Redvyr stared at me, his golden eyes glittering brighter now that night was settling in, like a predator’s does in the darkness when watching its prey.
“Yes,” he said evenly. “She will use her magick to protect the both of them if she must. Won’t you, witch?”
“Of course, I will,” I assured them.
He gave a satisfied nod. “Wolf will follow you through the woods, which opens up on the east side of the town. Tessa knows the way to our trader.”
I glanced back at Dayn who was unloading the many furs packed on his wolf for trading, hauling them into the cabin. Leifkyn was carrying the finely crafted short swords and blades made of black steel that would also be used for the trade.
“We’ll be fine,” said Tessa in a jovial voice, placing a kiss on her babe’s head then pecking the lips of Bezaliel.
Hallizel flew from out of the darkness above us and landed on Bezaliel’s shoulder.
Tessa smiled and turned to offer her arm to me. “It’s good to have a partner this time. The sooner we fetch Flaxon, the sooner we can return.”
I took her arm, and we headed back the way we’d come. I’d only taken a few steps when Redvyr called, “Wait.”
We stopped and turned as he ate up the space between us in a few long strides, holding something in his hand. When he held out both of his hands, he pulled a wicked-looking curved dagger from its sheath before sliding it back home.
“Take this, Jessamine. I know that Tessa has a blade, but it’s better that you both are armed.”
I took the dagger, the blade having some weight as I tucked it into my belt beneath my cloak.
“You don’t trust my magick, Lord Redvyr?”
“It’s always better to be over-prepared rather than not prepared enough.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
Then Tessa and I continued on together. I glanced over my shoulder to find Redvyr still watching me with his predatory gaze. He didn’t say a word as we hurried back to the main path of the woods, Wolf shadowing our steps.
Once we were nearly out of the treeline, Tessa whispered, “I really am glad to have you with me. I didn’t tell Bezaliel, but the last time we came, on the summer solstice, I could tell there was unrest in the town. Lots of strangers, too.”
“How do you know they were strangers?” I asked.
“Well, Hellamir is a wood fae town, but there were several moon fae here from the capital city of Issos and most were in royal armor. Soldiers from Issos.”
“Why were they here?”
“It seemed they were refueling for the next battle. Our merchant, Flaxon, was glad to see us. He said he was afraid the army was going to acquire his grain without paying for it. They’d already done as much to a few other merchants in town, and he knew that at least he would get paid by trading with us.”
“But Issos is a rich city. They should have had plenty of coin.”
“All I know is that the men in charge of the moon fae warriors weren’t honorable men. I learned years ago that the light fae might always claim to be the righteous ones, but there are just as many criminals and evil men masquerading as good fae on their side as there are in the dark fae lands.”
“You don’t have to convince me. I know that well enough.”
My father was one of them.
“Though I know the dark fae aren’t welcome,” I added, “I’m still surprised Bezaliel and the others don’t simply come into town to do their business.”
We stopped at the treeline, and I turned to Wolf, scratching under his chin. “Stay here, Wolf. We won’t be long.”
He whined but obediently sat and watched us go.
“I can tell you why they don’t,” Tessa continued as we crossed an open field, night having fallen over us. “Before I came, they actually did. A group of wood fae males didn’t like them in the town and had told them to leave, but they continued to come into town for trade every season. Then Flaxon told Redvyr hewould have to stop trading. The males who didn’t like them coming had threatened Flaxon and his family.”
“That’s terrible.”
