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“Oh, of course. It would be a crime not to share your art,” Talen mocked.
“It really would. I’m going to need at least thirty canvases.”
His brows shot up. “That’s quite a lot.”
“I have quite a lot of time.” I took a deep breath and pulled my sweater closer, hoping it would hold me together as I disclosed my downfall. “I made a deal with the wrong man last night, and he’s trapped me here as punishment.”
Talen didn’t move for a moment, then he blew out a breath. “Tell me.”
I did, though it pained me to relive it. I never should have played chess against someone who’d been here since long before I was even born, and I never should have made the second deal when my emotions were so high. I added that in so Talen would see I’d learned from my mistake.
He rubbed his forehead. Once more, he looked just like my brother, and somehow it felt as if I’d let Cal down too. In a way, I had. There was precious little time to figure out how to return to him as it was.
“I’m sorry.” My voice cracked. “I was only trying to get home.”
Talen shook his head slowly, then suddenly straightened. “I’ll fix this,” he said, tipping his hat at me. “And there are canvases in the closet. I trust you can paint without getting into trouble.”
I looked down. “Yes.”
“Good. There is also a chessboard in that closet in case you wish to practice.” By his tone, I knew he wanted me to practice chess over painting. I bit my tongue and when I lifted my head, he’d gone.
Maybe Talen could fix this and no one had to know about it. But the morning had brought a new surge of will to live, and my plan for my paintings expanded. I’d draw more messages and send them throughout the realm.
“We’ll figure this out,” I said to Antonio, setting him on the edge of the desk to watch over me as I set up my canvas by the balcony for inspiration. I began a piece depicting the fae realm sitting above my own with a crown centered in my home realm. The word freed hid in the sand at the crown’s base. I’d take my time with this one, not rushing through, so it was beautiful enough to capture the attention of the Mortal Queen’s descendants.
“Tritshu un kuy,” I recited. May he favor you. We never knew who “he” was, but Mother had spoken the words as tenderly as she said “I love you.” I needed my mother’s blessing today.
My brush had just streaked across the canvas to lay the dark blue base along the top edge, when a dash of black parchment on the balcony caught my eye, held down by ore. Bastian. I dropped my brush and went over to the balcony.
The parchment ruffled when I neared, as if excited to have found its recipient. Silver dotted the folded corners.
The beat in my heart was something more than an alliance bond. I took four deep breaths before opening it, enough to remind myself I was using him for my freedom, just as he was using me to secure his reign. Once I was free or dead, he’d live thousands of years and not once think of me again.
I unfolded the note to find his writing.
Since you insisted upon humiliating me at your gala, I plan to host one of my own next week, where I will invite the local lords to witness the strong alliance between us. You will oblige my requests at this dinner. You owe me that.
Unless Talen was clever enough to get me out of this punishment, I could never attend his gala. He’d be furious when he learned how I let myself be fooled, and his alliance with me would be laughable. My mistake was a mark upon his reputation as well.
Without a second thought, I released the paper to the air and let it fall unanswered. I shut the balcony doors and drew the drapes, keeping my misfortune inside with me instead of letting him hear of it. I wasn’t ready for his mockery.
The familiar movement of painting overtook me in a sweet release with the brush of bristles over canvas, the thick pigments, the scent of turned soil, and the symphony of shapes, all created at my command.
It was the last bit of power I still held. I might not rule proudly over the fae, but these paints were mine.
Talen returned as I dipped the dirty brushes into clear water, watching the colors ripple away.
He didn’t dance into the room or sweep his hat off his head and toss it in the air. Instead, he folded his jacket and set it on a plush chair before inspecting my painting.
“This may be my favorite one yet. Both our realms, joined as one,” he remarked.
“Don’t do this to me. Did you convince him to release me from the favor?”
Talen bent closer to the painting, and my breath caught before he moved back without finding the message. I rolled my brushes between my hands.
“Halfway. He lessened it to three months.”
Still trapped, but at least not for a quarter of my time here.
