Thirty
When we walked in, it quickly became clear that Finn was a regular. He exchanged a few handshakes and shoulder claps as we made our way to the bar.
“Lord Finnian! Let me take you to your usual table,” said the barkeep, who was as sturdy as the oak the tavern was attached to.
He hurried over to the swinging half-door and exited the bar wall.
“Who’s the lovely lady?” He glanced at me while leading the way.
“I haven’t seen you around here before.”
“Her name is Naeven,” Finn lied smoothly. “She’s visiting from another province.”
“I see.” The barkeep gave the lord a knowing look. “I guess it’s time to expand your prowling grounds?”
Finn chuckled. “You know I don’t need to prowl. Prey comes to me willingly.” He grabbed me by the waist and tucked me to his side.
I barely stifled a startled gasp at the same time the barkeep huffed out a laugh. “I do know! The tavern is always abuzz with stories about your latest escapades.”
“That’s why I like this table, to keep the buzzing to a minimum.” Finn winked at me as we reached a more secluded part of the tavern. We stopped before a seating area that looked like a nook, with a table and two dining benches carved into the wooden wall.
“After you.” Finn gestured to the arched entrance of the shadowy alcove. After I had taken my seat on the bench to the left of the table, he slid onto the bench opposite me.
“Naeven, this is Carric, the owner of this fine establishment,” Finn introduced the barkeep.
“Nice to meet you,” I said in my best Stellian, hoping that my accent didn’t give me away.
“Welcome to the Oak, miss! What can I get ya this evening?”
“Do you even have to ask? Stew and ale, of course,” Finn spoke on my behalf.
“Of course!” Carric exclaimed. “That’s what we’re known for, after all. Coming right up!”
As soon as he left the lord and me alone, I folded my arms over my chest and scowled. “Prey comes to you willingly?!”
Finn flashed a daring smile. “I have a reputation with the ladies. Relax! It’s all in good fun.”
“Relax?! How can I relax?” I whispered in order not to be overheard. “I’m in a foreign land, in a foreign province, far away from the safety of my chambers.” I paused, rubbing the star on my hand under the table as if touching it would bring me comfort. “I’m in a foreign body.”
“Exactly!” Finn whispered back, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “And isn’t there freedom in that? Emelin might not be able to relax, but Naeven can. In fact, I think she has a wild side.”
Before I could reply, Carric returned with a tray of food and drink.
“Here you are!” he announced boisterously as he deposited the stew and ale on the table.
“Thank you kindly!” Finn exclaimed without skipping a beat.
“Enjoy!” The barkeep left us once again.
Finn stared at me from across the table, a challenge in his amber gaze. “Look, I brought you here because I thought that you might enjoy yourself, but if you’re not, I can take you back.”
Emelin might not be able to relax, but Naeven can. I took a breath to calm my nerves. As I did so, the savory aroma of the stew reached my nostrils, and I looked down at the steaming bowl in front of me. When my stomach growled in hungry demand, I gave in and picked up my spoon.
“Wait, it’s hot,” Finn said after I had scooped up some meat and potatoes and brought the spoon to my mouth. He waved his right hand, and a puff of cool air kissed my face, stirring my hair. “Should be good to go.” He smiled.
“Did you just cool my food with your magic?”
“I did.” His smile grew.
I took a bite of the hearty dish, releasing a soft sigh at the delicious flavor.
“It’s good, innit?” he asked, digging into his own meal.
Innit? I studied him for a moment. While his physical features were refined, his manners were less so.
He wasn’t uncouth by any means, but he didn’t carry himself with the same poise that most nobles did.
Lack of such practiced finesse didn’t diminish his character.
On the contrary, it added to his effortless charm.
Why had Adrian said that no one trusted Finn?
Everyone at the tavern seemed to like him.
“How long have you been a lord?” I asked before taking another bite.
“I became the lord of this beautiful province twenty years ago. The best day of my life.”
“And each province bears the name of the ruling lord?” I recalled the little tidbit of information Thea had provided before.
“Yes, it does, and please don’t start entertaining the idea of changing that tradition. I’m quite fond of seeing my name on the map.”
“I take it you didn’t inherit the title?”
“Sure didn’t. I came from nothing and had to fight for everything I’ve got, but that’s a story for another time. Try the ale. It’s one of the best I’ve ever had.” He reached for his glass and took a generous gulp.
I set the spoon down and moved my drink closer to me. “I’ve never tried ale. I’m more accustomed to wine.”
“Take a sip. I think you’d be surprised at how many things you might like if only you give them a try.” He wiggled his brows, clearly trying to imply something else.
I shook my head in mild disapproval but then picked up the glass and took a sip. The light-copper drink had a rich, fruity flavor with a hint of bitterness. “It’s quite good,” I admitted, though I still preferred wine.
“See, I told you.” The warm glow from the small candle to his right played across his smiling face. When the flame quivered, Finn waved his hand to make it burn bright.
“How does Fae magic work? Can you control all the elements?”
“We can. Water, fire, air, and earth.”
“In Emeraldia, we control only earth, and even then, ‘control’ is a strong word for it. We transfer our magic into the land for a plentiful harvest.”
“Here, we use magic for anything and everything. Your food was made using magic, and so was your drink. The very glass you’re holding was probably forged using magic to a certain extent.
There is a drop of it in everything.” I looked down at my drink as if I could see the drop of magic Finn had mentioned.
“But that’s our problem, isn’t it? We have too much of it.
I have to tell you, I’m fascinated by the whole concept of you siphoning Silberium from the king.
How does it work exactly? How often do you have to do it? ”
I met his inquisitive gaze. “I’ve only done it once…” I stopped myself, unsure how much information I should share. My father hadn’t revealed all the specifics about me acting as the conduit to Emeraldians. How much had Adrian divulged to his people?
“Hiya, Finn!” A boyish voice interrupted our conversation as a Fae man slid onto the bench next to Finn. He immediately reached for the lord’s food and drink and began eating the stew, washing it down with the ale.
“Hiya, Cy,” Finn greeted him, not at all bothered that his meal had been stolen from him. “Vic,” he said to the Fae woman who took a seat next to me.
She displayed a toned physique, with defined muscles on her lean arms bared in the sleeveless tunic she was wearing.
Medium-length dark-blonde hair framed her heart-shaped face and covered her forehead down to her heavily-coaled light-blue eyes.
A small thin hoop was looped through one of her nostrils.
“Two out of three. Where’s—” Before Finn could finish the question, another man strolled up to the table. “Ethan.” The lord nodded at him.
The leather-clad newcomer didn’t reply, his face set in a serious expression as his deep-brown, nearly-black gaze took in everyone at the table.
“Are you going to drink that?” the woman next to me asked in a raspy voice.
I looked down at the drink before me. “Um…no.” When I grabbed the glass with both hands and moved it toward her, her gaze dropped to my left hand, and her eyes narrowed.
“This is Naeven,” Finn said as he covered my left hand with his, placing his thumb over my star mark. “She’s keeping me company tonight.”
“Hi, Naeven!” Cy said in between mouthfuls of food. He had an open, round face, green eyes, and a full head of shaggy light-brown hair.
“I’m Vic,” the woman introduced herself before taking a swig of the ale. “So, Naeven, where are you from?”
My panicked gaze darted to the lord.
“The Argent Province. We met during the royal wedding celebration. Wasn’t it something?” he replied with mirth in his eyes.
“Oh, it was grandiose!” Cy exclaimed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “I tell you what, it’s going to be strange having a mortal queen, but she sure is pretty.”
“Pretty? Oh, I think she’s stunning!” Finn said, looking at me, and I felt my cheeks heat at the compliment.
“Well, I mean, she’s no faerie, of course, but she’s beautiful in her own right.”
“That’s enough, Cy. Naeven, what do you think of the new queen?” Vic asked me.
“Really, Vic? You’re going to put my date on the spot?” Finn chuckled.
“At this point, I’m just trying to figure out if your date can speak for herself,” she countered.
“You hear that? Music. We’re going dancing!
” Finn announced a second before he glimmered us from the table.
Since I hadn’t expected being whisked away, I almost landed on my behind on the floor, but he held me up before sweeping me into a lively dance.
“Sorry for not giving you a warning. I figured you wanted to get out of there.” He smiled at me as we began moving through the main area of the tavern, following the path the other dancing couples were making.
“Your friend is intimidating,” I admitted, only half paying attention to the conversation as I was trying to imitate the steps of the fast-paced jig.
“Yes, Vic’s intense, but she has Cy to balance her out. They’re siblings.”
“I see. Do you have any siblings?”
“Yes, you just met them.” He grinned at me. “Though we’re not related by blood, those three are my family.”
“What about your real family?”
“Switch partners!” someone yelled before Finn could answer.
He spun me around, and I ended up in the arms of another Fae man—a rough-hewn, burly one. “My evening just got better,” he drawled with a toothy smile.