Court of Winter (Fae of Snow & Ice, #1)(67)

He retreated a step, and some of the heaviness in his expression eased. “Have you ever been to the shores of Kroravee?”

I shook myself out of whatever fog was descending over me. “No, of course not. Prior to meeting you, I’d never left Mervalee.”

Besides, Kroravee Territory had a reputation for being standoffish to fae from all other territories. They were a reclusive lot, preferring to keep to their own. Even though all of the territories had been under one reign since King Novakin united the continent over three hundred winters ago, it was said that Kroravee still held a grudge about it.

The prince raised an eyebrow. “So you haven’t visited Pentlebim or the ice caves? Then I suppose that’s where we’re going.”

His arms closed around me, and then in a whisper of mist and shadows, air and wind, the field vanished.





CHAPTER 21





We reappeared in the bustle of a market. Dozens of fae walked and hurried to vendor stalls as they searched for the goods they needed.

I peered around, taking in the stalls that were similar to Firlim’s harvest market but larger. A multitude of interlocking streets zigzagged every which way. Conversation drifted in the air as a cool breeze caressed my cheeks.

“Where are we?”

“Pentlebim’s midday market. It’s open several hours each afternoon.”

I sniffed, catching the scent of salt on the wind. “Are we close to the sea?”

“The Brashier Sea is only a millee north of here.”

Since nobody was paying us any attention, I cocked my head. “Can anyone see us?”

“Not yet. I’ve cloaked our arrival and haven’t released my illusion yet.”

My lips curved as I fully relaxed in the secretiveness of our arrival. I took in the displays. Jewelry, enchantments, clothing, shoes, charms of every sort, and bottles of ale were only a few of the items visible. I’d never visited a market just to browse before, and even though I had no rulibs and wouldn’t be able to purchase anything, it didn’t mean it wouldn’t be enjoyable.

Already, the weight of the responsibility that had been placed on my shoulders was lifting. Perhaps the prince was right. Maybe I needed a break. A few hours reprieve was bound to help before I attempted to revive the field in Harrivee again.

“Where should we start?” I asked excitedly.

He grinned. “We can start right here if—”

A commotion came from down the lane, then a scuffle of feet and a sharp whistle as the city’s guard ran past us. The two guards—fae males with wings tucked in tight, clubs in their hands, and glowing cuffs snapped to their waistbands—ran down the lane. From the sounds of it, a fight had just broken out.

My heartbeat ticked up. “What’s going on?” More yells and shouts reached my ears.

The prince’s nostrils flared. “Probably more fighting over the food. It’s been a common occurrence here of late.”

I strained to see through the throng of fae, but already a crowd was forming at the end of the lane. The fight had erupted a dozen stalls down from where we stood. Another sharp whistle pierced the air. The sound of fists hitting flesh and sparks from magic being cast followed.

My stomach sank even more as a shiver ran through me. “They’re fighting because they don’t have enough to eat?”

“No, they do have enough, for the moment at least. We’ve been carefully rationing the stores in Kroravee for several months now, but some fae are trying to take more than their share. They’re frightened, so they’re hoarding, or trying to.”

A male yelled out, cursing the guards, just as the crowd parted enough for me to see the guards wrestle a fairy to the ground.

“Do you need to intervene?” I asked the prince.

His lips pressed into a thin line. “I could if they need my help.”

I studied his expression. “But you don’t want to?”

He hesitated, then gave a rueful shrug, which made his giant wings lift and my attention snag to his broad shoulders. “It can be tiresome to always be working, but I suppose that’s my problem to deal with. Not yours.”

He made a move to join the guards, and I didn’t know why, but I reached for him.

The second my hand made contact with his arm, a shiver ran through me. Everything in me locked up, as though I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, couldn’t exist knowing he was unhappy, and—

What in all the realms?

I snatched my hand back as though I’d been burned, my breaths coming so fast that I feared I would hyperventilate.

The prince froze.

I wanted to ask him if he’d felt that too, but I didn’t dare open my lips. Having any kind of reaction to him disturbed me to no bounds, and I couldn’t even comprehend how something like that could happen.

I inwardly shook myself. It must be his strange affinities or perhaps my new affinity. They’re messing with my head.

I ran a hand through my hair, still in disbelief that I’d tried to stop him from doing his duty, but he’d looked so . . . tired, but it wasn’t like the crown prince needed my help.

I made a point to wrap my arms around my waist. “I can wait here if you need to assist.”

Shouts still came from down the lane, but they were growing less frequent.