Page 14 of The Stolen Crown

During the battle with the Ever Kingdom, boundaries shifted throughout the earth fae realms. The Borough’s new position overlooked the shoreline.

What I cherished about my homeland was how every leaf, every shrub seemed to glisten in gilded dewdrops each morning. As though a bit of golden sun encrusted the boughs and limbs and leaves.

Today was no different, but I had trouble finding the same delight.

How had I fallen prey once again? And with such ease?

Since Livia and Bloodsinger restored peace, Sea Folk were welcome over the borders. Most kept watch on their more troublesome folk, like sirens and sea singers, the same as we glamour fae kept a heavy hand on the wilder fae of the land, like the sluagh—vicious, carnal creatures who did not even learn to speak much more than grunts and clicks.

I’d been reckless, traipsing the wood alone.

Tucked beneath a canopy made of mossy vines and fragrant blooms, I hugged my middle and watched the shoreline as a new ship drew nearer. Banners of gold and black hinted this was a ship from Celine Tidecaller’s fleet, the new Lady of Blades in the Ever Seas.

Celine became a fast friend once I knew Livia was not being tortured by Erik Bloodsinger. A small grin teased the corner of my mouth. Celine was needed at the Ever’s council often, but I could not help hoping she was personally ferrying folk to our shores.

With the help of sea fae and their diving ships, travel between shorelines was now possible and earth fae visited the Ever Seas as often as sea fae visited our shores.

“Oh, by the gods.” Tobias, a friend since childhood, fanned his flushed face. “There’s the one-eyed brute. I’d like to speak to him alone. Preferably with too much wine and absent a tunic or two.”

I squinted at Celine’s ship, then rolled my eyes. Celine was not the escort, but her second-in-command (and lover) had arrived instead. “Tobias, Stormbringer is besotted with Tidecaller and she with him. Do not even think of winking in his direction. Celine is my dear friend, and I would be forced to inform her of your flirtations. She would feel justified in cutting off your ears or your nose, then where would we be? Likely back at war.”

“Three hells, all from a wink? What power I must wield.”

I flicked his sharply pointed ear, ignoring his soft laughter.

Tobias was a forest fae from the Court of Serpents—the wilder, more cunning tricksters of the kingdom. Despite his endless fallings in and out of love—the man might have one lover at dawn and another at dusk—he was a true friend.

My fellow royals were more like brothers and a sister, but each of us had old playmates from our individual kingdoms. Tobias had always been mine. With my illusion glamour and his ability to compel with his sly words, we became the terrors of our old gentry schoolhouse instructors.

Tobias nudged my ribs with his elbow. “I would not tempt a man claimed by another, My Aggravating Princess.”

“Debatable.”

“Fine, I wouldn’t do such a thing to Tidecaller.”

“Because you fear Bloodsinger or her?”

Tobias smirked. “I think it is fair to say they are both frightening.”

I chuckled. True enough. Sea fae had a bold violence to them when they or someone they loved was threatened. Not that earth folk didn’t, but I suppose I was merely more accustomed to our sort of bloodlust.

“By the way,” Tobias said, voice softer than before. “I’ve been meaning to ask you all morning about last night. Are you well?”

A gaggle of ladies strode past the canopy, snickering and murmuring. Any reply I planned to give was choked off. For half a heartbeat, they paused, eyed me and Tobias, then dipped their chins, snickering as they went.

I closed my eyes and tightened my hold around my middle. There was no telling if the women were talking about me and the odious folly of being ensnared by a sea singer last evening. Still, my thoughts were rather keen to convince me it was yet another disappointment the glamour fae were forced to endure with their foolish princess.

“Mira?” Tobias pressed, clearly unaware the ladies had ever stopped.

“I’m absolutely fine. Oh, they’re about to disembark.” I flashed a swift grin and gestured to the shore.

A horn blew, causing a flock of seabirds to burst free from a tide pool and take to the sky. Dockmen caught ropes and aided the ship to the docks.

Lines of fae from differing glamour courts stood at the water’s edge, waiting to greet the crew and travelers. No mistake, some of the earth fae were still rather fascinated by Sea Folk. Children waved, calling for some of the crewmen to use their sea voices.

Stormbringer did not claim the helm and leaned over the rail to oblige. A low, smooth tune sounded, and at once, a small gust of wind lifted a wave that sprayed the young ones until they were squealing in delight.

It was only a taste of what the man could do. When we fought for the Ever Kingdom against their traitors, I’d witnessed the power of Stormbringer’s sea voice. Alongside Celine, they could craft violent tides and whirlpools strong enough to devour ships.