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“I know the general area,” I said.
“Very good. Well . . .” He cleared his throat, showing the first signs of nerves. “I try to avoid attending court as often as possible. For a fae in my position, that means attending functions about twice a year. This year, the king has commanded that I come to a third, for a festival I do not wish to attend alone. I wish for you to come with me.”
I leaned into the chair, taken aback. “I have to admit, I am not well equipped to become part of one’s household staff. In the Blood Court I was a seamstress.”
His eyebrows arched. “Handy, that skill. However, you mistake my intentions. I have no need for more fae in my staff. Rather, I hoped you would accompany me as a lady and play the part of my fiancée?”
I barked out a laugh, stopping only when he watched me expectantly. Wait, did he really mean that? He looked like he meant every word, but the idea was preposterous!
“A fiancée?” I gestured down at my dress and my general bedraggled state. “But look at me! I’m no lady, Warden Roar. Surely, there are many females dying to be seen on your arm. Ones who are acquainted with this realm and its customs.”
“Of course,” he replied. “But I’ve been thinking of this since the Courting Festival summons arrived nearly a month ago. I’ve played out many scenarios, and believe me when I say, those same ladies have their own agendas. I do not wish to bring them before the court because I’m not sure their motives are pure. With you, I would not have to worry. Our relationship would be a farce. And I would make it well worth your time.”
Oh. I looked down at my plate. Why had I not considered that the moment he’d suggested me being his fiancée? This would be an arrangement, not a true marriage agreement.
“But why bring anyone at all?” I asked, still confused. “Can’t you arrive as a bachelor?”
“Usually, I can, but this trip is different.” His lips flattened for a moment before he continued. “His Grace has called for a Courting Festival. It’s an old tradition, in which the king, or queen if that is the dominant ruler, arranges matches for the lords and ladies of his or her land. They can force alliances or break them at their will. If the ruler does not favor you, things can end badly.”
“And you’re not favored?” I asked.
“My house is of great importance to Winter’s Realm. The soldiers sworn to House Lisika protect against vampires crossing the Red Mist Mountains and attacking border towns, rare as those attacks may be. Not to mention, we supply the kingdom with gold.” His gaze dipped to the goblet. “Much of the kingdom’s wealth comes from my lands. That being said, I don’t agree with most of what the Royal House of Aaberg has done of late, and I do not wish to be forced to marry, especially not into their family. So it would be best to bring someone to avoid the forcing of my marriage. One I have no say in.”
“Ah. There is a princess?”
“There is, though she is already spoken for by another noble lord. However, the king has a niece from House Vagle, the queen’s blood house. I fear King Magnus would force Lady Calpurnia Vagle upon me to bind our houses. Then he can lay claim to more of my wealth and use my people as he wishes.” His eyes flicked briefly to my scar before he locked gazes with me. “But from the moment I set eyes on you, I knew the Fates had brought you here for a reason. And I’ll admit that you can lie at court is quite a boon.”
I found myself at a loss. What Warden Roar suggested seemed so far out of my realm of normal. Not sure what to do with myself, I took two more decadent bites of roast. When I was done, I set down my fork.
“What sort of plan?”
The warden’s chin lifted, ever so slightly. “You act as my fiancée at the Winter Court. There will be a contract to sign, of course, since you can lie, and much is at stake for me. It will bind us. Before signing, you name a price, and I will do all that I can to compensate you for your time acting at court.”
Part of me was baffled that he’d come up with all this so fast, but it was clear that the warden was clever and a fae of business. He knew how to get what he wanted and if he really had been considering the Courting Festival for some time and an answer was delivered to his doorstep . . . well, who wouldn’t be keen to seize it?
And if I agreed, I could set a price, a fact that someone in my position could not ignore.
So, what did I want?
Safety, the word materialized as soon as I asked the question.
“After we’re done playing our parts, could you get me far away?” I asked. “To the Spring Court? Or even as far south as Summer? With guards to ensure my safety?”
When I’d first cobbled together an escape plan, I’d only thought to venture as far as the Dragon Court. It lay closest to the Blood’s Kingdom, and therefore, I could manage to walk there. But with a lord’s wealth and might behind me, it would be possible to travel much farther. That would buy me far more security.
A second thought struck. Anna!
“Maybe you can help me save someone else from the Blood Court? A dear friend.”
“Arranging armed transport to the Spring or Summer Courts is not an issue.” He drew in a deep breath. “The other inquiry, however . . . I assume your friend is a blood slave?”
“She is. A human one.”
He pressed his lips together briefly. “I cannot say whether that is achievable. Especially after your escape.”
My chest deflated.
“I can put you in contact with those who might be able to extract her, though. People with experience in heists,” he said. “Perhaps I can help you with your wings and the other markings, too?”
