AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t like—”
He didn’t finish the sentence. I arched a brow, waiting for more, but then a waitress appeared at our table.
“Morning. Aren’t you two an interesting pair?”
Vallon’s hard gaze shot to her, but she merely raised one hand, palm out. Her splayed hand revealed the webbing of skin between her fingers. She was a skald fae.
“I meant no offense, priest. What can I get for you two this morning?”
“What do you have?” he grumbled.
“We’ve got wild hog ham, fresh bread, an assortment of cheese, poached eggs, spiced berry jam, and honey-and-cream oats.”
“Bring us two servings of everything. And a pot of tea.” Then Vallon looked past her toward the bar. “Is Haldek in the back?”
“He is.”
Vallon leaned over the table, catching my gaze with that intensity that was becoming far too familiar. “I’ll be right back. Stay here.” Then he shoved out of the booth and strode toward a door next to the bar that must lead to the kitchen area.
When I turned my attention back to the skald fae, I found her observing me carefully. I couldn’t help but admire her striking features.
Her hair was a vibrant red, like that of a cloak I had seen and coveted once on a Mevian fae who’d passed through our village. Her eyes were jewel green, the color I imagined the Nemian Sea might be. The skald fae lived in Mordon next to the sea named after their sea god.
“You’re far from home,” she said to me finally.
“So are you,” I observed.
When she smiled, her wide mouth and feline-shaped eyes only made her look more striking. I’d always thought myself fair, but she was as pale as parchment.
There was something else about her that tingled my senses, making gooseflesh rise on my arms. That always happened when my seer abilities sprang to the forefront. But I didn’t have a vision or a flash of knowing, just a hint of something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
She glanced over her shoulder before she leaned closer. “Do you need help?”
I almost laughed. Yesterday afternoon, I would’ve begged anyone for help to get away from the giant shadow fae who’d abducted me. But today, he was no longer my enemy. He was my ally. And he was going to help me find my sister.
“No,” I said with a smile.
Then she arched her brow with a wicked expression. “Ah, I see now.” She winked. “Let me just get that breakfast for you then.”
She swished off in her plain, brown dress that only accentuated her vibrant coloring all the more and went through the door where Vallon had disappeared. I was surprised she jumped to the conclusion that Vallon and I were—what—lovers? More than that?
The idea flipped my belly with nerves. For so many reasons. Strangely, none of them were because I abhorred the idea.
The wraith fae couple ate their breakfast and murmured softly, not even looking my way. The tavern was built with better craftsmanship than my Papa’s. Not my Papa, I suppose. Not anymore. I had to keep reminding myself.
There were sturdy beams across the ceiling, carved from the pale gray trunks of esher trees. That would’ve cost the owner a pretty penny seeing as eshers only grew far to the north near Silvantis.
The tables and chairs were crafted with flourishing designs that showed the artisan had an artist’s eye, not simply the practical eye of a builder. The tall and wide fireplace was built of large, smooth river stones someone had to have hauled with great care or purchased at a hefty price.
The skald fae entered through the swinging kitchen door and returned to my booth with a pot of tea that smelled of spiced cloves and redberries, a lovely combination, though not as sweet and tempting as Vallon’s.
She set two ceramic cups on the table and a decanter of cream. I bit back a smile, remembering Vallon’s fancy, silver tea service high in the tree this morning.
“Thank you,” I told her.
“You’re welcome.” She propped a hand on her hip. “Where are you two headed?”
