The moon was waning leading up to the Spring Esbat Festival. Esbat itself was a celebration of the new moon, when the sky was dark and the shadows reigned. It was said to be a time of introspection. When things hidden in the shadows might reveal themselves. New beginnings and new intentions were set on Esbat, and while each new moon brought the sacred day with it, the ones that fell closest to the Spring and Autumnal Equinoxes were celebrated with festivals.
And apparently his council wanted him to use the coming sacred day to scout for a godsdamn partner. He wasn’t a fool. They’d accept a husband, but they were all hoping for a wife. A wife could produce an heir and keep his bloodline—and power—alive.
Cethin sighed, slipping his boots and socks off and leaving them in the sand as he walked to the water’s edge. It was socold it nearly burned as the surf rolled over his bare toes, but he didn’t mind. The bite made him feel…
It just made him feel.
Not much seemed to do that these days. Paperwork and meetings made for dull days, and his title made for faux friends and suspicious motives.
He slipped his hands into his pockets as he stared out at the Edria Sea. Perhaps he should go to his study in the catacombs of the castle and work there for the rest of the evening. It would keep him busy and distract from thoughts of an impending marriage.
Before he turned to leave, he paused. Something stirred in the air. Something he couldn’t see, but that he could feel. Something powerful. Something predatory. Something watching him. A feeling he’d had more and more of as of late.
A feeling he’d recently discovered wasn’t a feeling at all but a person.
He debated calling her out, but in the end decided against it. She could simply leave, and he wasn’t quite ready for her to know he could sense her presence. Not yet.
So he let her be, and he lingered longer, a plan taking shape as he stood listening to the song of the waves. He’d sacrificed much to keep his people safe, and he refused to believe those sacrifices were for nothing.
Because sometimes you had to be the villain in one story to be the savior in another.
Chapter 5
Kailia
Why were pants so godsdamn constricting?
That was all Kailia could think as she tugged her cloak tighter around herself, navigating through the streets and trying to avoid as much of the Esbat crowd as she could. She missed her usual dress. It was much easier to move in and gave her more range of motion.
That, and she liked the feel of daggers strapped to her bare thighs rather than atop fabric.
Everything about being dressed in these fitted pants and tunic felt off and foreign, but the worst part was the boots. Her toes curled at the thought, missing the feel of the dirt and earth beneath them. She couldn’t feel any vibration of movement, and that was unsettling.
It was fine. She could do this for a few hours. Get through this night, with all these people around her…
Hoping she blended in well enough, she kept moving. It seemed like the best time to venture beyond her smoke and ashes. Everyone was hidden in cloaks and shadows, most with hoods up to conceal their features, as part of the Esbat festivities.Despite all that, she hadn’t felt this exposed in ages. Her fingers itched for her bow, and she felt too bare without a quiver at her back. She understood the irony of more clothing making her feel so…naked.
With a new moon, only the stars shimmered above them. Lamps along the streets were lit by fire Fae and the Avonleyans descended from Anala, but even those flames were low, just enough to allow people to see as they meandered. The smell of food filled the air, and her stomach took notice. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday when she’d stolen bread and apples from a cart beyond Aimonway. She’d feel bad about it if she knew how to feel regret, but that was a trivial emotion that served no purpose. Nevertheless, the aroma of roasting meat made her mouth water, and she wondered if she could swipe some of that before the night was over.
No.
Blend in.
She needed to blend in if she wanted to have any chance of getting close to him, and getting caught stealing would definitely hinder her plans. Not that she’d get caught, but it was an unnecessary risk.
Keeping to the outskirts, she paused to observe the crowd and figure out what she should be doing. Surely he would be recognizable in the masses, right?
Children giggled and ran, playing games with one another. Some had sugary treats in their hands, while others had toys that twinkled like stars. Adults wandered too, conversing with one another, drinks in hand. Most of them appeared to know each other, even with their faces hidden by the night and shadows. They ambled among the various vendors, exchanging coin for wares. The atmosphere felt a little lighter as the city shook off the last of the winter season and stepped fully into spring. As if this Esbat was a new beginning for nature too.
Steeling herself, Kailia stepped farther into the throngs of people, avoiding any physical contact as much as she could. She still kept to the edges. She was fairly small, and she used her size to her advantage as she slipped among the bodies. Making her way to a section of vendors, she took in the merchandise. Luxurious fabrics. Perfumes and tonics. Trinkets and jewelry.
She meandered, trying to look interested as she did. Touching silk and studying small statues. It wasn’t until she paused at a crystal jeweler that she finally overheard anything useful.
“What time is the address with the king?” a female was asking another.
“At the top of the hour,” her companion answered. “We’ve been assured members of the Avonleyan Guard will mind our stands while the Fae attend his address. They should be here any moment.”
The first female nodded, and her hood slipped back, revealing some of her features. She worried her bottom lip, sky-blue eyes alight with emotions—a mixture of curiosity, anxiety, and excitement if Kailia was interpreting them correctly.
