I wasn’t surprised by his answer. Imperial Council Warriors did live on the go, often moving from one location to another, yet I knew that somewhere in the realm, therewaslikely a residence in Kole’s name. But if he didn’t want to share his personal information, it wasn’t for me to push.
I leaned back again and crossed my ankles. “What about all of you?” Even though I was fairly certain they hailed from Faewood, I had no idea what city they came from. “Where’s home for you three?”
“Marrotum,” Jessip replied. “We all grew up there. It’s in Faewood, on the coast, just south of the Ustilly Mountains.”
I took another sip of my tea. “I’ve never been there before. Is it a large city? Or a village?”
Nym took another swig of his ale, draining it, then signaled the barkeeper for more. “No, it’s not large at all, and if you’ve never been there before, don’t bother visiting. You’d be bored out of your mind. We have a total of three shops, twenty houses, and about eight hundred fishing nets. That’s pretty much the entirety of our village.”
I laughed. “Eight hundred nets? So it’s a fishing village?”
“It is.” Felix’s hand brushed against me again. “All of us work on the boats. We grew up together at sea.”
“Do you plan to live out your days there?” I asked just as another tray floated over carrying more drinks. The enchanted tray deposited five drinks on the table, one for each of us.
When I looked at them questionably, Nym said, “This round’s on me.”
“Oh, thanks.” I tentatively picked up the mug of ale. Usually, I didn’t drink. Alcoholic beverages tended to go straight to my head, but I figured it was only one glass.
“Solls,” I said, raising my drink.
The others lifted their mugs too, and Kole did as well since we were all waiting for him to clink our glasses together.
“As for whether or not we’ll all indefinitely stay in Marrotum...” Felix shrugged. “I guess that depends upon if we find the Wishing Stone or not.” He shifted in his seat, his hand brushing me anew. “I, for one, wouldn’t be staying there if I had endless riches.”
The warrior eyed Felix, and his aura flickered, but Kole continued to eat methodically, clearing his plate in large bites, and he didn’t join in the conversation.
I smiled and canted my head. “I was wondering if you all were hunting the Stone.”
“Aye, we are.” Jessip shrugged. “Although, our siblings all think us foolish for doing so, and don’t even get me started on our parents.”
“Same. My aunt wasn’t a fan of me leaving to hunt it either. I’m sure many families in the realm have similar opinions since almost everyone fails at finding it.” I cocked my head. “But what made you come all the way up here to look for it? I think most fae are on the eastern coast searching for it, perhaps even near your home village.”
Nym side-eyed Jessip. “Are you going to tell her, or should I?”
A blush stained Jessip’s cheeks, and she elbowed him. “You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?”
“Well, if you’re right and we find the Stone, evenI’llstop teasing you,” Felix remarked.
I leaned forward, eager to know what they were talking about. Inadvertently, I brushed against Felix when I shifted my position on the hard stool, and the fairy placed his hand on my thigh. But instead of removing it after I’d settled, he left it there.
He did it casually, as though touching me was something he’d been doing for centuries, and the familiarity of it rendered me speechless.
Felix smiled in my direction, then squeezed my thigh before removing his hand. “Sorry. You’re just so damned cute. It’s hard not to touch you.”
I laughed shrilly, not sure how to respond. I hadn’t been flirted with like this in so long that I failed at a witty comeback.
Kole’s fingers wrapped tightly around his glass, and he leaned forward, knocking his shoulder with Felix in theprocess. Felix jerked from where he sat, hands flying to the table to steady himself.
“Sorry,” Kole said dryly, then brought his drink to his lips again.
Since Felix was no longer touching me, and my shock at his blatant flirting had cleared, I raised my eyebrows at Jessip. “Well? Don’t keep me in suspense. What brought you up here?”
Jessip ducked her head. “Stars and galaxy, it’s rather embarrassing, but I had a dream. It told me to venture to the northern part of Stonewild, and that was where the Stone had landed.”
My eyebrows shot up, and even Kole slightly inclined his head.
“A dream?” My eyes widened. “Do you have Mistvale seer abilities that allow you to see the future? Do you possess magic from two kingdoms?”
