Andar tucking me into his side and holding me close enough that his body warmed mine was an unexpected bonus. He said he’d play along with my ruse. I didn’t expect him to wrap his arm around me like he genuinely cared about my distress.
Perhaps he would help me avenge my imprisonment and also stick around for my return to the throne.
Our deception paid off when the two new soldiers escorted us to a small inn and informed us that Lord Taedo intended to visit later in the evening. Surely the city’s lord would be able to give me the information I needed.
The soldiers took the door to the inn from the hands of a young fae. He was probably close to fifty—not quite a child, but barely on the cusp of adulthood. When an older voice called out “Kortan!” he stopped in the door-frame and glanced over his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Gran! I’m just checking the horses. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Without waiting for an answer, he slipped past us, nodding his head in an apology for blocking the door.Andar’s gaze followed him for a few seconds, and then returned to us as he guided me inside with a hand on the small of my back. If he’d known how the light touch made me want to keep him forever, he would have kept his hands to himself.
But his simple gestures kept the soldiers from being too guarded. They marched in behind us, but did not touch their weapons or threaten us in any way.
A tall, wispy fae with an apron full of pockets stacked on top of each other and overflowing with cooking utensils drifted our way before the doors finished closing. Her voice was low and feminine, filled with warmth and curiosity. “We weren’t expecting strangers today.”
One of the guards stepped out from behind us. “Lord Taedo will pay for their room. They’ve seen the Snow Queen, and he wants to talk to them.”
Our greeter’s face paled and she gripped a large stirring spoon sticking out of one of her pockets. “Then the rumors are true. She’s back.”
The guard nodded solemnly. “It would seem.”
She let go of her spoon and reached toward me. “I’m Maeva, innkeeper and kitchen overseer.” I stepped closer, and she wrapped an arm comfortingly around my shoulder. “Let’s get you settled into a room, and I’ll send supper up.” Glancing around us at Andar, she chuckled. “I’m glad the queen didn’t keep your husband. He looks like the type she used to collect for her army.”
I winced at the aspersion, but said nothing. It wasn’t false. I had… insisted… that any fae who looked like they might be useful in my army should join it. If I intended to retake Kalshana, I would probably have to do so again.
Would Andar stay with me if I tore families apart to rebuild my kingdom?
* * *
Maeva nudged us into a room on the second floor, promised food soon, and left quickly. The two guards who’d escorted us into the city took positions on both sides of our door and closed it. I straightened up, shaking off the timid, frightened display I’d been acting, and crossed the room to a window that overlooked the road we’d come in on.
Heat from Andar’s body filled the space directly behind me, and my breath caught. He stood very close to me again and whispered. “The walls are thin enough that we cannot speak freely, even on this side of the room.”
I nodded. “I wouldn’t dare speak above a whisper anyway, not while I’m in the middle of a charade like this.”
“Good.” His whisper was warm and far more alluring than he probably intended. “Hopefully this Lord Taedo will answer the questions you have, and we can leave early tomorrow.”
I remained facing the window, not daring to face him as my next question spilled out of me. “Are you so anxious to put our fake marriage behind you?”
He huffed a soft laugh, wrapped an arm around my waist, and leaned closer to my ear. “It’s more a case of me not believing you can feign a traumatized, weak personality much longer. I will have no trouble remaining in character.”
I froze. What did he mean by that? And how far would he go to stay in character?
He shifted a few inches, shielding me from view of the door, just as the door swung open and someone gasped softly. I turned enough to bury my head in his chest, hoping our visitor would think Andar was comforting me in my distress.
Metal clinked on stone—likely a food tray landing on a table—and a soft voice said, “Pardon the interruption. I’ve brought stew and bread. I hope you enjoy it.” Her footsteps paused in the doorframe. “I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. We all hoped the queen was gone forever. I’m afraid Lord Taedo will make you talk to him, but you should know he’s a good fae. I expect he’ll protect you if you’re trying to hide from the queen.”
Andar must have nodded or used a gesture to dismiss the maid because the door clicked shut with no more words. “She’s gone,” he whispered.
I pulled away, wishing I had some other excuse to curl into him, and sat down at the table. He really hadno business feeling as warm and secure as he did. And the thoughts his warm arms brought—
Imaginary scenes flashed through my mind—images of a happy life where I didn’t have to fight for every scrap of satisfaction or comfort or safety because it came to me whenever I leaned on this very powerful fae.
He sat down as well and lifted a roll to his mouth, smelling it before breaking the end off with his fingers. Then he lowered the pieces to a plate and watched me taste the stew.
Roast beef and cooked vegetables melted in my mouth while I pulled my attention away from the hearty scents and focused on Andar. “What are you thinking?”
He tucked the smaller piece of bread into his mouth and chewed it slowly, not saying anything.
I took another bite—mostly carrots—and watched him as the silence grew awkward. “Are you refusing to answer my question or is your attention consumed by the food?”
