9. Wren
WREN
“Talon seems to have calmed the fuck down.” Wick says as I sweep the last bit of floor.
I yawn and nod. I’d noticed the prickly griffin was nicer today, but it’s still a far cry from friendly most of the time.
“He brought in the flowers. I can just imagine him frowning as he’s picking them.”
I chuckle. “Okay, that is an adorable image. Probably mumbling to himself about how ridiculous it is, but doing it anyway.” I glance at the cherry can full of the flowers. “It’s sweet.”
“It’s strange for him, but I’ll take it. He’s been off a few months. More melancholy than usual, but I think you brightened him right up.”
“Dunno, but he’s brightened my day.” I put the broom and dustpan away in the break room and rejoin Wick at the counter. “I like it here. I like the people. The job. You. Even grumpy Talon.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty great, if I say so myself. But obviously I’m biased.”
“I’m gonna head out.” I yawn so wide my jaw pops.
“Get some good sleep tonight. You looked exhausted all day.”
“Got stuff to do first, then that’s the plan.
” That’s absolutely not the plan. If I close my eyes, the Winter Court pops up.
I don’t want to think about it or Lord Yelling and why the hell he’s infiltrated my dreams. It’d be a good idea to see if Lark would intervene like Talon had suggested, but Lark doesn’t know the politics like I do.
I don’t want to drag him into it. I could ask one of the demons to pop in and talk to my mother, but I don’t want to drag one of my friends into it or my mother. This is such a mess.
I chose to walk around, though the humidity makes it so annoying to exist outside. If I go to bed, I’ll see Lord Yelling and I just want sleep. Why did he wait so long before starting this weird campaign? Surely he knows I can’t go back to the Fae lands. What’s his plan?
Lord Yelling was always one of my better patrons. He treated me with respect until I rejected his proposal of companionship. He’d been so cordial, giddy even. Then I rejected him. The memory is still sharp and clear in my mind since it was such a contrast to his usual self.
I brush Lord Yelling’s long olive green hair. It’s lovely and silky, but I don’t want to do this for eternity.
His gray eyes met mine in the vanity mirror. This is it. I let out a soft breath. He holds up a hand to stop me from my task. My heart pounds so hard I have to fight back nausea.
He turns to me and takes my hand.
“Wren.”
My stomach tumbles. I should want this, but I don’t. I don’t want to be anyone’s arm candy. Look at me, I won Wren.
“I enjoy our time together.”
I lick my lips and swallow. “As do I.” It’s not a lie, he’s a gentleman, older, knows what he wants. But he’s not who I want to spend my life with.
He pulls a thin box from inside his jacket. My stomach flops. Of course he’d want a collar. Is it a chain? Is it leather with his name pressed into it?
“I’d like for you to be my companion.”
My head spins. There it is.
Lord Yelling opens the box to reveal a thin chain with a rose pendant, the emblem of his house.
“You’re speechless.” He lifts a hand and brushes a tendril of hair behind my ear.
“I—I can’t.” My legs finally work, and I step back, out of his reach. “Everyone knows the affections of a courtesan are manufactured. Your feelings, they aren’t real. You would regret it.”
“How would you know?” Yelling’s eyes grow stormy. The corners of his mouth twitch before his lips twist into a snarl. “So much time we’ve gotten to know each other. I’ve only told you the truth.”
“As have I.” He was always nice to talk to, but everything has always been shallow.
Yelling snarls. “Trollop. I’ve wasted so much time on you.” He stomps toward me. His wings flitter in agitation as if he can’t decide whether to fly or walk. They snap out, startling me as much as the backhand does.
I press a hand to my stinging cheek. “You know the rules.” Never hit a courtesan, unless it’s been negotiated and written into a contract. Never draw blood. The copper taste fills my mouth where my flesh mashed against my cheek.
“And you know how to toy with people’s emotions so well they think you’ve fallen in love with them.”
“That’s the job. That’s—”
“No!”
I’m pressed against the door and I frantically use my free hand to find the handle, but Yelling doesn’t let up.
“You’ll say yes or—”
“Or what?” I raise my voice, hoping the guards outside hear.
“You’ve hit a courtesan. You’ll be lucky if you’re ever allowed to bed one in this court again, let alone stay here.
” I pound on the door. Begging with my mind for a guard, not that they’d hear me.
Telepathy isn’t a Fae gift. I never saw Yelling reacting this way.
I push at him just as the door swings open and two guards flank him.
I fall to my knees as they take him away. His shouts echo through the corridor.
A third guard drops to his knees in front of me and lifts my chin to face him. “He hit you.”
I nod and open my mouth to reveal the cut and set Yelling’s fate before I can heal.
“I’m so sorry, Wren. I never would have thought Yelling of all people.”
“I rejected his proposal of companionship.” I wave towards the forgotten box on the floor.
“He shouldn’t have reacted that way.” The guard, Yuri, if I remember correctly, lifts me to my feet. “We have to report this to the King.”
“I know.” My limbs tremble as I follow his lead. My long hair must be a tangled mess. My clothes are rumpled. I’m in no state to speak to royalty. Please let my mother not witness my testimony. I don’t want her to see me this way.
The walk to the throne room in the bright morning light is a slodge.
“I need to fly,” I say to Yuri. He nods and I take flight, lifting to midway of the tall ceiling.
There’s commotion once we finally make it to the huge oak doors. The guards here wave us in. Yelling is already, well, yelling at the king.
Thankfully, my mother isn’t here. The queen is, and she gives me a sympathetic look.
“Oh Wren, you poor thing,” she says, holding out a hand as we approach. She’s my mother’s best friend and her affection is familiar to me. I take her offered hand, and she squeezes mine back.
“That Autumn Fae slut—”
Her Majesty slaps Yelling. “You will address Wren properly. He is not as you say. He is in good standing with the Winter Court.”
My own cheek twinges from the memory of Yelling’s hit.
“Wren, please tell us what happened,” His Majesty says. “All I’m getting out of Lord Yelling is, well...” He waves at the man still fuming between two guards.
I lick my lips, and Her Majesty calls for water. Before long, a servant brings us all bottles of water from the human realm, which makes me chuckle before I drink down a few gulps.
Yelling seethes beside me. “He’s a snake. A vicious snake.”
I replace my water bottle on the offered tray. “I simply used the education I was given as a courtesan. We’re taught to please and give a memorable time. We do not intend for our patrons to fall in love with us.”
Yelling snarls and lunges at me. “You slut. Whore. Trollop. Strumpet—”
“Enough of that!” Her Majesty waves her hand and Yelling’s lips seal shut.
Her Majesty looks to the king.
I pace as I continue. “I have found Lord Yelling a pleasing partner in our times together, even until his proposal of companionship. He’s never treated me badly until the rejection.”
Yelling stops struggling against the mouth restraint. Fae can’t lie, and he knows that. We all know that. I don’t even dance around lies because things get too complicated if I do.
“Of the folks I entertain, Lord Yelling has consistently been one of my favorites because of how he treats me. However, I do respectfully request never to see him again. In my bed or in court.”
It’s a huge ask, but Yelling chose to hit me and we have a good rapport. What will he do to the others when he’s upset?
“I believe that’s a reasonable request,” His Majesty says.
He takes Yelling’s hand and slashes an X upon his palm.
“You’re banished from the Winter Court at least until you can behave yourself and prove you’ll never abuse anyone ever again.
We run a peaceful court and you’ve sullied that. Go back home.”
What have I done? Yelling controlled trade with the goblin market. We get all our silk from them. They’ll never work—
“Wren?” Her Majesty cups my cheek. “What is it, dear?”
I drop to my knees and press my forehead to the floor, desperate. “I petition to be released from my contract. I—I don’t have fancy words. I’ve tried writing them down, but please.” I lift my head to see the frown on the king’s face.
“One incident shouldn’t scare you out of service.”
“This isn’t the only time someone has proposed companionship and I rejected them.”
“How many times?” The queen asks. She motions for me to stand.
“Yelling was the seventh.”
“You’re popular.” His Majesty chuckles as he scratches his bearded jaw.
“I don’t wish to be. I wish to be free. To choose who to love. Not be told who to act like I love.”
Her Majesty’s eyes soften. “I’m sympathetic to your plight, dear one. But please remember, you’ll need to have your petition turned in next week, when it’s proper to hear of these things. We will, of course, think about it.”
“Yes. Of course. Thank you.”
“You’re dismissed.” His Majesty waves me off with a chuckle as he pulls his queen to his side.
“Thank you.” I bow all the way out of the throne room. What if they won’t release me?
I shake the memory. It’s just as bad as the dreams. Oh, they released me, but not the way I’d expected.
“Wren?” Sparkle bounds up beside me and grabs my hand. He swings our hands as we walk.
I hadn’t realized where I was going as my mind played back the reel of my last interaction of Lord Yelling and I’m basically at Hex Grocer.
“Wanna shop together?” Sparkle holds up a list the length of his arm. “Mama sent me out to do the running. I’m glad to be out of the house. The kittens are loud today. Not much longer till summer break, then everyone will be home all the time. I’m not looking forward to it.”
“You’re welcome to move in with me. Wick said as much. He said they offered you the place, but you kept rejecting them.”
Sparkle’s tail stops swaying, and he shakes his head. “Mama wouldn’t like it.”
“Sparkle.” I take both of his hands in mine and make him face me.
“You’re an adult, and while it’s sweet that you help your mom with the kittens, you’re allowed to live your life.
The twins are graduating high school this year.
The other two oldest are gonna be a junior and senior come August. The one in middle school is moving to high school and Ferris’ll be in middle school in the next school year. They don’t need you anymore.”
His ears twitch, and he nods. “I know,” it comes out a whisper, and he squeezes his eyes shut. “I know.” His bottom lip trembles and he shakes his head.
“Hey, hey. How about you do your shopping? I’ll grab some snacks and we can hang out all night. We can call up Beau, and Lark, and Gabe if he’s off too. It’ll be fun. Don’t even think about the kittens or responsibility or anything.”
“That could be fun. And I’m off tonight.” He bounces on his toes. “Okay, yeah! Let’s do it.” He pulls out his phone and texts the group chat about hanging at my new place. After everyone responds, he adds one more thing that makes me laugh.
Sparkle: This is NOT the official apartment warming party. That’s Saturday and I expect everyone there.
I pull Sparkle in for a hug and smack a kiss on his cheek right at the same time Talon comes into view on the path. He glowers and turns around. So much for thinking he’s getting more friendly.