What?

Nothing Vix had said before had made a particular lot of sense. But saying that Bodin's father wanted to meet me in the gardens at noon, seemed to make even less than anything else had.

"What are you talking about, Vix?"

"The King of Fey has come." Vix shivered as though terrified. "And he wishes an audience with you. Then me."

An audience with me?

Even if such a creature existed, what interest would he have in meeting me?

And why does she sound so afraid?

"For what?"

"Now that all depends, doesn't it?" Vix said, shuffling nervously.

"On what, Vix?"

"On exactly how much he already knows."

"About what?" I said impatiently.

"All of this." She gestured around. "Bodin's interest in you, you fighting him and...me."

"You? What do you have to do with anything?"

"The King would not like me meddling in his son's affairs."

I thought she was fierce and defiant. Why does she look petrified now?

Perhaps not so defiant as I thought. When the King comes around her tune changes.

Bodin's father? Lord Charters was his father and he had passed away years ago. I envisioned the man as I knew him in my mind. Blonde with relatively plain features, but charming enough to make the difference.

But how much did they look alike?

I'd always assumed that Bodin got much of his features from his mother. The woman I'd never met.

***

Well, curiosity was enough to have me waiting for the sun to rise fully and indicate the noon hour.

I wondered who I'd really meet. If anyone.

What if Vix was lying and it was a trap?

What if Bodin is going to be down there and poison me too? But I immediately realized how idiotic that thought was. If he wanted to kill me, he'd have had plenty of chances by now.

I snorted at my own idiotic thoughts. But I still have no proof he didn't poison father.

I was highly tempted to ask him. Feeling as though, somehow, I might get him to admit it. That I could still persuade him into anything. Even if it is admitting his own guilt.

"Ginny!" I called through my chambers. Thinking that perhaps talking to her would yield some clues.

She hadn't yet let on to anything she knew.

If there's anything.

"Ginny!" I yelled a bit louder from the hallway.

Another maid was dusting there. "She went back to Demetrius House to gather a few more things."

"What things?"

The maid turned and gave me a quizzical look. "I'd assumed My Lady ordered her to."

Not wanting to get Ginny in trouble with the Housekeeper I murmured that I had forgotten I had. Before rounding and re-entring my chamber.

What did she go back for?

Or to meet who?

Or to hide what?

It seemed very odd to me, that I would give Ginny such a unique mission and then she'd vanish.

Unless she's digging up dirt from the servants there. I reassured myself.

***

I heard the dong of the noon bell which meant that the midday meal was being served.

And that the King of Fey may be waiting for me in the Gardens.

That seemed the absolute most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard. But I was dying to find out if it was a trap, a ruse or raw truth. Nothing could've stopped me from going out behind the house and down to those gardens.

I found myself wandering down into the garden. My step slowing as I got closer. Fear squelching even my curiosity. Still, I went. I found a glistening white pavilion just beyond the flowers. But I inspected it and found no one. Sighing I slumped down to wait.

A Fey King late? It seemed unlikely.

Vix was lying to me. I don't know why I was surprised. Truthfully, I wasn't. I was more annoyed that she was so disappointing.

I began the trek down the steps and rounded to the back of the pavilion, following the alluring smell of purple flowers stemming from a large bush there.

Clearly nothing Vix had said had been truth. I leaned over to smell one of the flowers and when I lifted my head, I realized there was a thin dirt trail twining into the trees that lowered in a dark arc over the path.

Why'd I let her turn me against Bodin?

I knew the answer right away. Because I'm beginning to feel like I have no idea who he is or what he's capable of. That he played docile animal the entire time I knew him.

But in truth he was a lion waiting to attack.

But the question was, had he attacked my father to get to his prey? Me.

***

"You are right about one thing." The rumbling voice emerged from behind me.

I stiffened. Slowly turning on my heel to see Bodin sitting behind the pavilion. Turning a tiny gold flower between his fingers thoughtfully.

"He is a lion." He lifted his head and levelled an intense look on me.

Instantly, I recognized that this wasn't Bodin at all. Though they could be twins.

This man had swirling green and gold irises which gave his eyes a mesmerizing tinge. Locking me in them as though they were inescapable.

There was no question that this man was Bodin's father.

Unless he's his brother.

"I'm afraid not. You are correct, I planted the seed that gave him life. Though in truth, I've been perilously little of a father to him until lately."

"Why not?" I reared back. Somewhat appalled at that thought.

"She had not permitted me to be. And I respected her wishes."

Her? His mother.

Lady Charters had a lover? An affair with a Fey King? I stared at him in astonishment.

"It wasn't an affair, persay." He corrected. His gaze dropping to the rose he twirled in his fingers. "I didn't give her much of a choice, in truth."

"Are you the reason she died?"

Did Lord Charters kill her when he discovered Bodin wasn't his?

"She hasn't died." He corrected.