He stripped the last of his clothes off and slid into the hot water. He let out a breathy sigh of relief, his eyes fluttering closed as he allowed himself this one luxury. He’d gotten a few baths since leaving the Spring Court but none of them had been in privacy that he could truly enjoy. Steam filled the bathroom and against the glass beside the spacious tub. Even if he didn’t feel like this lifestyle suited him, he certainly would take advantage of a bath. There had been something so life changing about his first bath, even if he hadn’t had any privacy. 

Along the side of the tub, several glass bottles of strange liquids and herbs lined the side and he moved over to them. He picked up each one cautiously before sniffing the contents of each one. They were all aromatic but not in a harsh way. Each of them had their own gentle touch and he added his favorites to the water, enjoying the smells that filled the bathroom.

He wasn’t given much time to soak and enjoy until a soft knock sounded on the bathroom door. “My Lord, you are being summoned by the Queen. Shall I help you out?”

Despite the warm water, he immediately felt cold. He wanted to sink beneath the water and pretend he hadn’t heard her but he was probably more scared of what would happen to him should he ignore her summons.

“Ah, no! That’s alright! I’m getting out now!”

“Of course, My Lord. I shall pick you an outfit and lay it out for you.” 

He heard her footsteps disappear and he climbed from the tub, found a fluffy towel and began to dry himself off. He didn’t exit the bathroom until he was sure he heard the door of his room close again. Not surprising, his room was warm when he stepped out, and he only hurried to the bedroom from the shame of being naked. The female had laid out a simple white tunic with a black velvet vest and a pair of black pants. It was simple and yet, it was meant for a person of class. He was almost afraid to touch it for fear of dirtying it but the ever present reminder that it was the Queen who had called for him had him hurrying to dress. He hadn’t noticed the pain in his foot since he had first met Jex. However, Jex had said they had rushed him to a healer here in the Winter Court. And if it had been a request by Prince Aspen himself, he doubted the healer would have cut corners. Being this close to the forest where the poisonous plant grew, he supposed they would have had a cure for it. 

He pulled on the clothes, still marveling at the texture of such clothes when there was a knock on his door once more. “My Lord?” The servant called. “Are you dressed?”

He hoped he looked presentable enough for the Queen. He’d never had to worry about his own appearance before but, if he was being presented to the Queen as her son’s mate, he supposed he was going to have to make a really good impression, royal blood or not. 

He went to the door and opened a small portion, enough to squeeze out, before the female bowed gently at the waist. “If My Lord would follow me, I shall bring you to the Queen.”

He opened his mouth to once again remind her to call him that but she was already moving down the hallway. He had to hurry to keep up.

The palace itself was breathtaking, draped in bright green plants, dangerous tipped icicles and the black and white shiny rock that accented the floors and walls. How opposites survived in such a dangerous place was a mystery but a mystery he hoped to someday understand. It was also surprisingly open, with cathedral rooms that were interconnected with rooms on every wall. At one point, they passed through a staired annex and the sun shone through a high up circular window. Finally, the servant stopped outside another pair of double doors before bowing gently at the waist. “Her Majesty awaits you inside.” They said, giving him no other clue as to what he would find inside.

He steeled himself, taking a deep breath before he opened the door and walked inside. Set around a half moon table, fae sat around it, quieting and turning to look at him when he opened. On a throne behind them, the Winter Queen lounged, one leg crossed over the other and her elbow resting her head on the arm. Beside her, looking clean and presentable in his royal attire, stood Prince Aspen. His hands were clasped behind his back and he stood at her side like a sentient warrior. He even wore his sword at his hip. The door closed heavily behind him and Phoenix couldn’t help but feel as though he’d walked into a lion’s den. He swallowed before bowing to the members before him. He remembered Prince Aspen’s warning to speak only when spoken to and waited for his chance to do so. 

The Queen gave a loud, bored sigh before lifting her head and steepling her fingers before her. “You have been called before the Winter Court council to discuss the currentancy of your lineage. You were brought here because of your father’s promise that you were of his blood. As the binding contract between Prince Aspen and King Midas hasn’t killed either of them, we are all in agreement that your blood does, indeed, run with Spring blood.”

Phoenix straightened from his bow when she began speaking and now, he felt cold. King Midas… was his father. It made him feel sick. But the Queen continued, regardless of how he felt about it. 

“However, King Midas has now declared that you are the stolen heir to the Autumn throne and because of this, we now have Autumn positioning soldiers just outside our borders.” Her eyes flashed dangerously, her lips pulled together and Phoenix’s breath hitched. He could see why people feared her. The very air in the room was dangerous. Even though she was an Omega, her scent could bring even the strongest Alpha to their knees. The anger in it slithered around him like a snake, as if all of this was his fault. He began to shake and he felt a burning of tears in his eyes. He’d been nothing more than a lowly slave. And yet, his simple existence was nearly bringing the Courts to war once more. He almost wished the Winter Queen would kill him and just be done with all of this. 

He fell to his knees, forehead to the floor as he had been taught as a slave. “Forgive me, Your Majesty!” he managed to choke out. “I had remained blissfully ignorant of all of this until Prince Aspen arrived at the Spring Court!”

The room fell silent and chilly. Like icy fingers running along his back and arms, leaving a trail of goosebumps along his skin. He thought he heard Prince Aspen shift but he didn’t dare raise his head. A shifting of cloth and he heard the Queen descend her throne. Her bare feet stopped before him, leaving footprints of frost behind her in her wake. He froze, unable to breath as he waited for the inevitable. He had spoken out of turn, possibly insulting her before her Council. 

“How old are you?” Her voice asked directly above him. 

Phoenix remained where he was, not daring to move.

“Nin-Nineteen, Your Majesty.” he tried to speak calmly and clearly but there was no hiding the shake in his voice. 

She let out a snort and then, a laugh that echoed around the room like shards of glass. “Nineteen?!” she asked, seemingly to no one in particular. Her bare feet turned as she addressed the Council. “There’s no way this boy is the Autumn heir. At least, not directly.” she said, walking back to her throne. “The Autumn heir was born nearly fifty years ago. I would say this boy is the result of King Midas satisfying his unquenchable thirst for the real Autumn heir after he kidnapped him. Stand up, boy. You're more royal than my own son.”

Phoenix got shakily to his feet, keeping his wringing hands before him. He still didn’t look up. Despite all the scents in the air, it wasn’t hard to pick out Prince Aspen’s and it was chilly, filled with cold fury. For who, it was hard to tell. The Queen, however, either didn’t care or didn’t notice. He was leaning on the former. 

The Queen returned to her throne. “For now, you will remain here, following the promise made by Prince Aspen and King Midas. The official mating ceremony will not commence until Autumn is informed of the deception. If war is on the horizon, you will be mated immediately and bred before the Wytch’s curse comes upon us again.”