Read All That Glows for Free Online Page B

starts to thaw. “That—that was magic you used? Real magic?”
    “Yes,” I say slowly.
    “Shit. I’ve gone crazy,” he mutters, and rakes his hands through his hair. A slightly maniacal laugh escapes him as he turns away from me, hands still gripping the top of his head.
    “You’re not. Crazy, I mean. I’m quite real.”
    Richard stands motionless for a long minute, his back still to me. Without the veiling spell or a crowd between us, I feel naked. Exposed.
    “You’re a Faery ? But where did you come from?” He finally turns and lets his arms fall. “I mean, aren’t you supposed to have a wand and wings or something? And aren’t you supposed to be an old lady?” Richard pauses, looking me up and down, like he’s really seeing me for the first time. “You’re quite beautiful.”
    I know I’m attractive—most Fae are—but to hear Richard say it feels strange, off-key. “One of us is always here with you. You just can’t see us.”
    “Always? So, like, an invisible stalker?”
    I clear my throat. The process does sound a bit creepy when I explain it out loud. “It’s for your protection.”
    “Protection? Protection against what ?” The prince looks around the room, eyeing the maroon drapes as though some mysterious predator might leap out of their rich folds.
    “Soul feeders. Green Women, Banshees, Black Dogs . . .” I stop the list short. Best to keep the explanation simple, so Richard doesn’t become more confused than he already is. “Basically any immortal that feeds off of death. They get their strength from hunting down mortals.”
    “This has to be a joke.” There’s panic in his voice, in his aura. The prince starts moving closer to me, in the direction of the door.
    “Where are you going?”
    He doesn’t stop at my question, only calls over his shoulder as he enters the hallway. “Well, I suppose if you actually have to follow me everywhere then you’ll find out.”
    I have to walk twice as fast to keep up with the prince as he jets down the corridor. He strides furiously, blindly—tearing past rich oil paintings and priceless ornamental statues. I scan the halls anxiously as I keep up, looking out for any other Fae. It wouldn’t do for them to see Richard speaking to me.
    But we don’t cross paths with any other immortals. Much of the palace is empty at this hour. The only other soul we pass is a maid, her feather duster dancing over one of the many marble busts.
    Richard doesn’t slow until he’s wheeled his way into the kitchen. The room is empty and dark. The prince doesn’t bother switching on a light as he starts opening cabinets.
    “Where is it?” I hear him muttering through the clash of stainless-steel pots.
    In contrast to most of the palace, the kitchen is all modernity. Gleaming metal appliances and black tile floors. The only evidence of the Old World lies in its Italian marble countertops. I lean against one of these and fold my arms to watch the show. Did I expect anything less of a mortal so far removed from Camelot? In their minds, my kind is a thing found only in movies and children’s tales. It will take more than my word and a bobbing light to convince him otherwise.
    The cacophony of pots and pans only grows louder as Richard moves to the next cabinet. He’s almost waist deep when the room’s lights suddenly flicker on.
    “Can I help you find something, Your Highness?” The maid we passed in the hallway stands in the doorway, feather duster planted in her hand.
    There’s a curse and another loud crash as Richard pulls himself out of the storage space. He wipes his hair out of his face and pulls off a charming smile—the kind reserved for press and paparazzi. “Oh—er—hello, Marie. I was looking for some refreshments for me and my friend here.”
    “For who?” the maid looks around the kitchen, not bothering to hide her frown. Her eyes glaze right over me.
    Strange. I have no trouble staying out of her senses. It’s not my veiling