The Fae King's Ruin

The King, Some Colors, and A Plot

Still sweating from his sparring session with Captain Velius, Avery jogged up the steps of the castle to shower before dinner. He nodded to those that called out to him but didn’t slow nor stop to catch up with anyone. He’s had a tiring day; from meetings with nobles and governors to inspections of village developments both in Alfheim and the nearby fae settlements, all Avery wanted to do was have a nice, quiet dinner where he could take off his boots and put his feet up somewhere.

But even though he was tired, he could not find it within himself to miss training. He needed to feel his muscles ache, to find that burning in his lungs whenever he pulled air into them. Being tired on his feet wasn’t enough. Avery needed to wind down.

He took the steps two at a time, only noting in the back of his mind all the heads put together as they silently whispered to each other while he passed. Idly, he wondered what sort of rumor was going around now since that was the only logical reason for his court and staffs’ behavior. 

At the third-floor landing, Avery spotted one of Aislin’s maids carrying a garment bag and seemed to be going in the direction of her rooms. He quickly sifted in his head for the right name before calling out.

“Willow!”

The golden-haired fae stopped in her tracks completely before whirling around at the sound of his voice. Her eyes widened comically once she saw Avery approach and then drop to a low curtsy.

“Your Majesty! D-Did you—er, I mean, what can I do for you?”

He pointed to the garment bag with the transparent front that showcased a lovely red gown. “Is that Aislin’s?”

Avery tried not to blush in embarrassment at the dumb question, hoping that Willow didn’t think weirdly of him. She nodded, however, smiling.

“It’s for dinner tonight, sir.”

He lifted a brow, frowning. Was there some sort of occasion he missed? Aislin didn’t dress this grandly for a dinner she usually took by herself. “Is Aislin dining with anyone in particular?” he asked, mind racing.

Willow nodded. “She invited Countess Edith and General Aelthrys to dine with her in the Grand Hall tonight, sir.”

“Edith?” Avery frowned in confusion. Out of all the people and ladies in his court to invite a sit-down meal, she chose the nastiest of them all? He shook his head and whispered to her, “Does she know what she's doing?”

It was small and fleeting, but the offense Willow took in his words was unmistakable. Amazed, Avery wondered how loyal these girls had become to Aislin. It impressed him that she had managed to do it so quickly in just a small amount of time.

“Princess Aislin is smart and has no illusions about the countess. She merely wants to get to know her,” the girl defended.

Avery bowed his head. “My apologies. I did not mean to imply anything. I merely worry about the Princess as she begins to navigate our court." He looked at her, feeling the need to explain himself. “Countess Edith is not exactly the person I would start with under any circumstance. If it were up to me, she wouldn't even be on the list of people I’d like to introduce to anyone."

Willow reluctantly nodded, a thoughtful look on her face before she smiled. “I am sure Princess Aislin would appreciate your presence if you joined them for dinner tonight, Your Majesty.”

It could have been a ploy to get them together again despite having all of his early mornings occupied by Aislin, yet he didn’t mind one bit. Avery nodded. If he couldn’t persuade Aislin from her plans, all that was left for him to do was to stand by her, right?

“I’ll be along to escort her later,” he said. “Don’t tell anyone, okay? Let it be a surprise.”

She grinned and nodded enthusiastically. Willow dropped to a hasty curtsy before running along with quick, pattering footsteps that echoed until she rounded the hall. Avery turned the other way and walked to his suite.

It was quiet inside with barely a noise even from outside on his balcony. One could only hear the distant crashing of waves and the occasional whistle of the wind—a testament, surely, to how alone Avery truly was.

He shook the thought from his head and turned the shower on at the lowest temperature. There was no use wallowing about something that would be far different before the next year was out. He’d be married to Aislin by then and whether she liked it or not, he’d sleep wherever she was. Problem solved.

That made him smile more than it should have. He didn’t know the first thing about being married but the idea that he would have at least one person who would stick by him no matter what sounded mighty appealing to him. Aislin would probably take some time warming up to him in a way that he would have liked, but Avery was more than prepared to wait.

Someday, he thought. Like their promise to each other at the lagoon.

He took his time with his bath, shaving off the stubble on his jaw and chin afterward before looking in his closet for something to wear.

Would it be terribly corny of him if he tried to match Aislin’s clothes? Assuming that Willow indeed kept her mouth shut about their conversation and his plans to join Aislin for dinner, would he be able to chalk their color coordination as mere coincidence?

Then Avery decided to hell with it. They’re just colors. Who would care if he matched with his betrothed?

He wore a black tunic with long sleeves and a black surcoat with silver detailing over it. Once Avery had shrugged on a fine red jacket that completed his ensemble, he stared at himself in the mirror and took a good few seconds to adjust to seeing himself in such colors. He was used to not wearing so much black since it tended to make his skin look more sallow. But the red somehow set it off and he only hoped he didn’t look ridiculous in eyes other than his own.

The grandfather clock sitting in his parlor chimed six and Avery made his way to Aislin suite. When he rounded the hallway, however, Aislin was already there, surrounded by her maids and the two guards assigned to her, chuckling at something her cousin had said to her.

Avery stopped in the middle of that hallways, letting himself just listen to the sound of her voice. They hadn’t noticed him yet and that was novel on its own as well. When she laughed, there were stars in her eyes that twinkled within them. Her painted lips were a deep, seductive red that Avery refused to let himself focus on, going instead to the soft blush across the apples of her cheeks and the graceful way she walked that was highlighted by the gown she wore.

It was prettier on her than on Willow’s arms. Daring, given the low V that Avery also barely glanced at, and spectacularly detailed by what it seemed like rubies and clear crystals alike. It hugged her slender form, especially on the hips, before dropping to her pointed black heels. She wore no necklace nor crown, only ruby earrings that dangled on her ears and the ring he gave her sitting on the hand that clutched her cousin’s arm.

“Your Majesty,” he heard her sigh in surprise. Those midnight-blue eyes turned to him, the corners of her red lips turning upwards. “What a lovely surprise.”

Caught with a golden blush on his cheeks, Avery quickly ducked his head in a semblance of a bow, but not before he caught the small grin on General Aelthrys’ face.

“Lovely evening to you both, Princess. General.” He gave them a smile. “May I join you to dinner?”

Aislin’s eyes widened, mouth popping open slightly. It was a telling sign that whatever she had planned for the night, she wasn’t expecting Avery to be a part of it. He tried not to smirk as he watched her try to find words to say to him. Aelthrys, never missing a beat, smoothly interjected on her behalf.

“Of course, Your Majesty. It would be our pleasure,” he murmured. Then, stepping aside, Aelthrys offered Aislin’s side to him.

He held his hand out for her, patiently waiting until he felt the smooth tips of her fingers skate across his palm. A shiver ran down the length of his spine and it took all of his power to control his emotions.

Aislin floated towards him like a vision, looping her arm through his. When she smiled, he felt a little breathless inside.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered to her, unable to help himself; not when he was rewarded with a spectacular blush. 

Clearing her throat a little, Aislin replied, “You’re too kind, Majesty.”

He chuckled and turned halfway to Aelthrys. “Is she always this modest, General?”

“She’s in excellent form these past few weeks, sir.” Aislin glared at her cousin. “But usually, no.”

“I really can’t take you anywhere, Aelthrys, can I?” Aislin rolled her eyes. “Your manners are simply dreadful.”

“Dreadful or not, at least I know better than to poke a grizzly. Which, if the stories I’ve heard about her are to be believed, is exactly what you’ll be doing tonight.”

Then it was true. Aislin did have a reason for inviting Countess Edith tonight. He peered down at her eyes. “What are you trying to achieve with the countess?”

Aislin shrugged. “I’m curious about her. Back in Cetha, I also knew someone who was notorious for spreading ill-informed news about everyone in our social circle.”

“Lady Karis?” Aelthrys asked.

She nodded before explaining to Avery, “She was the daughter of some duke at home. Awful girl, really. Anyway, I was the object of a few of the issues she made out of thin air and, after a bit of digging, I found out that the rumormongering was because, on top of her father never showing her love, he also never talks to her.”

Avery frowned even as Aelthrys chuckled deeply. “Is that true?”

Smirking a little, Aislin grabbed hold of the banister on the stairs. “You forget that Unseelie parents aren’t very loving in general. Somehow, we all have mommy and daddy issues. Lots of deeply seated psychological trauma.” She winked. "I'll tell you mine once we are married."

He lifted a brow at Aislin, chuckling. “And that’s what you want to find out about the countess?”

Her smirk grew. “According to the three angels walking behind us, she said I magically seduced you into marrying me. I want to know which of her parents didn’t love her.”

Surprised, Avery threw his head back and laughed, his sides hurting even until they made it down the steps and in front of the Grand Hall.