Page 59 of A Cursed Son

I wonder if they think I’m spoiled or something, but really, it’s not my fault they never taught us how to cook.

“I was wondering something,” I say, glad that my voice sounds casual and disinterested enough. “I don’t know much about the other fae courts, but do the court names relate to the way you look?”

Ferer, who’s cutting mushrooms, tilts his head, as if considering. “I… don’t think?—”

“Let me guess,” Nelsin cuts in. “That old blabbermouth told you all about the Spider Princess, and now you’re wondering if Marlak’s into insects.”

“Arachnids,” I say, and a second too late realize how terrible it sounds. “I mean, spiders are arachnids, but I was wondering?—”

“Yeah, yeah,” Nelsin waves a hand. “I can see you are imagining young Marlak in bed with a spider, wondering how it works with the eight legs and all.”

I stare at my carrot. “Spiders can sometimes climb onto beds. I’m not sure what this has to do with Marlak and the Spider Court.”

Nelsin laughs. “You lie so pretty. Of course you’re wondering what the Spider Court Princess looks like.”

I continue cutting my carrot. “Well, that is a court with an animal name, so yes, I guess I’m curious.”

The blond fae is beside me. “I can tell, but you have to tell me what the blabbermouth said.” His cat ears move slightly forward, as if ready to hear me.

I let go of the knife and turn to him. “Fine. She did say Marlak loved the Spider Court Princess so much that he spared her from a dreadful and dangerous marriage.”

Nelsin scrunches his face. “She said that?”

Ferer puts his knife down and approaches me. “It was a long time ago. He was young. You know youth, how everything is eternal love.”

I actually don’t, but sure.

Ferer continues, “They were friends. And lovers, yes. I don’t think they’ve seen each other in over a year.”

“No!” Nelsin whines, clenching his fists in a dramatic gesture. “You’re giving her all this information for free. Why?”

“If we don’t tell her, she’ll eventually ask Marlak, and I don’t want to get Irene in trouble.”

Nelsin shrugs. “It would be well deserved.”

I agree with the blond fae for once.

“No matter.” Ferer is still serious, then looks at me. “You’ll hear all kinds of outrageous stories, and should give them no mind.”

“I thought fae couldn’t lie.”

He takes a tomato. “You can. If you believe you’re saying the truth, you obviously can, and if you interpret a story with a little more drama or color, of course you can enhance the tale in the way you perceived it. Now, there are other ways to lie, too rare, complex, and costly.”

I’m stunned. “Really?”

“There’s magic for everything, but some magic is not worth it. You’ll probably never come across a fae who has struck a truth-bending deal, so it’s not something you should worry about. Just be aware that not every word a fae utters is necessarily true.”

I’m glad he’s telling me that, and decide it’s better to be more honest with them. “Thanks. This is all good to know. Also yes, I was curious about the princess of the Spider Court and should have been honest.”

Nelsin points at me. “Knew it.”

His tone is playful, so I chuckle, even though I’m not finding any of that funny. And I want to know more. “She said the Spider Queen has become Marlak’s enemy. Is that true?”

Ferer eyes me carefully. “I think she was hoping for an alliance there indeed.” There’s something careful, cautious about his tone. “I wouldn’t say she’s his enemy, though.”

“But she hates his guts,” Nelsin adds, still amused. “And I still can’t believe we didn’t bargain for all this information.”

“There’s no need to bargain,” I say. “What do you want to know?”