Page 28 of The Crown of the Last Fae Queen
Kolfinna jumped to her feet, nearly knocking the chair down. She gave him a small nod and headed toward the flap. The faster she was away from him, the faster this strange, confused knot in her chest would go away.
Right when she grasped the flap of the tent, Vidar called out her name. “Kolfinna.”
She turned in time to find him staring at her, his wings twitching, and an uncertain expression on his scarred face—a face that looked too hauntingly similar to her own.
“I would like to dine with you more often.” A pause, and then, “It was … pleasant.”
All they’d done was argue, but she didn’t say that. She only nodded.
“Sleep well.”
Kolfinna didn’t answer, just swiftly left the tent.
9
NINE – KOLFINNA
Kolfinna was givena tent to stay in for the night which was guarded by half a dozen fae and elves, so she didn’t even try to escape like last time. In the morning, she was hauled back on top of Astrid’s dreki and the whole army began their travel once more. It took them another day to reach their destination, Kibv, a city with a fortress at the forefront, and four towers on each corner of the walled city. It was completely overrun by fae, elves, and strange creatures—drekis, three eyed birds, and black horses with glowing red eyes. When they landed in the city square, dozens of fae came over to assist in moving cargo and resources.
Kolfinna dismounted from the dreki and watched in fascination at the vast array of fae and elves moving about in the city—the majority of them were soldiers, but there were women around who were clearly not warriors , along with small children. She did notice that there wasn’t a single human.
“How long ago did you capture this place?” she asked Astrid, who handed the reins of her dreki to a young fae warrior.
She glanced over her at her, blinking. “A month ago.”
“And the humans?”
“We allowed them to flee.”
“But … why?”
“Why what?” Astrid placed a hand on her hip. “Did you want us to kill them all? We definitely could have, but it’s better to let them escape and tell tales of our horror than to have them waste away in our prisons or to kill them.”
Kolfinna could only nod, her stomach clenching queasily. “I see.”
The town was beautiful; cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, the smell of woodsmoke pervading the air, partially-frozen empty clay pots that likely contained blooming flowers in the springtime, and the sun gleaming off the glossy shingles of the jam-packed houses. Fae children with bright green, blue, and purple eyes raced down the streets chasing a ball, their laughter peeling above the noises of the drekis huffing and scarfing down dead chickens and deer.
“Did you enjoy your ride?” Rakel came to stand beside Kolfinna, so quiet she hadn’t heard her approach. The elf warrior was dressed in her usual black leathers, her long, braided white hair swishing with the gentle breeze. Her red eyes flicked over to Kolfinna. “You’ll be staying in the West Tower for the remainder of your time here.”
Kolfinna glanced over at the towers on each point of the walled city. The towers were mostly windowless, and she wondered for a moment if they were meant to house prisoners.
Rakel seemed to read her mind, because she said, “We were supposed to give you another room closer to Commander Alfaer in the fortress, but since you’ve been uncooperative, you’ll be in one of those towers. Don’t worry, we’ve already rune-proofed the whole place so you can’t leave. You’ll have another prisoner to keep you company, and even an old friend.” She grinned down at her, and an uneasiness washed over Kolfinna.
“An old friend?”
“I won’t spoil the fun. You’ll meet her soon enough.” Rakel raked her gaze over Kolfinna’s torn, blood-stained, grimy dress, and crinkled her nose. “First things first, you need a bath, and a change of clothes. We can’t have our princess looking as though she hasn’t bathed in weeks and just barely escaped a bar fight.”
Kolfinna frowned, running her fingers over the silk material of the once-shimmering, once-beautiful dress. “I told you it would be better for me to wear something like what you’re wearing.”
“And I’ve told you already that you’renota soldier.” She waved her hand and began walking toward one of the towers. “Both of you, come along now.”
Astrid gently wound her arm through Kolfinna’s and trailed behind Rakel. Kolfinna was almost positive the warm gesture was more to keep her from fleeing than anything else, but she kept her lips sealed on that truth, and bitterly followed behind the elf woman, her gaze drifting to the houses and the fae surrounding them.
“You’re the princess of our empire,” Rakel said, shifting her metal staff from one hand to the other. “So try not to embarrass Commander Alfaer or the queen while you stay here.”
Kolfinna scowled. “I don’t even want to be here.”
“I’m aware.”
