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Apparently, it’s a good thing, too, if the threat of children is one of the reasons these people won’t leave me alone. I can assure them I’m barren.
“A fae would appear infertile to human standards. That doesn’t mean you are. We don’t function like they do.”
I glare at the pile of muscles hovering around me, poking at my brain. “Enough with the whole‘let’s tell Rina all the ways she’s wrong,’and tell me where that damn conclave is!” I snap.
Caenan crosses his arms over his chest. “And you want to, what, barge in, all your frightened, panicked thoughts blasting on speaker, and tell the entire world how vulnerable you are?”
I grit my teeth.
The infuriating thing is, he’s right. I actually likely shouldn’t speak to those people; not when everything I think, or say, about this world, proves to be wrong. I’d only look ridiculous. And yeah, probably weak, too.
But I should still be there. I refuse to be a passive observer into my life.
“Ineedto know what people think, and plan to do with me. I need to hear, and see it for myself.”
I don’t say it out loud, but I also need to hear what Ryther will tell them. I’m not stupid enough to completely trust him—especially not after the one night of safety he promised. I know he wants something from me. The question is what?
Caenan curses under his breath—I don’t understand the word, but it’s grumbled in a frustrated grunt. Then, to my surprise, he shrugs the cloak tied to his shoulders off, and wraps it around me, lowering the hood. “Fine.” He narrows his eyes. “First of all, if you’re dragging me into this, you’ll owe me one favor.”
“What sort of favor?” I immediately ask.
He shrugs. “Does it matter? You don’t have any other choice if you want to get your way.”
Yeah, I don’t think so. “I’m in this mess because of a thank-you. I need details.”
“Something of equal value to going against my king’s wishes, which means a very large favor. I am risking Ryther’s wrath here.”
Right. Once he says it, it only seems fair. Still, I can’t leave it at that. “Nothing sexual.”
I’m not asking, and to my relief, Caenan’s quick to nod. “Agreed. Now, secondly, your hood stays up, and you’re keeping your mouth shut the whole time. That’s not negotiable. Understood?”
I…don’t?Understand him, that is. I can’t explain why he’s suddenly decided to help me when he was team, “let’s keep Darina in the dark” moments ago.
“It’s the misery,” he says, sounding incredibly annoyed with himself. “I can’t stand to see thatpout. Now, your word, if you please.”
“Hood on, mouth shut,” I echo. “Got it.”
“Youractual word,Darina.”
I pout again, making him squirm. When he doesn’t relent, I say, “Fine. I’ll stay hidden and silent.”
“All right. Don’t make me regret this.” He takes off, walking right past the stone house and into the summer woods.
I have to take at least two steps for each of his.
“Why are other fairies giants compared to me?”
“Fairies were small, originally. The gentry are mixed with divine blood, so we’re taller.”
Oh.
“So, I’m a fairy, not gentry?”
“You’re high fae, from an ancient bloodline that hasn’t been mixed with any blood outside of Ilvaris. Now let me concentrate. If I get lost, we could wander the woods for weeks.”
I grin, and follow silently. For his abrasiveness, my companion is apparently a big softie.
Out of everyone I’ve met in this place, Caenan might just be the one person I could see myself befriending. Maybe even trusting.
