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I couldn't wait to see him taken down a peg or two.
"Prince Kierstall," the tall soldier said, stiffening and offering a bow.
Wait. What?
"Of — of course, Sir," he stammered. "We were just requesting some confirmation before we escorted her down. You needn't trouble yourself, Sir."
My jaw dropped. Trouble himself?
The guard was wearing charm-blocking armor. How was Jaiel getting to him?
"It's fine," Jaiel replied, offering a reassuring smile as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "Besides, I wouldn't want to be the one delaying the famous Savior of Karemi."
The guard's eyes went wide, and his face drained of color as he turned to me and dipped into a bow even deeper than the one he'd offered Jaiel.
"I apologize, Miss Savior," he said, voice thready. "I didn't realize who you were. Uh, just mention that next time, and I'm sure the guards will let you pass without issue." Standing up straight, he passed back my papers. "Have a safe journey, ma'am."
Forsaken hells! I glared daggers at the prince, attempting to brush off that damn arm as I whispered to him. "If I'd wanted to bring up that horrible title, I'd have done it myself!"
But Jaiel just smiled and gripped my shoulder more tightly as he tugged me through the slowly opening gate.
"Are you sure you're ready for this mission?" he asked, looking me up and down. "It's not just ruins and monsters on the Isle, you know. There are actual mage factions you'll have to interact with. And unfortunately … it would seem that your people skills leave … er, much to be desired." His lip quirked. "At least you're nice to look at, though."
My neck heated. "I'll have you know I have great people skills when needed!" I dug my elbow into his side and pushed myself free of his arm. "And I didn't need your help back there. Worst case, I'd have been a few minutes late for normal boarding. But I'd still have made the departure!"
"Oh, I very much doubt that, Princess," Jaiel said, gesturing for me to follow him down a narrow street in the ocean's direction. "Just admit it. I offer value to the team, and you were glad I showed up when I did."
"I was nothing of the sort," I huffed, jaw tight.
He chuckled. "Oh, come now. I'm not asking for much. Just a small 'Thank you' … or perhaps a 'You are too kind, oh handsome prince' … or even a little, 'I am not worthy of such a skilled and handsome partner for this mission.'"
"Or I could stab you and be rid of this chronic migraine you give me," I hissed back.
"See what I'm talking about," he grinned. "You should take a lesson from …" Jaiel continued talking, but I tuned him out, attention caught by a small woman with long blue hair and delicate, lacy blue wings on her back, darting out of a building and past us.
To my shock, her long hair shortened and turned a very human shade of black as I stared. Then the wings on her back shrank and disappeared before she turned a corner ahead and was out of sight.
"Wha —" I spun to look at Jaiel, searching his broad shoulders. "Gods! Do you have wings?"
He let out a short laugh. "I do not, Princess. But that doesn't mean I can't take you to new heights."
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, come off it already."
"Fine. Fine," he said. "Fae come in many more shapes and sizes than humans, and I, like most Fae, do not have wings."
"How about your hair? Gods. Please tell me you can change it to something more interesting than plain black."
His jaw dropped, and he held his hand protectively against his dark hair. "I had no idea my hair disappointed you, Princess! But no — unless I use a purchased, pre-made glamor, my hair cannot change color."
"Oh stop," I said, groaning. "I'm not disappointed — more surprised than anything. You're the only Fae I've spent any time with, so I stupidly assumed all Fae were like you. It was narrow-minded of me, and I apologize."
His eyes widened with glee. "You really haven't seen any Fae but me? I assumed you'd been here before! Humans love sneaking in and enjoying company with my kin. Then again," his lips quirked as his gaze slid down my body, "you don't get out much, do you?"
"I do, too!" I spluttered, cheeks hot as I pretended I wasn't lying through my teeth.
I enjoyed my work, though. And the occasional one-night stand.
I just didn't see the value in spending time frivolously. There was too much to get done for that.
