I’m about to reply when another thought comes to mind. I smile slyly as I catch up to him once more.
Oh, Kai, you’re going to regret ever teasing me. I’m sure I can put being his ‘pregnant wife’ to use.
We reach the house, whichis at the edge of town but on the opposite side from where we were. Kai said he had met the man at the marketplace. When the small house comes into view, we slow down a little, and I plaster a polite smile on my face.
Steam flows from the chimney, and as we reach the door, I can smell fish cooking. My stomach churns. If there’s one food I can’t stomach, it’s fish. Sea sirens can eat fish. It’s just howhumans would eat animals breathing the same air as them, but I couldn’t. I hope they have something else.
“Is there water nearby?” I ask, wondering where the fish came from.
“There’s a small river, which runs past the outskirts of this village.”
I nod. “What village are we in?”
He looks at me as if debating whether to answer.
“Ridvern.”
Ridvern, I was right. We are far from Elmeria. How far had my father sent his allies to find me? Is this how angry he is at me? There is something bigger going on. There has to be, right? Or is he reallythatangry that I broke the law and walked on land?
“Alright, smile and be polite.”
I look up at his grim expression. “I smile? And you won’t?”
“No, that’s your job,” he counters.
I roll my eyes. “Ok, fine, I’ll be the sweet pregnant wife.” I bat my eyelashes and wrap my arm around his, resting my head on his shoulder. He stiffens, but I simply look ahead, very aware of the way his muscled arm feels against my breasts. I’ll enjoy this until the day he realises the truth, and I have to run. The thought makes my stomach twist, but I push it away.
We reach the front door, and when it’s opened by a dryad man who looks to be in his late 40s, Kai smiles slightly. I never knew he could smile. He’s a good actor. I’ll give him that.
“You found our home, Kai. I was worried you might get lost!”
“Not at all. Your instructions were clear. Alfren, my wife, Sira. Sira, this is Alfren.”
Sira… I don’t think he’s ever called me by my name before – even if he did cut it down the middle. I wonder how it would sound on his lips,Siralaine– Fuck.
My stomach sinks as I realise I have given him the greatest weapon possible. My name. All he needs to do is catch wind of King Morcant’s wanted daughter, Siralaine, and it’s over for me.
“Sira, hello there, dear, come on in, come on in. Your husband mentioned you were attacked on your way by unruly bandits. This is my wife Dorene…”
I can barely listen, the fear gnawing at my stomach as the dryad man leads us inside. He was smart to choose a dryad family; they aren’t good with picking up on glamours, not having much magic themselves, but I’m under the watchful eye of a sky siren, so nothing else matters.
I push away the panic regarding my name and thank the couple. “I appreciate you letting us stay,” I say politely.
“Not at all, come on in. We have everything set up. We can have dinner, and then you should retreat for the night,” Dorene says kindly, taking my hand as she leads me to a stool. Kai shouldn’t have said I was pregnant. I feel guilty for Dorene thinking she needs to take care of me.
“Mama! Mama, Alfrea is hitting me!” I look up as two young girls come running inside, making Kai step back so they don’t knock into him.
“Alfrea, Sarena, we have guests. Say hello to Kai and Sira,” Alfren says, his eyes crinkling as he smiles at them. “These kids are very hyper; I’m sorry about them.” He chuckles, combing his fingers through his beard.
“Don’t apologise. Kids are kids.” I wave at the girls. They look to be around six and seven.
“Hi,” Alfrea says to both of us as Sarena whispers.
“He’s scary.”
“Sarena!” Dorene gasps.
I laugh lightly. “He does look it, but I assure you he is a big, cuddly teddy bear.” I wink at Kai, who cocks a brow.
