Page 1 of Manor of Wind and Nightmares (Fae of Brytwilde #3)

Then

O nce every decade, the fae across the Bittertide Ocean visited the citizens of Greybrooke.

Supposedly, their kingdom, Emberglade, wasn’t near any mortal towns, and so they made the voyage as part of a long-held agreement.

For one week, anyone in Greybrooke could strike a bargain with the royalty of Emberglade.

It was an opportunity to taste magic, for people to make their greatest dreams come true—or their worst nightmares.

After all, we were all warned from childhood of the dangers of the fae and their bargains. Immortals were tricksters, delighting in tormenting and taking advantage of us for their own desires or entertainment.

I’d never planned to make a bargain. When Mother was alive, I’d always vowed to her that nothing would persuade me to take such a risk.

But that was before.

Recently, I had become desperate. Callista and Lavinia and Father groaned about the ways I’d forced them to cut back on extravagances when funds grew tight, not realizing that that lifestyle we’d used to enjoy was in the distant past. Father had never been a good manager of his income, and without Mother, he’d only grown worse.

I’d pored over the estate’s books, spent countless hours calculating how we could cut costs, and yet it had always resulted in the same conclusion: unless Father and my sisters could see reason, we would lose our home.

Worse still, my family often spurned my concerns, thinking it ridiculous that I was so worried.

But the truth stared me in the face, night after night, in awful numbers that didn’t add up: I was going to lose my childhood home, full of memories of Mother and happier times.

I wouldn’t be able to sit by the fireplace where she’d once brushed my hair and told me stories before bed.

Wouldn’t be able to imagine her humming and walking through our gardens.

Wouldn’t be able to keep the staff we’d known all our lives, who’d tended the home so lovingly and provided endless comfort during the dark days after Mother had passed.

And, on a more practical note, I feared we wouldn’t be able to survive for long after we sold the estate.

Not when my father and sisters were so set in their opulent lifestyle.

Lately, I had begun mending clothes that were growing a little too worn for proper society and helping our cook plan simpler, smaller meals than we’d once indulged in.

Sometimes, I feared my family would rather starve than allow themselves to be debased in society.

These fears were what finally drove me to meet with the Emberglade fae on the last day of their visit.

As was customary, they had taken up residence at Greybrooke Inn for the entire week, filling every room with their entourage.

The innkeeper and his family had frantically prepared for a month, anxious to be accommodating.

Though the agreement Greybrooke had with Emberglade stated the fae could not harm, glamour, or trick their hosts, I understood their concern.

Now, standing in the main room of the inn, I waited nervously in the doorway as a servant told me that my meeting with Wystan, King of Emberglade, would be next.

He was the first immortal I’d ever seen, and his beauty took my breath away.

With perfectly symmetrical features, a sharp jawline, gleaming dark eyes, and silky, rich brown hair, I could not find a single flaw.

It was unnerving. That, along with his pointed ears, made it difficult for me not to forget all etiquette and stare.

All too soon, Lottie Finch, a young lady close to my age, exited a room on the far side of the inn, closing the door carefully behind her. Her expression was oddly blank, so that I couldn’t tell if she was happy or not with the results of her meeting.

“You may proceed,” the servant said, gesturing toward that closed door as Lottie slipped out of the inn wordlessly.

No one else waited in the room with me—apparently, I’d been the last to arrive. The only other fae were guards posted throughout the space, lounging carelessly at tables or before the low-burning fire. The innkeeper and his family were nowhere to be seen.

Heart hammering in my ears, I crossed the room, trying to keep myself quiet and small as I passed the guards sharply assessing me.

At the door, I knocked. Inwardly, I went over exactly what I wanted and how I should ask, running through the words all over again despite having prepared them for days.

I wanted to ensure there was nothing I’d overlooked, no way the fae could avoid granting my wish or trick me into sacrificing something more than I was willing to give.

The trouble was, there wasn’t much I wasn’t willing to give to secure my family’s future, but I wasn’t sure what the fae would want.

“Enter,” said a gruff voice.

The room appeared to be a small study. At a desk across from me sat a finely dressed man—if one could even call him that.

Gooseflesh rose over my arms as my gaze met his burnt orange one, his eyes depthless and unreadable.

This male was monstrous. Numerous twisting horns, spiraling like branches, rose from his cheeks and his hairless skull, which was the sickly grey sheen of a corpse.

“Bow to King Wystan of Emberglade,” one of the guards stationed within commanded.

Concealing my fear and revulsion as best as I could, I gathered my skirts and dipped into a curtsey.

“You may rise,” the king intoned. “What is your name?”

“Aurelia Sinclair, Your Majesty.”

He leaned forward, his eyes boring into me. “And what is it you desire?”

“I would like to keep possession of my family estate and to live there as long as I wish, with a sufficient income to manage it and keep my family fed and happy.”

King Wystan’s lips twisted into a none-too-kind smile.

Sweat beaded on my brow. “Wealth, food, a home, happiness. I imagine you know that my magic cannot guarantee mortal happiness. Neither can I prevent starvation or death.” He chuckled.

“But as a king, I am wealthy. So you came here asking for gold.”

Heat suffused my cheeks. “I came here because my family’s debts are so great we are at great risk of losing my childhood home. As a woman, I have few opportunities of finding an occupation of my own.”

“Sentimental.” He tilted his head. “Desperate.” He chucked lowly. “And afraid, though you disguise it well. You self-sacrifice often, watching your sisters and Father purchase frivolities while you wear those rags.”

My heart leapt into my throat, my mind racing as I tried to understand how this king knew things he shouldn’t. Had he inquired about every member of town before arriving? Or did his magic allow him to simply...know things?

“Yes,” King Wystan said. “I can read your thoughts.”

I drew a deep breath.

“She is more promising than the others we’ve seen, I suppose.

” The female voice startled me, and I turned, noticing the young woman leaning against a bookshelf for the first time.

She’d been half-hidden behind some of the gathered guards.

Unlike the king, she was as stunning as the other fae, with wavy auburn hair and piercing eyes.

Her dress was extravagant, fairly dripping with gemstones.

King Wystan waved her away. “Yes, she can learn. I agree that she has potential.” He turned back to me. “I can guarantee wealth and security for your family for the rest of your days, with plenty of gold for your little home. In return, you must vow to serve me.”

My mouth went dry.

He smirked. “No, you won’t live in Emberglade forever. You will keep your home, and, as long as you do not fail, you will return to live here as happily or as miserably as you choose.”

Heart hammering in my ears, I considered my options. Fae could not lie, which meant if I bound him to specific rules, I could ensure the bargain would secure my happiness without forcing me into an awful promise. “How would you want me to serve you?”

“You will return to Emberglade with us and live in the palace as we train you. You will complete a mission to my satisfaction; one that, if you do well, will keep you from Greybrooke no longer than one year.” He smiled, as if the offer was purely benevolent.

“Several months for a lifetime in your little town of squalor.”

My thoughts whirled as I considered possibilities.

“I will not harm anyone. Nor will I give my body to be used.” My mouth soured at the very idea.

“I also expect you to give your word that I will not be glamoured by you or any of the fae during this time. And you must vow that I shall be fed, clothed, and sheltered—and that when my service has ended, I will be provided safe transportation home.”

The king smiled slowly, the look eerie on his nightmarish face. “Wise. Cautious. Very good.” He repeated my conditions back to me, vowing to fulfill them all.

Nerves twisting in my stomach, I pledged my service to King Wystan of Emberglade.

As soon as I’d finished, he rose. “We depart today.”

The world seemed to sway, and I realized I’d been breathing shallowly. Today. I shouldn’t have been surprised, as I’d known this was their last day in Greybrooke, but I hadn’t expected my bargain to take me with them.

“Pack what you need to; say your goodbyes. Return within two hours with your luggage. Don’t be late.

” The threat was clear. “Oh, and take your first payment to leave with your family—my first step in fulfilling my vow as you make yours to leave your home.” As if he’d already had bags of coins waiting—it was probably an embarrassingly common request from mortals—he plucked one from somewhere behind the desk and tossed it at me.

I nearly dropped it, my cheeks pinking as I fumbled. Numbly, I dipped into a curtsey.

I’d never left the confines of Greybrooke, yet now I was about to board a ship and cross the sea to live among the fae. I could scarcely fathom it.