“Why would you want to?” I said, staring at him flatly.
His eyes narrowed, jaw clenching as he ground his teeth for a moment. With a sneering huff, he flicked his gaze away from me.
“I see you’ve already had visitors today.”
I tensed as I followed his cobalt eyes down to the footprints in the snow. When our gazes met again, I just shrugged. Balor’s eyes narrowed just a little before he gave me a sneering smile.
“And what did the kelpie want?”
I pressed my tongue hard to the roof of my mouth, a little bolt of fear flashing through me. “It wasn’t a kelpie.”
“No? So if I followed these footprints, they wouldn’t lead me directly to the lake?”
“I don’t know,” I shot back. “But if that’s really how an unseelie prince likes to spend his time, sniffing after tracks in the snow like a dog, you go right ahead.”
Balor’s top lip twitched. “Watch how you speak to me, boy.”
“Why? Because you’ll send your little brother here to kill me if you don’t like my tone?”
I didn’t say it to be patronising about Lonan, but to piss Balor off—to make him feel weak. Because he was. Lonan was the strong one. The one with the awful job, with all the burdens to bear. Balor just spied on Folk getting drunk and making bets and fucking with each other.
But the eldest prince just sneered. “Wouldn’t that be a sight. Maybe I should. Maybe I should go and tell the Carlin, so that she sends Lonan here to slice open your belly and rip out your innards with his bare hands. Do you think he could bring himself to do it?”
I pursed my lips, resisting the urge to take a step back. This was why I hated the Folk. Hated interacting with any of them except Lonan. They all twisted my words—they all made me feel foolish and like I was in way over my head just speaking to them.
“Why wouldn’t he?” I said stiffly, knowing it was idiotic to keep goading him.
But I didn’t like the way he said Lonan’s name. I didn’t like what he was insinuating—that he knew more than I’d realised. I didn’t want to give him anything that could lead him to the truth, because I was positive that if the Carlin found out I was in a relationship with her youngest son, it would be very bad.
Balor huffed a vicious, amused sound. “Indeed. Why wouldn’t he. Heisfae, just like the rest of us. We’re not known for our soft feelings and tender words, are we, mortal? Unless, of course, they are getting us exactly what we want.”
His teeth were sharp and gleaming white in the snow when he grinned widely at me.
“Well, if you dohappen to see my dear little brother, do tell him I’m looking for him, won’t you?” He turned without waiting for an answer. “Enjoy the Bitter Months, boy. I’m sure that this time will remain sharp in your memory for years to come.”
What the hell was that supposed to mean? Foreboding bubbled like a thick, insidious potion in my gut as I watched him walk away.