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1 | Their Distractions

Ayla

Soon I’d be a stowaway.

Technically, that wasn’t true. I had my travel papers and permit. Even if the name on the forgeries wasn’t mine,they looked legitimate. Tomorrow, I would board the merchant’s ship and leave this continent. Finally, I would visit…My home? My roots?Whatever the Isles of Fae were to me.

The Isles were as mysterious as my fae father, hidden behind mists and forbidden by my human mother. While I had papers and a permit, I certainly didn’t have permission to cross the Rift. So I traveled under a false name. Allegedly, I was a merchant’s distant cousin. Not technically a stowaway.

What if I’m caught?The thought had haunted me ever since Mariana’s coronation ball.

I tossed in my bed. Couldn’t sleep. I turned to my other side. Nothing. I needed a distraction.

With a sigh, I pulled on my clothes. Wrapping my red hair into a scarf, I hid my recognizable features: nubby antlers and arched ears. The vestiges of my fae heritage. I wore the disguise like an old habit, a camouflage developed for nighttime escapades to fae fiddle bars.

The daggers at my thighs were just as familiar. Never hurt to be too cautious.

I swept my cloak over my shoulders and wandered to the tavern’s pub. Despite the late hour, we were near the harbor, and it would still be open. Here, there was always somebody coming or going. The perfect place to shake off my sleeplessness.

Only, I couldn’t be caught. This ploy had taken months of preparation. It had taken a night from hell for me to find the courage to embark. There wouldn’t be a second chance.

To reach the Isles of Fae, I needed to stay invisible, unrecognized.

The bar was just busy enough to enter without warranting attention. A minstrel strummed a lute, nodding off as he worked. Merchant crews claimed a few of the tables, likely late-night arrivals from the Isles of Fae.

A fae with impressive horns sat at the bar. Unlike my stubby antlers, his horns expanded, dramatically framing his face, regal and demanding attention. Fae possessed appendages, from antlers and horns to wings and tails, but I had never seen horns like his—dark as night, long and sharp. They drove a hard line, dragging down to his cheekbones, his chin. His firm lips.

By Teyr, he was handsome.

My heart rushed to my throat, and I wasn’t sure if it raced from intimidation, excitement, or awe. Most likely, all three.

On a different night, I would have sat beside him. I’d flirt, subtly asking questions about his world, his magic.

And the flirting… That would be fun. We could find a lively fiddle bar. We could dance, and if I was lucky, he’d be a good kisser…

Not now.I couldn’t pursue those things. With a breath, I forced my heart to a steady calm.

He drew attention—not just from me, but from everyone in the tavern. Nobody dared approached him, but I saw the darting looks.

Maybe his presence was my lucky break. Anybody who was paying attention would be watching him, not me. I slipped into a seat, sliding in the background of his opulent presence.

“Whiskey?” the bartender asked.

I nodded, dropping a coin. “Just the one.”

“Not sleeping?”

I shrugged my yes. Not in the mood for conversation.

But she continued speaking as she handed me the drink. “Are you crossing the Rift?”

Was it that obvious? Fortunately for someone in my situation, sleeplessness was expected. I leaned into the role written on my travel documents and replied truthfully, “It’ll be my first crossing.”

“Nobody will blame you for nerves. The Isles are breathtaking, but first comes the crossing.”

I nodded. “Everyone seems to say that.”

“Because it’s true. The Shade attacks have changed everything.” She sighed. “A damn shame. Attacks are rare, but they’ve happened enough that too many merchants have moved to different routes. Fae goods might be valuable, but with each attack, fewer are willing to take the risk.”