Page 55

I pulled the curtain aside to view the city. “Looks like we’re here.”

As Roar mentioned, it looked larger than most of the towns we’d passed on the way, but not nearly as large as Sangrael or even Guldtown.

“Does this place have a dominant industry?” I asked.

“It’s mixed. About a thousand fae live in Traliska. The sea is not that far away, so many fish, but it’s also the home city of a wealthy branch of House Qiren. Do you re—”

“The Head of House Qiren is Lady Nalaea Qiren, Lady of Silks,” I said before she could ask, which made my lady-in-waiting beam.

“Correct. The dominant branch of that great house now lives in Avaldenn, but smaller offshoots live here, where their ancestral seat is located. Of course Lady Qiren, Head of House, visits that seat occasionally, to keep up appearances. And now that she’s Lady of Silks their industry is also fabrics.”

My face lit up. If I knew one thing it was fabrics—how to work with them, what they should be used for, and how to alter them. Perhaps we could stop in a shop so I could peruse.

“Warden of the West, Roar Lisika!” a booming voice cried out as the sleigh stopped. “And Lady Neve, his betrothed!”

The door to the sleigh opened, and Roar appeared, holding his hand out. Without his wyrm-hide gloves, his hands had chapped from the cold. I took his hand, squeezing it to infuse some warmth into the warden, and emerged from the cabin.

For the last hour, the snow had let up. The sun had even peeked through the gray clouds above, which explained why so many people were out. They had to take advantage of the pleasant weather because, in this kingdom, one never knew when the snow would fall again. Nor how thickly.

“Clemencia, you may do as you please while we’re here.” Roar motioned for two armed fae to follow as escorts. “Lady Neve, if you would, come with me?”

I batted my lashes, playing my part to perfection. “I’d be delighted.”

Roar led me past the line of horses and plunged us into the streets. As we went, fae stopped and bowed or curtsied. Most appeared happy to see us, and so I beamed and waved, putting on a show for the people.

“House Qiren lands are the northern heart of the midlands, right?” I asked, trying to learn more about the area.

“Correct.”

From what I recalled of the map Clemencia had shown me a few days ago, that meant we were far from the western territory. “They seem to know you well though.”

“The Qiren family’s seat is in the midlands, but this village benefits from gold in my city flowing east. So, they like my family.” He shrugged. “Gold has a way of swaying people to your side.”

Roar turned down a side street that I’d almost missed, and after asking his guards to wait outside, he veered into a clean and comfortable looking tavern. Inside, all heads turned, and many stood to pay their respects, but Roar waved a hand. “Please, sit.”

The fae did, and one wearing an apron approached. “Warden. It’s good to see you again. Are you here for the usual?”

The usual? Roar had said he’d been here before, but if he had a ‘usual’ then surely, he visited more often than I’d thought.

“Please, Galfu. And one for my betrothed, Lady Neve.”

“Of course, my lord. My lady.” The fae wearing an apron turned and disappeared into the back. Judging by the sounds of pots and pans, it had to be the kitchens.

“Over here.” Roar led me to a small table tucked in the back near the fire.

“I’m shocked this table was free.” I shrugged off my crimson cloak. My wings stretched, and I relished allowing them to breathe and move after being bundled for so long.

“Galfu might have asked someone to move because he heard that I’d stopped in town.” Roar leaned back in his chair and took off his cloak too.

I gaped. A vampire would say something like that, and though Roar was a great lord of this kingdom, he never acted as though others owed him. “Are you serious?”

“I am,” he replied, not a hint of bother in his tone, though he studied my face with interest. A touch of bewilderment, even. “The common fae will often act that way around the noble houses of the Sacred Eight. It’s for their benefit, too.”

“How so?” My lips pursed.

Roar shook his head as if I was a child that simply did not understand the way of the world. “Whenever I travel, I pay well, Neve. Galfu is treating a good customer to the best he has to offer. And I so happen to be a lord of the realm too, but that doesn’t change the fact that I line his pockets with gold bears and silver stags when others will give him coppers.”

I leaned back. It wasn’t what I’d expected to hear, nor humble, but it wasn’t wrong either. “I see.”