Page 118 of A Bargain with the Fae King

A shiver races across my skin. “Where are they?”

“I don’t know.” Riven edges closer to me as his guards fan out around us.

“What was this place?” I ask.

“An old meeting place, back before the Shadowed Lands were so dim,” Ambrose says. The short shift to this location has calmed his fury, at least by appearances, though his jaw still has a hard set to it that stirs something in my chest. “It’s equidistant from the borders of Forest and Air in the thin strip of land that runs between the two. An ideal spot for negotiations.”

Maybe once it had been, but little remains of the bygone meeting place. Shadows descend as the last sliver of the sun dips below the far horizon. The light of the blueish moon barely cresting the hills adds an eerie cast to the dying land around us.

“Did we miss them?” I can’t keep the shrill edge of panic from my voice. If we can’t negotiate with them… If I can’t save May…

“No,” Riven clasps his hand around my arm, but this time, I don’t pull away. Not when my eyes lock on the spot he watches with careful attention. “Here they come.”

Each muscle in my body tenses as forms approach across the open expanse of land. One carries a small, limp body in their arms.

I fight against the scream threatening to escape. May.Please be all right.

Riven’s fingers twine through mine. I clench his hand in return. My anger and hurt don’t matter. He offers comfort, support, and I need it, no matter the source.

Animal-like features take shape as the Unseelie draw closer. Each one unique, different. Antlers glint pale in the moonlight. Claws extend like knives. Stocky legs like those of an elephant thump across the ground. A few almost resemble the fae near me, but in the dim light, it’s easy to miss whatever unique traits they may possess.

At the front walks the cat-like Unseelie who took May. Katiya. Her light pink hair is pulled tightly behind her head in a human-like ponytail. Next to her stands an uncommonly tall fae with antlers like a moose who carries May across his bulging arms.

Still no sign of Sigurd. Will he come to make the trade as he pledged?

“Forest King,” Katiya hisses. Her tail twitches behind her, like a lioness ready to pounce.

Riven’s guards flank our sides and back, leaving us at the front facing the dozen Unseelie standing behind Katiya and her moose companion.

“Katiya,” Riven replies, his voice even, calm…amused?

I snap my head toward him. The arrogant mask of the fae king has been donned again. His strength in a time of weakness, his own form of armor.

Katiya’s eyebrows rise at the use of her name, her head tilts subtly to the side.

“Don’t forget about me.” Sigurd’s voice rings through the falling night.

Heads turn to where he sits grinning atop a broken pillar. He definitely hadn’t been there a moment ago.

“Air King,” Katiya acknowledges with the same hard voice she’d used to address Riven.

Sigurd’s attention floats from her to us. His lips thin.

My feet itch to move, to hide, but Riven grips my hand tighter, rooting me in place.

Katiya’s focus returns to Riven.

“What have you brought to offer us for the little human?” She gestures to May, who still slumbers in her blue bunny pajamas.

His chin tips up as he projects his voice with unfailing confidence. “Food, medicine, supplies. Name the amount.”

“I see none of that with you.” Katiya’s tail swishes behind her. “You offered the same to another band of us, and they are dead.” Claws extend from her hand, glinting in the moonlight. “You will not deal falsely with us again.”

“We will not. I will seal it in magic if I must.” Riven steps forward. The amusement has faded from his voice, replaced with firm sincerity.

“No.”

“Spells then. We have ones which could enliven some of your land.” He gestures to the surrounding desolation.

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