I treaded carefully. “I get it, I do, but I mean, it seems a little unfair. I don’t think there would come a time when you’d have to fight for your people. Who is going to bother you? You live in the middle of a rainforest.”
A hint of a smile pulled at her lips. “I suppose you wouldn’t understand. It comes with being a leader.”
Her words sliced through my soul. I clenched my teeth. She didn’t know I was a future queen. “I think marriage can be advantageous, not a hindrance.”
“Not to me.” She pushed back tousled curls of her dark-brown hair behind her shoulder.
My black hair spilled forward when I looked down at a centipede that furrowed along the dust and into the grass on the side that guided us.
A fence made from wood led us onto a main road. We followed it down in stark silence. The smell of barley lingered in the air as we approached the town. Elves emerged, bustling through heaving streets. They wore tight trousers, long tunic-style tops with belts, and hiking boots. Some carried a bow and a quiver of arrows on their backs, while others branded swords or daggers from their belts. Strands of silver in their hair shimmered when they walked. The elves here were different than the ones who lived deep in the forest. I could see hints of fae and sorcerers in them. In Magaelor, fae seldom mated with sorcerers—it was unheard of with few exceptions—but the rules were more relaxed here. At least, in this province it was, which reminded me… “What province are we in?”
“Woodbourne Province and Woodbarrow town.” Birch looked uncomfortable. The corner of her mouth twitched. “Now that you are here, I should return home.”
“You’ve only just got here,” I replied. “Stay, please. I need help navigating. You’re also the only person I’ve ever met whose helped me keep my panic at bay. I need you.”
I noticed other elves side-eyeing her as they passed us. Dust-strewn roads curved off in different directions, while stores, inns, and restaurants lined them. Mostly everything in the shop windows was crafted from leather or silver. The buildings were made from red brick or wood. The sun beat down on us as we trudged slowly up a hilled street. Birch’s eyes wandered around us, flitting from person to person.
“I’ll go with you a little further.”
I cleared my throat, then smiled. Thanks. So, have you ever been here before? You said Star goes, but do you?”
“Yes,” she answered solidly. “A few times, when I was younger, but I haven’t seen this place in a long time.” Her eyes flashed when she spoke. “Let us get down to the waterfront. We still have some ways to go.”
I was used to everything being close together in Magaelor, but Berovia was vast. Space was not an issue here. “Thank you,” I said again. I was grateful she decided to stay with me.
She nodded curtly, then focused ahead.
We both halted when we reached a bricked road. Off to the left was a long but narrow street covered more in darkness than anywhere else in the town. I didn’t know why I was drawn to it, but something down there called to me. A gate stood several feet high. Its wrought iron twisted up into spikes. A hefty padlock that looked heavily trafficked hung quietly from the front. Behind the bars were doors on the back of a building.
“I believe this is a shadow market,” Birch said, answering my unspoken question. “Star has a key. They are protected with gates. It’s an illusion. Without the key to get in, you only see what the spell wants you to see. We see darkness and doors, while really, it’s bustling with illegal trade.” She pointed at the lock. “Only trusted dealers are allowed in. I had never thought I’d see one in real life. Star goes to this one, I believe, to buy medicine to treat the forest nymphs.”
My mouth parted slightly while I drank in the scene. Cedric and that nobleman had talked about shadow markets. It appeared the type of place where pirates would trade. “I need to get inside,” I said with fierce determination.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” For a second, her frustration dimmed enough to show what truly hid underneath: fear. She wasn’t used to the hustles of everyday life outside the trees. It wasn’t fair for me to drag her along while I attempted to force my way into the darker fringes of society.
“You can go if you want,” I stated, knowing there was no way I was going to walk the whole day back to steal Star’s key. “I can take it from here. I’ll be okay.”
“It is unsafe.”
“I’ve handled worse.” Jasper’s murder flitted unwantedly into my memory.
She reached out and squeezed my hand. “If you need us again, Winter, you can always find us.”
I scoffed a laugh, but my eyes were sad. “I doubt it, being where I’m from, that I’ll set foot in Berovia again if I make it home.”
She dipped her head. “It was a pleasure.”
Her almond-shaped eyes rounded a little. Her ears pointed through her thick mass of black hair that waved down her front to her waist. My lips curved into a smile. “It was great to get to know you…” I inhaled sharply. “And your people. It’s an experience I will never forget. You taught me a few things that will stay with me. I emerge a little richer up here.” I pointed to my forehead. “I hope you win against the solises and save the nymphs.”
She beamed. “We will. Have a safe journey home.”
Mucus collected in the back of my throat, making it difficult for me to swallow. I watched her walk away. She stood out against the others. I’d never cared much for company, but I missed having someone by my side as I treaded dangerous waters. I almost smiled. If André could see me now, he’d be proud. I’d made a friend. If I hadn’t had run from Cedric, then I’d have had two.
A passing solis bumped into me, dragging my mind back to reality. The gate beckoned me, but the lock mocked me. I pulled back into the shadows of a forgettable house on the corner. Clouds moved in overhead, diluting the sun. A tender breeze waved through the street, dragging the dust from the ground into the air. I sneezed when it irritated my nostrils.
The day dragged on. I leaned up against the wooden panels and sighed. Finally, a target came into view. A man in his seventies. A silver key dangled from a thin chain in his hand. He swung it around his finger, then back again, over and over as he strode toward the gate. The street had emptied enough as late afternoon curled into early evening. I grabbed the hilt of my sword, grateful Birch had given it to me, then ran across the road. My breaths ached when I reached him. I pulled the sword out before I changed my mind. I held the pointed end up at his throat. The darn thing was heavy, pulling my wrist down. Coupled gasps escaped from around us.
The man’s eyes glossed over. The sword shook as I pushed my other hand out to him, my palm open. “The key!” My eyes flitted down to it. “Give me the key. Now.” I pushed the sword forward until it reached his neck. I couldn’t hold it up for much longer. Sweat poured into the creases on my forehead. “NOW!” I screamed.
He jolted back, then dropped the key into my hand. He stepped back, and I noticed a few drops of crimson running down to his white collar. My eyes widened. I’d cut him. I teetered on an apology, but that would have been ridiculous. I maintained a calm expression, then looked around with clenched teeth. The few people left around us had stopped and were staring at me.
“Go!” I shouted with as much authority as I could muster. The man and his three witnesses hurried away. As they did, the end of my blade dropped to the ground. I kneeled to catch my breath, then turned the key around in my hand. They could have stopped me with magic, but I guessed being startled like that made them freeze up. I shifted my gaze over the decrepit buildings with rickety doors. Between them, the gate lured me. Shouting in the distance nudged me to acknowledge the existence of time. I didn’t have much of it left before I was reported and guards came to arrest me. I had, after all, mugged someone. The realization sent a shiver down my spine. I uncurled my fingers. My nails were covered in dirt. The key shimmered under the setting sun. I stood and stared at the gate before clicking the key into the padlock. It came undone, and the
illusion melted away.
THIRTEEN
Sucked into purchasing objects I had no coin for, I faltered forward. Elves and sorcerers bellowed. The buyers were experienced. One solis touched a relic, a ruby that hung around his neck from a gold chain, then muttered something under his breath. As he did, some of the diamonds on the table in front of him glowed. The woman who was selling them cursed under her breath.
“I swear, I didn’t know they were fake!”
The solis snapped his fingers in the air, and two men wearing thick jackets marched out from behind a red door. Each grabbed one of her arms. She wailed, and her untamed knotted hair snagged on one of their zippers. I averted my gaze when she looked at me, and I continued to hurry forward.
Shuttered eyes followed me, hollering deals.
“Young lady!” one shouted at me. “What about a love potion? Catch the heart of the one you…”
I quickened my pace, and his voice faded.
Something rattled in the cages at the next stall, hidden under black fabric. Sweat and dust pinched the thick air. Scanning the area, I saw no pirates. If they were going to be anywhere, it would be here. I tried not to panic. Pressing two fingertips against my lips, I paused off to the side. My heart raced. What happened when I did find one? I had no coin to pay them or proof of my ability to pay upon arrival.
I scuttered out of the way in time to miss a man chasing his dog. I nearly knocked into a table behind me. On it, a Necromancers Bible stood pride of place, capturing glints of the setting sun onto the silver writing on the cover. The woman behind the table begged for me to draw closer. She had eyes that matched the python draped around her shoulders. I moved to the side, away from her luring gaze.
I gasped as I was grabbed from behind, then pulled into an alleyway.
I bit down onto the fingers that curled around my lips, muffling my scream. Blood dripped onto my lips.
“Stop!” he shouted. “It’s me.”
I recognized his voice. I dropped to my knees. Panting, I pulled myself up, then grabbed the hilt of my sword.
“You are insane.” I exhaled a long, shaky breath. “What. The. Heck.” I rubbed my temples.
He sucked on the gaping wound on his finger, then curled his fingers into a fist. After a few moments, the cut started to heal. All that was left as proof of my fight were patches of drying blood. I wiped my mouth and chin, then shook my head.
“What are you doing here?” I looked up at the darkening sky. How in the whole kingdom of Berovia, a land three times bigger than mine, did I manage to bump into the same person three times? If I didn’t know any better, I’d claim fate was involved.
Cedric’s eyes widened as he leaned back against the gritty stone wall. “I was going to ask you the same thing. You disappeared on me. I thought you’d wandered into that forest. I was worried you’d died or something.”
“I did go into the forest.”
His eyebrows knitted together. “Then how are you alive?”
“I had some help.”
I tried to maneuver myself out, but he pulled me close to him. Flickers of touch ran between us. Our arms brushed against each other. I looked up, and my gaze locked onto his. His fingers wrapped around my wrist, keeping me rooted to the spot. I grabbed his arm. I could feel thick muscles under the fabric of his shirt. He’d put effort into his appearance. He still wore the ridiculous crown though; a permanent accessory, but his clothes were more… boring. His shirt was navy blue and contrasted his golden hair, which had been cut. It was shorter at the sides, blended up, and was long at the top. He wore black pants and dress shoes to complete the look. He was here on business.
I attempted to pull my hand away, but he didn’t loosen his grip. “Let me go.” I forced the words out between my teeth. I was so close to finding what I needed to get home. I couldn’t have him mess it up for me now. I could almost taste the Magaelorean air.
His expression darkened with the sky. Shadows crept in, enveloping parts of us with slices of gray. It muted the gold in his hair and eyes. “I’m not letting you go again without you telling me why you’re really here.”
His eyes flashed silver, assessing me.
My heart pounded. I was sure he could feel it. “Why do you care? Please, let it go.”
His breath smelled sweet. “I could help you.”
“Where’s Buttercup?” I asked, noticing her absence.
“Safe at my house. I wouldn’t carry her around solis territory.”
I frowned. “Solis territory?”
“Stop evading.”
“Fine. Know of any pirates?” I blurted. “That are here now? Because unless you can point me in the direction of them, then you can’t help me.”
A grin crept onto his face, illuminated only by the pale light from the moon. “Actually, I do.” He loosened his grip.
I rubbed the skin, but it didn’t really hurt.
“Only if you tell me what you need with them.” He put his finger up when I went to talk. “The truth this time.”
I wished I had learned more from fae like Jasper, or even Blaise. The art of deception was a coveted skill.
“I’m not from here.”
His eyes studied mine. “Good. Let’s go from there.”
I couldn’t tell him the whole truth. No matter how trustworthy he appeared, or should I say so out for his own interests that he didn’t care about what others were doing, I couldn’t risk him reporting me. There was always the chance that, like everyone else in Berovia, he hated lunas as much as we hated solises. If that were the case, then I’d be dead.
I chose my words carefully. “I am trying to get home.”
“Why do you need pirates to get home?”
I chewed on my top lip, drawing the middle between my teeth. A piece of skin pulled off as I desperately tried to think of something—anything.
“Stop it.” He shook his head. “You’re trying to get around the truth. Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.”
I shuddered. It had dropped a few degrees.
Cold kissed the market, and moonlight poured from above. Under the cover of blackness, the market came to life. Excited chatter grew louder by the minute, drums pounded, strings were plucked, and somewhere a wolf howled.
His eyes rounded. “Unless it is.”
I acquiesced. “If I tell you this, promise me, no matter how bad it is, you will not turn me in.”
His expression softened as he processed my fear-laced words. He grabbed my hand, then squeezed it. “You’re afraid.”
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. “Yes.” There was little point denying it.
“I would never take advantage of the vulnerable.”
“You might when you realize what I am.”
“What you are…” He looked up, and his eyes widened. The reflection of the moon shone in them. I watched, waiting for him to come to the realization himself. “When you say you’re not from here…”
Inhaling sharply, I stepped back. “Yes.”
“Then you’re from…” He pointed to the north.
I nodded.
“Oh.”
I let out a long, shaky breath. Everything muted around us. For a moment, I wondered if I’d gone deaf. Cedric snapped his fingers, then looked back at me.
“Silencing spell.” He explained. “I don’t want anyone else listening in on this.” He held both of my hands this time. “Do you have any idea of what they’d do to…” His voice dropped to a whisper, even though we couldn’t be heard. “A luna.”
“I’m aware of what they would do.” The sound of hooves against the drawbridge, clashing of swords, and my mother howling when she found out about André’s death rang in my ears. The memory threatened to drag me into a panic attack, but Cedric’s touch kept me grounded. I thought about Birch’s advice and breathed in three deep breaths.
Cedric’s spell to keep our conversation private told me I’d done the right thing by telling him the truth. I would have never believed before coming
here that I’d find not one person, but two people I could trust. I guessed there were gems hidden among even the darkest diamonds.
“Thank you.” I said. “For using the spell. I’m sorry I ran from you. You’ve been kind to me for no real reason.”
“I don’t need a reason to be kind to another person.” He smiled, a genuine, beautiful smile. I wasn’t aware I’d started crying until now. Tears descended my cheeks, tickling my skin.
Cedric wiped them away with the back of his hand. “We’ll get you home.”
My knees buckled as relief rushed through me. He held me up. I wanted to crumple into a crying mess. I felt a way out for the first time since arriving.
A man attempted to shimmy his way up the alleyway but paused when he saw us huddled together. He backed away slowly with a look of apology on his face. I turned from him to Cedric, and we both laughed.
When our laughter faded, Cedric tapped the end of my nose with his finger. “I knew there was something different about you.”
“Don’t patronize me.” I joked.
He chuckled. “Never.”
“I’m so glad to be able to talk about this.” I admitted relief washing through me. I leaned back against the wall, looking at him. “Now I’ve been honest, you should tell me about you.”
“I like trading things.” His eyes sparkled. “I enjoy beautiful things, which could be part of the reason why I took a liking to you.”
I flushed red, then laughed. “You’re too nice.”
“I can’t lie.” He raised an eyebrow, but a laugh was etched on his lips. I couldn’t take him seriously, and I don’t think he took himself seriously either. But nonetheless, I liked him. He was everything I wasn’t.
“Apart from pixies, what else do you like to trade?”
“Various items, anything which catches my fancy. Lost treasure found under the sea, relics belonging to mercreatures, I’ve even tried to acquire a staff.”
My jaw clenched. “They are sacred. Not trade items.”
The Fate of Crowns: The Complete Trilogy: A YA Epic Fantasy Boxset Page 10
