Page 9 of Of Curses and Courtship

His friend moves to stand, but the white-haired stranger waves a hand. “I’m in no danger.”

“Ha.” I scoff. “That’s what you think.”

He laughs again, but I’m no longer charmed by the sound. It’s almost as if he’s laughing at me—or perhaps not, but it’s challenging to get along with someone who is so openly threatening my way of life.

If anyone in Far Water knows what I am… No. I can’t begin to imagine the outcome. There’s a reason my father taught me to hide.

“I’ll keep your secret,” he says. “It’s only that I did not realize it wasmeantto be a secret. My apologies.”

Of course, a fae does not understand. He may not even realize I’m a halfling. This fae doesn’t have the answers I’m looking for if he cannot begin to understand me. “Well… it is.”

He tilts his head to the side. “May I ask why?”

“I’m sure you know why.” I lift a shoulder. “The mortals here dislike your kind—my kind, I suppose. Besides, I am a mere halfling. I have as much of a claim to this mortal-run land as anyone does.”

Halflings have a terrible reputation with the mortals and Sun Fae alike. I’m the only thing a mortal fears more than the fae—all thanks to a bloody prophecy.

Recognition flickers across his features.

“I suppose that’s true.” He folds his hands on the table as our drinks are delivered. “And you believe I don’t have a right to be here?”

I pull a pint closer, wrapping my hands around the frosted glass. “I’m not the one who makes the rules.”

“But you agree with those who do?”

What a complicated question. Following the rules of thisland keeps me safe, and I’ve always done so without question, until now.

“It’s not my place to disagree with them.” I lift the glass to my lips. “They claim to make rules for our safety, and I don’t pretend to know more about safety than those in power.”

“You don’t give yourself the credit you deserve.” His lips quirk up on one side. “Halflings, like you, are the bridge between two lands. In other places, places so far you cannot imagine, they walk freely between fae and mortal lands alike. Tell me, have you ever felt an urge to snatch a mortal babe?”

“I beg your pardon.” My eyes widen, and I set the pint down with a thud. “Of course, I haven’t.”

“Then what makes you think I have?”

The tales of fae stealing babes have been spread around for so long, and by so many mouths, that it’s considered more than a myth. It is our reality—or, perhaps not, if this fae is to be believed.

I shake my head. “Then what, pray tell, is happening to our children?”

“The same thing that’s happening to ours—and it isn’t only the children who are in danger, little halfling.”

The almighty, immortal fae… their children are in trouble, too? Fear prickles at the back of my neck. “I don’t understand.”

“Ah. Perhaps that is for the best.” He smiles, but it’s not real, not like the times I made him laugh. The mirth doesn’t quite meet his eyes. “Let us change the subject.”

“Yes, let us.” I lift my drink, guzzling as much as possible.

If this stranger intends to bring me into topics I don’t understand, I’ll need the ale to get through the evening. This is what I get for extending kindness to a stranger.

“Do the people of this town treat you without compassion?” he asks.

My lips twist into a wry smile. “That doesn’t feel like a change of subject.”

“I find it hard to change the subject when I’m curious about you. It’s rare for me to meet people such as yourself.”

Of course, it is. Considering the prophecy and rumors, halflings often hide their nature.

My jaw clenches. “On the contrary, most here are kind to me. They’re my friends and neighbors, and I grew up with them.”