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I grunted my agreement. Everyone in the human kingdom of Valterra felt the impact of Shade attacks. When fae goods crossed the Rift, their spells stayed intact, and it made them invaluable on the human continent. Fae goods improved everything, from light and medicine to livestock and luxury.

Even before the Collapse, they were expensive. Since Gloom had descended and the risk of travel had increased, they were valued even higher.

I was nine when I first heard of Shades, creatures straight from my childhood nightmares swarming upon the Nearbright Sea.

Back then, my mother explained to my younger sisters and me, “See our fae lights? How clean, safe, and stable they are, especially compared to flickering flame? This is a luxury good—one that Valterra now depends on.”

Exactly how the Shades struck was unknown—few survived their raids, and their stories were wild.

“The Shades wouldn’t attackmyboat,” the fae with the horns boasted, butting into our conversation.

Startled, I swallowed too much whiskey and coughed. I looked at him and stared. Nobody made claims like that.

Except…

Well, he clearly wasn’t a normal male. Not even a normal fae, not with horns like that.

Aside from the fact that he was drunk—wobbly posture, crooked grin—he looked to be fine in a fight. Muscular but trim. A well-maintained sword hung on his belt. I couldn’t even appraise his magical skills.

Even if magic or weapons weren’t enough, maybe he could frighten the Shades with his handsome dark looks. His black hair was long, sweeping over his broad shoulders. His eyes were nearly the same shade, beckoning me to look deeper, to look longer, and learn his secrets.

Even on this side of the Rift, he reeked of fae power.

I fought the impulse to lick my lips, and instead, took a timid sip of my drink. I let it burn.

After such a bold claim, everyone was staring at us. I hunched my shoulders and tilted my face downward, letting the scarf shadow my face. Hopefully, they would focus on him.

The male smiled at the attention. Like this was exactly what he wanted.

Who could he be? I began reviewing the Isles in my mind, wondering which was his.The Starlit Isle, the Skylands, Dawn Court…

I’d just made it to Merwhen he winked at me.

Winked.As if he knew I was repressing my urge to flirt. Or maybe he saw how badly I wanted to stay hidden.

It was time to go. I swallowed the last of my drink—

“A favor! For the pretty lady!” the horned male shouted. He crammed his hand into his cloak and found a handkerchief. Fumbling, he waved it, letting the fabric flutter. “May my sigil protect you on your first crossing!”

I had no choice but to play along.

The handkerchief was a fae good. Dark, ruddy red with a black sigil stitched into it.Dusk Court? Scholar’s Island?I couldn’t quite remember, but the stitching flashed a clear message for those who knew.

To anybody else in the tavern, it would have been a wonder to behold. A small fortune.

It was a gift I’d be a fool to reject, and I masked myself, preparing to accept the gift with enacted awe.

“For you,” he insisted. “May it keep you safe.”

Pretending my hesitation rose from intimidation, I extended my palm, offering a shy smile. “You honor me.”

He pressed the cloth into my hand, his fingers brushing the inside of my wrist as he pulled away.

I shivered at his touch. There was something…gravitationalabout him. Like threads, more than cloth, connected our hands—

He was a distraction.

I yanked my hand away, acting as an embarrassed flirt who had overplayed. I ran my fingers against the fabric like I had never touched a fae good before. The cloth moved like water, softer than my sisters’ scarves.