Chapter Four
“Java.”
I cringed as my father came down the steps, using my old nickname, looking past me at the human named Aleixo. His face lit up instantly, and I could see the charming smile he carried form suddenly.
“Father…”
“Why, who is this young man? Have you come passing through? It’s not often we see a human in these parts, but you’re welcome here, of course.”
Aleixo offered a slight bow. “It’s a pleasure, sir. I was just talking to your daughter. It’s an odd world you’re living in, but—”
“A world of espressos and delicious treats and endless delights!” I cut him off.
Father didn’t take kindly to those who traveled outside our realm.
As part of the richest realm, he felt they did not reward his dazzling customer service well enough.
Father was a darling man, but he was flawed… very flawed.
Aleixo’s sharp eyes darted to meet mine, one brow raised in a questioning look. “Yes, indeed.” Turning back to Father, he continued, “I meant with the strange things that happen around here.”
“Aleixo,” I whispered to him. “No.”
But he didn’t listen. He continued as my father inched closer to him. “Well, the crinkles, and of course, when I asked your daughter about that silver ball in the window, she told me to hush!”
I clamped my hand over his mouth, but it was too late. The words had escaped, and despite not having a map, they’d found their way straight to Father’s ears.
“The silver ball, you say?” Father latched onto the words. “You wish to inquire about the silver ball?” He reached over to grasp my hand. “Oh, thank the realms, my prayers have been answered.”
“Your what?” Aleixo questioned. “What an odd thing to say…”
“You wish to acquire the silver ball in the window?”
“That’s a very generous offer, but I’m not sure about acquiring it,” Aleixo babbled on. “I mean, would I like a silver ball one day? Sure, why not? But—”
Father cut him off with a wave of his hand and rushed to the front door.
“Do you have any idea what you have done?” The words finally fell from my lips, and Aleixo turned to me in confusion. Of course, he didn’t; he wasn’t from here, and he didn’t know our customs. And yet, he had just changed his entire fate…both of our fates.
“Father, wait!” I called after him, but before I knew it, he was running back in, the silver ball in his hand. “Please, stop.”
“We can’t stop now, Java! This young man has inquired about your silver ball.
We never thought this day would come.” Father wasn’t even going to look into what kind of man this was?
Was he so eager and desperate to have me married off that he would just send me with the next man who came along?
Those thoughts stung more than I wanted to acknowledge.
“I have no money, sir,” Aleixo cut in as Father moved to offer him the silver ball.
“No, no.” Father laughed. “Why, you’re a joking man, aren’t you? I would never dream of accepting payment. This is your payment.”
“My payment? Wow! This really is such a lovely town.” He reached out to take the ball, and I lunged forward to intervene.
“Don’t take it!” I cried out, shocked he would accept something like this from a stranger.
But it was too late.
Sparks flew everywhere as the silver ball met his hand, and a silver chain shot out in my direction, wrapping around my wrist before disappearing before our eyes.
We were bound, well and truly bound to one another.
My eyes flashed as I raised them to meet his. “What have you done?”
He looked at me, panic filling his gaze as he attempted to pass the silver ball back to me. “I don’t know. I’m sorry!”
Father hadn’t noticed the sheer and utter shock that circled the three of us, but before I could open my mouth—and just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse—a dark shadow passed over the front window. The door swung open, a creak sounding throughout the room.
“Knock, knock…” a low, velvety voice called out.
The Realm Guard had arrived.