Page 42 of Hopeless Realm
“Let me gather the Armed Seven. It’ll take the night to push everything into motion,” Darrio says more to himself than to anyone else.
“I think that’s a terrible idea,” Ryder argues without further explanation. He’s vetoing everything anyone says. He’s practically pouting like a child right now.
What is his problem?
Annoyance simmers through me.
“Lucky for us, you’re not expected to save an entire race of people, Ryder.” I stand, my small height threatening his as I push past him. “I am.”
***
Moments later, Ryder and I shudder into a busy village. I stumble, taken off balance from our little trip through space and time. The weight of my wings is heavy within me, my magic keeping them hidden safely out of sight.
Carts of goods line the paved road. A grand and proud clock tower like I’ve never seen before stands at the center of the roads, dividing the paths right down the middle. Sunlight strikes across the metal surfaces of the storefronts. The village is an iron town just like the bar we stayed in. Laughter and happiness surrounds us.
My gaze skims the angle of the sun to find we’ve traveled to the west. How far west, I have no idea.
Fae of every kind gather to exchange interesting sparkling coins for goods and services.
It isn’t our destination, that’s for sure.
Darrio said he and Dax would gather the men from each of the seven realms. He said Ryder would take me to his sister’s house and we would all meet there.
There was absolutely zero talk of a shopping spree.
“What are we doing here?” I turn to Ryder and his gaze takes in the mass of people forming in the street.
“Their sister, Bekka, said, and I quote, theycan’t be expected toentertain a gift from the gods without a clean house.” Ryder’s annoyance is held in his tight jaw as he starts to make his way through the crowd of people.
“So … we’re wasting time while she cleans? Does she realize we’re trying to plan a fucking war here?”
“Yes. Yes, she knows. She knows everything and if we step foot inside her house before she’s ready, she will cut my junk off.” He takes a step back, lacing his fingers with mine. I can only shake my head as he leads me through the busy street.
For the sake of Ryder’s beautiful junk, I follow after him. I feign interest in the crafts, in the pretty trinkets that the fae women hold out for me to admire. A simple smile is all I give them. I smile at them and admire their handiwork while the fate of the mortal realm weighs heavy on my heart.
“You like this?” Ryder holds out a silver chain. A shining emerald jewel hangs from it with two angled symbols of strength on either side. Small diamonds kiss the woven metal and my fingers trace along it without thought. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. The thief in me demands me to slip it into my pocket. It’s an unexplainable hunger that lives within me. Nerves tingle with intent.
And then, weirdly, Ryder passes the merchant several coins. They clink together as they fall into the woman’s hands. It’s so simple and bizarre. The exchange is made. He smiles at her. She thanks him.
It’s all very … normal.
It’s awful.
My brows crease.
“You just bought this?” I can’t keep the astounded tone from my voice.
His brows crease, mirroring my confusion exactly.
“Yeah … ”
“What if I hate it?” I shrug carelessly even though my fingers are still permanently attached to the smooth curve of the emerald jewel.
“If you hate it, then I only wasted five syphins.”
Five syphins. Five!
Wait, what the fuck is a syphin?
