He was staring at Caom with cold black eyes that pinned the gancanagh in place. Caom swallowed and took a step back, looking anywhere but at him.
Eventually, Lonan’s blank gaze slid to my face.
“I have a message from the Carlin.” He turned and strode off. “Come with me.”
“Be careful,” Caom whispered frantically to me as I followed him.
Lonan walked to an empty spot in the field, away from the stalls and gathered Folk, before turning to stare at me. His eyes were shadowed in the flickering light from the torches, and his emotionless face would have been unnerving if I didn’t know what he looked like when he smiled.
“Are they treating you well?” he murmured, still staring at me intensely.
To any peering eyes, it would look like his usual flat, cold stare. But not to me.
“Have any of them tried to cheat you? Or trick you?” he added.
I knew without a doubt that if any of them did, Lonan would be paying them a visit. The thought should not have made me as happy as it did.
“Caom was being a prick earlier, but he’s loosened up now he’s getting drunk.”
Lonan’s eyes flashed. “Then I will kill him. Happily.”
“No!” I half laughed, even though my gut squirmed with discomfort. I didn’t want Caom to die just because he was acting like a spiteful child. “Don’t kill him. He’s just being a baby because I won’t sleep with him.”
That didn’t help. Lonan’s teeth clenched, the muscle in his jaw ticking. “I will kill him.”
“No, Lonan, don’t.” I shook my head. “Just forget him. It’s not worth it. Let him sulk.”
“He is a conniving little prick.” He stared at me intently. “Do not trust him, Ash.”
“I don’t. I don’t trust anyone except you.” I glanced around, taking a tiny step closer. “I have an idea.”
Lonan’s head cocked. “What?”
“Just trust me. When you see me walking to Caom’s shop, meet me in there. The skylight in the fitting room is broken, so you should be able to get in if you shift into the crow.”
“Why?”
I resisted the urge to grin at him. “So we can be alone for a little while.”
Lonan sucked in a tiny breath, staring at me hard. “Alright.”
“See you soon,” I whispered, giving him a tiny smile before turning to walk back over to Caom.
“Gods, what did he say to you?” Caom gripped my arm, eyes bleary with wine as he gazed at me. “It looked like he was a breath away from murdering you at one point.”
I bit the inside of my cheek hard. It wasn’tmehe was a breath away from murdering. “Just asking if I’m enjoying the Solstice. His mother wants to know.”
“Well maybe you’d beableto if you didn’t have to talk to that murderous bastard.” Caom tugged me back towards the stall where Idony and her sister were selling wine, even though he’d just had several. “Come on, let’s get a drink. Just try and forget he’s here.”
I waited until Caom had downed an entire cup of wine, furtively slipping my gloves off in my pockets. Then I let my hands hang at my sides, already tingling from the cold.
“Caom. I forgot my gloves.” I just had to hope he was drunk enough to not remember seeing them.
“Oh.” He peered at me blearily, then fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a key. “Go and take a pair from the shop. Make sure you lock it back up after you leave.”
I took the key with a nod and a smile, forcing myself not to glance around for Lonan as I walked quickly towards the village, snow crunching under my boots.
Only a few of the Folk flicked me curious or disdainful glances as I walked down the street to Caom’s shop. They were more interested in drinking and dancing.