The Last Throne of Golah

Chapter 8

Laughter echoed around the decadent sitting room at Undine Manor. Walls of turquoise sea glass made the room's occupants feel as if they were socializing under the cool depths of the Undine Ocean. A beautiful pearl and diamond chandelier dripped from the ceiling, and a gigantic mural of the coral reef near Nefu Island took up an entire wall. Aelys lounged on a silvery chintz armchair as a briny breeze floated through the balcony's open doors. The salty air caressed her golden hair and white floaty dress, and in the distance, the ocean sparkled like a bed of diamonds. In front of Aelys was a pearl table laden with bottles of wine and seashell platters that had lobster, fish, oysters, and fresh salad.

Brighid Tarragon and Antonio Undine were discussing the new dress designs in Brighid's father's shop, Tarragon Designs. Antonio wore a green dress that was made of sea moss. And Brighid wore a slim, white, silky dress with pearl jewelry.

Lady Scilla speared a shrimp on the end of her fork and placed it into her mouth.

Branson, a shrewd fae who was married to Baron Wood on the Dranadak Territory, watched Aelys. He was a beautiful fae with pink hair and green eyes and wore an opalescent suit. "Your Highness, I'm wondering if you may know where Lady Serena Auron is?" His gaze flickered between Antonio and Aelys. "Is she ill? Is that why she couldn't come to the luncheon?"

All conversation ceased.

Aelys hid her smirk. "You know, Branson, I'm not too sure why she's not here." Aelys's gaze landed on Antonio who'd gone beet red. "But I'm sure it's because Serena has been quite busy with her prosecutor duties."

Antonio shifted in his chair. He couldn't tell if Aelys was displeased that her cousin hadn't been invited to his luncheon.

"And speaking of prosecutor duties." Aelys sipped her champagne. "It was absolutely awful what happened with the Elwyns. I don't know about you, but I personally think every lord should've had an equal share of the Elwyn Territory."

Lady Calliope was an older fae with grey hair and olive skin. She wore a pale blue chiffon dress and was married to Earl Bell from the Moraxes Territory. She swapped a nervous glance with Lady Scilla.

Brighid frowned, and Branson smirked.

Antonio Undine murmured, "I agree, Your Highness, what happened with the Elwyns was indeed awful. However, I feel the king's decision to give the erudium mines to the Aurons was just."

"Really? The Aurons now own all the mines in Golah Court. That hardly seems fair to me. I know the Aurons are my family, but still, I think all the lords should've gotten a fair share."

Antonio's throat worked.

"Well, it's funny you mention that." Branson raised a brow at Antonio, who glared at him. A look that said, shut up.

Lady Scilla smoothed her glittering mauve dress, and her lavender colored hair was tied in a low bun. "Well, I must say I agree with you, Your Highness. I think the Elwyn Territory should've been split fairly between the Golight Lords."

"Scilla," Antonio hissed.

"What? She knows that's what we're all thinking. It's why you didn't invite Serena."

Antonio rolled his eyes to the ceiling.

"Which is understandable of course." Aelys covered Antonio's hand with her own. "All this nasty business with the Elwyns and then, well, only one lord gets to keep the spoils. It would be natural to wonder why that happened when all your spouses, and all the lords, have been dutiful to my father. Had the Elwyn Territory been split fairly, then everyone would've benefited from the additional income."

"If we're being honest." Calliope placed her wine glass down. "My husband heard that Lord Moraxes wasn't too pleased about it either."

"As he should be."

All the fae shared a furtive glance. It was considered treasonous to go against the king's decisions.

"What about Lord Dranadak, Branson? Have you heard anything from the baron?" Scilla asked.

"Oh no. Lord Dranadak is fine with the mines going to the Aurons because he knows that out of all the lords the Aurons are the most experienced with mines. None of the other lords would know how to run a mine let alone oversee our only supply of erudium. I imagine the only other lord who may have an issue with it though might be Antonio's husband." Branson gave Antonio a sly grin. "How does Lord Undine feel about not getting a slice of the pie?"

Antonio licked his dry lips and glanced at Aelys. "To be honest ... he isn't too happy about it as well."

"If I were him. I wouldn't be either." Aelys smiled. "In fact, it's something that I've given much thought to and I think it's high time that we do something about it ..."

***

Brighid's footsteps echoed off the pearl tiles. "What do you think you're doing?" she hissed. Muted sunlight filtered through the sea glass ceiling and dappled Brighid making her as ethereal as a mermaid under the sea. Even when Brighid was furious, she still managed to take Aelys's breath away. The luncheon had finished and the rest of Antonio's guests were out drinking on the balcony. Aelys had been on her way to the bathroom when Brighid had accosted her out in the hallway.

"What do you mean?" Aelys asked.

"That nonsense about Elwyn's lands going to the Aurons. Why are you trying to spite your father? What if he finds out? You could be imprisoned for treason."

"My father won't find out. None of them would dare betray me, and as if I could be imprisoned for treason when I'm royal too."

"I wouldn't put it past Branson to betray you."

"He is a sly bitch, but then again, he wouldn't be stupid enough to risk my wrath. Or the social fallout."

"I'm just looking out for you. It isn't like you to go against your father ... Plus, you've been acting strange lately. You've been very distant."

Aelys crossed her arms. "What do you mean?"

"You've cancelled three of our dates and we've barely seen each other."

Aelys was silent. The times she'd cancelled their dates were on days when she'd helped Morgana train. Aelys hadn't realized it, but she'd been seeing Briar and Morgana more often than she'd seen Brighid lately.

"Are you?" Brighid's voice shook. "Are you seeing someone else?"

Aelys's mouth dropped open. "No! Of course not."

"So why have you been cancelling on me?"

Aelys touched her neck. "It's just, I've been helping Morgana. She's been trying to find a suitor and we've been exploring other options for her future as well, whether she'd like to do further studies and all that. You know how hard it is for a human to find a suitor."

Brighid was silent, her mouth an angry wavering line. Tears moistened her eyes.

Aelys's stomach twisted. She hated lying to Brighid.

Brighid stepped forward and her sweet jasmine scent enveloped Aelys. "You know, there's always this one thing that you do when you lie." She inhaled, fury blazing through her face. "You touch your neck."

Aelys's hand dropped to her side.

Brighid's eyes hardened. "I know something is going on. And whatever this is between us will end if you keep lying to me." Then she turned on her heel and stormed away, leaving a stunned Aelys behind.