“Oh, um, thanks?” It comes out sounding like a question.
She sips from her golden goblet—the same one she let me drink from last night. “I’m sorry I was rude to you yesterday. I’m afraid I’ve been… jealous—” She makes a face, like the word tasted bad coming out “—of Kirian my whole life. I was just a baby when he went blind. Most of my early memories are of him getting all the attention. My parents were absent a lot of the time, searching for the witches.”
“It’s true,” Zella interjects sadly. “Kirian wasn’t the only one affected. We all suffered, and Gia was too young to understand what was happening.”
I know what it’s like to be lonely. I think of how my brother always got to do everything first and how he got my parents to himself for most of his childhood—he’d had one hell of a head start by the time I came along.
And for the first time since Gia started challenging Kirian for the throne years ago, I actually feel sorry for her.
“It’s not fun to be left out,” I tell her sympathetically. “I know that more than most. Apology accepted.”
Frowning, she opens her mouth, but no words come out. She looks almost… disappointed. Like she expected me to lash out or argue with her. Maybe the fae aren’t as forgiving as humans. Maybe she wanted a fight.
I’m not the right person for that. I’ve never been good at confrontation, especially when it comes to people I find intimidating.
“No hard feelings,” I add. “I’d love it if we could be friends.”
Pleased with the interaction, Zella smiles and Keryth raises his glass. “To new friends.”
The few left at the table follow his lead, doing the same and repeating the toast.
I don’t know why I thought we were going to fly again for our travel. If I had wings, I’d use them every chance I got. But I guess this is a five-day trip. Apparently, while flying is faster, it’s physically draining.
My one regret from this morning is keeping Gia’s dress on. I should’ve asked for pants instead. Although I’m seated comfortably in the carriage, the bodice is restrictive. The corset makes my breasts bulge in the most ridiculous way, and when I’m sitting, it’s a little hard to breathe.
I’m not sure how I’ll get the damn thing off tonight. With Kirian’s help, probably, since he refused to let any of his female staff ride along with us. He said he wants to keep our traveling crew small, and after what I learned this morning, I have to agree.
Seriously, though. Corsets suck.
When we go over a bump in the road, I bounce up in the seat. I come back down hard, the stiff rods inside the bodice poke my ribs.
Ugh.
Muttering a few obscenities about the female fae fashion trends, I rub my side. All the women here dress like they’re at a renaissance fair. It’s beautiful, but not practical at all.
The guys, however, are decked out in battle gear. I’m talking black leather pants, heavy boots, and special shirts that let their wings out, should the need arise. They all have some kind of weapon strapped to their belt.
Like a medieval biker gang.
I’m a little sad I can’t see Kirian from here, because leather is a good look on him.
The carriage is nice, though. I’m definitely getting the royal treatment in here. The padded cushions are upholstered in dark blue fabric and gold buttons, and there are a few pillows if I want to get comfy. There’s a basket full of snacks—cheese, bread, and fruit.
But this ride, man. My ass can only take so much.
As the wheel thumps over a rock, I groan.
Maybe the fae should take a lesson from humans and get some shocks installed on their vehicles.
I stick my head out the window, still thrown off by the perpetual night sky. “Um, guys? Do you think I could walk for a bit?”
Slowly, we all come to a stop, and Kirian leaves his place behind Torius, trotting over to me on his horse. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just having trouble getting comfortable. Plus, I’m bored. I feel like I need to move my legs.”
Frowning, he faces the front of the line where Torius leads. Then he turns to me, before tilting an ear toward the rear where another Night Realm soldier rides.
I glance back at the warrior.
Kai is a terrifying motherfucker. Even more so than Torius. There’s something cold and distant in his gray eyes.
His sandy blond hair is braided in tight cornrows against his scalp and the rest is a tangled mess. He’s been burned so severely by iron, it left scars all over his face, neck, and arms. According to Kirian, Kai could’ve healed himself—since that’s his power—but he chose not to because he wanted the marks.
See? Crazy motherfucker. Who does that?
But if Kirian says he’s a good man, then he must be.
I was told he and Torius saved Kai from slaughter in the Day Realm. He was seconds away from getting an axe to the neck. Rumor has it, he was such a good fighter he made King Zarid jealous. Instead of utilizing his skills, the Day King just wanted him gone.
And that’s the main reason Kirian trusts the guy. Kai owes him his life.
“It’s been less than an hour since we left,” Kirian says to me, pursing his lips. “Are you always this impatient when you travel?”
I think of the road trip my parents and I took to Florida when I was ten. It was the first and last time we went anywhere far away. Apparently, I asked are we there yet way too many times.
I shrug and admit, “Yeah.”
“You can ride on my horse with me.”
“I appreciate the offer, but that’s not going to help my ass. I’m taking a serious pounding back here.”
Kirian’s lips twitch. Kai coughs, and I suspect it’s to cover a laugh.
Okay, so I could’ve worded that better.
“I can walk with her.” Damon pops his head around the
