Page 84 of The Masked Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 1)

ALICE

“You avoided my question,” I say to Brahm as we cross the bridge. “Why are you releasing Gustin now?”

Brahm crosses his arms, studying me with slightly narrowed eyes. “When you became my illanté, you completed a bargain he tried to initiate when he realized he’d lost the estate.”

His words are ominous, and I sit up a smidgen straighter. “What kind of bargain?”

He doesn’t want to tell me—the set of his jaw makes it obvious.

“Brahm,” I say in a warning voice.

“Gustin offered you instead—a straight trade.”

I stare at him. “He offered me?”

Brahm nods slowly. “I believe he intended a marriage contract, perhaps not knowing the Fae do not marry humans. You are fortunate he made the offer to me and not one of my peers.”

Peers like Ian.

“Gustin attempted to trade me for the estate?” I ask icily. “As if I am property to add to a wager?”

“I’m afraid so.”

I felt betrayed when Gustin lost our home, but now I’m livid. I knew we weren’t close, but how could he?

“I didn’t want to tell you,” Brahm says quietly. “I’m sorry you had to find out.”

“It’s painful, but the truth is never something to apologize for sharing,” I say. “Though I can’t say I’d mind if you let him languish for a few more months in the debtor’s prison.”

“I’m afraid I cannot. I felt the magic complete the bargain as soon as we were tethered. Whether we like it or not, your brother is a free man.” He smiles darkly. “A free man without a copper to his name.”

A tiny part of me worries, but the rest of me brushes the concern away. If nothing else, Gustin is scrappy. Like a cat, he always seems to end up on his feet.

Let him figure out his own troubles. I have enough of my own to tend to.

* * *

My returnto the Ambrose estate lacks any sort of fanfare. I step out of the carriage, peering at the manor that is now my home. I remove my cloak—it’s much too warm for it in the spring woods.

The remainder of the drive here was nearly silent. I didn’t know what to say, and it’s obvious Brahm didn’t either.

I hadn’t realized our relationship would change this quickly.

The newly hired coachman, a human man named Darren, unloads my nearly empty trunk as he peers at the grounds, looking as if he expects to be spirited away and never seen again—a legitimate concern.

He will return to my family’s estate after this. I overheard the conversation between him and Brahm before we left. Apparently, Brahm will keep him on staff so that he may be of use to Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher.

Though Brahm originally planned to sell the property when he won the wager, he seems to have no intention of it now.

He hasn’t mentioned putting it in my name again, however. And why would he? What does a pet need with property?

Regina appears on the entry steps, leading a footman. He eyes me with curiosity, looking as if he’s wondering why I’m back.

Do they know? Brahm said they cannot harm an illanté, so perhaps the tether is visible to them? Have I been branded like a cow, the magic proclaiming that I am Lord Ambrose’s property?

The thought doesn’t settle well.

Better Brahm than Ian, I remind myself.