Varyn is fine,” he said with that smile that never seemed to leave his face.

“Just Varyn…” I glanced at Nella.

She looked as stunned as I felt—and then curtsied.

I felt beyond the need for curtsying myself.

The mortal man scoffed at such an informal way to address the prince. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it either.

“I shall inform the king and queen of your arrival, Prince Varyn. Should I also announce your…guests?” For a servant, this guy was smarmy.

“That won’t be necessary. I’ve just broughtthem to work here in the castle. I’ll escort them to Miss Melda and then join the king and queen in their private dining room.”

“Excellent, sir.” With a last judging look at Nella and me, the servant bowed again to the prince and walked away, heading toward the dining hall.

“You lied,” I said to Prince Varyn as I fell into step beside him, with Nella beside me. His booted steps echoed all around the massive entrance as we started up the never-ending staircase.

“Did I?”

“You said you weren’t a noble.”

“Well, I’m not. I’m a royal. Important distinction in the court.”

Nella chuckled, and I shot her a look. But when I realized it was probably the first time she’d laughed, or even really smiled, in days, I softened and smiled back.

“Okay, then, Your Highness, who is Miss Melda?”

“I really hate formal titles, so you know. Miss Melda is head of laundry.”

He walked with a slight pep in his step, looking so at ease. I suppose it was easy being a fae prince.

I, on the other hand, was winded from the stairs, breathing heavily but trying to hide it. At the top of the stairs, a woman appeared from around the corner.

“Ah, Miss Melda, just the woman I was looking for. This is Naci and her sister. They’re going to join you in the laundry room if that’s okay?”

“Oh, Prince Varyn, the extra help would be much appreciated, thank you.” Miss Melda was a short, plump woman with a kind face and pink cheeks, graying hair tied back in a tight knot.

“Very good, I’ll leave them in your care.” He nodded to Miss Melda, then to Nella.

I watched him as he turned and headed back the way we came. Just as I moved to turn away, he looked at me over his shoulder and winked.

I’d have to ponder the many mysteries of the prince later.