Page 77 of King of Storms and Feathers

“The portals certainly explain how Arrow travels great distances and yet returns so quickly, often on the same day,” I said, taking a sip of wine.

The Sayeeda made a strangled noise, and Ildri only nodded at me before turning her attention to the line of fae dancers weaving between the tables. Musicians tapped out a hypnotic rhythm on small goatskin drums they held high above their heads as they followed close behind them.

Ignoring the dancers, I drank more wine and crossed my legs carefully, so the chain attached to my ankle didn’t rattle. I contemplated the sky through the arched windows, the night so black the throne room appeared to float in a sea of shimmering stars.

I didn’t know what to make of the fact that Arrow had instructed Ari to chain me to my chair in the hall. Perhaps he worried that, in his absence, I would attempt to stab another courtier, which was a ridiculous concern. The Light Realm fae had storm magic, and all I had to protect myself with was my mildly ruthless nature.

I stared at the surrounding fae, their beautiful features morphing in the flickering candlelight. Framed by the gilded feathers and lightning decorating the circular walls, from one moment to the next, they looked like angels, then monsters. And I couldn’t decide whether to be impressed or terrified.

Like Arrow, some courtiers’ forms were more human-like, well-built and muscular. But many of them had twisted horns, metallic wings, and odd-shaped limbs and fingers. The orcs, trolls, and shape-shifting jinn had tangled mops of hair on their heads, but other fae wore elaborate styles that shone like spun gold. The latter were the high lords and ladies of the court, who looked down their regal noses at me at every opportunity.

All beings that inhabited the four realms were considered fae, including the reaver elves. Humans from the fifth realm, the Kingdom of Dust and Stones, well, we were just human, without magic or power, and viewed by most fae as little better than vermin.

Each fae realm had their magical specialty, unique powers expressed in the courtiers’ physical attributes. But centuries of inter-species breeding and migration across courts had led to a varied and happy mix of inhabitants. It was the kings and queens and counselors of the realms who were obsessed with controlling borders, wealth, and power, their machinations creating untold anguish and misery for their people.

A few kohl-rimmed eyes flicked my way, but most fae, no doubt in fear of their king’s wrath, ignored me, gossiping, singing, or dancing around me, as if I was invisible. Three fan-tailed ravens unaware of Arrow’s rules, zipped between tables, then flitted around my shoulders, tangling strands of my unbound hair together.

“Away with you, wretched beasts,” I said, smiling as I swatted at them. With high-pitched croaks, they flew through an archway and winged away over the city, toward the mountains. I patted Ari’s arm, drawing her attention. “How many of these portals you mentioned are in Coridon?”

She laughed. “Oh, Leaf, your thoughts may as well be written across your face in cursive script. You’re wondering where they’re located and how easy it would be to cross through them, yes?”

My cheeks flushed. “Is it hot in here tonight?” I said, sucking in a big breath of frankincense-and-jasmine-scented air.

“Except for the Realm of Dust and Stones, one portal exists between each of the realms, linking them together,” Ari said, then quickly added, “Mundane methods must be used to travel to the human lands, and other than sailors and traders, most fae have no wish to go there.”

“Which means there’s no easy way out of Coridon for me.”

Ildri smiled. “Where there is need, cunning plans fall into place. As you know, gold chasers killed Arrowyn’s family three years ago, when he was a young warrior of twenty-four. Now he wears a crown that he never wanted and spends his days with counselors instead of soldiers. He despises humans, but somehow, you are an exception. This weakness of the king’s—his desire for you—will be your way out of his city.”

I lifted my ankle, rattling my chain. “You’re wrong. Arrow despises me the same way he does all humans.”

Ildri squeezed my shoulder gently. “No. I think what he feels for you is similar to an obsession… and obsessions are exploitable. His trust is the key that will open your shackles. Do what you must to earn it. And do it quickly.”

Arrow obsessed with me? Not possible. But then out of nowhere, a memory—something Ash, the boy in the forest, had once told me—echoed through my mind.

The difference between hate and love can rise and fall on a breath, a single heartbeat in time, the slightest shift of light and shade. People will do anything to control what they most fear. There is no point in hating them for it.

There was no point in hating them for it… I mouthed his words softly. I had no idea what my brother had meant, but the general idea seemed to align with Ildri’s advice. If I could cast the right amount of lingering touches and admiring glances the king’s way, he might eventually grow careless and leave me an opening to escape through.

Courtiers’ rumblings rose throughout the hall, then as if my reeling thoughts had conjured them, the king and Raiden appeared on the dais above us. Arrow stood in front of the throne, its majestic golden wings sweeping on either side of his broad shoulders as though they were a living part of him.

Before he noticed me gawking, I swiveled around and faced the other direction.

“Ah, there she is—the troublemaker herself,” Arrow boomed. “Feasting and drinking while I’ve been atoning for her crimes.”

I swallowed thickly but kept my gaze on my empty plate.

“Raiden, bring the girl to me. I wish to look upon her and decide if she was worth the price that I paid to keep the peace between two kingdoms.”

The courtiers laughed, and a moment later, Raiden appeared at my side. With a quick smile, he dropped to his knees and unlocked my chain.

“Don’t worry,” he said under his breath as he helped me rise. “Arrow loved every moment he pretended contrition and told the tale of his Leaf, who almost murdered their envoy. The Fire King is a fool. Arrow would have paid ten times the price for the chance to smear the insult of your deed over Azarn’s smug face for three whole days and nights.”

“Did you just try to comfort me, Raiden?” I murmured as we walked up the dais steps.

His dark hair swung over his face, almost hiding his smile. “Apparently, you’re not quite as diabolical as you first seemed.”

“Now you’ve really shocked me.” I glanced back to the table where his mother sat staring at us with a blank, all-too-innocent face.

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