Page 53 of Faeling
“Your queen must want her badly.”
“Indeed she does. This halfling is dangerous.” Raising hisvoice, the fae added, “To the one who turns her in—be they fae, orc, human, or otherwise—Queen Amaranthe will reward them with their weight in gold.”
Vallek bit down on the growl building within his chest. By the All-Mother, what had his hellion gotten herself into?
Perhaps it’s not her.There had to be more than one halfling fae woman in the world.
But what were the odds that one would be just where the Fae Queen thought she was?
Shit.
“What makes you think she’s in my lands?”
“Extensive searches have been carried out in the north. She isn’t there. That leaves the south.”
It was flimsy reasoning by Vallek’s estimation, but that mattered much less when he knew such a creature was lounging this very moment in his quarters, no doubt plotting some sort of mischief. The thought of Ravenna only set his beast to growling more fiercely.
Take them, rip them, destroy them.
Even if she wasn’t the one Queen Amaranthe sought, these fae were still a danger to his mate.
Starting a war would endanger her even more, however.
The fae leader extended his arm to indicate the wider Dyfan Bay. “We ask permission to sail your waters, to warn your good people of the danger. And the reward.”
“No.”
The denial came swifter than an arrow, stunning the fae as surely as a true attack.
Ulrich shifted behind him, his displeasure pressing againstVallek’s back.
“Iwill inform my people. You will return to yours, as per the terms of the treaty.” Just as orcs weren’t to be in the northern bay—at least not without paying taxes—so too were fae meant to avoid the southern waters.
The fae’s lips thinned. “I see. The Queen would prefer it if all orcs were looking for the halfling.”
“And I would prefer it if the Queen didn’t let dangerous criminals escape into my lands.”
Offended, the fae warriors scowled, looking between themselves. They wouldn’t do anything, not with the numbers as they were, but Vallek still eyed them warily.
“I grant you safe passage across the bay. You may tell your queen that her warning has been heeded.”
The fae tried a little more cajoling, promising more riches, more towns open to trade, but Vallek held. When they finally realized they would get nothing more from him, the fae leader snorted.
“Very well. Thank you for your time, orc king.”
He merely nodded, not rising to their bait. If they truly didn’t know his name, then they were poorly trained emissaries. If they thought slights would get them what promises hadn’t, then they were stupid emissaries.
Two fae kept their attention on Vallek as the others gathered their things. Then, as a unit, the fae trudged into the water to board their ship.
Vallek stood silent watch to ensure the threat left his shores.
He would leave a contingent behind to make safe the village and ease the minds of the town elders. A scouting team would be sent along the coast to watch the ship and confirm that theysailed back to the faelands. The rest would run with him back to Balmirra once they lost sight of the ship.
All-Mother, who is it my beast has chosen?
Ulrich came to stand beside him, his gaze contemplative as he watched the fae make ready their ship. Vallek knew what Ulrich thought, and his beast began to growl seeing his own second considering the fae’s offer.
“My king—”
