Page 4 of King of Storms and Feathers

The hood slipped to his shoulders, revealing more of his strong, handsome features and ears like blades parting his tousled hair. He was too beautiful to ever be mistaken for a human.

I wanted to stare, to commit to memory the brutal face of my enemy, but my vision blurred, and I canted sideways, darkness engulfing me.

When I came to, I was on a padded bench seat inside the carriage, and Esen sat across from me, glaring out of the window as she fiddled with the bandage wrapped tightly around her leg.

She glanced at me, then down at her thigh. “Don’t worry, human, fae heal fast.”

“If it’s any consolation,” I turned my badly grazed palms up, the chain clinking between them, “my hands are absolutely killing me.”

Esen snorted. “Good.”

The sound of jingling tack and murmured voices outside told me that Arrow and the other fae were mounting their horses. I kept my eyes closed, pretending to sleep again, and my ears pricked for useful information.

In a gruff voice, too low to decipher, Arrow gave the driver instructions. Then the dark-haired one asked, “Where do you think she’s from?”

“I’m not certain, Raiden. Most likely she’s a gold chaser who’s made her way from the Earth Realm. Probably a forest dweller from the ruins of the human cities.”

The forest…

Images assaulted me—the ruins of a stone building covered in vines and fallen leaves. Trees towered around me, the dark, delicious scent of damp earth and decay teasing my senses.

In a lucid dream, I walked through the verdant landscape, the sound of insects drowning out the words of the boy I followed. Dark, wavy hair tumbled around his head. He turned and smiled over his shoulder, bright green eyes flashing back at me, filled with humor.

Outside the carriage, the fae called Raiden laughed at something his arrogant boss muttered.

“The slaver had no idea who we were,” Raiden said.

“More fool him,” Arrow rasped. “When we return, check the gilt market’s trade agreements. If you find any lapsed licenses, shut the vendors down immediately.”

A thump sounded on Esen’s side of the carriage. Arrow stuck his golden head through the window as she opened it. “We’re taking the low pass through the mountains,” he said. “I want to be back before dark.”

Esen groaned. “Must we? The storms are so disruptive. Fucks with my magic.”

“It’s faster,” Arrow said. “I’ll do my best to control them without depleting too much of my energy.”

Esen’s sneer flicked over me. “Storms knows why you wanted this one. What were you thinking buying such a weakling?”

A beat of silence passed, then he said, “Feed her. She’s awake.”

My eyes were closed, my muscles held loose and soft, my breathing slow and languid. How could he tell I wasn’t asleep?

“Fine,” she said. “How would you feel if Raiden swapped places with me? This girl stinks, and his stomach is a lot stronger than mine.”

“We’ll throw her in the river soon enough.” Arrow reined his stamping horse in. “Are you a soldier or a delicate high lady?”

Esen sighed and flopped backward, thumping the back of her head against the leather bench seat.

As the carriage jolted into motion, Arrow shot me a parting glare, a cloud of dust swallowing his silver horse.

Smoothing my dirty shift over my thighs, I watched Esen rifle through a satchel on the floor from which she produced flat bread, hard cheese, and a yellow apple. She sliced the cheese and fruit and passed me a serving on a waxed cloth.

Without a word of thanks, I gobbled the food like a half-starved wolf, then licked crumbs from my fingers. “Got any more?” I asked, my stomach growling.

“Later. You’ll be sick again if you eat too much at once.”

I grunted in reply. “When we arrive at this Coridon place, what will you do with me?” I dragged my dirty hair over my shoulder, finger combing it, then braiding it into a single rope.

“What makes you think we’re going to Coridon?”

---