Page 46 of A Cursed Son

Someone, actually. I freeze, but just for a second.

When I sense that the person is close, I turn quickly and kick their crotch, hoping it’s a man. It seems to have worked, as he hunches, and I take the opportunity to run back to the house, where I can find something to use as a weapon. Someone else is running after me, though, but I feign right when they’re about to tackle me, and they stumble. I keep running, with no time to look back.

The house won’t keep me safe for long, if I even reach it. I don’t have any weapon on me, not even a single dagger.

I’m screwed.

9

With two assailants after me, alone on this strange island, my chances are quite slim, but giving up before trying is never the answer. I focus on the Almighty Mother, on the infinite light, then I turn, about to send a flash of light, but all I see is a young fae man with his arms raised, as if meaning no harm.

“Tell us your name,” he yells. “We come in peace.”

There are two of them. Could these be the two knights? Oops. But they aren’t wearing any uniform. “You first. Who are you?”

“I’m Ferer, he’s Nelsin. You?”

Nelsin. Marlak mentioned that name indeed. “Astra.”

They are approaching slowly. The man close to me is a fae with pointy ears, dark brown skin, and black hair in a lovely puffy hairstyle, wearing a sleeveless tunic and leather pants. Truly fae, with an odd, inhuman grace and beauty.

He says slowly, “We need to confirm you are who you’re saying you are. Why are you here?”

“Marlak brought me.”

“Why?”

Am I to be privy to his reasons? “Because he’s insane!”

The fae chuckles. His companion, a blond fae who’s farther behind, asks, “What are you to him?”

He wants me to say I’m his wife? I grit my teeth. “I don’t know if you are friendly or not.”

The fae further from me exhales. “You’re his wife, aren’t you? I brought your suitcase. You left the Krastel castle in a Crystal Court carriage, then were blindfolded.”

“You could have been following me.”

The dark-skinned fae close to me tilts his head. “This is an awkward introduction, without Marlak here. And you’re right to be cautious. But we can’t lie. Your husband sent us here, to protect you.”

Well, Marlak did mention he was sending his knights, and either way, it’s not like I can fight two fae. “Apologies.”

The other fae approaches me, grinning. “At least you’re brave and fearless. I can see why he’d pick you.”

An odd laugh escapes my throat. I then notice the other fae. He’s wearing a long-sleeved white tunic, open down to his stomach. His hair is long, wavy, and blond, but what I thought at first was a strange hairstyle are actually two ears, like cat ears, on top of his head. He also has normal, or rather, fae, ears.

He chuckles, and points to his head. “Yes, the four of them work. No, I don’t have a tail.” He shows me his hand. “Yes, I do have claws, but they’re temperamental. And no, I don’t purr.”

I’m still surprised. For a second I wonder if one of his parents is a lion or tiger, then realize that’s impossible. I know that there are fae with animal traits in courts other than the Crystal Court. It’s just that seeing one of them is so astonishing. “You must have amazing hearing.”

He shrugs and gives me a lazy smile. “I guess.”

“You’re Nelsin, right?” I want to make sure I got the names right.

Nelsin bows. “At your service, my lady.”

Then I point to the dark-skinned fae. “And Ferer?”

The graceful fae nods.