“These are Saoirse’s sizes,” I lied, hoping he wouldn’t have a clue about female clothes and the fact she was an entire dress size smaller than I was. “We aren’t exactly the same size and the clothes she lent me are a little tight. I thought I’d grab something for her, too. As a thanks. For being the only fae in this castle who seems to give a damn aboutme.”
He let out a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through his thick raven hair. “I can see we haven’t been particularly welcoming to you, havewe?”
I barked out a laugh, more from surprise that he’d actually asked than because of the question itself. “Seriously? You forced me to do a dangerous trial, one that could have killed me. You locked me up in a room for hours on end without anyone else to talk to. You practically threw a broom at me instead of letting me train what I’m good at—fighting with my sword. And then someone bombed my room, for who knows what reason. Do you think that’swelcoming?”
The words rushed out of me like an avalanche of thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I hadn’t meant to speak so plainly. I hadn’t even realised how frustrated I was. This was a spying mission, after all. Who cared if these fae wanted to have anything to do with me? Who cared if this false King hated me ornot?
I certainly didn’t. Not even a littlebit.
“Isee.”
Was that his only response? I crossed my arms and glared athim.
“You need some clothes.” He handed me the crumpled parchment. “Only a few shops will be open this late. I’ll accompany you down the hill to the HighStreet.”
I got a double dose of relief and frustration. Sure, I was glad he’d bought my story, but I was getting sick and tired of being chaperoned everywhere I went. Plus, I hadn’t actually meant to go into town for clothes tonight at all. I wanted to get my note to the raven and return to my snooping duties inside the castle. “Is that reallynecessary?”
“Yes,” he said emphatically. “You will either accept my company into town, or you can go back to your room for the rest of the night. You got your fresh air. Best stay inside where it’ssafe.”
I propped my fists on my hips. Damn him. I didn’t actually care about the clothes. Saoirse had lent me enough that could stretch to fit me, and Lugh was right. It was late. The options were pretty limited. With a heavy sigh, I glanced back at the castle buildings and then toward the looming gate outside of the square. I couldn’t bear another long night locked up in a room with nothing but the television to keep mecompany.
Besides, maybe I could prod him for someinformation.
“Yeah, alright,” I grumbled. “You can come along. Just don’t expect to be following me into any changerooms.”
He flashed me a wicked grin. “If I wanted to get you naked, I wouldn’t need to trap you in a changeroom.”
My mouth parted; my heart skipped a beat. Where the hell had that comefrom?
Chuckling, he motioned me toward the gate. “That was a joke, Moira. You always seem so tense, so serious abouteverything.”
I fell into step beside him. “That’s pretty rich coming from you. You’re like...like thekingof being over-serious.”
“Oh, we’re doing puns now, are we?” He pulled a set of ancient rusted keys from his cloak and unlocked the gatedoor.
“That a problem?” I snipped. “You can make jokes about getting me naked, but I can’t usepuns?”
“On the contrary. All jokes are welcome. TheMoira, the merrier.” Hesniggered.
“Oh god. That was terrible.” But, somehow, I still found myselflaughing.
We pushed through the gates, and I blew hot breath on my hands as Lugh locked up behind us. It was chilly in Edinburgh when the sun vanished from the sky. That ever-present mist cloaked everything, hiding even the gleaming streetlights in theglum.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” Lugh asked as we began our descent into the city. “Your accent. It isn’tScottish.”
“No,” I admitted. “As I’m sure you can tell, I’mEnglish.”
Some people were good at putting on accents, but I wasn’t. One of the first things I’d decided about this mission was that being as close tomeas possible was the best way to make it as a spy. Fewer things to fake. Fewer lies toremember.
He cut his eyes my way. “When did you move toEdinburgh?”
“Oh, about five days ago,” I said with a laugh, but I had to check his face for a reaction. Hopefully, my confession wouldn’t transform him back into that closed-off, suspicious King he liked to be so often. Somehow, it seemed like I’d broken down at least a section of the wall he had erected between himself and the world. I didn’t want him to throw the bricks at myface.
“Ah.” He nodded. “So, you really did come seeking usout.”
“SeekingHouse Athairaout,” I corrected. “I had no idea at all that things hadchanged.”
He considered my words for a moment. “And are you disappointed by what you foundinstead?”
