Stopping at the hitching post, I dismounted with ease, turning to offer my hand in assistance. She glanced at my hand before swinging herself off, landing with a thud. I rolled my eyes and tied the reins to the post.
Turning and heading to the inn, she jogged to my side, pulling the hood tighter around her face as she looped an arm through mine.
“Where are your wings?” she whispered, tilting her face to mine.
“I hid them with glamour. Nobody else in the kingdom has wings like mine and it would be too obvious who I was. It’ll be safer if they don’t suspect who I am… who you are,” I replied quietly, tilting my head down to hers, keeping my gaze forward.
She nodded and released my arm, resuming the space between us as I discreetly pulled a dagger from its sheath.
“If the way you wielded a sword was any indication, I’m assuming you know how to use this if the need arises?”
She nodded again and swiped the blade, sliding it into her right boot without missing a step.
The door creaked as I pulled it open, the smell of cooked meat and mead pouring out. I sidestepped, gesturing for her to enter. As we stepped in and the door closed behind us, no one batted an eye besides the barmaid serving the tables. She gave a quick nod as she passed by with a tray of pork and potatoes.
Ara’s eyes followed as she set the tray on a nearby table, her stomach growling loudly. I suppressed a smile at the blush coloring her cheeks.
“We haven’t eaten all day,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.
“I’m hungry too, believe me.”
We walked over to the closest table, sitting with our backs to the wall so we could survey the room during our meal. The waitress came by to ask if we were here for food or drink, and I quickly responded “both” before she took off to the kitchen.
“This place doesn’t seem so bad,” she muttered, her eyes locked on a father and daughter. They laughed loudly, coaxing smiles from those around them. The father reached over to clap his daughter on the back and accidentally knocked over a mug of mead in the process. Glancing up at each other, they erupted in laughter once again, grabbing rags to mop up the mess.
Jealousy hung heavy in my gut as I stared.
Growing up with my father, effortless love was never something I experienced. For most of my childhood, I was left alone, only occasionally joined by a servant or maid. I think they mostly pitied me, knowing disappointment and abhorrence were the only emotions my father ever offered me. As the son of such a king, no one risked their child’s life by allowing them to talk to me, much less play, so I never even had a chance to truly enjoy someone’s presence like that, especially not with a parent.
Taking a forced breath, I tore my eyes from them and the numbness returned, washing away the memory.
“No, it’s not. The people are happy here, as long as you’re Fae,” I explained. “The Ten Year War and the continuing attacks since have hurt a lot of people, ruined a lot of lives, and they are not quick to forgive.”
She whipped her face to me, her gray eyes narrowing with suspicion.
“What attacks?”
Releasing a low laugh, my fists clenched under the table, cracking my knuckles.Of course.
“In the three years since the war, several of our border towns have fallen to Auryna. Most were attacked in the dead of night while they slept. It always comes unexpectedly and anybody unlucky enough to be found is always brutally murdered. Always,” I declared, anger burning in my chest, reminding me of my hatred. Of why this woman could never be my true mate.
I inched away from her, leaning on my opposite elbow, needing to distance myself from her. She glanced at me, noting my movement before turning back to the people around us as if they would reveal the truth in my words.
“Half the people in this town are refugees, attempting to restart their lives after their homes were burned to the ground. It is no longer safe for Fae to live along the borders, which is why we didn’t run into any on the road here,” I continued.
Uncertainty set deep into her features, creasing between her eyebrows.
“I’ve never heard anything about this and my father is the general. He would never order such barbaric attacks.” She turned her eyes to me, studying my face. “And besides, why would I believe anything you say?”
“Ask anybody here and they won’t hesitate to tell their story,” I challenged, motioning my hands to the room. “I’m not lying. Not about this.”
A muscle ticked in her jaw as her gaze bounced around the room, landing on the small children chasing each other between tables. The crease between her eyebrows deepened and I could almost see the gears turning in her mind, trying to gauge whether to believe me or not.
“That’s why I’ve taken you. To bribe your father into ceasing any and all attacks,” I whispered.
Her eyes dropped to the table.
Clenching my jaw, I turned just as the waitress set our food on the table.