Page 138 of The Fae Girl 1

“You’ll see.” Indi said grabbing my arm, half laughing as they dragged me along.

As we came to a stop I gasped. Ahead the sunlight was pouring in. I could see the bridge. The bridge that lead right over the moat and…

I turned to look at them.What the hell was this?

“We thought you’d earned a little adventure.” Indi said.

“And to see more of this city that you’re being made to defend.” Nela murmured.

“What will the Prince say?” I asked.

Nela shrugged. “We have guards. As long as we don’t do anything stupid then he can’t say anything.”

I raised an eyebrow. That was a bold move. A bold statement. Because we all knew Prince Fain would flip if he saw me now.

“Come on Alice. Live on the wild side a little.” Indi said pulling me further towards the bridge.

I bit my lip. Maybe they were right. Besides I had earned this. Hell, they’d kept me locked away now for the best part of a year. And all the while this city dangled before me like a jewel.

Nela wrapped her arm through my spare one and the three of us walked over the moat, linked together.

* * *

The city was betterthan I’d ever imagined. Stalls lined the streets selling everything from fruit to fabrics to spices.

I paused staring at the brightly coloured powders on display.

“A potion for the Lady?” The seller said stepping forward.

“What potions?” I asked.

He grinned. “Potions for luck, for good fortune, even for love.”

I raised an eyebrow. That was an actual thing?

Indi pulled me away. “Most of them don’t work.”

“I wasn’t considering it.”

“No?” She said. “Not even a love potion?”

I laughed. “I think we have enough of that with Mira don’t you?”

They both laughed.

As we walked further I paused again. A woman was filling her basket with what I assumed was some sort of food. It’s blackened flesh looked twisted, as though it had fought its way through the earth as it grew.

“What is that?” I asked.

“Scalns.” Nela replied. “They actually taste much better than they look. Especially if you bake them.”

“Seriously?”

“Want to buy some?” Indi asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t have any money.” I muttered. And then I realised I’d never even seen money since I’d arrived. How had it taken me to now to notice that?

“We have some.” Nela said pulling out a purse for me to see.

---