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“What is it?” she asked.
I cocked my head, playing into our usual rapport. “You have to open it.” I dropped the package into her lap.
She was too excited to finish her line and pulled at the silks with deft fingers. She let out a soft gasp when they fell away to reveal two beautiful sapphires. They were small, even for earrings, but brilliant and encased in the finest gold the Faeland had to offer.
“They’re beautiful!” Gwyn held them up to her face to inspect each one closely. The clasps were also made of gold, carved into the shape of a dew rose.
“They’re more than beautiful,” I said, undoing one clasp and placing it through Gwyn’s ear. “They’re enchanted with Fae magic.” Gwyn leaped off the bed holding her ear as if it burned.
Fae magic, even items infused with it, was banned in Elverath. For a Halfling, it would mean death if they were caught.
“Don’t worry. It’s not an enchantment anyone will find,” I reassured her. I had made sure of it before I purchased the gift. “When you wear them, they will let you know if the person you fear most is nearby. You—and only you—will hear a soft ringing that will get louder the closer you get. If you lose them or someone takes them from you, it will not work for them.” I had taken a vial of Gwyn’s blood with me to Aralinth to ensure it. I doubted she remembered the day I took it from her. She’d been a child, but I wanted to be prepared in case I ever made it into the Faeland.
Enchanted artifacts were hard enough to find in the kingdom. Custom-drawn enchantments were all but impossible now.
Gwyn slipped the other one into her ear and checked her reflection in the looking glass. They contrasted with the color of her hair in a way that would tarnish most, but on Gwyn the color made her glow.
“I love them. Thank you so much, Keera.” Gwyn smiled but her tone was heavy with understanding. For now, earrings were the best protection I could offer.
“The other gift is in that bag,” I said, pointing to the large leather satchel that held my clothes.
“A mask?” Gwyn said as she pulled out the gilded lacing I had worn in Cereliath.
“I had to disguise myself to attend a fancy party,” I said with a shrug. “I have no use of it now, and I know you appreciate pretty things. I thought you’d like to keep it.”
“Did you wear this to spy on the Fae?” Gwyn asked in an excited whisper.
A laugh bubbled in my chest. “I wore it to dance with one,” I answered in a matching whisper.
“Really?” Gwyn’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“The Fae are beautiful dancers,” I said, describing the dinner at Lord Feron’s and the ball at Cereliath. In the story I weaved, they were the same event, held in Aralinth. I couldn’t risk Gwyn knowing my secrets.
An hour later, I had divulged everything I could to Gwyn, who lay across my bed. Her head dangled toward the floor with the gold mask tied to her face. She reminded me of when she had been a girl, so curious and silly. Gwyn had not just grown, she’d aged. Left to experience how cruel the world could be to Halflings.
The dinner chime filled the hallway, and she jumped up. Gwyn would be needed to bring up my meal. She took off the mask and held it in her hand as I opened the door.
“I’ll see you in—” Gwyn was cut off by the man standing at my doorway.
Prince Killian stood with his arm raised like he’d been about to knock.
His eyes widened as he registered Gwyn’s features, pausing on the mask she held in her hand. A flash of recognition streaked his face and then vanished.
I stood, protective of Gwyn with the prince. Whatever plot he had tried to rope me into, I wanted her to have nothing to do with it. I refused to let the wrath of the king—or his son—fall onto her shoulders.
“Your Highness,” Gwyn said, bowing and leaving the room. Behind Killian’s back her mouth hung open in shock.
“Is there something amiss with the king?” I asked once Gwyn had cleared the hallway. I knew that Killian was here to explain himself for our audience earlier.
“My father is currently fine. Safe and well,” he said casually, as if his words did not veil a threat against his own kin.
“How can I be of assistance, sire?” I asked with a small bow.
Killian shook his head as he smiled. “No need for the niceties, Keera. It’s just us.” He stepped into my room.
I blinked at his daring, shutting the door behind him. The last thing I needed was to be spotted with a prince who wanted to commit patricide.
“What do you want?” I asked plainly.
