“Why bother ourselves with that idea?” Holly says, repositioning herselfto fight.
She lazily comes at me like a hawk lunging at a small animal.
“Well,” I raise my sword, thinking of how upset he was when I asked if he might want to stay here, “we built a life before coming here.”
“Ha! That was not a life… merely an interlude.” Holly spins backward, her short hair flipping. She looks cool but leaves herself completely open to my attack. I swing—
-—and she blocks.Ugh.
“It’s just … being a king is a big change of pace,” I shout through gritted teeth, swinging more sideways thanintended.
“It is his birthright.” She blocks my attack with ease. My legs stumble backward, the wooden sword once again cast aside. “You would denyhim that?”
“Of course not,” I huff, holding my knees, drawing in a few deep breaths. From what Queen Plume told me, Moth desperately wanted to be king in his life here, but goals change, and so do people. But then I think of that caring spark he showed at the dress shop and the tavern, the way his eyes lit up at the sight of the city—his city. He still wants this. It’s there in his heart, and I need to support whatever path he chooses.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Holly says, “I must take my leave. Some of us have bigger responsibilities than just planninga ball.”
“Oh?” I move to match her stride “Whatare you—”
“Heather.” She sighs, shaking her head. “How do I put this? Despite what my Mother would have you believe, there is not an invitation for you at every event this season. I am sorry.”
“Oh…”
“I trust you’ll find another way to occupy your time.” Her eyes flick to the sword in my hand. “Preferably without stabbing yourself.”
“Yeah hah—ofcourse.”
So much for blowing off steam. After that conversation, I feel worse than ever. It’s not like Moth and I never fight. He leaves half-finished teacups on every surface of the house. I can never bother to pick up my shoes. We bicker about what we want to eat for dinner or binge watch on TV, but that’s just normal couple stuff.
We haven’t had a big fight since that time he tore apart the hunting lodge, and honestly, considering how everything turned out with Chris, his rampage was maybe not as uncalled for as I originally thought. Was I in the wrong this time too? I pick the sword up and heave it into a straw practice dummy, letting out a battle cry that sounds more like an angry housecat whose tail got stepped on thana warrior.
My joints ache, signaling me to rest—a call I’ve been ignoring for longer than I should. But how am I supposed to take a depressed nap when Moth is right there inthe room?
“Well, if it isn’t my new favorite faerie in Eclipsica,” Ruby calls. She’s dressed casually in a gold slip dress with sleeves that cascade to the ground and a neckline just off her shoulders. Oak walks beside her, a paintbrush tucked behind his ear and a splotch of paint across his cheeks.
“Working today?”
“Oh, this?” He spins, shoving his hands in his wide-leg trousers. “It’s all a part ofthe look.”
Finally, I’ve found my people.
I give him a nod of approval. I had a whole lens-free glasses phase in high school for the aesthetic. At least Oak actually paints, and the disheveled artist look works well for him. Ruby is the picture-perfect muse.
“What do you say you hang up that sword and join us for a shopping trip?” Ruby asks.Thank god. They are absolutely speaking my language. After that training session, and that massive fight, I could use a little retail therapy.
“Ugh, please!” I nod enthusiastically. “Where arewe going?”
“The dressmaker.” Ruby heaves a sigh, looping her arm in mine. “Though I don’t know if she’ll have time to fit us in.”
“If I can’t wear something new, I may take a break from this form and stretch my claws on the dancefloor,” Oak says, taking my other arm with a wicked grin. I wonder what he looks like transformed.
“I suppose that is an option, but I would rather be draped in chiffon,” Ruby muses, tilting her head to each side while she ponders.
“Can’t you do both?” I’ve yet to see anyone in their monster form wearing anything intricate… or anything at all, really. My cheeks redden at the realization that naked fae have surrounded me almost 24/7, not that it’s all that different from being back at home with Moth—but like, he’smynaked fae.
“Then no one would see my gorgeous red feathers.” She sticks her tongue out, and dear god, if my heart wasn’t taken—and she wasn’t married with kids! No, no… as mad as I am at Moth, I don’t actually want anyone else, even if this entire realm is the definition ofBi Panic.
We walk together, getting more than our fair share of looks on our way to the dress shop. Unlike the night markets, it’s on what seems like a ritzier side of town, closer to the castle, with a light floral scent in the street.
