Shehmmedin agreement.That’s definitely a possibility, now that you mention it.She laughed lightly.You know, you could just ask him what he’s doing in Stonewild.
I snorted in amusement.I could, but he hasn’t struck me as someone who willingly shares his information freely.
She laughed, and we chatted for a few more minutes about mindless, brainless things. It was so good to hear her voice and pretend that for a moment, my life was fully normal again.
She huffed out of the blue.Ugh, sorry, Prim, but Siam is crying. I should go.
No problem.
Talk tomorrow?she added.
I’ll try, but no promises from here on out. I’m going into the Wildland Mountains in the morning, and likely even farther north into Stonewild after that. I’m not entirely sure what to expect. I may have to keep my wits about me and might not be able to afford any distractions.
Stars, Prim, be careful, okay?
I will. Love you, Ree.
Love you too. Connect with me next whenever you can.
Definitely. Bye!
She murmured a farewell, and I closed our link just as the door to the salopas opened, and a new group strode in. For a moment, all I could do was blink. In the time I’d been speaking with my aunt and best friend, the small establishment had entirely filled with fae, both siltenite and wildling.
The new crew who arrived consisted of a female and two male siltenites, and considering most in the salopas gave them barely hidden sneers, I figured they weren’t local either.
I returned my attention to my tea, the pot almost empty, and leaned back in my chair, figuring I’d enjoy the music and the rest of my drink, then retire to my chambers for the night.
“Sorry to bother you, but are these seats taken?”
I glanced up to see one of the newly arrived males smiling at me in a pleasant manner and gesturing to the three emptychairs at my table. “Sorry to ask,” he added, “but this place is rather full, and seats seem hard to come by.”
I sat up straighter just as an enchanted tray floated over and collected my dirty dishes, only leaving my mug and the teapot behind.
I nodded and gestured to my mostly empty table. “Plenty of room now. I’ll be leaving soon anyway, so feel free to sit here if you’d like.”
The male smiled, his eyes conveying warmth that none of the locals did, and my blood thrummed in relief to see a friendly face.
“I’m Felix, by the way.” He held out his arm for a handshake.
Smiling, I gripped his forearm. “Prim, nice to meet you.”
He pumped my arm a few times, then grinned cheekily. “I take it you’re not from Inisville either?”
I laughed. “What gave it away?”
He released my hand and ran his through his hair, his eyes twinkling. “The fact that you actually talked to me did not give it away at all.”
I laughed again, and his aura washed over me, bringing with it the feel of a fairy who was often playful and quick to laugh. He seemed harmless, fun even. But looks could be deceiving.
Keeping my smile firmly in place, I considered mentally assessing him to read his thoughts and intentions. I could use my forbidden magic, just this once. I could let my magicstream out of me to filter through his mind, completely unbeknownst to him. It was an intrusion of his privacy, a complete violation, but I was also a female traveling alone, and I’d promised my aunt I would come back in one piece.
But the second that paranoid thought came to me, it left. We were in public, and he was only looking for a place to sit. Nothing more. Besides, my gut told me that Felix was harmless.
Scolding myself internally, I quickly brushed my crazy impulse off.
Completely unaware of what I’d almost done to him, Felix turned toward his friends, who were still putting in an order at the bar. Waving, he called over the music, “Jessip, Nym, head on over here when you’re done. Prim’s offered to let us sit with her.”
He winked at me, and his friends soon crowded around my table, introducing themselves and thanking me for allowing them to sit with me.
