Page 25 of Shadow and Smite

“Nobody objects if I pull the shadows around us?” Zayne asked. “Nobody will hear us. They’ll barely see us.”

“Shadow magic?” Rhett asked. “If you’re able, yes.”

Zayne responded by pulling darkness closer.

Rhett glanced at me. “This is worse than I imagined, isn’t it? You two. Together. I mean, assuming you are…”

“Zayne, the Shadow Prince,” he said, meeting Rhett’s playful gaze with a cold stare. “And Ayla has already told me who she is, so let’s not waste our time with pretenses.”

“The merchant’s ship…” Rhett looked around the pub. “Now that it’s docked, it should be busier in here. What happened?”

“Zayne is what happened,” I replied. “The ship is safe, but they had to retreat. The only casualty was me.”

Rhett straightened, muscles tensing.

“I had my reasons,” Zayne replied. “But first, how do you two know each other? Ayla, whatwasyour original plan?”

I told him part of the truth, not mentioning I was on the run. “Rhett forged my travel papers, and I escaped the palace. We planned to meet here.”

“And how did you two meet? A common fae meeting the bastard princess? Seems unlikely.”

“Now, that’s a good story,” Rhett interjected before I could deflect. “And one I’ve never told before.”

“But—” I interrupted.

“Oh, let me tell it. Your reactions to Zayne are far too broody for my liking. Whatever is happening between you two… well, it’sinteresting,but we clearly need an icebreaker.”

Zayne looked at me, eyebrows raised, clearly entertained by Rhett. Rhett had that sort of charm.

“I am also a prince,” Rhett began. “A prince of merchants. Ayla and I met while I was working in Valterra. One evening, like any fae with starlight in his feet, I went dancing. And then one day—about three years ago—who should I find but Ayla.”

He smiled at me, recalling that day, waiting for me to pick up the beat of the story. He wanted to play.Fine.Hell, it might even be fun.

I grasped for the version of me that was the patron of fae fiddle bars. Carefree and fun. I leaned back in the chair, swirled my drink, and allowed a sultry smile to emerge. “My dear friend, I remember it fine. I lost myself in the rhythm that night. The fiddler played like fire while the wine was fine as desire.”

“We danced the night away.”

“Well into the morning.”

“Youlasted until morning,” Rhett countered. “Once that fine chap worked up the courage to kiss me, I was done for.” He fanned himself, all drama.

I laughed. With Rhett by my side, the laughter tumbled from me.

By now, Zayne grinned, the expression cockeyed, clearly torn between amusement and his constant state of annoyance. “What happened next?” he eventually egged Rhett on.

“Well, the next night,” Rhett continued, “there was a grand ball. With the Shades hampering trade, the royal family was eager to celebrate and honor the premier fae merchants.”

Zayne smirked, understanding where this was heading. “And Ayla was there?”

I nodded. “I was part of the royal entourage hosting the ball.”

“Ayla had worn her scarf at the fiddle bar, while at the ball she had her antlers on full display. Still, I knew it was her. Recognized her the moment the orchestra played ‘When the Wolf Walks into Town.’ Her dancing gave her away.”

Zayne played the eager audience and asked, “So what happened at the ball?”

“Rhett asked me to dance.” I laughed, lifting my cup and toasting him. “What a bastard.”

Rhett clinked his glass to mine. “The look on your face!”

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