Page 120 of The Reaping Rose

“Am I wrong?” the man challenges. “Have you ever seen one of those foul creatures in your lifetime? There are no Fae remaining in the realm apart from the heads atop Overlord Farseth’s posts, and it’s for the better.”

“Albeit a little gruesome.” His friend’s nose scrunches. “They’re still decomposing.”

“More proof the Fae are unnatural.”

They cheer in agreement, and my fingers tense around my beer as I take a sip.

“If you ask me, the overlord knows he’s spreading lies; he just wants an excuse to keep that girl on a leash. Pretty little thing, even with that hideous mark on her face. I doubt he looks her in the eyes when he beds her.”

“Better him than me.” The other man shivers in mock disgust, and they both chuckle.

“Is this seat taken?” A pretty human girl, no older than Elorie, stops in front of me, pulling my focus away from the men in the back of the room.

I shake my head, shifting in my seat. But when the girl sits down, she angles my way, stripping out of her cloak, revealing her rich umber skin in a dress that leaves her shoulders bare and curves exposed.

Brown eyes meet mine. There’s no denying she’s beautiful with her delicate features, and gauging how close she sits, she might even be interested. But I keep my body angled toward the bar.

“Marigold.” She smiles sweetly, introducing herself.

“Callum.” I take a sip of my drink when she has yet to take her eyes off me.

She traces the line of my hood with her gaze, not asking why I’ve yet to take it off in this hot room. Thankfully, I’m not the only one. A few men sit scattered about with their faces hidden, also attempting to pass through town unnoticed.

“To the overlord.” The men in the back cheers loud enough that it draws Marigold’s attention.

She glances their way and frowns, tucking her black curls behind her ears.

“Terrible,” she murmurs, her gaze flicking to me when her comment catches my attention. “Sorry. I suppose I should hold my tongue. No matter what side you’re on, there are those who will slit your throat for simply having an opinion.”

My head angles, glancing from the men to her. “There are sides?”

“Oh.” Marigold’s eyes widen. “I didn’t realize whispers of the rebellion hadn’t spread to the other continent yet. You must be from there, yes?”

She eyes my clothes, and I suspect it’s better for her to think I’m from elsewhere since I have no idea what she’s talking about.

I nod.

Marigold forces a smile as a barkeep brings her a drink. She turns to me, beads of condensation dripping over her fingers and chin as she takes a sip. One droplet slides down her jaw—her neck. It slips between her breasts, leaving a wet trail in its wake.

“Not all agree with the queen’s orders to continue trying to summon the Fae,” Marigold says, and my gaze snaps from her chest to her eyes. “After all, they plagued us, left us to rot after she broke her promise to them; what good will them coming back here do? Alas, the queen won’t give it up. Rumor is that Overlord Farseth is gathering an army to deal with her and stop the plague.”

“This plague killing the trees?”

She nods, taking another drink. “The Fae spread it right before they closed the path to their realm, dooming us. The queen seems to think she can reason with them and get them to reverse it. You must be far better in the southern continent if you’ve yet to see the effects of the plague there.”

“No, sorry, I was just confused because we call it something else,” I quickly lie. “A sickness in the realm. Though I haven’t heard the Fae are at fault there.”

“Not everyone here believes the Fae are at fault.” She shrugs. “I don’t know what to believe.”

“Me either,” I admit.

I’ve never heard that the Fae might have spread a plague before the Arch to the Mortal Realm closed. Although, if reading through the history of Alyssium is any indication, there’s much I don’t know. Still, I doubt the forests are dying simply because of something the Fae brought. I would guess there is more to it, just as there is more to the decay back home.

“The overlord doesn’t agree that the Fae will help the queen. He swears they will only bring more death to our realm. Hence his little rebellion.” Marigold rolls her eyes. “I suppose we’ll see how many follow him.”

“Is that why he’s traveling through town?”

Marigold nods. “He claims he has a cure for the dying forests that doesn’t involve the Fae. Yet he does that while dragging that cursed girl beside him, so who knows. Did you see her at the parade? That mark on her face? I wouldn’t be surprised if the plague is within her too. Spreading where she goes. Maybe they were right about her.”