My fists clenched until my fingernails ached across my palms.
Fae and other curious clans of magics were tangles of familial connections throughout their kingdoms. To make me their kin, in theory, would keep the whole of their realms protected from any threat of my dark affinity.
I ducked into the hedge, careful to avoid any main roads; I cursed Arion with every prick of a thorn, every snag of a branch in my silver braids.
This was his bleeding fault.
Perhaps the cowardly prince should bethe one being sold off as the pawn in a vow alliance. But Arion was tucked away in his glittering palace in Grynstad, the isle of the light elves, probably still sulking he didn’t get his way while leaving me to shoulder his stupidity.
Tomorrow fate would deliver her sharp knife, but tonight was mine to live as I desired.
I emerged from the thorny hedgerow on the backside of a longhouse made of pale stones. Perhaps, if I were to get caught, my new clan would see me as too disorderly and rescind their offer of vows.
I snickered with bitterness.
No mistake, should I be caught by my future husband or his people, they would simply tighten the tethers.
Outside the back door, I removed the hood and secured a linen scarf over my head, the way most of the sea fae kept their hair free of their eyes. I plucked out the silver rings lining the whole edge of each of my sharply pointed ears.
With the tip of my thumb, I ran inky kohl under my eyes—a style of most sweaty sailors on the ships of the Ever Kingdom.
The land of sea fae was playing host for the alliance signing in a show of good faith, so it was the sea folk I would pretend to be tonight.
My borrowed boots were too large and heavy buckles clinked on every step. With a silk scarf, I fashioned a patch over one eye.
When a twig snapped in the hedgerow behind me, I spun around. The night was empty. There was nothing but the vibrant stars, the glitter of the tiered golden palace of the sea fae on the hill, and a few splashes from playful merfolk in the surf near the docks.
Inside the tavern, boisterous sea fae sang cheery shanties of sirens and spirits of the far seas. Privateers, merchants, off-duty guards, dock men, and a few unashamed pirates filled the tables. Some tossed wooden dice, others clanked polished drinking horns against the other. There were women who sat on the laps of lovers, while others looked as brutish with their blades and trousers as any man.
Since the Ever Queen stole the heart of the wicked king and was crowned, the women of the Ever Kingdom were bolder.
Or so I heard.
I took a bit of strength from them tonight.
The docile, obedient elven princess could crawl into the shadows for now and make way for a bold sea fae woman fresh off the tides who was looking for a bit of debauchery and diversion.
When no one glanced my way, when no palace guards rushed from the alcoves to drag me back to my chambers, I accepted my disguise as adequate and approached the long counter, sticky with spilled ale and what smelled like old bile.
Tables were filled, but most seats at the counter were empty. Only the aleman stood behind the edge, scrubbing drinking horns. On the last seat, leaning one shoulder against the wall, was a hunched man in a thick canvas cloak with a straw hat tipped low on his brow.
I aimed for the far end away from the drunkard.
A man with a floppy brim hat grunted a rough, “Pardon,” when we collided.
I skirted around him, on the path nearer to the center seats. Fine enough. All I needed was a bit of bold sea fae rum and a few game pieces to join in at one of the tables.
The moment I carved between two game tables was the moment the players decided to verbally attack each other.
“You be damn cheats!” A man with a matted beard and two heavy rings pierced in his tapered ears shot to his feet.
He blocked my path, so I skirted around him.
“Calling me a cheat?” The second voice was younger, smoother. He stood at the opposing table, forcing me to side step.
In another breath, the two opposing players lunged at each other. Chairs skidded over wooden floors, tables rocked as men raced for the tussle. With a shriek, I spun away from the chaotic tables to avoid being yanked to the floor in a rowdy battle.
“Move,” a disapproving voice said. Strong hands took hold of my arms, shoving me aside so another fae could slip around me. He wore a black scarf over his head, a gold ring in an ear, and a vicious gleam in his gaze.
