Chapter 9 #2
Once I’d closed down our connection completely, I peered around at the other fae. Most of the patrons had stopped looking at me, the novelty of a newcomer obviously having worn off, and nobody was openly scowling at me anymore either.
Perhaps the fact that I’d kept to myself and had sat near the wall helped. As much as I enjoyed being friendly with others, I also knew that not everyone shared in my enthusiasm of meeting new fae.
I took a few more bites of food, my plate nearly empty, then I turned inward again to check in with Ree.
Ree answered immediately, her energy just as relieved and happy to hear from me as my aunt’s had been. We spoke for a few minutes, each of us catching the other up on our day. But when I told her that Kole had shown up in this town just after I did, her shock barreled toward me.
Seriously? After your other strange meetings, he’s now arrived in some tiny Stonewild village at the exact same time as you? She huffed. Prim, this is getting to be too big of a coincidence. Is he following you?
Lively music continued around me, and I took another sip of tea.
Honestly, now that you’ve mentioned it, it does seem like he’s following me, but I doubt that’s true.
That makes no sense. I’m not a criminal nor causing any political issues.
It’s more likely that he’s after the Stone than following me.
An Imperial Warrior is Stone hunting?
I could just picture her flaming red eyebrows shooting clearly to her hairline. I shrugged. Maybe the Council told him to.
I could tell she was mulling that over. A moment later, she replied, I suppose it makes more sense that he’s after the Stone than following you. Maybe he has a seekerill too, or some version of it, and that’s why you’re both on the same path.
I canted my head. I hadn’t thought of that possibility. I suppose that could be the case. Timith isn’t the only inventor in the realm after all.
And if he has the Imperial Council behind him, it’s definitely possible he’s got that kind of resource.
I nibbled on my lip. So if he is after the Stone, do you think a king or queen, or even our king and queen, instructed the Council to get the Stone for them? Maybe one of the royals wants to claim its wish, but they don’t want to be seen hunting the Stone directly?
I felt her nod. It’s definitely possible, but that’s not what the Council is supposed to do.
No, you’re right.
But if he’s not Stone hunting, then he’s following you, she teased.
I snorted and took another sip of tea and hoped she wouldn’t detect how that comment made my stomach dip. But why would he be following me? I’m nobody special.
Not true at all. You’re totally special, but you’re correct that you’re not someone the Imperial Council would be interested in.
I considered everything more. You could be on to something, though.
His time here could be related to the Stone, but maybe not in the way we’re thinking.
Perhaps he’s doing kingsfae duties at the moment, which would be highly unusual given his skillset, but he did take care of Abel and those two males who attacked the wildling mother.
And I’ve seen enough altercations that I know fae are acting badly.
Remember those two creeps who were following me?
I shivered. Bottom line, the Stone is making fae act horribly.
Maybe the warriors have all been dispatched to keep the peace.
She hmmed in agreement. That’s definitely a possibility, now that you mention it. She laughed lightly. You know, you could just ask him what he’s doing in Stonewild.
I snorted in amusement. I could, but he hasn’t struck me as someone who willingly shares his information freely.
She laughed, and we chatted for a few more minutes about mindless, brainless things. It was so good to hear her voice and pretend that for a moment, my life was fully normal again.
She huffed out of the blue. Ugh, sorry, Prim, but Siam is crying. I should go.
No problem.
Talk tomorrow? she added.
I’ll try, but no promises from here on out. I’m going into the Wildland Mountains in the morning, and likely even farther north into Stonewild after that. I’m not entirely sure what to expect. I may have to keep my wits about me and might not be able to afford any distractions.
Stars, Prim, be careful, okay?
I will. Love you, Ree.
Love you too. Connect with me next whenever you can.
Definitely. Bye!
She murmured a farewell, and I closed our link just as the door to the salopas opened, and a new group strode in. For a moment, all I could do was blink. In the time I’d been speaking with my aunt and best friend, the small establishment had entirely filled with fae, both siltenite and wildling.
The new crew who arrived consisted of a female and two male siltenites, and considering most in the salopas gave them barely hidden sneers, I figured they weren’t local either.
I returned my attention to my tea, the pot almost empty, and leaned back in my chair, figuring I’d enjoy the music and the rest of my drink, then retire to my chambers for the night.
“Sorry to bother you, but are these seats taken?”
I glanced up to see one of the newly arrived males smiling at me in a pleasant manner and gesturing to the three empty chairs at my table. “Sorry to ask,” he added, “but this place is rather full, and seats seem hard to come by.”
I sat up straighter just as an enchanted tray floated over and collected my dirty dishes, only leaving my mug and the teapot behind.
I nodded and gestured to my mostly empty table. “Plenty of room now. I’ll be leaving soon anyway, so feel free to sit here if you’d like.”
The male smiled, his eyes conveying warmth that none of the locals did, and my blood thrummed in relief to see a friendly face.
“I’m Felix, by the way.” He held out his arm for a handshake.
Smiling, I gripped his forearm. “Prim, nice to meet you.”
He pumped my arm a few times, then grinned cheekily. “I take it you’re not from Inisville either?”
I laughed. “What gave it away?”
He released my hand and ran his through his hair, his eyes twinkling. “The fact that you actually talked to me did not give it away at all.”
I laughed again, and his aura washed over me, bringing with it the feel of a fairy who was often playful and quick to laugh. He seemed harmless, fun even. But looks could be deceiving.
Keeping my smile firmly in place, I considered mentally assessing him to read his thoughts and intentions.
I could use my forbidden magic, just this once.
I could let my magic stream out of me to filter through his mind, completely unbeknownst to him.
It was an intrusion of his privacy, a complete violation, but I was also a female traveling alone, and I’d promised my aunt I would come back in one piece.
But the second that paranoid thought came to me, it left. We were in public, and he was only looking for a place to sit. Nothing more. Besides, my gut told me that Felix was harmless.
Scolding myself internally, I quickly brushed my crazy impulse off.
Completely unaware of what I’d almost done to him, Felix turned toward his friends, who were still putting in an order at the bar. Waving, he called over the music, “Jessip, Nym, head on over here when you’re done. Prim’s offered to let us sit with her.”
He winked at me, and his friends soon crowded around my table, introducing themselves and thanking me for allowing them to sit with me.
I’d just filled my cup with the last of my tea, my mood lifting since the newcomers seemed as relieved as me to meet another friendly fairy along their journey, when the salopas door opened, and a new energy strode in.
I knew, without looking up, who it was. The brush of the familiar aura and the wary glances from the locals told me that Kole Swordwielder had also decided to grace the crowded salopas with his presence.