My heart leapt into my throat as I stood and spun to look up the way I’d come with Faris. I expected to see a dozen bunneks coming to tear me apart, but I was greeted by the sight of Kaia making a beeline right for me. Her lips were pulled back into what I used to mistake for a snarl until I got to know her. She looked scary, but at heart, she was a big old softy.
When she reached me, she pounced, knocking me back down to the bench. Her huge paws rested on my shoulders, and she growled playfully before she rubbed her head against mine. I laughed and then sputtered when I got a mouthful of lamal hair.
“Kaia, down.” I pushed her away, and she fell back to all fours. Then she jumped up beside me on the bench where she seemed to notice the three females for the first time. She clearly didn’t like what she saw because she showed her fangs to them and hissed.
I scratched behind her ear. “Be nice.”
Faris returned and smiled at Dariyah and her friends before he looked at me. “Shall we continue our walk?”
I nearly jumped to my feet. “Absolutely!”
Kaia leaped off the bench, and the three females stepped back so fast I thought they would end up in the lake. I won’t lie and say I wasn’t a tiny bit disappointed when they stayed on dry land.
We resumed our stroll along the lake with Kaia walking beside me, and I didn’t miss the strange looks we were getting from people around us. I waited until we were out of earshot of anyone else to mention it to Faris.
“Why does everyone look like they’ve never seen a lamal before? Lukas said some are bred in captivity and domesticated, so Kaia can’t be the only one here.”
Faris looked over at the big cat. “She’s not. But what you probably don’t know about lamals is that they imprint on the person who raises them. They will tolerate family members and close friends, but they don’t often show affection for anyone except their owner. Everyone at court knows who Kaia belongs to. Her familiarity with you tells them you’ve spent a lot of time with her and Lukas.”
I made a face. “I’m guessing that won’t earn me many friends around here.”
“On the contrary. I’d say your status at court just shot up considerably.”
I could think of at least one person who wouldn’t be happy about that, but I didn’t mention her. The less I heard her name the better.
As if he knew what I was thinking, Faris said, “I heard part of your conversation with Dariyah. I was ready to come to your rescue, but I’m not surprised you didn’t need it.”
“Dariyah might be the resident mean girl here, but I’m a Brooklyn girl.” I tipped one corner of my mouth up. “And she hasn’t trained with Faolin.”
Faris laughed. “Or hit him with a wooden bat. And that was before you started your training.”
“Imagine what I’ll be able to do with even more training.” I paused. “Will you be able to train me here? It’s not against the rules or anything, is it?”
“Few rules apply to the royal guard,” he said without a hint of arrogance. “We assumed you’d want time to adjust before resuming your training.”
“God, no. When can we start?” The other faeries might enjoy this life of leisure, but I needed something more.
His eyes sparkled with amusement. “I’ll talk to Faolin. I’m sure he will appreciate your eagerness.”
Ahead, three children raced up a small hill under the watchful eyes of their parents. It reminded me of the conversation Faolin and I had on my first day of training.
I looked at the tall cliffs in the distance and shivered. “Faolin’s not going to make me run up a mountain, is he?”
“Not at first.” Faris grinned. “He’ll save that for a special occasion.”
I grimaced. “Forget I asked.”
The bell rang, announcing I had a visitor, and I smoothed down my hair as I ran to get the door. Lukas had said he’d be here for dinner, and it was nearing that time. I’d hardly seen him since we got to Faerie, and I was looking forward to spending the evening with him.
I swung open the door to a smiling Conlan, and the second I saw him, I knew Lukas wasn’t coming. My smile faltered, and I tried to mask my disappointment. The empathy in Conlan’s eyes said I hadn’t been successful.
“Is he still meeting with the king?” I asked in an attempt to sound nonchalant.
“The king is having a dinner party, and Vaerik’s presence is mandatory. Vaerik asked me to tell you that he won’t be able to eat with you tonight.”
I let out a long breath. “I guess not even the crown prince can say no to the king.”
Conlan sat on the couch. “The king can be demanding of Vaerik’s time when he is at home. It’s one of the reasons he likes to get away from court.”
I bit my lip. I was upset about not seeing Lukas, but he was the one who didn’t have any choice in the matter. I’d known when we came here that he had many responsibilities and obligations, and I couldn’t expect him always to be available for me.
What I needed was something to occupy my time and to not be dependent on Lukas and the others for everything. At home, I had my family, a job, and my independence. Here, I didn’t have to do anything, and I was already missing my life back in New York.
Conlan held up his hands. “Lucky you, you get to have dinner with us tonight.”
“Us?”
“Iian and Kerr will be here soon. They are bringing the food.”
I joined him on the couch. “You guys don’t have to keep me company. What about your own families?” Aside from Faris and Faolin being brothers, I knew nothing about their home lives or their families. Why was that?
“My mother and sister are at our home near the ocean,” he said. “My father is one of the king’s advisors, and that role keeps him very busy.”
His answer surprised me. “I thought all royals lived at court.”
He smiled and stretched out his legs. “Many do, but we all have family estates away from here. Some, like my family, prefer the quieter life away from court. Iian and Kerr’s family estates are near mine. Faris and Faolin’s home is in the Daerig Mountains, but they spent most of their lives here. Their mother is one of the king’s advisors, and their father is the head of court security.”
“Why am I not surprised that Faolin’s father is the head of security?” I said wryly. “Is he a ray of sunshine like his son?”
Conlan let out a laugh. “If you think training under Faolin is bad, you should have seen what Korrigan put us through. I don’t think a day went by in the first year of training that at least one of us didn’t throw up or pass out.”
“How old were you when you started training?”
“Ten.”
I gaped at him. “Ten?”
The door opened, and I turned to see Iian and Kerr enter carrying trays of food and drink, which they set on the table in the dining area.
Conlan stood. “Just in time. I was about to tell Jesse what it was like to train under Korrigan.”
“Excellent.” Iian flashed a smile and gave me a small bow. “Dinner is served.”
Hours later, I was on the balcony staring at the stars when my door opened. My heart gave a little leap when Lukas entered with Kaia. I had given up hoping to see him tonight.
Our eyes met, and he smiled, setting off butterflies in my stomach. Neither of us spoke until he crossed the room and joined me on the balcony.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d still be up,” he said as he leaned against the rail. “I wanted to see how your day went.”
“It was good. Faris and I spent half the day outside, and I had dinner with Conlan, Iian, and Kerr.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been around much since we got here. This business with the barrier is taking more of my time than I expected. And then there is my father…” He paused, and I waited for him to continue, but he seemed to be lost in his thoughts.
“You don’t have to apologize. I know you have a lot of responsibilities here.”
His gaze came back to me, and for a second, he looked like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. He smiled, and it was gone, but I knew I hadn’t imagined it. He was burdened by something, and I wished I knew how to help him.
I faced the valley that was shrouded in darkness. Far off in the distance, lightning flashed over the ocean. The storm was too far away to affect us, but the sight of it sent a shiver through me.
“Are you cold? The nights can be cool this time of year.” Lukas turned and put an arm around me, drawing me against his side as if he did it all the time. I leaned into his warmth and suppressed a happy sigh. It was balmy here compared to New York, but he wouldn’t hear that from me.
“I know my parents are safe from Davian on your island, but what if there is a storm, and I’m not there to help them?”
Lukas’s hand rubbed the arm not pressed against him. “The storms have only been happening in the cities with the most portal use, so your family is safe in that remote location. And I have four trusted guards posted there for added protection and daily updates.”
“You do?” I tilted my head to look up at him, but his face was hidden in shadows.
“Your family’s safety is a priority for me. Never doubt that.” He stared into the darkness for a long moment. “I’ll take you to see them soon.”
His words made me giddy with happiness. “Really?”
“I promise.”
I rested my head against the crook of his shoulder again. “Am I allowed to ask if you’ve made any progress with fixing the barrier?”
He raked his free hand through his hair. “We have all come to the agreement that neither Unseelie nor Seelie can do this alone. Arrangements are being made to meet with Seelie so we can work on a solution together.”
“How will that work? Queen Anwyn caused all of this when she had the ke’tain stolen.”
“That is not common knowledge, and we have no proof of her involvement,” he said, sounding as unhappy about it as I was. “But we have to put aside our differences for the good of Faerie.”
I scowled at the darkness. I understood the importance and role of diplomacy, but I was glad I didn’t have to see or speak to the Seelie queen. I didn’t think I could be civil with the person who had nearly destroyed my family.
“I have business to tend to in the morning, but I’ve freed up my afternoon. How would you like to visit town with me tomorrow?”
I pulled away to look up at him. “Do you even have to ask? I want to see everything!”
He laughed and surprised me when he leaned down to press a featherlight kiss to my forehead. There was nothing sensual about the gesture, but every nerve ending in my body felt it.
Lukas stayed for another hour, and we kept the conversation light. Mostly, we stood quietly, listening to the far-off sounds of the valley. Long after he bid me goodnight, I lay in bed unable to sleep as I thought about our outing the next day.
When I finally slept, I dreamed of Gus, but he was no longer the tiny drakkan I’d known. He was as big as the one I’d seen yesterday, and his red-gold scales moved like flames under the sun. I called to him, but he didn’t remember me. Sadness filled me as he flew away until he was no more than a spec in the sky.
“Ready to go?” Lukas asked when I opened my door to him and Kaia the next day.
I stepped outside and closed the door behind me. “Are you kidding? If you’d been a minute later, I would have left without you.”
He chuckled as we walked down the hallway. “Have you always been this impatient?”
I made a face. “No, but I’ve also never had to spend a whole morning getting fitted for a wardrobe. Who knew that could be so exhausting?”
I’d awakened in a great mood, and that had lasted until Sereia had shown up at my door to help me choose a wardrobe. After we’d butted heads once more over what colors went best with my hair and coloring, we had spent another hour arguing over what articles of clothing I needed. If it had been left to her, I would be wearing dresses every day. That might be the style for most females at court, but I preferred pants for everyday use and dresses for more formal occasions.
Lukas laughed again when I recounted my ordeal for him. The sound must have carried ahead of us because when we reached the courtyard on this level, the dozen or so people there seemed to be waiting for him to arrive. It was the first time I’d been outside of my quarters with him, and it was surreal to see everyone bowing or curtsying to him.
I wasn’t surprised when I received more than a few furtive glances. Yesterday, I’d been the object of curiosity because I was the “new” faerie. Today, I was in the company of the crown prince.
“Vaerik,” said a sultry female voice. It was followed by something in Fae that I couldn’t understand.
I turned my head to watch a blonde female approach us from the other direction. It was the same one who’d shot me the death glare the day I arrived, but now I might as well be invisible. She only had eyes for Lukas.
He replied to her in Fae and looked at me. “Jesse, this is Rashari.”
“Nice to meet you.” I pasted on a smile that was as fake as the one she gave me.
“Ah, yes. Vaerik’s little ward,” she said as if she were speaking to a child. “How lovely to meet you.”
She didn’t wait for my reply before she turned her hungry gaze on Lukas. “I’m so happy I ran into you. I wanted to tell you what a wonderful time I had last night.”
My body stiffened, and I felt a tiny stab of pain in my chest. Lukas had told me he’d had dinner with his father.
“The king deserves all your praise,” Lukas said courteously. “He enjoys hosting his dinner parties.”
Rashari smiled coquettishly. “And I am honored to be invited. I look forward to doing it again soon.”
“I am glad you enjoyed it. I apologize for rushing off, but Jesse and I are going to town today.” Lukas didn’t wait for her to respond before he took my arm and started to walk away. I dared a glance at Rashari, whose pinched smile did not mask her chagrin.
“Enjoy your visit to town,” she said halfheartedly.
Lukas and I were quiet when we stepped onto the lift. I stared at the first two levels passing by before I heard him sigh.
“My father often arranges dinners to discuss court business with his senior advisors. Some of his advisors have daughters, whom he considers suitable matches for me, and he likes to invite one of them to dine with us.”
I swallowed around the tightness in my throat. “He wants you to choose one of them as your future consort.”
Lukas’s brows knitted. “How do you know about that?”
I hesitated before answering. I had never intended to tell him about my run-in with Dariyah, but there was no way around it now. I had a sinking feeling that nothing she’d told me had been a lie, no matter how much I disliked the source.
“Jesse?”
“Dariyah told me a few months ago,” I finally said.
“Dariyah?” he echoed sharply. “When did you see her other than the day she came to my place?”
Biting the bullet, I said, “She was waiting for me outside my building one day after Tennin shared those photos of you and me online. She told me you have to choose a blue blood mate to produce strong heirs.”
Lukas’s expression darkened. “She had no right to go to your home or to tell you that. I will make sure she never harasses you again.”
Kaia, picking up on his anger, growled in agreement.
I laid a hand on his arm. “It’s sweet that you want to protect me, but I can take care of myself. I’ve handled a lot worse than Dariyah.”
The muscles under my hand relaxed, and he smiled. “Yes, you have.”
The lift slowed, and I was surprised to see Faris, Conlan, Iian, and Kerr waiting for us on the ground level wearing swords. Lukas explained that an armed detail always accompanied him when he left the court.
We stepped off the lift, and a male in court livery hurried up to us. It was the same attendant who had come for Lukas the moment we arrived in Unseelie, and my heart sank before he spoke. I didn’t need to understand Fae to know he was here on behalf of the king.
“Tell my father I have plans for the remainder of the day, and I will see him tomorrow,” Lukas replied in English, his words sending warmth through me.
The attendant looked like the last thing he wanted to do was carry that message back to the king. Bowing to Lukas, he turned and hurried away.
We walked to a different exit than the one Faris and I had used the day before. This was the main hall, and it boasted two massive doors I didn’t think I had the strength to open on my own. Four guards stood at attention, and they bowed to Lukas when we entered the room.
Instead of leaving through the huge doors, we walked to a normal size door I hadn’t noticed. Iian opened it, and we emerged into a circular area paved with flat stones. Standing inside the circle was a white open carriage. It was drawn by four huge black equine creatures called tarrans that had bony faces and two small horns on their foreheads. A liveried male sat on the driver seat holding the reins. Four more tarrans stood nearby wearing lightweight saddles similar to those used by human jockeys but with long stirrups.
Kerr gave me an exaggerated bow. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
“Why thank you, sir.” I walked over to the carriage and let him help me up.
Lukas climbed in beside me. The carriage was big enough to fit six people, but Faris, Conlan, Iian, and Kerr mounted the tarrans and took up positions on either side of us. Lukas called something to the driver, and with a small lurch, we were off.
“Where’s Kaia?” I looked around for her, and I was halfway out of the seat when Lukas stopped me.
“She likes to run. It’s exercise for her.” He pointed to something on his side. “There.”
I leaned into him to peer over the side at the lamal loping ahead of the lead tarran. She suddenly crouched and wiggled her rear, and then she took off after something in the bushes.
I settled back into the seat and took a minute to savor the experience. It was a beautiful day, and I was alone in a carriage with Lukas on my first outing to a Fae town. I’d had a rough start to my visit to Unseelie, but this made that awful day seem like a distant memory.
The carriage slowed as we reached a fork in the road. The left one looked more traveled, and the right wound into the trees.
“Where does that go?” I pointed to the right as we started down the left road.
“To the Cadian forest,” Lukas said. “There is a small elf village at the edge of the forest, but most of the elves have gone to live in town. The road is mainly used by hunters now.”
“How far is the town?” I asked as we cleared the trees, and softly rolling hills came into view.
“Three miles.”
I swung my gaze to meet his. “That’s not far at all. We could have walked.”
Conlan, who rode closest to me, snickered. “The crown prince does not walk to town. He must have more regal transportation.”
“Normally, I ride with them,” Lukas explained. “But you’ve never ridden a tarran, and it takes practice.”
“You could have doubled up with him, but that would cause quite the scandal in town,” Conlan joked loudly enough for the others to hear.
“No, thanks,” I said over their laughter.
The gravel road curved, and the hills became farmland. On one side, there were fields of leafy crops and grazing animals, and on the other was an orchid. I recognized some of the fruits I’d been eating back home. The landscape was green and picturesque like the Italian countryside. You could imagine you were in Tuscany until you looked close enough to see that the people working the fields were trolls and dwarves, and the cows were actually small wooly mammoth-like creatures.
It wasn’t long before the roofs of buildings came into view. We passed over a stone bridge, and I let out a sound of delight when we entered the town. It was like stepping back in time to a medieval town, but without the knights and peasants.
The gravel road gave way to a flat cobblestone street wide enough for two carriages to pass. The well-kept two- and three-story buildings along the road were white, tan, or brown with lots of windows and balconies that made them look bright and airy. Some of the buildings had shops on the bottom floor, and I wished we could stop and visit them all.
People waved to us from balconies and sidewalks, and wide-eyed children watched us pass. Unlike at court, the townspeople were a mix of court faeries, elves, dwarves, and even some trolls. It was strange to see trolls going peacefully about their business, and it made me wonder if only the troublemakers came to my world.
As we neared the center of town, the streets became more congested, and there were colorful banners up ahead.
“Are they having a fair or something?” I asked Lukas.
“It’s market day. I thought you might enjoy it.”
I could barely stay in my seat as the crowds parted for us, and we stopped beside a fountain in the middle of the town square. From my elevated position, I had a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view of the market, and I nearly gave myself whiplash trying to take it all in.
Booths and stalls lined the edge of the square, selling everything from produce, cured meats, cheeses, and baked goods to clothing, jewelry, art, books, and so much more. Music filled the air along with the hum of many voices, shouts, laughter, and the squeals of children. The smells of exotic spices, savory meats, and baked goods made my mouth water.
I saw a few people from court, who stood out in their fine clothing. For the most part, the townspeople dressed more casually in simple pants, skirts, and shirts. Everyone gave the carriage a wide berth, bowing to Lukas when he stepped down. He tipped his head in acknowledgement and helped me down. I could have done it on my own, but it felt like proper decorum for him to assist me. Conlan and the others dismounted and came to stand with us, and Kaia wound through their legs to take her position at Lukas’s other side.
“What do you want to see?” Lukas asked me.
“Everything.”
Laughing, he placed a hand on my back and guided me toward the nearest stalls. People moved out of our way, making a clear path for us. I got the impression the crown prince wasn’t often seen at the market, and this was a treat for them.
The first stall we stopped at sold jewelry, and I was dazzled by the large assortment of sparkling baubles and crystals. There were rings, bracelets, necklaces, hair accessories, and head pieces. I picked up a bracelet made of glowing eyranth and admired the intricate detail in the metal band. When Lukas spoke in Fae, I realized he was translating my praise to the elf vendor, who looked both flustered and honored to have the prince at her booth.
I asked her a few questions about some of the stones and her work until she was more at ease. By the time we moved on to the next stall, she was flushed with pride over some of Lukas’s compliments.
The next vendor sold pastries, and it didn’t take much coaxing for me to try one. The flaky, sugary pastry melted on my tongue, and I told him, with Lukas’s help, that it was the best I had ever tasted. The beaming vendor offered me more, but I told him I had to save room for all the other tasty treats.
Lukas and I wandered from stall to stall. I tried the foods he suggested and talked to the sellers with his help. It was the happiest I’d been since coming to Faerie, and I felt more at home here where it was less formal and had so many different people. Court was beautiful and luxurious, but it lacked the vibrancy and warmth of this place.
Lukas’s men stayed close enough to react to any threat to their prince while not crowding us. It wasn’t like in my world where they walked beside him as equals. They might be his best friends, but here they looked more the part of a royal guard.
Occasionally, faeries from court approached us, and Lukas stopped to speak a few words to them. Some of the females tried to linger, but he never stayed long with them, to their dismay. I also didn’t miss the fact that he always used English when I was beside him.
During one of his conversations, I wandered a few feet away to watch a musician setting up an oblong stringed instrument. He plucked a few strings, and delight filled me. It sounded like a classical guitar. My fingers itched to give it a try. Maybe I could find one like it since I’d had to leave my guitars at home.
The musician saw me watching and waved me over. He said something in Fae, and I shook my head, motioning that I couldn’t understand him. A frown marred his brow, and then he smiled and held out the instrument to me.
I took it with eager hands and sat on the stone bench behind him. The instrument was awkward to hold at first, and the strings were made of a fiber I’d never seen. The first few chords I produced made me wince, and it took a minute for my hands to get used to the feel of the strings. As if my fingers had a mind of their own, they started to play “Annie’s Song.” It didn’t sound quite the same as when I played it on my guitar, but I lost myself in the familiar melody. The market disappeared, and I was back in my bedroom at home playing for Finch and Aisla.
The song ended, and clapping brought me back to the present. I looked up to find a small crowd applauding me. Smiling, I stood and handed the instrument to the musician.
“Thank you,” I said, and his answering smile said he understood the meaning if not the words.
I turned back to where I’d left Lukas and found him watching me with a thoughtful expression. I raised my eyebrows in question, and he merely smiled. He was hard to read sometimes, but today he looked relaxed and content.
A little elf girl with a rika ran up to me. I crouched to pet the creature, and I was surprised to feel a tug at my hair. I peeked at the girl who was running her little fingers through my hair, a look of wonder on her face.
“Misse,” she said in Fae.
An adult female elf hurried over and gently removed the girl’s hand from my hair. The female’s face was anxious like a mother worried her child had done something wrong.
“It’s okay,” I said, but my words only seemed to cause her more distress. I looked around for help and was relieved when Faris appeared by my side.
He said something to the child’s mother, who replied timidly, barely meeting his eyes. When her gaze met mine again, she wore a small smile and appeared less upset. I smiled back, and she bowed before she led her daughter away through the crowd.
“I didn’t mean to upset her,” I said to Faris in a whisper.
He shook his head. “You didn’t. She thought her child would be punished for touching the prince’s companion.”
I stared at him aghast. “But that wouldn’t happen, right?”
“No one would dare hurt a child, but there are some people at court who see townspeople as beneath them. They would have given the mother a harsh word.”
I pressed my lips together, my good mood dampened by the reminder that no matter what world you lived in, there would always be those people.
“The little girl said something when she touched my hair. What does misse mean?” I asked him.
Faris smiled. “It means pretty.”
He escorted me back to Lukas, who leaned in to say, “You have never played for me.”
The teasing note in his voice sent my stomach into a tumble. “Ask nicely, and I might.”
Lukas laughed softly, and my breath caught. Was I flirting with him? And was he flirting back?
We continued our walk, and I spotted a bookseller’s stall. “Oh, Lukas, we have to stop there.”
A gasp nearby alerted me to my faux pas, and my face grew warm. I lowered my voice. “I keep forgetting you’re the crown prince.”
“You might be the only person in Unseelie who does,” he whispered.
I couldn’t tell if he was disappointed in me or not. “I’m sorry.”
“I like it.” His mouth curved. “That’s between us.”
I smiled back. “My lips are sealed.”
We walked over to the stall that had shelves of books and more in wooden crates. Every book had a fabric-bound cover with a simple embossed title, and most of them were works of fiction, according to Lukas. They were all in Fae, so I couldn’t read them…yet. I flipped through some of them, intrigued by the flowing script that was the Fae language. It was hard to believe I would soon be able to speak and write in Fae. And eventually, I’d be able to pick up any human language.
I lifted a green book and discovered that every other page was a detailed drawing of a Faerie plant. When I showed it to Lukas, he said the text on the opposite page described the plant and its medicinal or culinary uses. My parents would love the book, even if they couldn’t read it. Knowing Mom, she’d have someone translate it as soon as I gave it to her.
I looked at the bookseller, and then it occurred to me that I had no money to buy the book. I’d seen people exchanging the wafer-thin pieces of metal that was used for currency here, but I didn’t have any of my own.
I moved to place the book back where I’d found it when a hand stopped me. Lukas took the book from me and handed it to the seller, who nodded and bowed.
“You don’t need money here,” Lukas told me. “All the merchants know the court will pay for your purchases. He will bring your book to the carriage.”
“That kind of takes the fun out of it,” I quipped. “But thank you.”
A few minutes later, I discovered a stall selling dried berries that had a crunchy texture and a flavor similar to blackberries. When Lukas told me they were a popular children’s treat, I bought a bag for Finch and Aisla.
At another stall I found a tiny purple crystal pendant inside a delicate eyranth cage that Violet would lose her mind over. Eryanth was expensive, so I smiled regretfully at the vendor and moved on.
“Do you want it?” Lukas asked.
I looked behind me to see him standing beside the pendant display. “I thought Violet would like it, but I’ll get her something less extravagant.”
Lukas turned to the vendor and said something in Fae. She beamed and removed the pendant from the display.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said when he rejoined me.
“I want to.” We continued our walk, and he said, “You’ve bought things for everyone but yourself. Is there anything you want?”
I sniffed the air as more delicious aromas reached me. “I want to taste whatever it is that smells so heavenly.”
He laughed, and we continued doing our circuit of the market. I ate and drank until I was too full to try another morsel.
When I spotted the carriage up ahead, I sighed quietly. It had been a wonderful afternoon, but now it was time to go back to court.
Lukas assisted me into the carriage, where I found my book waiting for me along with a long object wrapped in cloth. I gave Lukas a questioning look.
He smiled. “You can’t play for me without an instrument.”
I wanted to hug him, but I remembered where we were. “You bought me a…?”
“It’s called a bugu.”
I laid my hand over his resting on his thigh. “Thank you.”
He turned his hand over and entwined his fingers with mine, sending a warm tingle up my arm.
Conlan and the others mounted their tarrans, and the crowd parted as the carriage started forward.
“Did you enjoy your first trip to town?” Lukas asked as we drove back the way we’d come.
“It was perfect.”
“My schedule is hectic right now, but I promise it won’t always be like that,” he said. “We’ll have many more days like this.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” I said lightly.
He gave me a slow smile. “I hope so.”
I didn’t know if he was talking about friendship or something else, but the way he looked at me and held my hand promised more. Heat pooled in my belly, and I wanted nothing else in this moment but to feel his lips on mine. I didn’t think he could kiss me when we were on full display like this, but maybe when we were behind closed doors…
The heat in my belly rose to my cheeks, and I looked away before he could see me blush and guess where my thoughts had gone. My gaze swung to my left and right into the amused eyes of Conlan who rode beside the carriage. His eyebrows rose knowingly, and he smirked at my poor attempt at nonchalance.
“What did you like most about the market?” Lukas asked as we passed over the stone bridge outside town.
I turned back to him. “It’s easier to ask what I didn’t like.”
“And what was that?”
“Leaving it.” I sighed quietly. “I wish this day didn’t have to end.”
His fingers squeezed mine. “It’s not over yet. How would you like to have dinner with my brother and sister?”
My stomach did a little flip. “You want me to meet your family?”
“Only Roswen and Kellan.” His eyes lit with amusement. “Unless you feel up to facing my whole family at once.”
I swallowed nervously at the thought of meeting the Unseelie king. “Maybe only your brother and sister tonight.”
Lukas smiled. “Roswen has been asking when she can meet you, and I can’t put her off much longer.”
“What?” I made a face of mock surprise. “Someone who can’t be ordered around by you?”
He pretended to scowl. “Maybe I shouldn’t introduce you two.”
I opened my mouth to retort, but I was interrupted by a commotion in a field off to our right. A flock of what looked like pink geese was making an awful racket as the birds ran and flew across the field pursued by a dark shape. A dwarf chased after them shouting and waving his arms, trying to save his flock from the predator that looked very familiar.
Lukas called to the driver, and the carriage slowed. Standing, he called, “Kaia.”
If the lamal heard him, she was having too much fun to heed his call. She pounced at one of the birds, and I put my hand over my mouth, expecting the worst. The bird took flight at the last second, escaping with all but a few feathers. Kaia leaped up and took off after another one.
“You’re going to have to go get her,” Conlan said, his voice full of laughter.
“I know.” Lukas hopped down from the carriage and set off across the field, followed by the guffaws of his men. Iian and Kerr gave him a small head start before they slid off their mounts and trailed him.
I stood for a better view – and what a view it was. Lukas’s muscled body moved with the same powerful grace of his lamal as he strode toward the chaos. He looked every bit the predator himself, one I would not mind stalking me.
A shadow passed over the carriage, and I tore my gaze from Lukas to look up at the sky. My jaw dropped at the sight of the winged shape soaring over us. From a distance, drakkans were big. This close, they were massive. The one above us had to be bigger than a single engine plane.
“He won’t hurt you,” Faris called, mistaking my awe for fear. “Drakkans never attack people in the valley.”
The drakkan flew a quarter of a mile away and turned to come back for another pass. It was lower this time, and its scales flashed like flames in the sun. Reddish-gold flames.
It can’t be. My heart jumped. There had to be lots of drakkans with scales that color, and there was no way he could have grown this big in the two months since I’d last seen him.
My eyes were glued to the drakkan as he dipped lower, giving me a good look at the all-too familiar red and gold pattern on his back.
“Gus,” I breathed.
His horned head whipped toward me as if he’d heard me, and his red eyes fixed on me like laser beams.
I stared into his eyes, mesmerized. Someone shouted, but I could barely hear it over the flap of leathery wings. I snapped out of it in time to realize he was coming straight at me. This time, I did feel fear as I ducked for cover.
My head snapped back when the huge clawed foot wrapped around me from behind and snatched me from the carriage. I think I screamed as the ground fell away from us. It happened so fast it was a blur. The only thing I remembered clearly was Lukas racing across the field and shouting my name.