“Perhaps Kairyn thought reporting a goblin raid on his weapon shipment would make him appear weak, so he hid it,” I suggest, though even as I say the words, something darker simmers in my stomach. “Either way, it’s obvious where we should go next.”
“No,” Dayton whines. “I don’t want to go to the creepy monastery.”
A deep laugh fills Tilla. “I helped you, now you help me. There’s a bucket of raw gold at the bottom of this slope. Be good strong fae princes and carry it up. More than a quarter of our workers are away today.”
Dayton and Farron both sigh before going to retrieve it. I move to follow when Tilla says, “Stay. They can handle it.”
I swallow, my throat dry and wonder if she plans to throw me off into the depths of the Below.
The thought is not as troubling as it should be.
“A quarter of your workers away,” I whisper. “That seems high. Is there a holiday I don’t know about?”
Tilla shakes her head. “If only it were so. A strange illness seems to be passing through the city. Fever and hallucinations. Saw one bugger drop his hammer and start swatting at the air. Nearly threw himself off the bridge before we caught him.”
“Was he all right?” I ask.
“Physically, but the gal who walked him home said he just stared straight ahead as if—”
“As if all his wits had been snatched?”
“Yes.” She narrows her eyes. “How did you know?”
“A man at the market said Malice Spirits would come steal my wits if I didn’t put this fish on my mantel.”
“Hmm.” Tilla crosses her arms. “Hopefully the healers get to it. We’re busier than ever here. Seems like the Below is belching out more and more monsters lately, and there’s no finer weapon or armor to defend yourself than what comes from Spring.”
“I don’t doubt it,” I say.
“And you’ve been practicing with a bow, I assume?” She nods at the red marks along my arm. This morning, Dayton had insisted I practice without my thorn bow. And that, of course, had led to the string hitting my arm numerous times.
“Still learning. Ezryn ensures that I know which weapons in Castletree’s armory were forged in Spring. They’re always the best. He told me all about this place.”
Tilla gazes at me. “I’ve heard about you. The Lady of Castletree. I thought you were human, but it appears that rumor was wrong. And is it true, you are mate to two High Princes?”
I flush, but don’t feel defensive. Instead, Tilla’s curiosity strikes me as genuine. “I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself sooner. I’m Rosalina O’Connell. And yes, Farron and … and Keldarion are my mates.”
“That look on your face when you say his name tells me he hasn’t changed at all. I’m sure you’ve heard about me and him?”
“Only a little,” I admit. “Something about frogs in a bed?”
She snorts and bends before a large chest by her anvil. “Honestly, I should thank the thorny bastard for his interference. Kel leaving me on our wedding day was the best thing that ever happened to me. Our marriage would have been my family’s dream. Once it was over, I realized I could find my own.”
My stomach clenches. They almost got married?
Tilla stands and crosses her arms. “No reason to get your brow in a knot. He never loved me.”
Kel had a great love, Dayton said once. And it wasn’t Tilla. But then who?
I shake my head. “Well, he told me being my mate is utter torment.”
Tilla meets my gaze and then we both burst out laughing. “He truly has not changed.”
A great deal of huffing sounds behind us as Dayton and Farron drag the gold up the hill, red dust billowing behind them. “Now, what’s so funny?” Farron wheezes.
“Talking about how terrible Keldarion is,” I answer.
“Oh, can I join in?” Dayton smirks, dropping his end of the bucket, leaving Farron to scramble to hold it up. “Did I ever tell you about the time he turned my hot springs into a frozen pond? Just because he was in a pissy mood—”
“You two haven’t changed either.” Tilla sighs, then narrows her gaze at Farron, who has dragged the bucket the last bit by himself. “Maybe you look … older.”
He gives a sheepish grin. “We should get going.” He and Dayton start to walk toward the exit.
I turn to Tilla. “Thank you for your help today. I’m happy to have made your acquaintance.”