“As should we,” Thordur said, gesturing to the horses, now calm thanks to Caelo’s silent communication with them. “Walk the horses away, just to be safe.”
I gripped my horse’s reins, and we took the right fork of the tunnel, toward Eygin. Before we got too far, I cast a last glance back at the mullrokk. The vast creature had already disappeared into the tunnel it was digging.
I shivered. Though I’d enjoyed my time with the dwarves, I would be glad to soon emerge from the mountain and into the sunlight.
Chapter 14
VALE
“Follow this road and at the next branch go right.” Prince Thordur pointed down a path. “From there, you’ll descend directly into Eygin. It’s about a half hour ride.”
Our journey had taken us north, to a remote village I’d never known existed. Likely, western fae founded it as a last stop for rest and resupplying for those crossing the Red Mist Mountains into the Kingdom of Fire. According to Thordur, the fae of Eygin were among the few in the kingdom who knew the lost Kingdom of Dergia survived.
“The coinary there is small, as you might expect,” Thordur added, “but the leprechauns are fastidious, and their establishment is connected by the magic of their kind to all the other coinaries in the Kingdom of Winter. You’ll have your gold to ease the rest of the journey.”
“You are still set on the midlands, correct?” Bavirra asked, looking wistfully around at the snow-covered landscape. Along our journey, the princess had proclaimed thatshe wanted to go farther, to ride with us into the midlands. Her brother was having none of it. As it were, we’d just exited the mountain tunnel, and Thordur said they’d go no further.
“Our best base is in the midlands.” Riis Tower was safe. Warm. With access to the Riis brothers and Lord Riis—Avaldenn too, on the off chance that we needed to return for information, which I felt was unwise. “Thank you for showing us through the tunnels and around the mountain paths.”
“It’s what friends do.” The prince held out an arm, which I took, sealing a bond I had not seen coming. “May the Fates and the stars watch over you, Vale.”
“And you,” I replied.
Neve and Princess Bavirra embraced, and my mate pivoted to hug Prince Thordur in thanks.
Though the gesture was sweet and innocent, instinctively, I bristled. Prince Thordur was no threat to me, but the idea of another male touching Neve made my muscles go rigid and hot, and I knew exactly why. In every story I’d heard, the mate bond was always strongest in the weeks right after its formation. Perhaps this was something Neve also intuited from her own bond, but just in case, I’d have to explain that to her.
We finished our goodbyes and parted with the siblings. When I looked back next, I found only the road staring back at me.
“Disappeared into the rock. Hidden from a kingdom with their own mysteries. A culture lost to dwarveselsewhere,” Neve whispered. “We’re so lucky they allowed us to see it.”
“Indeed.” I cleared my throat and after making sure that Caelo and Anna were far enough behind not to hear, I barreled forth with my concern. “Neve, you cannot go about hugging other males like that for a while. Not even in a friendly manner.”
She blinked. “Why not? We’re allies. More than that,friends.”
“Did you notice I didn’t touch Princess Bavirra? And that she did not seem put off or bothered by that distance?”
“I—no . . . I didn’t notice.” Her brow furrowed.
That didn’t surprise me. Around those she loved and trusted, Neve was open with her affections.
I, however, had been raised in the royal court. My mother had taught me to be chivalrous and kind, while my father pushed me to be strong, a leader among the warriors. I had select members of my family and my close friends who knew me well, but I did not openly show affection to just anyone and everyone.Especiallynot female fae. Now that I was mated, my deepest affections were reserved only for one female. At least until the time—stars willing—came that we had younglings.
“I made a point not to,” I told Neve softly, not wanting to make her feel bad, as much as I wanted her to understand how it made me feel. “The mate bond is strong now, and that might have made you jealous to a degree that it could have been dangerous for Princess Bavirra. I felt some jealousy when you hugged Prince Thordur.”
The confusion clouding her face disappeared, and herlips parted in an expression of clarity. “Vale, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think about that, but of course you’re right. I do feel more possessive of you than before. Had you touched a female that way, I probably would have been upset too. I’ll be more considerate.”
“Thank you,” I said, certain now that we were on the same page. “I don’t believe you have to do without affection forever from your male friends, but for now, I’d appreciate it. I’ll do the same.”
“Of course.” She smiled at me, and the mere sight of her genuine smile stirred my arousal. Neve had always been attractive to me, but that attraction had multiplied a thousand-fold. “I’ve been thinking. Should we glamour ourselves again before we reach Eygin?”
I chuckled dryly. “The leprechauns will use my magic to determine who I am. My reputation will follow.”
“They don’t keep that a secret?” Her eyebrows pinched together.
“Everything pertaining to the inside of my vault is secret, but my visit to a coinary? No. They have no obligation to keep that a secret. I’m willing to bet a good deal of coin that King Magnus has each vault our family owns on watch, so once I take money out, the coinary in Avaldenn will know and inform him. He’ll soon learn I’m in the west and will correctly assume you are with me.” I corrected my horse, who had veered too far right. The creature was trained but had a tendency to wander, something my destrier, Carpus, never did. I missed that stalwart beast.
Anna and Caelo had moved close enough to listen, andthe next question came from Anna. “What do you think the king will do when he learns where you are?”
