Page 43 of King of Storms and Feathers

“No, he is not. And his family is dead.”

“Oh.” That partially explained his bad attitude. “When and how did they die?”

“That’s not my story to tell.”

By the look on her face, she wouldn’t be cajoled into telling me more.

“I keep forgetting to thank you for the cushions and the blanket,” I said as a peace offering. It wasn’t wise to argue with Ari. Other than Arrow, she was the only person I could talk to, and I liked her better than him a thousand times over.

Ari busied herself arranging dishes on a tray. “It wasn’t me who put them in the pavilion.”

I opened my mouth, then slammed my jaw shut as the truth hit me. It must have been the king himself who had given me those comforts.

“Oh, I see. I owe my thanks to King Arrowyn, the sweet benevolent angel, do I?” I said, tucking hair behind my ear. “What have you got there?” I pointed at a silk-wrapped parcel Ari lifted off the tray and smoothed her fingers over.

“I can’t show you until the king arrives.”

“What?” I lurched onto my feet in one quick movement. “He’s coming here? Now?”

“Well, these are his living quarters,” she said as the elevator opened in the river room below.

Then a moment later, Arrow strode toward me. He was dressed in full Light Realm armor, engraved and embroidered with lightning bolts and feathers, a dark cloak swaying against black boots.

I remembered how that cloak had felt against my skin, the weight and texture of the fabric, and the warmth, as if it had magically held onto his body heat.

Thunder shook over the pavilion’s roof, the sky flashing from azure to silver as though in response to his presence. I clenched my fists to hide my trembling as he swaggered onto the pavilion and stopped beside the Sayeeda.

“Leaf.” He inclined his head in greeting. “I have a present for you.”

My stomach clenched, fear convulsing the muscles of my throat. What did he mean by a gift? Whatever it was, I was certain I’d despise it.

Ari lifted the cloth from her palm, revealing a neck cuff of overlapping layers of gold leaves encrusted with tiny green gemstones. Arrow picked it up, turning it over, and I noticed the back section was thin and curved, as if designed for comfort instead of security.

“Beautiful, don’t you agree? I had it made for you. See? The leaves are lined with the finest emeralds.”

“Why would you bother?” I whispered.

“Because you’re mine and deserve the very best of everything.”

He nodded at Ari, who passed him a key before she retreated to the bathroom.

Arrow’s fingers were warm and gentle as he unlocked and removed my plain collar. Ari returned with a basin and folded cloths. The king washed my chafed neck with slow, deliberate strokes that made my skin prickle before he rubbed it with sweet-scented oil.

“This collar will be much more comfortable to wear,” he said, locking it in place. “Tonight, you will serve me in the Grand Hall.”

Terror iced my veins as my gaze met his. He couldn’t be serious. I’d do anything to avoid the humiliation of standing like a placid fool at his side before the entire Storm Court. What would Grendal and the kitchen servants think of me? How could I convince him not to make me to do this?

For a mad moment, I considered bartering my body, then came to my senses. There was no power in that when he could already do what he wanted with me.

The Storm King and the Light Realm fae could all go to the fiery hell realms together. I would stand on his gilded dais with my head held high and stare down every single one of them.

“Aren’t you worried I’ll tip another bowl of soup in your lap?” I asked mildly.

“No.” Silver eyes gleamed back at me as he shrugged a shoulder. “And if you did, I would punish you severely—now that I know what appalls you.”

He stroked the base of my throat, then nodded for Ari to attach the chain to my new collar. “Don’t worry, little Leaf. In the Court of Storms and Feathers, it is a great honor to serve a king.”

Oh, I was sure he thought so. But we would have to agree to disagree on the matter until the day he killed me or I escaped. Eventually, one of us would get the upper hand, and I was determined it would be me.

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