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“Food is ready,” Kent’s mother announced as she placed wooden bowls of eggs with thick slabs of brown bread slathered in butter balanced on the rim in front of us. “Eat while it is hot.”

Each of us thanked her and began consuming the food. She joined us, pulling up a low stool to the table between Greyson and Kent and across from me.

“Have you discovered your birthright yet?” Greyson asked suddenly between bites.

Kent paused with bread in hand. “What birthright?”

“When you use magic, does anything appear or glow?”

Dropping the bread back into his bowl, Kent frowned at Greyson. “Not that I am aware of.”

I cleared my throat softly. All three of them looked at me. “When I have seen you access your magic, you appear to glow, even tonight at the tavern, but none of the others noticed.”

“Interesting.” Greyson tilted his head slightly as he studied me. “We will have to explore that later.” He turned back to Kent. “No, the glow I am referring to would definitely be visible, even to humans. Once you finish eating, I would like to do an experiment. It will prove beyond all doubt whether or not you are who I am looking for. Would you be willing?”

“Why didn’t you suggest that first?” Kent asked before taking a mouthful of bread.

Greyson studied his bowl as he carefully filled his spoon. “The spell is flashy and powerful. I prefer not to initiate it outside the Wild Wood, if possible. And if you are who I think you are, the show of power is going to catch the wrong type of fae’s attention.” He gave Kent a side-eye. “If you are, we will need to leave for my lands immediately after the test.”

“Now, wait a minute.” Kent straightened, food completely abandoned. “What if I don’t want to leave? I don’t know you. Why should I trust you?”

“Because if I am correct, you, your mother, and anyone else associated with you—” Greyson nodded toward me. “—are in grave danger. There are many fae of questionable morals who will seek to control you by any means necessary.”

“And how can I know that you are not one of those fae?” Kent demanded.

“Unlike them, I don’t want to control you. I want to protect you because you are the key to the Unseelie’s survival.”

Chapter Six

Kent

“You think I am the lost heir.”

Everyone within miles of the Wild Wood knew of the downfall of the Unseelie king. His curse on the Seelie king broke, and the newly freed king bound the Unseelie king to his kingdom’s borders and effectively neutralized him. With no legitimate heir and his marriage in shambles, the Unseelie king’s appeal and power waned swiftly. His court grew desperate to replace him and regain some of their former glory and hope for the future. Rumors of illegitimate children circulated, and the heir hunt began.

I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the idea that I, a no-name jack-of-all-trades with no fortune or family name, was the heir to one of the most powerful positions in Reverie. But now that I faced the Dullahan’s contemplative stare and my mother’s ever-so-slight nod, the reality of the possibility felt ominous. “And if I am?”

“Whether or not you are, I will offer my protection.” Greyson leaned back in his chair, and as he moved, his presence appeared to shift. “If I found you, others will as well. Your life here—your mother’s and yours—is no longer safe. Bounty hunters, fortune seekers, and worse will appear pursuing power and money. They will have little to no morals, and no qualms about being ruthless in attaining their goals.” He nodded toward the corner bed where Mela slept. “And with a human child in your care and under your protection, you are all vulnerable.”

“And who are you that you claim you can protect us?” Rue asked, cutting straight through to my main point of reservation.

“I am Lord Greyson of Fallhorn. My network of smugglers, spies, and connections remains unparalleled among the fae, Seelie and Unseelie alike. I have the ear of the Unseelie king and the respect of the Seelie king. My hereditary claim on my title and lands predates the current court system, and my connections among my kind command fear, if not respect.” He looked at me and then nodded toward Mother and Rue. “I have the resources and the means to protect you and those you claim are under your protection.”

Rue tensed but remained in place.

“And what about Mela?” I asked, very aware of the girl child’s vulnerability.

“Her as well.” Greyson nodded. “My mate is human, and my daughter is human. My staff are well-vetted and trained to protect and interact safely with humans.”

My appetite disappeared, so I pushed my bowl away from me. “Then let us get this over with.”

Turning to my mother, he said, “Pack what you want to take now. Keep it small and light. We will be leaving within the hour after the test.” Greyson rose to his feet and headed toward the door. Mother stood and headed toward her bedroom at the back of the cottage without argument.

I followed Greyson out into the bright sunlight of early morning.

His horse lifted his head and nickered a greeting to Greyson as we approached.

“How do you expect us to travel?” I asked. “I have no horse.”