Page 51 of A Bargain with the Fae King

“I haven’t seen many children around here,” I say. Their absence might have gone unnoticed if not for the constant simmer of worry that’s taken up residence within me. My mind paints May everywhere: trailing her hands in the water of the fountain, chasing the iridescent creature resembling a large butterfly, sniffing the bright pink blossoms the size of a dinner plate. Each one is a beautiful, torturous reminder of her absence.

“Children are very rare for fae,” Sylvie says. “Couples often try for years without much success, so every child is highly valued and protected.”

A familiar voice interrupts our discussion. “There you are.”

Solona strides out of the shadowed walkway surrounding the courtyard. She’s wearing a long dress of dark green that swishes upon the stones of the pathway. A gold headband binds her mahogany hair.

“Minister Solona,” both Sylvie and Galen say, almost in unison. They rise to their feet and dip a small bow in her direction.

“It’s good to see you both,” she says.

Without thinking, I follow suit.

Solona clicks her tongue. “Now, now, our Lady of the Forest should not bow.”

My cheeks heat as I raise my head, swallowing down the tightness in my throat. Okay, no bowing.

“That’s right, chin up,” she says. “Now, I have a gift for you, one that should help.”

She clasps a small box of polished dark wood inlaid with intricate, pale designs that shimmer in the sunlight.

Solona holds the box out in my direction. “Please take it.”

Chapter 16

Thesmoothwoodiscool against my skin. Sylvie and Galen scoot closer, one hovering over either shoulder as I tilt it this way and that. Galen’s body, tall like most of the fae, casts a shadow over one corner. Sylvie inches herself higher, possibly rising on her toes. Though a fae, she’s only about an inch or so taller than my average human height.

“Thank you,” I say. “It’s beautiful, but what does it do?”

Solona chuckles. “The gift is within the box, not the box itself. Open it.”

Of course. I stifle a groan of embarrassment. But this is Faery, so who knows what’s valuable and what’s not.

My thumb finds the seam of the lid, sliding it up to reveal a golden bracelet sparkling with small green stones of mixed shades—emeralds, possibly, and some darker stones. My breath catches. Jewelry like this would be worth hundreds, if not thousands, back home.

“It’s”—stunning, breathtaking—“too much.”

“Nonsense,” Solona replies, waving her hand in the air. “Plus, when you wear this, no one can shift you away.”

My brows rise as I peer at her over the box lid.

“I’ve been looking for it all morning. With this, you can join Riven without being in quite so much danger of being stolen away.”

My reservations about accepting the gift evaporate into the early afternoon air. I can go with him and search for May. Surely he can’t object now.

“That’s brilliant.” Sylvie echoes my thoughts. “I didn’t know such a thing existed.”

“Neither did I.” Galen scratches his chin in a way that reminds me of Ambrose.

“It’s the only one of its kind, at least that we have. And it only works on humans. But in this case—”

“It’s perfect,” I blurt. “Thank you so much, really.”

“May I?” Solona nods toward the box. In a moment, she has the bracelet clasped around my wrist. Its stones glitter in the light. “You’ll have to take it off for Riven to take you to Arbrean, but make sure you put it right back on.” She pats my wrist in emphasis.

Joy bubbles up, stretching my hesitant smile into a broad one. “I will, this is—”

Voices from the walkway surrounding the courtyard interrupt my thoughts.

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