Court of Winter (Fae of Snow & Ice, #1)(2)

“It’ll continue.” I nodded toward the meat hanging from the vendor’s canopy. “Are we buying it then?”

Cailis grinned, then pointed to one of the thick roasts and asked the vendor to cut off half a portion.

The vendor shook his head. “’Tis already sold. I have nothing available to sell to you.”

My sister scowled. “That’s a lie.”

The vendor’s lips parted as annoyance flashed across his face.

“My sister’s affinity is truth,” I explained quickly. “Perhaps you misunderstood her question. We would like to buy a cut of meat.”

But the vendor’s bushy eyebrows pulled together even more, and he crossed his arms. He studied my wingless frame next, then turned away. “We don’t serve defectives here.”

Oh. My jaw dropped as a flush worked up my neck.

Cailis’s cheeks reddened. “Is there a good reason you don’t? We have rulibs.” She held out a palm of coins.

The vendor’s disdainful expression grew. “On your way. I’m not selling to the likes of her.”

Warmth bloomed across my chest as I struggled to keep my chin up.

Cailis dropped our full basket on his table, and the contents spilled everywhere. “Fine. We don’t want to give the likes of you business anyway.”

She grabbed my arm and hurried us away, but he was the third vendor in the market to deny us this season. Even though Firlim was vastly bigger than our village, I’d grown careless. I needed to ensure my cloak always stayed up so the locals here didn’t begin to recognize our faces.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly to my sister as she marched us out of the market.

“Don’t be. He’s an ignorant dung-head. You’ve done nothing wrong, and not everyone’s like him. Some are more sympathetic about your state.”

But despite her reassurances, the sound of her growling stomach rang through my ears.

I picked at my fingers as we reached the edge of the market, and our pace slowed. Dirt was perpetually encrusted under my nails, not just from gardening hobby, but also from our laboring job in the fields. It was humble work, but it kept a roof over our heads and provided enough pay that we didn’t completely starve, although last winter it’d been close.

Nerves buzzing slightly, I lifted my chin and tried not to dwell on our shopping failure or what I’d heard those old females gossiping about. Surely, the gods wouldn’t allow us to starve, not when it was their doing that had allowed our race to colonize the most northern continent in our realm. Our land’s magic had always kept us fed despite our frozen climate.

But my brother’s warning from last summer brushed against my mind like fluttering wings. Maybe I should go to the council. They’re saying the king won’t listen.

I locked down the ache that spread through my chest every time I thought of Tormesh, then brushed off the older females’ comments once and for all.

Nothing good had come from talk like that. Cailis and I knew that all too well.

When we reached the edge of the city, I looped my arm through Cailis’s. We were of similar height, so it was comfortable walking side by side.

“Thanks for having my back at the market.”

She patted my hand. “Always. You know how I feel about bullies.”

I glanced down and picked at my fingers once more.

“Has Vorl been bothering you again?”

“No, nothing more than usual.” But I said it too quickly and didn’t believe it enough to fool her affinity.

Her expression darkened.

The sun was setting by the time we reached the road to our village. We still had a long walk to get back home.

“You can fly if you want,” I offered to Cailis when we finally maneuvered out of the narrow streets.

“And leave you to walk alone? Never.” She squeezed my arm.

Guilt burned under my skin again, but I didn’t argue with her. It never mattered if I did anyway. She always chose to walk at my side.





It took two hours at a clipped pace to reach our small home on the edge of our village. Snow covered the front yard, and the old wooden boards of our single-level house needed a fresh coat of paint, but the roof was sturdy and didn’t leak, the windows mostly unbroken—save for one small pane in the kitchen—and the fireplace provided enough heat to keep the living area warm. And even though our house was only four rooms, it was our family’s home. Cailis and I had grown up here, and I wouldn’t trade it for the entire realm.

“I’ll get a fire started,” Cailis said when we reached our property’s edge.

I blew into my palms, trying to warm them. Heavy snow had fallen during our entire journey, and the temperature had dropped at least twenty degrees. The thin gloves I wore weren’t cutting it.

“Are you coming in?” Cailis asked when I didn’t follow.

“I’m going to check on the garden first. I’ll be inside soon.”

“But a gale’s coming.”

“I know. I won’t be long.”

She put her hands on her hips. “Just because we came home empty-handed doesn’t mean you have to go work in the garden tonight. You’ve got to be as tired as me.”

I smiled, forcing cheer into my voice. “I’m not tired. I’m fine. I’ll be in soon.” Not waiting for her to argue, I picked up a jog.