10. Kaiya
The sun peeked sleepily over the horizon, and I picked up my pace, almost running along the cobblestone path toward the Fae district. I popped the last bite of roll in my mouth and withdrew the note with the dock number.
Anaire Shipyard: Dock 007. Ship leaves at 0900 sharp.
I checked the sun again and winced. It was already half-past eight.
I”d lost track of time last night pouring over the mission briefing and doing what little research I could. So I”d barely even had enough time to pack my things.
Ahead loomed a large, red brick guard tower for the Fae district. Four flags waved lazily at the top, representing the four Fae courts.
Working solely within the Empire”s borders, I had little experience with Fae. I”d never even been to the Fae district before.
Curiosity bubbled up inside of me, but I pushed it down.
This wasn”t a sight-seeing trip. I was there to board a Fae merchant ship and get on with the mission.
Focus, Kaiya.
Nodding to myself, I strode up to the counter and passed the guard my entry forms. ”I”m headed to the port for a ship leaving at 0900.”
The man”s eyes widened as they slid over my face, then body. He motioned for another man to come over, this one taller, with narrow eyes and a large scar crossing from his chin to his ear.
”Sir. Papers say she”s cleared to enter,” he said, shrugging as he passed over my documents.
The tall soldier scoffed, then ran his finger over the Empire”s seal and held it up to the light. ”Eh — must be another clerical error. Paper pushers would let a Fae rob ”em blind, then thank the bastard to boot. Send a runner to clarify —”
I gritted my teeth and leaned forward on the counter. ”I am an agent in the Science Division, Soldier. And the last time I checked, that means I outrank you. So, I”d appreciate it if you”d let me through without delay. I have a ship to catch.”
The man clicked his tongue and continued staring at the papers. ”Sorry, miss. Can”t have no lady, ”specially a pretty scientist like yourself, gettin” robbed or worse. I think you bein” sent alone was a mistake. Not the first time it”s happened. We”ll just send a runner to get confirmation you”re supposed to be here. If you are, I”ll escort you myself.”
My jaw grew tighter with each word out of his condescending mouth.
”I don”thave time for all that,” I growled.
”Sorry, miss. It”s my job to keep you safe, even if you don”t like it. That”s how it is.” He turned to the other man and gestured toward a door in the back of the guardhouse. ”Gerin, get the runner.”
The shorter man nodded, and the other put down my papers and turned back to the newspaper he”d been reading as though I wasn”t even there.
Fists tight at my sides, I stared in disbelief.
They weren”t going to let me in! And unfortunately, I didn”t have all that many alternative options.
If I waited, I risked missing the ship entirely.
Could I walk away, then attempt to sneak in?
No. I discarded the idea immediately. The Fae area had high walls and was tightly locked down to ”keep the Empire”s citizens safe from Fae dangers.”
The tall man noticed I was still standing there and winced. ”Sorry, miss, but glaring at me isn”t gonna change the Fae.” He offered me a condescending but apologetic smile. ”The last thing we need is the Investigation Division breathing down our necks. You understand, right? Staying under the radar is better for everyone.”
Groaning, I rolled my eyes. The Empire loved pushing the narrative that mages were evil, and Fae were ”other,” but I knew better.
”Look,” I said, trying to force a patient smile as my temper lashed wildly inside my chest demanding I pull out my dagger and show him why he shouldn”t be worried for me. ”You don”t have to worry. I know for a fact that charisma doesn”t work on me. Plus, I AM APPROVED TO ENTER … and I outrank you.” I forced myself to breathe slowly as I leaned further over the counter until the tall soldier and I were almost nose to nose. ”My mission is of the highest priority, and if you continue to impede my progress —”
”Don”t worry, gentlemen.” Long fingers wrapped around my shoulder, tugging me backward as a tall figure stepped in beside me. ”I”ll escort her.”
The roll I”d eaten sank like lead in my stomach.
I shook off the offending hand and turned to see Prince Jaiel, his hair loose around his shoulders — one side braided back over his pointed ear. He carried a pack slung haphazardly over one of his broad shoulders, and grinned at the guards, blue eyes warm.
Did he think that I needed saving?
Ha. I crossed my arms and leaned back. Good luck.
I couldn”t wait to see him taken down a peg or two.
”Prince Kierstall,” the tall soldier said, stiffening and offering a bow.
Wait. What?
”Of — of course, Sir,” he stammered. ”We were just requesting some confirmation before we escorted her down. You needn”t trouble yourself, Sir.”
My jaw dropped. Trouble himself?
The guard was wearing charm-blocking armor. How was Jaiel getting to him?
”It”s fine,” Jaiel replied, offering a reassuring smile as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. ”Besides, I wouldn”t want to be the one delaying the famous Savior of Karemi.”
The guard”s eyes went wide, and his face drained of color as he turned to me and dipped into a bow even deeper than the one he”d offered Jaiel.
”I apologize, Miss Savior,” he said, voice thready. ”I didn”t realize who you were. Uh, just mention that next time, and I”m sure the guards will let you pass without issue.” Standing up straight, he passed back my papers. ”Have a safe journey, ma”am.”
Forsaken hells! I glared daggers at the prince, attempting to brush off that damn arm as I whispered to him. ”If I”d wanted to bring up that horrible title, I”d have done it myself!”
But Jaiel just smiled and gripped my shoulder more tightly as he tugged me through the slowly opening gate.
”Are you sure you”re ready for this mission?” he asked, looking me up and down. ”It”s not just ruins and monsters on the Isle, you know. There are actual mage factions you”ll have to interact with. And unfortunately … it would seem that your people skills leave … er, much to be desired.” His lip quirked. ”At least you”re nice to look at, though.”
My neck heated. ”I”ll have you know I have great people skills when needed!” I dug my elbow into his side and pushed myself free of his arm. ”And I didn”t need your help back there. Worst case, I”d have been a few minutes late for normal boarding. But I”d still have made the departure!”
”Oh, I very much doubt that, Princess,” Jaiel said, gesturing for me to follow him down a narrow street in the ocean”s direction. ”Just admit it. I offer value to the team, and you were glad I showed up when I did.”
”I was nothing of the sort,” I huffed, jaw tight.
He chuckled. ”Oh, come now. I”m not asking for much. Just a small ”Thank you” … or perhaps a ”You are too kind, oh handsome prince” … or even a little, ”I am not worthy of such a skilled and handsome partner for this mission.””
”Or I could stab you and be rid of this chronic migraine you give me,” I hissed back.
”See what I”m talking about,” he grinned. ”You should take a lesson from …” Jaiel continued talking, but I tuned him out, attention caught by a small woman with long blue hair and delicate, lacy blue wings on her back, darting out of a building and past us.
To my shock, her long hair shortened and turned a very human shade of black as I stared. Then the wings on her back shrank and disappeared before she turned a corner ahead and was out of sight.
”Wha —” I spun to look at Jaiel, searching his broad shoulders. ”Gods! Do you have wings?”
He let out a short laugh. ”I do not, Princess. But that doesn”t mean I can”t take you to new heights.”
I rolled my eyes. ”Oh, come off it already.”
”Fine. Fine,” he said. ”Fae come in many more shapes and sizes than humans, and I, like most Fae, do not have wings.”
”How about your hair? Gods. Please tell me you can change it to something more interesting than plain black.”
His jaw dropped, and he held his hand protectively against his dark hair. ”I had no idea my hair disappointed you, Princess! But no — unless I use a purchased, pre-made glamor, my hair cannot change color.”
”Oh stop,” I said, groaning. ”I”m not disappointed — more surprised than anything. You”re the only Fae I”ve spent any time with, so I stupidly assumed all Fae were like you. It was narrow-minded of me, and I apologize.”
His eyes widened with glee. ”You really haven”t seen any Fae but me? I assumed you”d been here before! Humans love sneaking in and enjoying company with my kin. Then again,” his lips quirked as his gaze slid down my body, ”you don”t get out much, do you?”
”I do, too!” I spluttered, cheeks hot as I pretended I wasn”t lying through my teeth.
I enjoyed my work, though. And the occasional one-night stand.
I just didn”t see the value in spending time frivolously. There was too much to get done for that.
His eyes narrowed in suspicion. ”Mhmmm. Well, if you think she was impressive,” he gestured toward the end of the street and the people passing at the intersection ahead. ”You”re going to love what”s ahead.”
We emerged into the large intersection, and my jaw dropped.
He was right …
A little girl with curling horns atop her head and a long fluffy tail darted past me, chasing after a little fuzzy green creature with three heads. And across the street, a vendor was yelling about some kind of prickly purple fruit, gesturing wildly with his four arms.
Wow!
I froze as a tall man covered with fur and sporting four purple eyes narrowed his gaze and strode towards us.
He spat at our feet, hissing, ”Roain,” as his forked tongue unfurled between his pointed teeth.