Page 11 of Manor of Wind and Nightmares (Fae of Brytwilde #3)
Then
A s the sun dipped toward the west, our buggy slowed and Junseo slipped outside.
I shifted to stretch my legs as I listened to the low murmur of voices while the captain consulted with his guards, his deep voice taking on a jesting tone that set his men and women to laughing.
When his laughter joined theirs, the rich timbre made my stomach flutter.
I scowled at myself, disgusted with how impractical I was being.
There was no space for such silly reactions toward the handsome captain, even if he was showing himself to be one of the most charming and kind men I’d ever met, contradicting everything I’d known about the fae.
The door creaked open and Junseo leaned in, his eyes glittering with mirth. Uneasiness squirmed in my stomach along with the butterflies.
“It seems I must be the bearer of bad news once more, Your Highness,” he announced. The dimple that flashed briefly at the corner of his mouth told me that he was not sorry.
I settled my lips into a thin line. He was teasing me again.
“And what is this news?” It was easy enough to sound annoyed.
Hours in close quarters with this man and his forwardness were giving me a headache.
It was difficult to conceal my shy blushes and my shock at how informally he behaved.
I was sure at any moment he would accuse me of being a scandalized mortal.
“The goblin attack put us behind schedule. We were meant to stop in Goldleaf tonight, but the town is still at least two hours’ journey from here and our horses need to rest. We’ll be forced to camp tonight.”
My throat constricted. I’d been aching for a room of my own, a place I could retreat and not have to be on my guard, constantly praying my every mannerism and look were befitting a graceful, immortal royal.
Junseo extended a hand to me. “My guards are setting up camp and preparing a meal that I think even you will approve, but in the meantime, perhaps you’d like to stretch your legs?”
I accepted his hand and let him lead me out into the fresh air.
The spring evening was growing cool, the breeze carrying a bite to it that reminded me winter hadn’t quite released its grasp on the world.
As we were still under cover of the forest, the shadows only emphasized the chill, making me repress a shiver and wish Princess Briar had commissioned warmer clothing for me to wear.
Emberglade didn’t experience the harsher cold weather that we did on this continent.
Junseo’s guards were setting up camp off the path along Willow River, which we’d been following for some time—it wound all the way from the ocean toward the palace grounds.
The evening light glinted off its swiftly flowing surface as I squinted to try to make out the distant opposite shore.
Nearby, the weeping willows the kingdom was known for dipped their leaves into its waters, providing a peaceful shelter.
While the sound of crackling wood and the acrid scent of smoke were welcome signs that someone was starting a fire, I feared I was still in for a cold, uncomfortable night on the hard earth.
My headache was unlikely to be alleviated any time soon.
I’d be forced to be on my guard, tense and nervous, the whole night through.
Would I even be able to relax enough to sleep?
The guards spread out bedrolls and discussed watch rotations as Junseo and I strolled past.
The captain studied my expression with amusement. “Have you ever slept under the stars, princess?”
I chose to ignore him, knowing he only wanted a reaction. “Could I sleep in the buggy or somewhere a bit more...private?”
Stuffing his hands into his pockets, Junseo grinned. “Feeling shy? Does the lady snore in her sleep?”
I gritted my teeth. Would a fae princess be scandalized at the intimate sleeping arrangements, being so close to her guards without privacy? In my world, no one would have questioned my discomfort. “It’s cold,” I said. “Emberglade doesn’t have such chilly weather.”
Junseo glanced at the setting sun. “Don’t fret, princess. I’ll need to keep you close since we’re out in the open. You won’t be cold.” His dimple showed for a moment, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.
I swallowed back my horror, thankful he chose that moment to walk away and didn’t notice.
“Would you like to warm yourself by the fire, Your Highness?” Lavender’s question pulled me from my thoughts.
Nodding in relief, I followed her to the fire, settling on one of the logs the guards had arranged around it. Sage, Daisy, and Ellery joined me, shooting me sharp glances until I cleared my throat and muttered an excuse about needing to freshen up.
“You’re not convincing,” Daisy snapped as soon as we were deeper in the forest and out of the keen hearing range of the others.
“You blush and behave like some foolishly scandalized mortal any time that captain speaks to you.” She dug through a satchel she’d lugged with her, retrieving a comb and setting about undoing my hair and brushing it so viciously my scalp stung.
“He is shameless,” I muttered. “Even Princess Briar would be offended by his forward behavior. It’s not as if he is her equal.”
“In their kingdom, he’s revered nearly as much as royalty,” Sage pointed out as she plucked a vial of my potion from her pocket and laid it in my palm.
I drank the potion swiftly, not wanting any of the effects from last night’s dose to wear off before this one could take effect.
“Princess Briar is no stranger to intimacy.” Daisy tugged my hair sharply. “Stop acting like you’ve never been admired.”
Ellery gathered a nightgown from my belongings. “He is quite handsome, and you are a princess traveling toward an arranged marriage to a man you’ve never met. It is likely you’d want to enjoy yourself while you are still free to do so.”
That had not been part of my training. “Wouldn’t Prince Kaede be offended?”
Daisy laughed. “He’s probably making the most of his final days of bachelorhood as well.”
Thankfully, Junseo had made it clear he wasn’t interested in stealing pleasure from the princess during his time as her escort. I released a shaky breath.
Daisy finished with my hair, and Ellery and Sage stepped forward with my nightgown.
I stared at the flimsy material. “We’re outside, not at an inn. I’ll freeze in this.”
Lifting an eyebrow, Daisy gestured toward my lavender dress, heavy with its embroidery and jewels. “And you’re going to sleep in that?”
“Better than catching my death from cold.”
Sage rolled her eyes. “Don’t be dramatic. A princess would never sleep in her day dress, and you know it.”
Sighing, I turned to let Sage unbutton the back and help me out of the heavy monstrosity.
When I slipped on the nightdress, I swallowed, instantly feeling too exposed, too vulnerable, and too chilled.
It was more elegant than anything I’d slept in back home, with delicate lace and embroidery, but it also hugged every curve and fell just past my knees.
My flimsy slippers did little to protect my feet from the roots and pebbles of the forest, but no one had packed me clothing suitable for sleeping in while out of doors.
“Good enough, I suppose,” Ellery said while she assessed me from head to toe, as if she thought my illusion would vanish under close scrutiny.
Without another word, I left my maids to walk back to the fire. Though my arms weren’t bare, the dress’s material was light, making me shiver with every breath of wind that rustled through the trees. I was eager for a bit of warmth, even if it meant facing the captain again.
When I returned, Junseo was seated with several of his guards, chatting animatedly and laughing.
One of the men was passing out apples and jerky, while a woman ladled bowls of stew from a pot over the fire.
I blinked, surprised at how swiftly they’d prepared the warm meal. Magic must have been involved.
I hoped that didn’t mean it would also be full of fae food.
Though Kymelle, my Emberglade trainer, had forced me to ingest small portions of their food to build up my tolerance, that didn’t mean consuming an entire meal of it would be an easy feat.
The worst part would be attempting to act as if I were unaffected.
As I approached the fire, Junseo glanced up.
His eyes darted over my ridiculous nightdress, lingering for the briefest instant on the way it hugged my hips.
Though I wore Princess Briar’s face, my body was still my own.
Heat threatened to creep up my neck, but I concentrated on the chill in the air, willing myself not to grow self-conscious.
Seating myself, I smoothed out my nightdress and smiled graciously as Lavender handed me a steaming bowl of stew. I was relieved to find its contents were familiar and delicious, a comforting and hearty meal after a frustrating day.
While I ate in silence, I watched the guards around me. I caught Junseo glancing my way more than once, his lighthearted expression from conversing with his men and women melting away and transforming into something inscrutable.
When I realized I’d been staring longer than would be considered proper, even for a fae princess, I glanced away.
I wondered if he suspected me somehow. Did he think there was something off about me? Had my use of my dagger made him label me a potential threat?
Seated across from me, a man leaned back from his spot perched on a large rock, stretching out his legs.
His blue eyes twinkled as he addressed me.
“It’s nice to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Flint, at your service.
I’m sorry your introduction to our land was full of goblins, but I’m sure you’ll be pleased later on.
” The female guards chuckled, like there was a jest I was missing.
“Are you eager to meet your betrothed, princess?”