The Fae King's Ruin

The Princess and Stiffness

The moment Aislin cracked an eye open and felt more limbs on her body than what should have been, she knew she was going to be in trouble. It had not been her plan to sleep or take a nap with the King for this long. Her plan was that as soon as Avery was fast asleep, she’d slip out from under his arm and creep quietly out of his room, leaving a note where she’d gone and why she didn’t feel the need to wake him.

Instead, here she was, still lying in his arms— as still as a limp marionette— when it was so obvious he was already awake. The first thing she saw after all was the book propped open against the back of the couch and his long-fingered hand deftly turning the pages as he read.

This was beyond embarrassing! Why hadn’t he just sat on a damn chair as he read? Why did he still have to be this near to her when she was sure she looked exactly like someone who’d just woken up from a very long and satisfying nap.

She could even subtly feel sleep marks across her cheek.

Simply put, there was no graceful way to announce her consciousness to him in this situation. He would still see her less-than-perfect appearance and Aislin wasn’t sure if she was ready for something like that yet.

“I know you’re awake and thinking really really hard,” she suddenly heard him murmur in amusement, snapping shut the book that he was reading. “Do you mind enlightening me on your internal struggle, my dearest fiancée?”

The blush that colored her cheeks a violent scarlet was instantaneous. How in the world did he know she was awake! She barely even moved a muscle?

Again, like a gods-damned mindreader, Avery answered her unasked questions. “If you want to fake sleeping, or playing dead, for any legitimate reason, Princess, the first tip is to never be too stiff. Your muscles are so tense, you’re barely even breathing now compare to how you were two minutes ago, and it sort of feels like you’re trying your hardest so your back isn’t touching me. I felt you shift.”

Aislin winced. Despite the face, the messy hair, and the questionable smell of her breath, she carefully turned around to face him.

“You are unfair!” she cried almost instantly. “You just got out of the shower.”

Adorably, he blinked at her. “How does that make me unfair? I got woken up by my cousin as she was eating our leftover breakfast. Thought that after she left, I might as well take a quick bath and go right back to sleep beside you.” He flashed her a charming smile. “But I got too keyed up and ended up reading a book. I don’t think I remember the last time I read one for entertainment.”

That made Aislin smile. Reaching up, she pushed back his damp curls from his forehead. “That is because you work too hard. It’s okay to take a break, you know?”

“And I am!” he defended, gesturing to her and the book. “What do you think I’m doing right now?”

“Canoodling instead of resting,” she said plainly, rolling her eyes at his faux look of innocence. “I really should go and leave you to your day. Aelthrys is probably wondering where I am.”

“Do you have something scheduled with him?”

Aislin frowned. No, she didn’t have anything set with her cousin. She only wanted to be available for him at any time he might want her company to talk through what the next few years were going to probably look like. When Aelthrys accused her that things have been changing between them, Aislin had to admit that struck a chord in her heart. Besides, she got him into this mess. The least she could do was offer emotional support despite him being the most unemotional person there was in all the realms of the universe.

She shook her head. “No, but I do have lessons with Res if he’s available. Yesterday he just sent me a test paper to answer like I’m back in primary school.”

Avery made a face, looking like he was criticizing his Hand and apologizing on his behalf at the same time. “I probably should look for another tutor for you,” he muttered. “Res usually has a lot of work to deal with during this season and it just isn’t fair to him to make your education his responsibility as well.”

“I understand,” Aislin said. “Except we can’t implement that just yet since the Great Council isn’t in session.” A thought occurred to her. “Does the Council of Magic also adjourn around these times?”

Twisting his mouth to the side, Avery reached up to scratch the back of his head in contemplation. “Well, that’s a little harder to say for certain. There will be a break for sure since Xaero’s getting married. And from what I heard last time, Ella and Laurie were taking a week off to tour universities.” At Aislin’s confused look, he explained, “They are schools for mortals taking different specialties. Like, for say, I wanted to become the mortal version of a healer, I’d go to a university who teaches medicine-related courses.”

“That seems interesting. But why is the Queen still studying? Wasn’t that just supposed to be a ruse or something?”

Avery smiled. “Ella wasn’t supposed to go to university. She wanted Laurie to experience it all by himself. Make some new friends and everything, but Laurie wouldn’t go without her.” He quirked a brow up at her. “How about you? Is being a princess all you have ever wanted to be when you grew up?”

Aislin laughed. “Why does everyone always assume that I wanted to be a princess in the first place?” She scratched her nose a bit with a finger. “I actually wanted to be a teacher and an academic. My uncle, however, had thought it was an odd thing for me to be constantly around common folk.”

“Why those things?” Avery asked with a sincere interest in his golden eyes.

She shrugged. “I’m smart. I’m curious about a lot of things. Eventually, I would have put up my own school that would take in anyone who wanted to learn.”

When Avery smiled at her, it was breathtaking. “You’re amazing.”

Aislin blushed. She opened her mouth to retort, but a knock ensued from his door and they both quickly sat up as it slowly opened. As discreetly as she could, she fixed her hair behind Avery’s shoulder as a sentry’s head poked through.

“Sorry to disturb, Your Majesties, but there was a maid called Willow who said Sir Res was waiting for both of you in his office,” he said.

“Res?” Avery echoed. “What in the world could he possibly want now?”

The sentry shook his head. “The maid did not specify, sir.”

Avery nodded and looked at Aislin as the door closed again. “Do you need a few minutes to yourself? The guest bathroom is just through there.”

Aislin supposed she could have taken some time to ascertain she looked presentable enough, but she shook her head anyway as Res might be waiting to discuss something important with them.

“Do I look okay?” she asked.

“You are beautiful, Princess.”

She grinned up at him. “Then let’s go. We don’t want to keep Res waiting.”

He laughed. “No, we do not. Alright, let’s go see what bee is in his bonnet.”