I pressed my lips tight together, trying to force down the irritation building up inside my chest. “This is not ajoke.”
“I realize you’re not from here, Norah,” the Rebel said with a flash of his teeth. “So, you might not understand how ridiculous thissounds.”
“Iamfrom here,” I said through gritted teeth. “And you know that as well as any. You supported Marin. You told me to stay safe that day we met in theforest.”
“We supported Marin because she was a kind, intelligent, generous ruler, unlike our own Viola.” Ungus met my gaze, his eyes flickering with a deadly fury. “And I have vowed to never support another Queen unless she proves her worth to me. So far, you have done theopposite.”
“I understand.” With a heavy sigh, I stood from the table and scanned the representatives before me. This hadn’t gone anything like the way I’d wanted, and I could practically feel Desmond’s eyes burning holes into my back. “I called you here to warn you about the Dark Fae. Whether you choose to believe me or not, they are coming. I hope you will stay so we can discuss this further. We need to make a plan ofattack.”
* * *
“Please try not to blame yourself,”Kael said as we wound our way through the streets in the valley below the castle. A small city had been built into the side of the mountain, and Kael had brought me here to get a taste of Winterlife.
“How could I not blame myself?” I asked, rubbing my gloved hands together. “They all decided to head back home tomorrow because they don’t believe me. Clearly, I didn’t do a good job of convincingthem.”
“It was always going to be difficult to convince the courts that the Dark Fae is returning.” He wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me tight to his side. “Don’t forget. Even Finn, Liam, and Rourke were skeptical until they saw the faethemselves.”
“True,” I said with a sigh. “I just...how are we going to beat the Dark Fae if we don’t have anyone on ourside?”
“We’ll figure it out, mylove.”
We wound our way through the streets, and my worries dropped away as I lost myself to the noisy clamor of the city. The sun beamed down on the snow-packed ground, sending a warmth down on the bustling market. Males and females of all ages were selling their wares. Pelts for warmth and meat for food. Several stalls held fresh fruit and vegetables. Apples and oranges andpears.
As we passed one of these stalls, I turned to Kael with raised eyebrows. “How are they growing all this in thecold?”
“Magic,” Kael said with a smile. “Although most of the time, these fae will do trades with fae who live in the other seasons. I believe Finn’s mother has begun trading with the Winterlands.”
I nodded. Of course, it made sense. And this was the kind of thing I knew would be important if I ever sat upon the throne. The fae of this realm needed to be fed and clothed and kept warm. I needed to know how the trade systemworked.
“Thank you for bringing me to this place,” I said, smiling up atKael.
He squeezed my arm. “Thank you for being interested. Queen’s Canyon is one of my favorite places in the realm. I grew up nearby and spent many years helping my father sell his wares here. I always imagined that I would return from the Academy and take up my place as his helper again. It is funny how things canchange.”
“You no longer want to dothat?”
“Not in the least. My life is you now, Norah. All I want to do is stand by your side and help yourein.”
My feet slowed as we passed a stall with four horses packed tight inside. They were neighing plaintively, stomping their hooves on the ground in clear distress. Frowning, I stared into their eyes and heard their pleas for help. They wereterrified.
“What’s this all about?” I askedKael.
“Sometimes, horses are sold at themarket.”
“They don’t seem particularly happy about it.” I took a step closer and rested my hand on the snout of the closest horse. He was a deep golden brown with a white patch between his eyes. Snorting, he brushed up against my hand, his eyes pleading with my soul. “They don’t want to behere.”
“I imagine not,” Kael said. “If they are not bought for riders, then they may be sold asmeat.”
I flinched and whirled toward my Winter prince. “Yeah, that’s not happening. How much gold do you have onyou?”
“Norah...”
“Kael, please. I can’t let these creatures get slaughtered. How much gold do you have onyou?”
His eyes softened, and he slipped his hand into his pocket. Gold jingled in his coin purse. “I have enough. Don’t you worry, my love. I haveenough.”
We purchased the horses and took them back to the castle. The Hunters seemed confused about the new arrivals, but it didn’t matter. I’d seen the look in the horse’s eyes, one that was so very familiar. It was the same way Bree had looked at me when she’d been so close to losing her soul to the beast. It had been the way Shai had looked when she’d admitted tomurder.
They’d looked lost. They’d looked scared. And they’d looked inpain.
