Reaching Answers (Artemis University #8) - Erin R Flynn Page 0,109
weren’t a fan of my ever approaching him or going near him alone. Which I counted on, Iolas at my side before I even reached the darky fairy. I glanced between the two of them and tried to keep my nerves at bay, projecting my calmest smile.
“I’d like a word with both of you in private at my house. Please. I found something and I need seasoned eyes to look it over and see if it’s worth putting time into the idea.” I held up my hand to hold off what I knew Taeral would say first. “I’m going to ask Neldor to join us also. This is about our world. He’s not wrong my magical educational is lacking compared to most fairies. I get that.”
“You’re much more powerful than him already,” Iolas defended.
Taeral gave me a surprising inch with his reply. “I agree with some of the others that your unconventional upbringing might be what we’ve needed to solve age-old problems. You’ve shown exceptional intelligence to move us forward from unprecedented problems, Princess.”
“Thank you. Will you review what I’ve found then?”
He dipped his head to me. “Of course. I thank you for finding me worthy to ask my counsel.”
I gave him a genuine smile. “If Neldor’s mother found you a worthy mind to bounce ideas off of, I would never be so pompous to think I could do better or know more.” I headed out on the win they would at least hear me out, asking the guys to give me a bit for some fairy stuff and then turning to talk to Neldor… Who had steam coming out of his ears.
“What are you plotting with Iolas and Taeral?” he demanded, cornering me away from the others.
“I asked them to help me look over something and—”
“How dare you seek counsel from a Dark Guardian without me,” he blasted. “And a captain, on top of that! You have four men in your bed, no matter what I have demanded and repeatedly told you how it’s improper for you to behave. And still, you flirt with any man who looks at you, kissing cheeks as you wish and—”
“Do we need another talk, Neldor?” I asked, miraculously keeping my voice even. “I’m getting really tired of this. You’ve been behaving so differently since the other fairies have been coming back that for a moment, I thought maybe this shit with you was just shock getting unfrozen and adjusting. But it’s all an act, you behaving well because you’re around them—isn’t it?
He grabbed my arm and tried to pull me closer, pissed when he couldn’t move me. “Your behavior is unacceptable and needs to stop this instant.”
“As does yours, Prince Neldor,” Taeral seethed from behind us. The man was seconds from raging out when I glanced over my shoulder. “You dare grab any female fairy like that, much less the light realm heir? Your mother would fall to her knees and beg Princess Tamsin’s forgiveness were she alive to witness this. Have you gone mad?”
Neldor instantly let me go and stepped away. “I lost my head.”
I had a totally different reaction. “She would have?”
Taeral glanced between us, focusing on me in the end. “Yes, she would have. Women are not allowed to be treated this way. Not in either realm, as your mother wouldn’t have allowed it either. It was why I found these whispers among your people of Prince Neldor’s behavior so distasteful and below you to spread to push dark fairies to your side of the rift.”
I shook my head. “I’m not trying for any of that. None of this is about power to me, Taeral. Neldor’s all about taking over Faerie and being king or whatever. I just want our people all unfrozen and safe. All our people. I don’t give a fuck who’s light or dark. I truly don’t.”
“Forgive me for doubting you, but you are the first fairy I’ve ever met to feel that way. It is quite the pill to swallow. I believe that is still a phrase used that makes sense to you. I do believe you now, after seeing this display. I never thought our prince capable of such behavior.”
“It is not the first time,” Iolas bit out. “Princess Tamsin has forbidden us from getting involved or handling the situation as she does not want any more conflict between light and dark. Prince Neldor does not worry over such matters.”
“That is not true,” Neldor snapped. “I want the warring to stop just as much, but