“Well thehopeis that itunlocksyour powers,” Caom told me with a bright smile. “And anyway, there are parameters on the favours. No one wants to actually be indebted to another fae. They can’t be anything too strenuous or serious. Just silly little things.”
Asilly little favourcould mean something very different to the Folk than it could to a mortal. They were cold. Cruel. Unfeeling. They’d probably consider asking you to hurt someone or steal something asilly little favour.
I swallowed.
“Do I have to?” I asked, hating how quiet my voice came out.
Lonan’s words from the night before rang in my head.You feel trapped here. Powerless.
I did. I was. I was just a plaything to the Folk—to the Carlin. She could get me to do whatever she wanted. Throw me at the mercy of her subjects, who were just going to try and trick me and cheat me and make me feel like the stupid mortal.
“Yes,” Caom said firmly, driving the point home. “You do.”
Indignation flared, making my mouth flatten into a thin line. “And what will she do if I don’t?”
Caom fell quiet. “What?”
“What will the Carlin actually do if I refuse?”
He stared at me like he didn’t understand the question.
“She’ll send her son here to kill you.”
I snorted at that, because I believed it less and less. “I don’t think she will. She wants me for something, doesn’t she? So why would she get him to kill me?”
Caom shook his head, brows pinching. His words were slow and careful when he spoke.
“She wants you here because you’re one of the Folk. So you can shed your mortal skin and become one of us, truly. Not this… halfway place you inhabit now. Fitting in neither world.”
“Why? Why does she care?”
He shrugged helplessly.
“Because… she does. But that doesn’t mean you’re untouchable, Ash. If you disrespect her or defy her, shewillsend Prince Lonan here to kill you. Or hurt you.” His copper eyes were grim as he stared at me. “You don’t want that.”
I wanted to say that I didn’t think Lonan would hurt me, but I bit my tongue. He might have. He’d made it very clear after the dinner that all he cared about was carrying out his mother’s wishes. And that meant, if she wished for him to kill me, he’d do it.
“Fine,” I gritted out, because as much as I didn’t want to get involved, I wanted the Carlin to send Lonan here to hurt me even less.
Caom beamed, seemingly choosing to ignore how reluctant my voice was. “Wonderful! Shall we go?”
I stiffened. “Right now?”
He nodded.
“Yes. That’s why I came. To collect you.” He gestured at the basket. “And bring you some treats for later. Maybe you’ll win your match and can celebrate!”
I snorted as I followed him out of the cottage, nerves twisting my stomach. “There’s no way I’ll win.”
“You never know. You’re clever, and youdohave power lurking somewhere inside you. It could come out during your match and surprise your opponent.”
I chewed on my lower lip at the thought of pairing up with one of the Folk and having to try and best them. I already felt like a rabbit about to stare down a wolf.
“How does it work? What am I supposed to do?”
“Try and win a favour from your opponent.”
When he didn’t say anymore, I huffed. “Yes, buthow?”