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“How? I didn’t have them with me when we came to your chambers.”

He smirked and rose, the roguish smile I had come to love taking up residence in his face. “You will find, my sweet Pearl, that I have many secrets. Some you can ply and bargain from me, some you will have to try much harder to prize from my grasp. Now that you have accepted that it is me, would you allow me to indulge one of my most deeply held fantasies?”

“I’m not fucking you again,” I grumbled, crossing my arms.

A secretive twitch tugged at his lips, the spark in his earthen eyes saying quite loudly, Are you sure about that? “I did mean pampering you so deeply that I am graced with an indulgent purr, but if the challenge is to have you fall into my bed once more . . .” He bowed dramatically at the waist, his chest plate stunting the movement. “Then I shall endeavor to conquer this too.”

I snorted, reaching back and scratching Goose on the head as he pushed into my hip.

Brittle Spear’s face turned stern, giving way to concern, and his eyes searched mine. It was strange to be looking into the face of a man who I had shared flesh with and yet did not recognize him wholly. And yet there was something at the edges of my vision of him, like a double exposure on a picture. It was faint, just barely there; if I focused on it too hard, it would scurry away. I didn’t know what it was, and yet it seemed so familiar.

“Tell me true, my Pearl. There is evidence of a magic storm ravaging this land. It seemed to be heading straight for you. Are you hale?” His large hand reached out as if to touch me, and he thought better of it, instead folding it across his chest. Worry etched deep into the unblemished face and sat unevenly upon it as if the burden of ages sat upon a toddler.

“It came for me, but I found that hole, and it couldn’t make it through. I thought . . . I thought at first it was because the storm was too big, but it must have been because of the raw iron.” I frowned. I was sure that it had bulged and pushed and tried desperately to get to me.

“You survived it; for that I am grateful.” He extended a hand to me. “May I lead you away from this to your pampering, my Pearl?”

I smirked at him and gently set my hand atop his as he guided me down off the ridge into the camp proper. “You know, for a Fae that was so willing and eager to fuck an absolute stranger, you’re awfully chivalrous when you want to be.”

“You wound me, my lady! Why, I am an absolute paragon of virtue and piety.”

“Is that so?”

“On my honor as an Ard Tiarna of Fómhar.” He grinned down at me. “It just so happens that the altar I would kneel before and give worship to resides between your creamy thighs, and my hymnals are the sounds of your pleasure.”

“There he is.” I snorted, turning to Violet, Emerald, and Green Man. “You three okay?”

Violet cast a baleful look up at me. “You and I will have words. But I’ll not let you spoil my meal. Roast pheasant with blackberry and sage is my favorite.”

Green Man and Emerald gave me contented smiles from behind their forks. I did not miss the way Emerald’s hip was pressed against Green Man’s, nor the way their feet twined beneath the table. Brittle Spear motioned for me to carry on, leading me through the camp. As we passed each Fae, they watched on, dipping their heads in reverence.

“Your people respect you a great deal,” I whispered up to him, unsure if he would even hear me.

“You mistake them, my lady. They do not bow their heads to me, for I am their equal. They bow their heads to the first human they have ever seen or heard of, clever enough to escape Sceach Gheal an Bith still living.” He pushed back the heavily painted and decorated flap of a grand pavilion, leading me inside. “You will find that while we Nightmares enjoy the reputation we have cultivated over the ages, at our core we value even more the power of cleverness.”

The belly of the pavilion glowed a rich, burnished amber from the sun baking through the canvas and casting light over the opulence within. The tent was fit for an Ard Tiarna, with a regal bed in the center carved in the likeness of a tree. Upon the floor was a plush carpet, a trunk large enough to fit me and two of my companions, an enormous wooden tub held together with tension ropes, and at the foot of the bed was a bear skin.

“I’m none too clever,” I whispered in awe as I took it all in.

“But you are, my Pearl.” He hummed behind me, letting my hand go so that he could peel the thick leather that covered the tub away. Steam rose from the water, scenting the air with jasmine and lily. He tested the water and winced just slightly. “Your bath is ready, my lady.”

“You have a lovely tent, Brittle Spear.”

“Oh, you wish to share it with me? You are, as ever, the most gracious of ladies, my Pearl.” He bowed again, winking this time.

“Uh . . . I didn’t mean to invite myself.”

“You mistake me, my Pearl. This pavilion is yours. Mine is the next over. Stationed as your honor guard, should anything rouse you. But this one is for you and Goose and no others. Your companions have already been settled into theirs, and their baths will be drawn when they request them.” He flipped the leather back over the tub and turned to leave. “If you have need of me, you have but to call.”

“You’re . . . leaving a human all alone? And in this?” I watched him carefully, trying to guess at what game he was playing as a doting smile crossed his lips.

“You are no prisoner, nor will you ever be again if I still live. Nor are you my pet.” He reached up and pushed a golden lock back behind my pointed ear. “Bathe. Rest. Do as you wish. And when you desire it, we will speak more. I was robbed of the opportunity to hear your voice once, and I will indulge in it as much as possible until you have no more use for my company.”

He gave a short bow of his head and turned to leave. His hand was pushing open the flap by the time I found my voice. “Brittle Spear.”

“My lady?”

“Stay?” I didn’t turn to see the way my simple request affected him.