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I like these two, and in truth, it would be helpful to have them as allies, or at least gain some of their trust—only later to betray them. The thought knots my stomach. Well, what can I do?
“Nothing,” Ferer says, then turns to his companion. “Marlak doesn’t want us bothering her.”
Laughing, Nelsin waves a hand. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled that you told her all about the Spider Court Princess.”
“Irene’s the one who told her.”
Nelsin sits at one of the tables and rests his elbows on it. “Sad.” He looks at me. “You were so cute, all jealous.”
“Jealous?” What kind of folly is that? I can’t help but laugh. “Oh yes, I wish I were in her place, meaning away from him.”
The blond fae stares at me. “You don’t like to be here?”
Perhaps I shouldn’t be telling them that, but it’s not like Marlak forbade me to be honest. I sit at the table. “I wasn’t given a choice, that’s all. I was traded like a cow. His words, not mine.”
Nelsin narrows his eyes. “Traded for what?”
It sounds like a true question, and I’m surprised he doesn’t know the answer. “Support? I don’t know. Something with the Krastel King.”
Ferer sits with us and glares at the other fae knight. “Leave it.”
“I’m just curious!” Nelsin shrugs.
“So am I,” I agree.
Then again, Marlak has told me his reasons, which I assume these two fae don’t know. My presence here must be bewildering for them, unless they think the prince is in love with me.
That would be the only explanation.
I need to keep that in mind when dealing with them. If they believe Marlak’s interested in me, they won’t be happy thinking I hate their prince. No, I need to make it seem like he has a chance.
I relax my face to get rid of all my previous annoyance. “But… your prince has been kind to me. And having you two here shows how much he cares for my safety. So it’s not bad.”
Ferer just stares at me, as if sensing my lies.
Nelsin, for his turn, nods. “We’re at your service, my lady.”
We don’t trade any other secrets, and they finish lunch, a salad with cold rice and pieces of roasted chicken, delicious, of course, except that I’m desperate for some hot food. Maybe I’ll dream about it instead of dreaming about Marlak. That will be helpful.
I could have some sexy dreams about a beef roast with hot sauce, some pumpkin soup, mint tea, hot milk… I love hot milk. Oh, well.
In the afternoon, we go outside, in front of the house, under the shade of trees, and Nelsin drills me on some basic sword movements. I’m holding a wooden stick, but his instruction is helpful. I can’t imagine myself with a sword though, and can’t imagine that I’ll be allowed to continue this type of training when I return to the castle.
When I return. Will I return? Is my life ever going to be the same again? Do I want it to be the same?
Want. It’s an odd thing, a luxury we don’t always have. What can I want?
Sweat drips from my forehead as I try to find an opening and hit Nelsin with my stick, but he keeps blocking me, and I don’t want to stop and admit defeat. We’re still in the clearing in front of the house, Ferer watching us.
When I finally touch his ribs, I realize he isn’t focused on what I’m doing, but staring at something behind me. I turn and follow his line of sight, and see Marlak walking into the clearing, carrying a slim box in his hands and a bag across his shoulders.
“We’ll prepare dinner,” Nelsin says, before disappearing into the house with Ferer.
I bet they left because they think Marlak is courting me, and all I can think is that they must be the most oblivious fae in the world.
“How’s everything?” Marlak asks. He’s wearing a beige tunic, open at his chest, displaying part of his star-shaped scar.
For a second, I want to reach out and touch it. Crazy second.
