Chapter Six
Itrudge back toward Ember Unit, my mind churning over the teaching position. Not exactly what I'd hoped for, but maybe it'll get me closer to Ruby Hall, eventually. The morning sun beats down on my shoulders, and I shield my eyes against the glare.
“Hey! Wait up!”
I look up to see Eunho jogging toward me, his red uniform pristine and an infectious grin lighting his face. My lips curve up automatically in response.
“Ah, you again. And what are you up to?” I ask as he falls into step beside me.
“About to start my shift.” He runs a hand through his slightly messy, dark hair.
“Had quite the morning already, though. Two of the Topaz boys got into it with some Garnet males in the guard commons, and it took all of our extra Ruby guards and a couple of males from Houses Sapphire and Aquamarine to break them up.”
“That sounds stressful.” I wrinkle my nose, picturing the chaos.
Eunho waves a dismissive hand. “Nah, only two stabbings this time. Pretty mild, all things considered. And hey—nothing got set on fire, so I'm counting it as a win.”
A laugh bubbles up from my chest before I can stop it. His casual attitude about violence is so quintessentially fae.
“What about you? Coming from somewhere important?” He gestures to the folder I'm clutching.
“Just met with Elder Nam, actually. Got myself a job teaching affinity training to halfbloods.”
“No kidding?” His eyebrows shoot up with interest. “Didn't know you had formal training. That's pretty rare for halfbloods.”
“I got lucky.” I shrug as we approach Ember Unit's entrance.
“Grew up in a fae nursery after my mother abandoned me.
I was schooled with full fae children. Got all the same training from House Ruby's instructors, though I had to drop out before I reached full power. I think the full fae students felt threatened when my magic started to grow quicker than theirs.”
“Their loss.” Eunho's voice carries a note of genuine warmth that makes me glance at him. “Those kids will be lucky to have someone who understands what they're going through.” Eunho glances at Ember Unit's entrance, then back at me. “Hey, want to grab a coffee? The café here makes a decent brew.”
I smirk, cocking my head. “I thought you were starting your shift?”
His grin widens, shoulders lifting in an easy shrug. “The guards are really just here as a precaution. You know better than anyone that halfbloods can protect themselves just fine.”
Something warm settles in my chest at his casual acknowledgment. Most fae males I've encountered either dismiss halfblood abilities entirely or treat us like we're dangerous wild animals. But Eunho states it like an obvious fact, no hint of condescension in his tone.
I'm nodding before I can overthink it. One coffee won't hurt. “Sure, why not?”
The café is fairly empty this time of morning. Eunho insists on carrying my coffee and pastry to a corner table near the window, setting them down with a flourish that makes me roll my eyes, though I'm fighting a smile.
As we settle in, I study his relaxed demeanor, so different from the usual stiff formality of most nobles I've met. But the way he carries himself is all confidence. It's not the way someone from humble beginnings goes about the world.
“Are you high-fae too?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
His eyebrows shoot up, but then he grins sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I hope I don't come off that way. My mother is Elder Kang of House Ruby. I'm actually the youngest of twelve siblings.”
“Twelve?” I gape at him, nearly choking on my coffee. “I can't even imagine having that many siblings.”
Eunho laughs, clearly amused by my reaction. “There's quite a few years between me and my next youngest sibling, so it never felt too crowded growing up.” He takes a sip of his drink, eyes twinkling. “Though I'll admit, being the baby of the family meant I was thoroughly spoiled.”
I tear off a piece of my croissant, shaking my head at him. “So that's why you're so laid back. Must be nice, never having to worry about anything with eleven older siblings watching your back.”
“It is what it is.” Eunho shrugs, but his smile remains easy and genuine. “Probably a good thing, though. I've never felt like I had anything to prove to anyone. When you're the baby, expectations are pretty low.”
“I like that about you actually,” I admit, surprising myself with my honesty. “Most fae males I meet are so caught up in status and egos.”
His grin turns mischievous, eyes sparkling. “So, what I'm hearing is you like me.”
Heat floods my cheeks, but I laugh, tearing off another piece of croissant and flicking it at his face. “Don't push your luck.”
He catches the pastry piece in his mouth with impressive reflexes, making me laugh harder. The bell above the café door chimes, and I glance up automatically. My laughter dies in my throat.
The surly guard from the other night strolls in with three other House Ruby guards, all of them in their crisp red uniforms. His dark eyes sweep the café and lock onto me immediately, his expression souring like he's bitten into something rotten.
I feel my own face hardening in response, my good mood evaporating instantly. Just my luck that the one guard who seems to have it out for me would show up to ruin my morning.
Before I can react to the guard's unwelcome presence, Eunho's chair scrapes against the floor as he stands abruptly. My eyes dart to him, surprised by the sudden movement. The easy smile has vanished from his face.
“Oi!” Eunho calls out, his voice carrying across the café. He shoves his hands in his pockets, adopting a deliberately casual stance that somehow feels anything but natural. “Didn't know you were on shift.”
The surly guard stiffens, his jaw tightening as his gaze flicks between Eunho and me. “Funny. I was about to say the same thing.”
“Would've switched if I'd known,” they say in unison, then glare at each other.
Eunho lets out a laugh that sounds hollow to my ears. Nothing like the genuine warmth from moments ago. His shoulders are too straight, his stance too calculated as he rocks back on his heels.
“Is your mother getting paid extra to have you skulking around snarling at everyone?” Eunho drawls, but there's an edge beneath the casual tone. “Or is that just something you do for fun?”
The guard's nostrils flare. “About as much as your mother pays you to strut around like a peacock, I'd imagine.”
I lean forward in my seat, unable to tear my eyes away from their exchange.
The air between them crackles with tension, but it's different from the antagonism the surly guard showed me.
This feels personal, loaded with history.
The other guards hover uncertainly nearby, clearly sensing the same undercurrent I do.
The temperature in the room seems to rise a few degrees as they face off. Neither male backs down, and I can practically see the years of whatever lies between them charging the space like static electricity before a storm.
Eunho's smirk grows wider as he cocks his head at the surly guard. “Aw, is that your way of saying you think I'm pretty?” he teases, batting his eyelashes dramatically.
The guard's face contorts with disgust. “Drop dead,” he snarls.
“You first,” Eunho shoots back without missing a beat.
The guard rolls his eyes, then his attention snaps to me. A familiar look of annoyance crosses his features as his jaw tightens. “Did you go see Elder Nam?”
I nod, keeping my expression neutral even as satisfaction bubbles up inside me at his obvious displeasure.
“So, does that mean you're going to behave from now on?” he demands.
A slow smile spreads across my face. “No,” I say sweetly. “Why ever would I do that?”
His eyes narrow to dangerous slits. “Did Elder Nam speak with you?”
“Oh, yes.” I lean back in my chair, crossing my legs. “She actually thinks halfblood parties are a fantastic idea.” I flash him my most needling smile, the one I know will get under his skin.
The growl that rips from his throat is pure predator, his fangs flashing in warning. But I'm done being intimidated by full-blooded fae males who think they can push me around. I bare my own fangs right back at him, smaller but just as sharp.
My blood sings with anticipation. Maybe he'll finally give me the fight I've been itching for since that first night on the roof. Right here in the middle of the coffee shop would work just fine for me.
One of the other guards steps forward and grips the surly guard's arm. He mutters in a low voice that my fae hearing picks up easily. “You can't be growling at halfbloods in public like this. It's a bad look, especially with the new integration policies.”
My eyebrows shoot up. At least some of them have some sense.
Mr. Grouch's jaw works as he glares daggers at me, but he doesn't shake off the other guard's restraining hand. After a tense moment, his shoulders drop minutely and he gives a sharp nod.
He stalks to the counter to collect his coffee, but not before shooting me one last murderous look that would probably make a human's blood run cold. “Watch yourself, halfling,” he spits out.
I meet his glare with a bored expression, examining my nails like he's not even worth my attention. From the way his face darkens further, I know it hits the mark.
As he turns to leave with the other guards, he catches sight of Eunho and his lip curls in disgust. Eunho, not about to miss an opportunity to antagonize apparently, blows him an exaggerated kiss, complete with a wink.
The look of pure revulsion that crosses the guard's face as he stomps out of the café sends me into a fit of laughter. The bell above the door chimes violently as it slams behind him.
Eunho drops back into his chair, still grinning as he picks up his coffee. “Sorry about that. Where were we?”
“What's that guard's deal, anyway?” I lean forward, genuinely curious about the hostile male who seems determined to make my life difficult.
Eunho snorts into his cup. “That's Han Dohwan. His mother's the House Ruby diplomat.” He sets his coffee down, amusement dancing in his eyes. “And yeah, he's always like that. Perpetually in a bad mood, even on his best days.”
I study Eunho's relaxed posture, so at odds with the crackling tension from moments ago. “You two don't appear to be the best of friends.”
A bark of laughter escapes him. “Now that's an understatement. We're more like the exact opposite of friends.”
“Why's that?”
“Been at each other's throats since high school.” Eunho runs a hand through his hair, settling back in his chair.
“We ran in the same social circles—you know how it is with noble families—but somehow always ended up on opposing sides.
He'd run for student body president, I'd run against him.
He'd try out for team captain, I'd compete for the same spot. We fought for top ranking in classes.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Sounds exhausting.”
“It was.” Eunho's grin turns slightly wicked. “Got personal when I 'stole' his best friend. Then later, one of his girlfriends decided she preferred my company to his. The animosity just kept building from there.”
“So, he hates you,” I conclude, taking a sip of my cooling coffee.
“With every fiber of his being.” Eunho's eyes sparkle with what looks suspiciously like pride. “Though to be fair, I may have earned that hatred fair and square.”
“Well, if it makes you feel better, I'm pretty sure I hate him too,” I say, gathering the crumbs of my croissant onto a napkin.
Eunho's eyes light up with interest. “You don't say. Now I'm dying to know, how did that idiot land himself on your shit list so quickly?”
I roll my eyes, remembering that first encounter on the roof. I quickly summarize my encounters with this Dohwan so far, telling him about our confrontation on the roof, and then when he party crashed, and his highly irritating attempt to tattle on me.
Eunho throws his head back and laughs, the sound rich and genuine. “Oh, this is perfect. I love that you're making his job difficult. Please, keep it up.”
“Oh, I plan to.” I bare my teeth in a grin. “I'm starving for a fight, and one of these days he's going to have to stop running.”
“Even better.” Eunho wipes tears of mirth from his eyes.
“You know what they say: the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table.
“Next time that stick-in-the-mud tries to throw his weight around, just give me a call.
I'd love an excuse to get under his skin.”
“And how exactly am I supposed to do that?” I arch an eyebrow at him. “I don't have your number.”
His lips curve into a sly smile that makes something flutter in my stomach. He holds out his hand, palm up. “Well, we can fix that, can't we?”
I study his open hand, weighing my options. Every instinct honed from years of dealing with fae males screams at me to be careful. But there's just something about him I can't shake. He seems transparent, easy to like. It makes me want to trust him, even if just a little.
What's the worst that could happen? I fish my phone from my pocket and place it in his waiting palm.
His fingers dance across the screen as he inputs his number. “There,” he says, sliding the phone back to me. “Now you've got backup whenever you need it.” His eyes glitter with mischief. “And don't hesitate to call if you need anything else.”
I snort but can't help the smile tugging at my lips. “Anything else?”
“Coffee, conversation, someone to help you antagonize Dohwan…” He ticks off items on his fingers. “I'm very versatile.”
Despite myself, I find his charm working its way past my defenses. It would be so easy to let myself be drawn in by his playful nature and apparent kindness. But I've learned the hard way that fae rarely do anything without ulterior motives.
I pocket my phone, reminding myself to proceed with caution. For all I know, this could be some elaborate game—fae do so love to toy with halfbloods for sport. But I kind of hope he proves me wrong.