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“How much?” I asked, pulling out my fat cloth bag filled with coins.
The fae’s eyes lit up, face turning sly and hungry. My gut sank as I realised I was most likely about to be completely ripped off, and I had no way to stop it. It wasn’t like I could confidently argue with him about what the seeds were worth, because I had no idea. I didn’t even know the value of the different coins in the bag.
“Well, what have you got in there?” The fae’s eyes gleamed as he eyed the bulging bag. “Any gold ones? Just give me five of those.”
I froze, narrowing my gaze at him as I had a sudden thought. “But how much are the seeds worth?”
He wouldn’t be able to lie to me.
“Just give me five of the gold coins,” he repeated impatiently, waving his hand at the bag.
“But how much are theyworth?”
The fae snarled, starting to speak, but he fell silent as his face went slack. A shadow fell over the table. My gut was already tightening with exhilarating awareness.
“That is my mother’s money,” Lonan said softly, black eyes flat as he stared at the fae. “Are you trying to disrespect the Carlin by charging him more than what these seeds are worth?”
“N-n—” The fae couldn’t bring himself to say no, because that would have been a lie. He gazed up at Lonan desperately, face mottled with blue. “I didn’t realise, Prince Lonan—Of course I never would have—”
“A dirty trick.” Lonan’s hand cupped mine under the bulge of the bag, making my breath catch in my throat. But it was just to steady it as he dipped his long fingers into the bag and pulled out two small, dark copper coins. “One I trust you will not repeat,” he added flatly as he handed the coins over to the face, whose fingers trembled as they accepted them.
“Of course not. Never.” Pale eyes peered up at me, laced with fear and resentment. “Here are your seeds.”
I took the cloth bag without a word, not wanting to thank him after Lonan’s warning earlier. Lonan turned and strode out of the shop, so I hurried to catch up to him.
“Tha—” I stopped myself. “I appreciate it,” I said instead.
“It’s my mother’s money,” he said flatly, and I flushed.
Right. He hadn’t done it for me.
“What you asked,” he said suddenly, voice still inflectionless. “That was the right question. Don’t stray from it. Don’t back down until they answer you directly.”
Had that been… a compliment of sorts? Iwaskind of impressed with myself for thinking of it. If the Folk couldn’t lie, that gave me an edge. A tiny morsel of control, something I was sorely lacking here.
And I could lie. I could say whatever I wanted.
“I won’t,” I said, not sure if he was expecting an answer.
“Ash?”
I turned to see Caom hurrying out of a dressmaker’s shop, glancing fearfully at the retreating Lonan.
“Oh. Hi.”
“Why was he walking with you?” he muttered frantically as soon as he was close, gripping my arm. “Are you alright? Did he hurt you? Did he threaten you?”
I wanted to squirm, resisting the intense urge to look back and see Lonan one last time before he vanished.
“Um, no, he just… he stopped some Folk from ripping me off.” I held up the cloth bag of seeds. “I bought some seeds.”
Caom stared at me. “He what?”
“I needed to come and see you anyway,” I said quickly, trying to distract him. “I’ve been invited to the Carlin’s court. For dinner. I need clothes for it.”
His face went slack with shock.
“Dinner… with the Carlin?” he said faintly. “Oh my gods. Yes, you definitely need some better clothes.”
