“WHAT IF THE toddy isn’tlistening when I say it?” I whispered to Soren shortly after.
We strode through the tunnels toward court. After he’d spoken to the others individually, they’d each taken off to spread my lies throughout the Hollow Court, leaving me and Soren alone for my task.
“They’re notoriously nosy,” Soren reassured me. “Once they smell you lying, they’ll wobble closer. If necessary, you can repeat yourself in a few different ways as a precaution.”
My chest rose and fell like we were running instead of strolling with false calm, but I couldn’t quite slow my breathing down.
I had a job to do.
Or rather, a lie to tell.
I swallowed, wishing I had a drink of water. My dry mouth and rapid heartbeat reminded me of that one time I’d tried to perform in a play.There’s no need for stage fright, I reprimanded myself.It’s just one funny-looking fae.
And the performance of my life.
Before we’d left, I’d borrowed fresh clothes from Lore. She’d given me another loose long-sleeved white shirt and flowy burnt-orange pants. I liked the bold color. If I was being honest, I’d really hoped the bold vibes would rub off on me a little, but no luck yet. I’d also convinced Gwen to let me wear a pair of her tall black boots, which fit my feet much better than Lore’s sandals. She’d shocked me by volunteering one of her sleeveless leather tops to put over the shirt. “It’s impenetrable, making it similar to wearing armor, but better looking,” she’d said with a grin. The whole ensemble made me feel a bit like a pirate, which I secretly loved, even if it hadn’t provided any extra courage yet.
Between the lack of pockets and the skin-tight top, though, I didn’t have anywhere to put my phone. Oddly enough, I didn’t care anymore. The battery was dead. It was useless to me, so I’d left it behind on a shelf by the daybed.
Today, Soren and I took a more direct path through the tunnels. We kept getting strange looks. At first I thought it was because of me. But then I remembered that Soren had glamoured me one last time before we’d left. Even thoughIknew I didn’t fit in here, I should at least look the part. So, why all the attitude?
When I dared to stare back instead of studying my feet, I did a double take. They were glaring at Soren, not me. Same thing with the next group we passed. Unlike the way the folk bowed and scraped before Caius, they outright ignored Soren, or worse, sneered at him. Was it because he was Unseelie, or was it something else? If this was how he was treated in the Hollow Court, I completely understood why he’d avoided the fae here in the past.
He kept his gaze forward, not paying them any attention. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought it didn’t bother him at all, but his fists clenched at his sides, and he was more quiet than normal.
After a little fae the size of a pumpkin with wings curled her lip at him as she flew by at eye level, I couldn’t help it. “Why do you stay here?”
“I already told you why,” he said in a tone that didn’t invite further conversation.
Usually, I wouldn’t push, but while Soren acted grumpy and serious, he’d never actually been hostile, so I risked it. “You told me it’s your choice. But did your dad promise you something if you stay a certain amount of time? Or do you have some sort of secret assignment, like maybe you’re a spy?”
That got him to crack a small smile. “The only ‘assignment’ I have is the one I gave myself: to rescue humans.” Then he sobered and added, “And, as you may remember, I would likely be disowned by my father.”
“But...whythough?”
“He has his reasons.” Soren hesitated, glancing over at me briefly, then away again, brow furrowed. He didn’t speak for so long that I thought he was done. Then he added softly, “My own reasons, I suppose, would be not wanting to lose my mother or siblings. I have three brothers and one sister. And I suppose I’ve always wanted my father to be as proud of me as he is of them.”
I hummed in understanding and nodded, but I didn’t really get it. How could his dad not be proud of him?
Soren interrupted my thoughts. “It’s foolish, I know.”
“I wouldn’t call it that...” I shook my head slowly. “I...”Maybe I shouldn’t say anything. It wasn’t my place.
