Page 3

CHAPTER 3

MIRA

There’s a dark cloud over the city, and I doubt it’ll lift anytime soon. Not when the fae are currently occupying Trevos. Will they ever leave? Or will their soldiers remain in our kingdom forever?

As I approach the market, unease creeps through me. It’s Saturday, which is usually the busiest day of the week, but very few vendors are open and even fewer people traverse the streets. A cold wind sweeps down from the sky, and I pull my hat lower and wrap my cloak more tightly around my body. I’m shivering so hard my teeth are almost chattering, and my stomach flips when I remember the dwindling stack of firewood back home. Yeah, I need to do something about that and fast.

But first… I need to make some money.

Yesterday morning, a creditor showed up at my house and screamed for me to come outside. When I’d glanced out the window, it appeared he was having trouble opening the gate, which is weird because it doesn’t have a lock. Even stranger, every time he tried to crawl over the fence, he immediately fell backward on his ass. I suppose he might’ve been drunk, but the incident was still frightening. Because I know he’ll be back, and so will the other three creditors to whom I owe money.

I move the bag I’m carrying to my other shoulder, groaning at the weight, then head for Barry’s Trading Post, which rests at the far end of the market. A group of fae soldiers walks by, and my shivers deepen as I keep my head down and pray they don’t pay me any notice. I sneak a quick glance at the group from the corner of my eye, just to make sure the dark-haired, white-winged fae from Tribute Day isn’t among them. He’s not, and I’m not sure why that saddens me.

It's been over a week since that encounter, yet I cannot stop thinking about him and almost hoping I run into him somewhere. I haven’t seen him since he followed me home that day, though I swear I’d felt his presence, his compelling warmth, later that same evening.

He might’ve left Trevos, I remind myself. Much of the fae army has departed. The sea of tents outside the city walls is growing smaller by the day, though the majority of the fae army remains.

Not for the first time, I wonder what King John was thinking when he ordered his men to attack a new settlement of fae near the northern border of Allostus. It’s said that the magic of the fae lands is spreading across the realm, and with it, the fae themselves are spreading out and leaving their courts to settle in more rural areas, areas that are often close to human towns and cities. King John, whose nickname happens to be The Crowned Fool, has always been a reckless leader, but I never imagined he would be so stupid as to attack creatures as powerful as the fae.

Before I reach Barry’s Trading Post, a tall brunette steps into my path, halting me in my tracks. I set the bag down and throw my arms around my dearest friend, Yvette, hugging her close. She returns the embrace while peppering me with questions.

“Why haven’t I seen you since Tribute Day?” she asks. “What have you been up to? Have you received any more marriage proposals since we last spoke? And did you manage to pay those creditors off yet?” She withdraws from the hug, takes one step back, and looks at me with concern.

“You saw me on Tribute Day? Why didn’t you say ‘hello?’” I glance over my shoulder as a carriage approaches, and we move from the middle of the road to stand beneath the overhang of a tavern. I recall how relieved I’d been to find Yvette unharmed in the aftermath of the battle. The day after the fall of Trevos, I braved the streets and stopped by her house to verify her wellbeing.

Yvette rolls her eyes. “Papa said I wasn’t allowed to talk while we stood in line. In fact, he made me wear a dreadful old cloak, and Mama smudged dirt on my face too. They wanted me to look as ugly and unappealing as possible to the fae. So yes, I saw you standing ahead of us, but I didn’t say hello.”

“But your family had the required tribute, right?” Confusion spreads through me, along with a sense of foreboding as I recall the tearful goodbyes I witnessed in the castle. “Why would your parents bother to make you look unappealing to the fae if they had ten pieces of silver?”

“Because Papa heard a rumor that earlier in the day, one of the fae wouldn’t stop staring at a particular young woman who’d arrived with her family. When the father handed over his ten pieces of silver, the fae accused the man of trying to use stolen funds and demanded the young woman be handed over instead.”

“Oh, that’s awful.” Shivers seize me as I think about the huge, white-winged fae who’d stared at me in the castle and later followed me home. Perhaps I’m lucky to have escaped the same fate as that poor young woman. Oh gods, we really are at the fae’s mercy. I swallow hard as another group of enemy soldiers passes by.

“Yes, it is awful. I was so nervous for you when it was your turn, Mira.” She places a hand on my arm. “One of the fae noticed you. I saw the strange interaction you shared with the beastly, white-winged creature. You paused and seemed to have trouble walking away while he was staring at you. Please tell me you’re all right. Please tell me he hasn’t bothered you since then.”

“I’m fine, and he hasn’t bothered me since,” I say, brushing aside the guilt that comes from not revealing the full truth. But if I admit the so-called beastly, white-winged creature followed me home, it’ll only make Yvette worry.

She releases a long breath. “Oh, I’m so glad to hear it. I wanted to come check on you, but Papa still won’t let me venture beyond our street,” she says with a glance toward her family’s cottage. “I’ve never been happier to live near the largest marketplace in Trevos, otherwise I’d be bored out of my pretty skull. But I hated, absolutely hated, that I couldn’t visit you on Sunflower Lane. Especially after you were so thoughtful to check on me the very day after the battle.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t visit you during the last week, Yvette, really, I am. But I’ve had some things to take care of.” I glance at my bag that’s filled with canned fruits and vegetables and dried herbs. “It’s been getting colder, so I had to winterize the house and fill in all the gaps and cracks to keep out the chill. There was a hole in the roof that needed patched as well, and I also had to take stock of my supplies and figure out what I can part with. I’m hoping to sell some things at Barry’s today so I might be able to pay at least one creditor back. As for scrounging up the rest of the funds, well, I’m looking for a job.”

Yvette gives me a quizzical look. “If you get married, your husband will deal with the creditors on your behalf. You’ve had plenty of offers. I really think you should reconsider Renault. He might be a third son, but he seems to earn a decent living working at his uncle’s smithy.”

“Renault?” I suppress a shudder. “Honestly, Yvette, don’t you remember how he acted in school? He was always a horrible bully, and I don’t believe he’s changed. Besides, he only wants me for my house and land. Right now, he’s living in a small shack behind the smithy.”

“Well, perhaps he would get your house and land, but he could probably pay the creditors quickly. Perhaps…”

“No,” I say, cutting her off. “I don’t want to get married. It’s far too risky. Besides, I’m certain I can find work as a barmaid.” Though I try to sound confident, my voice wavers. A lot of men from Trevos died during the battle against the fae, which means business in the taverns is probably lower than it’s been in years. Finding work might not be as easy as I’ve been hoping.

“A barmaid?” Yvette’s eyes go wide. “But even if you never sleep with any of the patrons, that sort of job will ruin your reputation forever. What if you later change your mind about getting married? It won’t matter because no gods-fearing man in Trevos will have you.” She grasps my hands and gives me a beseeching look. “If the creditors take your house, you can come live with my family.”

I give her a faint smile. “I appreciate the offer, and I know you mean well, but I don’t think your father would allow it.” Sadly, Yvette’s father is highly controlling, devastatingly critical, and he dislikes most people, including me. I know she can’t wait to get married and leave home, but thus far, her father has chased away all her suitors, claiming none of them are good enough for his daughter.

Her face falls, and she draws back slightly. “Oh. I suppose you’re right. But maybe I could convince him, or Mama could talk to him, or…” Her voice trails off and her frown deepens.

“It’s all right. It’s not your fault.” I squeeze her hands. “You know, you could always come live with me. If things get really bad, you could come live with me, and your mother could come too. I will find a way to pay the creditors and keep my home. I will .”

She pales. “Thank you. I-I will keep it in mind.” But we both know she won’t. We both know her horse’s ass of a father would drag her and her mother back home, and with the fae currently in charge of the city, it’s doubtful they would interfere in the family matters of humans. Is it wrong that I hope the man chokes on a chicken leg in the near future?

“I would hide you,” I blurt before I can think better of it. I glance around to make sure no one is close enough to overhear. “I would hide you and your mother, and if he tried to break in and take you back, I-I have weapons. I have my father’s knives, his bow, and an ax.”

A giggle bursts from her throat, but when I don’t share in her laughter, she peers at me in astonishment. “You’re serious, aren’t you? Oh, my sweet, violent friend, how I love you.”

Violent? I’ve never harmed a soul in my life, but I fucking hate that my friend is living in fear of her father. “Yes, I’m serious,” I finally say, and I’m startled by the fire that burns inside me, not just a need for justice, but a need for brutal revenge. It’s a shocking moment of rage that lingers, and I draw in deep breaths in an attempt to settle my emotions. What is happening to me?

“Are you okay?”

I force a smile. “Oh, I’m perfectly fine, but I should probably visit Barry’s soon. Just in case he decides to close early. There aren’t many shoppers out and about today.”

“I’ll go with you. Barry’s always liked me. Maybe I can sweet talk him into paying top price for your goods.” She gives me a playful wink, and despite the strange residual rage, I manage a laugh.

“That would be great. Thank you.” I heave the bag over my shoulder, and we set off. But just before we head inside, I spot a familiar figure on a nearby rooftop.

It’s him . The horned, white-winged fae.

He stands tall with his wings spread wide, as though he’d just landed. There’s no mistaking it—he’s staring down at me. My steps falter when I detect that strange warmth in my chest, and Yvette glances up with a gasp.

“Oh no,” she whispers. “That’s the guy from Tribute Day, isn’t it? You must get inside. Before he swoops down and snatches you up. Come on.” She tugs my arm, and I follow her into the trading post.

As I go about my business and work to strike a fair deal with Barry, with Yvette’s flirtatious assistance, the warmth doesn’t abate. That probably means the white-winged fae is still nearby.

My stomach drops.

Does that mean he returned to my home a week ago? I never caught a glimpse of him as I stared out the window that night, but I could’ve sworn I detected his presence. His warmth. His… excitement.

Lust. In addition to tenderness, I’d felt waves of arousal that heated my blood and left me aching with need.

At last, Barry hands over two gleaming silver pieces, and I happily accept the payment. It’s more than double the value of the goods, but it would seem Barry is keen to impress Yvette, and I’m more than grateful for her assistance.

When we emerge from the trading post, the figure is no longer on the rooftop, but I know he’s still in the vicinity. Watching me. Glamouring me. I can easily feel his warmth as well as surges of desperate need.

I thank Yvette and bid her farewell, then I hurry home. Not that the walls of my house will protect me from a ravenous fae. Oh gods, I’m so fucked.