If Jhaeros truly cared about her, he’d be willing to wait. And while he waited, perhaps they’d drift far, far apart until Jhaeros sank out of sight altogether.
Ugh, I was tired of thinking of him and the stiff way he always stood as if a wooden board, rather than bones, kept him upright. I tried to picture kissing his patronizing lips then stopped myself. Ew—ee!
Why did he have to attend the ball? It was only natural to get caught up in a magical evening. Everything and everyone would appear more glamorous at an enchanted ball filled with supernatural beings from every realm.
Me, I would have gone for the jaguar shifter.
I didn’t realize I was bouncing on the carriage bench until Aerith said, “Mel! Think you can sit still for five seconds?”
She sat in front of me on the opposite bench, smiling warmly, but I wasn’t the only one fidgeting. She hadn’t stopped wringing her fingers in her lap since leaving Sweetbell.
I lifted my gaze from the grip on her hands to her eyes and offered up my most reassuring smile. “Everything is going to be okay.”
A soft airy laugh escaped Aerith’s lips. “I should be the one telling you that. And yes, it will be. Everything will be great. Sweetberries from here on.”
“Cool.” I began bouncing in my seat again.
Aerith cleared her throat and raised a brow.
I stopped—for about ten seconds. “I haven’t been back home since Father made us move,” I said.
Aerith nodded. It had been longer for her, but she said nothing. Instead, she stared out the window, a haunted look entering her eyes. She twisted her fingers harder. The smile on her face soon faded.
A grin split my lips as I burst into a childhood melody that used to annoy my older sisters. “Ninety-nine feathered arrows in a quiver; ninety-nine feathered arrows; take one out; shoot it about; ninety-eight feathered arrows in a quiver.”
Aerith slapped a hand to her forehead and groaned.
At least she was no longer wringing her fingers.
I told Aerith I didn’t mind sharing a room at Dixie’s, but she insisted on separate chambers. She was probably afraid I’d burst into song again or kick her in my sleep.
As soon as our trunks were brought up and we had a warm meal in our bellies, I followed Aerith into her room where she chewed on her bottom lip while pacing.
“We need to find a nice cottage to rent, but first we need funds, which means pawning off my jewels. And we need to find you an elemental master and a weapon. Father neglected weapons training for both you and Shalendra,” Aerith continued, thinking aloud. “Mother gave me my first bow when I was seven years old. But I don’t think a bow fits you.” She looked up and met my eyes.
“You just don’t want me to sing the feathered arrows song.”
Aerith grimaced, which made me laugh. She shook her head. “No, for you I think a sword.”
“Or both,” I said, remembering the elf, Keerla, who had competed in the same tournament as my sister nearly two years ago. Keerla had been the only contestant to use a bow and arrows and a sword for her skills demonstration. She was badass. But not as badass as Aerith. The contestants had attacked straw dummies, but only Aerith had taken down a real live ogre sent charging in by Cirrus as a final test.
Yeah, my sister was the queen of badassery.
“I suppose it wouldn't hurt for you to have both,” Aerith said.
Seriously, best sister ever. At lunch, she’d even agreed that I should look at cottages with her and help decide where we’d live—unlike my father, who had up and decided we were all moving to Sweetbell, despite my protests.
I did a little hop and dance in place while Aerith removed her jewelry from a beautifully carved wooden box and placed the pieces into a knapsack. Once the sack was full, she pulled in a deep breath and met my eyes.
“Okay, now for the finance part.”
“Time to hock our wares?” I asked, rubbing my hands together. “Leave it to me to fetch the best prices.”
Aerith winced. “I won’t have you out hocking anything. Neither of us will.” Aerith lifted her head into the air higher than was natural.
Sheesh, I don’t know if she was aware that she’d formed a habit of taking on airs since returning from Faerie. Then again, she was a princess. That title was bound to go to anyone’s head, even Aerith’s.
No, thank you. I’d pass on titles any day. Being plain old Mel was good enough for me. Plain old powerful Mel. I grinned. Way badass.
“Uh, right,” I said. “So, then how are we supposed to turn those jewels into coins exactly?”
“Third party,” Aerith answered.
“Rot on a berry.” I covered my face with my hands and groaned. “Does Jhaeros have to help us with everything?”
“Not Jhaeros,” Aerith said. “Someone else.”
I pulled my fingers away from my face, intrigued. “Who?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Aerith tossed back her hair. “He’ll do as I ask, and he’ll be discreet.”
Hold the lead horse . . .
“He?” I grinned so wide my cheeks ached. “Who is he?”
“Someone who can get the job done,” Aerith answered in a totally humdrum, bland tone that didn’t give a thing away. Torture!
“So, is he a friend or ex-lover?” I pressed.
“Melarue!” Aerith snapped, eyes narrowing.
Yep, ex-lover for sure. She almost never took a harsh tone with me.
I forced my arms to my sides and fought the urge to rub my hands together. Didn’t look like smooth sailing was in Jhaeros’s forecast. Such a shame. Sometimes life delivered sweetberries, other times—pits. Oh well. Buh-bye, Jhaeros. Be sure to send us a greeting from the Isle of No Return.
This mystery male sounded a whole lot more exciting if he was the type to engage in back-cottage dealings. I liked him already.
“I’ll get my cloak,” I said, spinning around and heading for the door.
“No, you’re staying here.” Aerith’s voice halted my tracks. I whipped around, ready to argue, but she was already talking before I had a chance to protest. “This isn’t up for debate, Mel. We have far more valuables than this.” She held up the knapsack. “I need someone to guard the rest.”
“Oh please,” I said, rolling my eyes and folding my arms over my chest. “Who’s going to rob us in Pinemist?”
Aerith gazed at the door, her eyes going out of focus. “We can never be too careful,” she said in a faraway voice.
Well, pitberries, if she’d argued more, I would have fought, but when she went all drifty and ominous like that, there wasn’t much I could do besides grumble, groan, gripe, and relent.
“Fine,” I said, “but it would have been nice to have a sword first before you asked me to guard our treasures.”
Aerith smiled. “One thing at a time, Mel.” She put on her gray cloak and picked up the knapsack.
“Sure you don’t want me to come along and chaperone?” I asked.
Aerith scowled. “Just wait here, and keep an eye on our rooms. When I return, we’ll look at cottages.”
I hopped in place. “Can we get something around the center of town? Or maybe beside the river? Or forest?”
“We’ll see.” Aerith opened the door and paused beneath the doorframe. “But you’re going to have to pick one.” She winked and stepped out.
Off to meet her lover, I thought wryly.
I started toward the door to follow her then stopped and looked over my shoulder at the large trunk in the corner. My heart rate kicked up like a runaway horse. Dagnabbit. Aerith had entrusted me with our riches—our futures, essentially. I couldn’t leave the inn while she was away. I just couldn’t.
Thin red flames unspooled over my arms like ribbons.
Now was as good a time as any to practice my fire magic . . . so long as I didn’t burn down the inn.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Aerith
Clear, crisp sky brightened the storefronts, cafes, townhomes, and dirt ro
ads connecting my beloved birthplace.
I stood at the center of Pinemist, in the bustling friendly streets of commerce. There was Pinky’s Chocolates and Sweets where Mom used to take us for hot cocoa and cookies. And Bella’s Boutique where we shopped for gowns. Mr. Harman was still in the same location with his small shop crammed from ceiling to floor with bows, arrows, quivers, and archery gear.
Tears glossed over my eyes.
I knew I’d stepped out on an errand, but I couldn’t make my legs move beyond slow steps as I took it all in.
I was really here. Really home. For fifteen long months, I’d feared this day would never come.
And now Liri wanted to drag me back to Faerie.
I ground my teeth together.
He’d given me a choice, and I’d made it.
N-O!
“Perhaps after you’ve returned home for a spell you will find you miss Faerie. Perhaps we will meet again, my pet, and you will reconsider my offer.”
Not a chance.
I’d escaped one brother. I wouldn’t sacrifice myself to another Elmray prince.
“Whatever you wish,” he’d said, but that was back when he believed I would reconsider. I might not have powers, but I wasn’t some pet to toy with. I’d done my time. Served my purpose. And I wasn’t going back. I had to find a way to get that through Liri’s snowy white head and make him leave me alone.
Leave it to Liri to take the shine off my return to Pinemist.
I loosened my jaw.
No, I wouldn’t let him. He had no power over me. None whatsoever. And good luck finding me again. I’d spent enough time in Faerie to know a thing or two about their powers. High Fae and their chosen guardians had the ability to dream walk. In order to visit a sleeper, they had to know exactly where he or she was—same as they would if they wanted to come knocking at the front door. Well, I wouldn’t be around the next time Liri came calling.
He could ghost hump my empty bedsheets back in Sweetbell all night long.
I made my way through town with a lighter step. The cobbled streets of town morphed into smooth dirt roads lining manor homes. My family’s old home was to the west, as were the beautiful grounds Jhaeros owned. But I was headed south toward beautiful Brightwhisk Forest and the small mud cottages clustered around the edge of the woods.
Manors turned into modest, square homes, and then cute little cottages with multicolored flower boxes before I reached the ramshackle cottages. The road petered out, turning into heavily rooted dirt trails.
Children ran past me in tattered clothes. A young girl with golden curls ran right up alongside me. Before she ever brushed against my cloak, I tightened my hold around the knapsack. She looked all innocent, but Mel had taught me otherwise. I clutched the knapsack against my stomach and made my way to the cottage at the edge of the cluster—slightly separated from the rest.
Hopefully, Devdan still lived here.
The place looked the same as I last remembered. It was modest but well kept. Fresh mud had recently been packed around the outer walls, and the roof looked like it had new thatching.
Smoke puffed from the chimney. Someone was home.
I knocked on the wood door.
“Who is it?” a deep, male voice called from within.
Yep, that sounded like Devdan all right. I sagged with relief. A familiar face was a comfort, even if the tone didn’t sound particularly friendly.
“Aerith,” I called.
The door flew open and Devdan appeared in the doorframe. He leaned against one side, an arm up high as though grasping for the low hanging roof. It had been nearly two years since I last saw him, and he’d filled out into a lean, muscular male. Just as he kept his dwelling, his trousers and tunic were simple but clean and free of tears. The light brown hair he’d worn messy before was cropped on the sides and thicker on top. I’d venture to say he looked dashing. Too bad he didn’t have the manners to go with the looks.
A pair of light brown eyes scanned me up and down. His lips formed a smirk. “The faerie princess returns.” Devdan dropped his arm and dipped into a mocking bow.
I narrowed my eyes. What crawled up his butt and laid eggs? “I have,” I said, “and I’m still an elf.”
He raised his brows. “What brings you to my shambles?”
The weight of the jewels pulled at my fingers. I didn’t exactly want to flash them around out in the open. “Care to invite me inside?” I suggested.
Devdan grinned deviously. “Of course, right this way.”
I ducked my head and stepped inside the dim, cramped quarters.
Devdan closed the door, making it even darker inside his tiny cottage. “Allow me to take your cloak,” he said. “As you can see, the bed is in the corner.”
I turned and glared at him. “That’s not why I’m here, and you know it.”
He shrugged and slouched to one side. “Thought you might have stopped by to scratch an old, lingering itch.”
I snorted. “Your itch, not mine.”
“What? Too good for your own kind?” Devdan sneered.
Okay, not only had fire ants crawled up his ass and laid eggs, but they’d hatched too. Why did females always get a rap for being confusing creatures when it was males who made no sense?
Well, if he wanted airs, I’d give him airs. I straightened my spine and lifted my head. Devdan was tall, but I still towered over him by half an inch. “Too good for you,” I clarified.
Devdan’s jaw clenched. The blasé pose he’d taken went rigid, and his face darkened. He hissed. “Insult a male in his own home—how noble you’ve become.”
“What do you expect when you proposition me the moment I step inside?” I fired back. “This isn’t a social call. I’m here to do business.”
Devdan pursed his lips, sulking a few seconds longer before relaxing his jaw. “What kind of business?”
I lifted my knapsack. “You still peddling?”
He eyed the bag with interest. “What you got in there?”
“Jewelry made with the purest gems.”
Devdan’s lips twitched, and his eyes seemed to brighten. “We’re back to that, are we?” He didn’t have to sound so pleased. “What’s next?” he asked, prowling toward me. “Furniture? Rugs? The gown off your back?” He looked me up and down, closing in. I held still, beyond intimidation, especially by the likes of Devdan. With smirking lips, he stopped in front of me. “How soon until you’re crouching in the mud, hunting down your next meal?” He rocked back on his heels, and his eyebrows jumped almost in challenge.
Did he want me to strike him? Perhaps he envisioned us grappling—pushing and pulling at one another—before ending up on his bed in the heat of the moment.
I drew in a steady, deep breath, maintaining my composure. This was no different than a game of campaigne, only we could both come out winners if he’d stop being a pit head for half a second. With slow, deliberate steps, I walked over to the bed, feeling Devdan’s eyes on my back the entire way. Once I reached the single mattress with its worn patchwork quilt, I turned my knapsack over and dumped the jewelry onto the bed.
I looked over my shoulder, pleased to see I finally had Devdan’s attention where I wanted it. He stared at the jewels now sprinkled over his sheets. Even in the gloom, their brilliance caught the eye.
A smile curved up my lips. “You keep fifteen percent,” I said. “Do we have a deal?”
Devdan licked his lips and walked over. He reached into the pile and lifted a large diamond-cut yellow pendant.
“Sunstone, only found in Faerie,” I said. “That necklace alone could cover your bills for a year.”
Devdan’s eyes widened. He closed his palm around the stone and quickly schooled his expression. Little did he know it was too late. I’d seen the interest—read his answer before he voiced it.
“Thirty percent,” he said.
“What?” My mouth gaped open. My eyes felt like they might just pop out of their sockets and drop to the earthen floor. That was do
uble. Outrageous. Unacceptable. “Fifteen is more than fair,” I spoke through gnashed teeth, unable to mask my frustration.
Devdan tossed the sunstone into the air. My stomach lurched right before he caught it.
“I’m the one doing all the work,” he said, tossing and catching the stone again.
“I’m providing the goods,” I snapped. “You’d have nothing without me.”
“Nothing?” he challenged, raising a brow.
“None of these,” I said in exasperation, waving my fingers at the jewelry on his bed.
“Do you have more, or is this all?” he asked in a bored tone that didn’t sound fake.
Arg, great job haggling here.
He tossed the sunstone two more times while waiting for my answer.
“I have more,” I acknowledged.
“Then stop being so greedy.” The stone glinted as it spun in the air. I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until Devdan caught it again.
“Stop doing that! That’s a rare gemstone you’re tossing around—not a crab apple!”
Devdan pinched the bright yellow stone between his thumb, pointer, and middle fingers and lifted it in front of his eyes, smirking in amusement. “Tell you what, Aerith. Kiss me like you want me, and I’ll knock my commission down to twenty-five percent.”
A growl from deep in my belly rumbled from my lips. Only Devdan could make me lose my cool. “Forget it,” I snarled. “My kisses aren’t for sale.”
Devdan fisted the sunstone and narrowed his eyes. “Only to a Fae prince,” he shot back cruelly.
Tears! Angry, stupid tears formed behind my eyes. I wouldn’t allow them. “Fine. Thirty percent. Happy?” I shouted like I’d turned five in the space of five seconds.
His lips twisted to one side. He gave me a hard stare before setting the sunstone on his bed with the rest of the jewelry. “You haven’t stormed out or slapped me. You must really need me.” Devdan shook his head in disbelief.
“We worked together before,” I said. “I don’t see why we can’t again. And just so you know, I’d never slap a male. If I really wanted to hurt him, I’d use an arrow.”
Devdan chuckled. He rubbed the bottom of his chin with his fist and looked at me with consideration. “Fair enough,” he said. “Okay, twenty-five percent, no kisses necessary.”
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