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I guess he’s in the mood to pretend we’re civil acquaintances, and I can deal with that.
I smile. “Good.”
“I brought you a gift.” His dark eyes have an odd warmth. “Belated wedding gift, but I needed to know what you wanted.”
“And you do?” It’s an odd coincidence, since I was just now thinking that wanting is a luxury.
He chuckles and drops his bag on the ground. “Not everything. Obviously.” He shows me the thin, long box, which is actually a leather-covered case. “But you need a sword. A good one.”
I take the case, surprised that it’s lighter than I expected. When I open it, I see a sword in it, its blade covered in a black scabbard, its pommel encrusted with three amethysts on each side, its crossguard decorated with black onyx.
It’s absolutely stunning—and familiar. I know that sword. I’ve seen it in drawings. No, the gems are different, but their location and shape are the same.
The sword is fascinating, and I can’t take my eyes off it, but I do, to stare at Marlak. “It looks just like Dawnshadow. The legendary sword that saved the fae three hundred and fifty-four years ago.”
His eyes widen, as if surprised, then he smirks. “Thinking of impressing a perfumed royal with your knowledge of fae weapons?”
“I could impress a stinky royal, too.”
He rolls his eyes. “Wife. I bathe every day.”
I narrow mine. “Why would I want to impress you?”
Marlak sighs. “Do you like the sword?”
“It’s beautiful. An impressive replica, except that Dawnshadow has rubies, and these are amethysts.”
He raises an eyebrow, that odd facial expression I’ve seen a few times, and then leans closer to stare at the sword. And stare he does, open-mouthed, then he stares at me, and back at the sword, until he steps back and smiles. “Right.”
Did he bring the wrong weapon? Perhaps he thought he’d picked a cheap trinket instead of this impressive replica. “Is this what you meant to give me?”
He crosses his arms. “I want you to have a good sword. Do you know the story of Dawnshadow?”
Didn’t I just tell him some of it? Regardless, I don’t mind sharing more of what I know. I love getting answers right. “Nestex, the fae hero and first king of the Crystal Court, used it in battle and defeated the witch-king.”
Marlak smirks. “I knew you would have heard that version, but it’s not the true one. It was his wife, Rideia, who wielded it and killed the sorcerer. The sword is so good because Nestex went to the most renowned smiths to make the best possible sword for his wife, one that would be light enough that wouldn’t tire her arms. The result is an incredible weapon—which saved his life. A woman’s weapon.”
I don’t know if what he’s saying is true or not. “Why would anyone change the story?”
“Too mellow? Sentimental? I don’t know. But it’s a sword that was not made to conquer or kill, but to protect someone he cared about.”
Marlak doesn’t care about me, so I’m not sure why he’s telling this story.
I unsheathe the weapon and see inscriptions on the blade in fae runes. This is likely worth a fortune. “Really? You want me to have this?”
“Wife. Don’t be difficult. It’s the sword I had. My wedding gift.”
So it’s not going to be mine forever. “Are you going to take it back when you decide to get married?”
Marlak sighs and covers his face with his hands. “I am married. And the sword is yours.”
Mine. Just like… Oh, why did I have to remember that dream? I hope he didn’t dream it too—but I doubt I’d be so lucky.
I focus on the sword. This is the first thing I’ll own in my entire life, not counting the forty ducks. It almost feels like too much, until I realize something.
“Wait. You have the real Dawnshadow, don’t you?”
His eyes have an amused glint and he shrugs. “Maybe.”
