hold court with him, then as King Drem began to shimmer right in front of his gaze, he forgot about the question. The king faded and reappeared, solid one moment and ethereal the next. He and the chair appeared to merge, becoming one. Only when he flashed his white smile did people begin to move.
Again, there appeared to be no orderly process. As far as Ruben could tell, if one wished to speak to the king, he or she took their place in line and waited patiently for their chance.
Since he had absolutely nothing to lose, Ruben got in line and mentally prepared to appeal to the king.
When he reached the front of the line, he stepped forward. Taking his cue from the men who’d gone before him, he dropped to one knee in a gesture of respect.
“Welcome again, Prince Ruben of Teslinko,” King Drem boomed. “What can I help you with on this glorious day?”
“I need to get back to the land of the Brights,” Ruben said, the urgency in his tone making it no less respectful.
“Are you certain?” King Drem regarded him curiously. “What do you seek there that cannot be found here?”
Ruben hoped the tight set of his jaw didn’t betray the fact that the Shadow king acted as though he might have to stay here forever. He had to tread carefully, so he drew himself up and looked the other man in the eye. “I hunt a murderer, a killer who crossed from that land to mine and brutally slay one of my servants.”
King Drem’s dark brows rose in surprise. “A murderer? Among our people? We are not killers, whether Shadow or Bright. That does not seem possible.”
“I assure you that it is.”
“And you’re certain.”
“Very certain. My servant is dead. And I saw the man cross the veil. A magical artifact is also missing.”
At his words, the king’s expression grew pensive. “And the one you seek—is he Bright or Shadow?”
“Bright. The man had golden hair and purple eyes. He was tall, broad shouldered and athletic.”
“Like the SouthWard princes?” the Shadow ruler asked, glancing at them.
Eric and Chad, who stood with a group of admiring women, were oblivious.
“Yes,” Ruben answered. “Like them. Though something is off with the younger brother.”
The king frowned, studying them. “He uses some sort of magical glamour, dulling his appearance.”
“Dulling it? Would that change his appearance very much?” Enough to ensure that Ruben would not recognize him? Suspicion and anger burned in his chest.
“It’s possible.” King Drem shrugged. “Did you think to ask him why?”
“Willow told me. I think it was his peculiar way of courting her.”
“Courting? He wishes to marry her?”
“Her parents arranged the match.”
“Millicent and that...” Anger flashed across his aristocratic features. “They’ve arranged for my...for their daughter to marry a man of the East?”
“My mother has little use for me,” Willow put in, startling Ruben, who hadn’t been aware she’d arrived.
Coincidence? Or had she been summoned? He turned to look at her, crossing his arms to keep from reaching out to her as she took a step closer to the throne.
“I think my existence reminds her of things she’d rather forget,” Willow continued. She took a deep breath and raised her chin in that cute way she had, letting Ruben know she was about to do something that, for her, was very brave.
“I need to know something, your Highness,” she said, her voice barely quivering. “When you sent word to my room that you wanted to see me, I came willingly, because I must ask you a question.”
The king nodded. “Go ahead.”
Quickly glancing around at the packed room, she frowned. “Perhaps we should speak in private?”
“I don’t see the need.” He smiled, making Ruben wonder if he already knew what Willow meant to ask.
“I have no secrets from my people,” the king said. “Please. Ask your question.”
“Very well.” She took a deep breath. “I would like to know if you are my birth father.”
Chapter 16
Abruptly the room went utterly silent. Whispers died down, everyone making no secret of their rapt attention. Willow kept her gaze fixed on the king and told herself that she didn’t care. These were not her people. Not yet, at least.
Back straight, heart in her throat, she faced down the man who, for whatever reason, had not only failed to acknowledge her parentage, but had done his best to pretend as if she’d never been born.
It shouldn’t have hurt so badly.
He bent his head, his expression pensive. Again, he didn’t appear to be ready to give