Page 11

CHAPTER 11

YVETTE

I pick another pear from the tree and add it to my basket. I’m not certain if it’s due to the continued spread of ussha or Prince Lucas’s lingering magic, but the forest surrounding Aunt Heather’s cottage has been especially fruitful during the last week. Each morning, I discover a new berry bush in full bloom or a tree laden with ripe apples, pears, or oranges.

Furthermore, winter seems to have stalled. I haven’t seen my breath in days, but again, I’m not sure whether it’s because of ussha or the remnants of the prince’s magic.

Paranoia sweeps over me as I gaze around the forest. I keep worrying that he’s watching, spying on me from some secret location in the trees.

Every strange noise puts me on edge, but I can’t confine myself to Aunt Heather’s property and only pick the fruits and vegetables from her garden. It would be ridiculous to ignore the abundance in the forest. If Mama and I are going to continue living with her for a while, the extra food will be needed, as we arrived on her doorstep unexpectedly.

I pick another pear and freeze when footsteps sound behind me. My stomach drops to the ground, but my heart also leaps with excitement. I swallow hard and slowly turn around. But it’s not the prince. It’s a stranger. A young human male wearing dusty overalls. I touch the knife on my belt and give him a direct look.

“State your name and your intentions.” I finger the handle of the knife, ready to pull it free if this stranger proves a threat. After losing my other knife on the roadside during the scuffle with the flesh traders, I recently helped myself to a new one from Aunt Heather’s kitchen.

He holds up his hands and chuckles. “Whoa there, little miss. I’m not going to hurt you.” He smiles wide, revealing crooked yellow teeth. “The name is Cody. I’m one of your aunt’s neighbors. She invited me over to meet you.”

My hackles rise. I’m in no mood to meet Aunt Heather’s eligible neighbors today, but if I’m being honest, my sudden grumpiness stems from my disappointment. When I heard the footsteps, I’d been so certain it was Prince Lucas.

Cody’s smile fades and he nods at my basket. “That’s a lot of pears. Do you like pears?”

I glance toward the cottage, silently cursing my aunt for putting me in this position. I study the farmer, who is handsome enough despite his poor teeth. But he’s no Prince Lucas. He can’t summon golden wings or call up a warm summer breeze. He can’t make me quiver with excitement with just a single glance.

“Hello,” I finally say, though I don’t bother answering his dumb question about pears. Normally, I’m a chatty person when I meet a stranger, but my mind draws a blank as I stare at Cody. I can’t think of a single thing to say to him.

“Fine weather we’re having, don’t you think?” He chuckles again and toys with the straps of his overalls. “I didn’t even need a coat today.”

“Fine weather,” I agree, though I add nothing more. Perhaps if he finds my conversational skills lacking, he’ll return to his farm.

He glances at my hand with narrowed eyes. “Are you planning on stabbing me, little miss?” When he chuckles for a third time, I almost scream.

My teeth grind together. I can’t be certain, but I think there’s a note of condescension in his voice whenever he calls me ‘little miss.’ In any case, I don’t like it, and I wish he would stop. Better yet, I wish he would go away.

“I appreciate you coming to visit me, Cody, but I’m afraid I’m not interested.” I heave the basket of pears onto my hip and take a few steps toward the cottage. “No hard feelings though.” I force a smile and take off at a rapid walk, leaving him stammering in my dust.

Though I’d really like to tell him off for calling me ‘little miss,’ I don’t want to cause Aunt Heather any trouble with her neighbors, especially since she frequently conducts trade with them, so I keep my thoughts to myself as I hurry away.

Thankfully, he doesn’t follow.

I rush into the cottage, close the door behind me, and head for the kitchen. Unfortunately, Mama and Aunt Heather are standing at the counter peeling potatoes, and they glance up with hopeful expressions.

“I’m not going to marry Cody,” I announce as I set the basket down.

My aunt draws back with her lips puckered. “But he’s a nice looking fellow and he’s the oldest son. He’ll inherit a large, prosperous farm from his father one day. Plus, the farm is only about two miles from here. You would be so close to your mama and me, Yvette. It’ll be nice to have family close when you start popping out babies.”

“I’m not popping out babies with Cody the farmer!” I practically shout, only to immediately feel guilty. I sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice.”

“What’s wrong, darling?” Mama asks. “Did Cody say something to upset you?”

“To be honest, I thought he was boring and a little condescending.” I turn to Aunt Heather. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t overly rude to him. I didn’t tell him off like I wanted to.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it,” Aunt Heather says. “As you might imagine, out here it’s important to stay on good terms with your neighbors.” She leans against the counter. “I’m sorry you didn’t like him. But don’t worry. There are a few more young men who will be stopping by soon to meet you. I made a schedule.”

I rub my temple. “I’m sorry. Did you just say you made a schedule ?”

“Well of course she did, darling,” Mama says. “You can’t have two gentlemen callers arriving at the same time. That would be awkward.”

“Awkward. Right.” I struggle to take a breath.

The cottage suddenly feels too small. Or maybe it’s too hot inside. All I know is that I need to get out of here. Gods, I hope Cody has vacated the premises.

“I’m going to go pick more pears, but I’ll be back in time for dinner.” I grab another basket and head outside. A few deep inhales of the cool afternoon air helps calm my senses.

I proceed in the opposite direction from where I encountered Cody, having no wish to meet the man again. I’m sure Aunt Heather means well, and Mama too, but I can’t fathom marrying a man with whom I don’t share an emotional connection.

Prince Lucas’s handsome face appears in my mind.

There’s no denying that there’s a spark between us. He also happens to need a wife. Not just any wife, but a human one.

But a full week has passed since I last saw him, and I snubbed him the last time he wanted to meet me. I know he showed that night. I’d cracked my window and felt the warmth of summer on the breeze. Yet I didn’t sneak out my window to meet him again.

What if he’s already moved on and found another human woman to take as his wife? As I consider the possibility, my heart sinks. Despite what he did in Trevos, I don’t like that we parted on bad terms.

He saved me. He saved me from being sold on the auction block, never to see Mama or Aunt Heather again. Then he flew me back to the cottage and saved Mama’s life, only to ask for nothing in return. No deal, no compensation whatsoever.

Will I ever see him again?

I peer around the forest, wishing he would emerge from the trees. I also glance upward, wishing he would descend from the sky.

How can I miss him so much? It doesn’t make sense.

He’s a Summer Court prince, and his court is in the process of conquering the entire realm. All four fae courts are, or so I’ve heard. Given the size and strength of the fae armies, it won’t take long for the task to be accomplished.

Maybe I should marry someone like Cody. A farmer who lives far from any large settlements the fae will be keen to conquer. Maybe the more rural areas will be safer.

Despite my friendship with Mira and my tolerance for Warden Valloc, I can’t imagine returning to Trevos and living directly under fae rule again. The constant patrol of fae soldiers on the streets is enough to put me on edge. Assuming I have children one day, I don’t want them growing up in such a repressive environment.

I walk deeper into the forest than intended, and I soon realize I’ve veered off the path. I clutch the empty basket and turn around and around, trying to discern which way leads back to the cottage. Have I been walking in circles?

Panic ripples through me. The forest is dense and lush in all directions, and I don’t see an opening anywhere ahead in the trees.

The familiar hissing noise of a mangga reaches me, and I withdraw the knife from my belt.

A second hiss joins the first one, and it’s not long before it becomes a whole fucking symphony. I don’t see any of the creatures yet, but it sounds like over a dozen of them. Maybe more.

I inch closer to the nearest tree, place the knife between my teeth, and start to climb.