The fae have skin in varying shades, ranging from dark brown to fair, and hair colors in pinks, purples, and blues that remind me of flowers.
As we approach, their reaction to us is anything but subtle.
Within moments, the woman standing farthest ahead of us steps directly into Thaden’s path, and the other three circle around to flank us on each side, forcing us to draw to a stop.
“We know who you are,” the first woman says to Thaden. Her skin is light brown and her hair is pale blue. “You aren’t welcome here.”
“Then you’ll be happy to know we’re leaving,” Thaden replies.
The guard narrows her blue eyes at Gallium and me. “The only thing that would make me happy would be to see those two Blacksmiths dead.” Her sharp gaze returns quickly to Thaden. “And you, a human beast. I would see you in chains.”
My heart sinks as she raises her hand to her shoulder, reaching for her weapon.
Thaden tenses.
I can’t see his expression because he’s facing away from me, but the Blacksmith magic within him is flaring like a flame around his silhouette.
I sense his inhaled breath and anticipate his anger.
The situation is quickly deteriorating, and I can’t let a fight break out.
Chapter 5
Ispeak before Thaden can respond, raising my voice at the guard. “You haven’t told us your names.”
The first woman barely spares me a glance, but I don’t let that deter me.
“There’s one name I know very well,” I say quickly, and then I enunciate carefully, “Dusana of the Dusk. Have you heard of her?”
The fae standing on either side of me stiffen. So, I sense, does the woman standing behind me.
“Please tell me your names,” I say, more loudly, “so that I may repeat them to your Queen.”
The guards glance at each other. The first woman has stiffened, her jaw clenching.
“Or perhaps you would rather let us pass,” I say.
With a huff, the first woman flicks her hand, at which the others step back from us.
Ahead of me, Thaden doesn’t waste a beat, striding past the first woman and paying her no further attention.
Gallium and I keep pace with him, but I’m very conscious of the hate-filled glares the women cast at me as we pass.
The first woman spits in the dirt when I reach her.
I don’t rise to the insult, but it draws my attention downward, and I notice for the first time how bare the ground is. There’s very little vegetation here. From above, the encampment appeared almost sparkling. But now that we’re down here…
In the distance, a child cries.
I’m suddenly conscious of the hacking cough coming from another tent. Then, the quiet weeping from the tent beside that.
The flap of that tent is partially open, and I catch a glimpse inside, where a fae woman with golden hair leans over a child who is lying on a stretcher. A male fae kneels on the other side of the stretcher, his hand covering the child’s. Tears glisten on their cheeks.
My heart wrenches to see them.
Clearly, the child is gravely ill, cheeks and lips tinged with gray.
From behind me a voice calls, and I glance back to see that it’s the same blue-haired fae who stepped into Thaden’s path.
