Page 140 of The Fae Girl 1

But my favourite purchase was the tiny dagger I got myself. Barely more than a fingers width, I could easily conceal it under a dress, or even in my leathers, if I slid it up my sleeve.

I’d looked at Nela as I held it and I swear she nodded, just a little, just enough to encourage me.

As I tucked my hand around it now, it gave me confidence, silly as it was considering how much magic I supposedly had, but to know I had this, that I could all but kill with just this alone made me feel better.

Over dinner we gave Mira her presents. She flushed so red I thought she might cry.

“Thank you.” She gasped.

I grinned back before catching Nela’s eye. I hoped she was wrong. I hoped to god I wasn’t setting Mira up for pain.

But when Mira slipped away later in the night to see Ridley my heart sank.

“She has to make her own mistakes.” Indi said quietly.

“I know.” I murmured. But I felt guilty. I felt like I was responsible. “Do you think he will get out of the wedding?”

“No.” Nela replied.

I looked across at her.

“To do so would bring shame on both their families. He’s too far gone.” She stated.

“So what about Mira?” I asked.

Nela shrugged. “The best she can hope for is that he keeps her as his mistress.”

“What?” I snapped.

“That is, if his wife permits it, because Ridley isn’t the domineering type, at least not when it comes to women.”

“How do you know that?” I asked.

She shrugged. “You just have to look at him to tell.”

Indi sniggered.

“What?” I asked her.

“Ridley had a thing for Nela.” She faux whispered.

“What?” I gasped.

“It was years ago.” Nela said folding her arms. “Nothing happened obviously. He was a pampered little Lordling. Not my type.”

“And what is your type?” I half teased. She never seemed to even look at anyone except to size them up as an opponent.

She frowned like I’d hit a nerve.

“Sorry.” I said quickly. “It’s none of my business.”

“Don’t worry.” She said. “I’m not offended.” But she got up anyway, taking her time to pour a drink, like she was waiting for the conversation to move on.

“Thank you for taking me into the city.” I said. “I don’t think I realised how much I needed a break.”

“You’re welcome.” Indi replied.

“If we can, we’ll do it again, though we’ll have to time it right.” Nela stated.

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