Page 78 of The Cursed Fae

We joined the end of the line, behind a young mother and her twin girls. There was a group of older women standing off to the side gossiping while they waited for their orders. One looked over and did a double take before walking over to me.

“Hello, Winter,” my grandmother greeted me, a note of hesitation in her voice. “How are you?” Her blue eyes appraised me as her painted lips turned into a frown.

“Grandma?” I stammered. “What are you doing here?”

Her gaze, as sharp as Nana’s, focused on my face. “I do live in Arcane Landing.”

“Right. Obviously. I just meant...” I trailed off.

After seeing her the previous weekend, her presence at the Fall Carnival shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

“Hi, Ms. Sable. I’m Fern.” My friend thrust a hand out. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

My grandmother looked at Fern’s mitten-clad hand for a long second before shaking it. “Hello, dear.” She turned back to me. “I had wanted to say hello at the game.”

“Why didn’t you?” I asked, though I knew the answer.

My mother was the reason.

“I’ve got a caramel hot chocolate with salted whipped cream!” Astrid called from behind the cart, holding up the cup.

One of the other white-haired women claimed her drink, dropping a handful of bills in the extra donation jar.

My grandmother pursed her lips. “How is your mother?”

“Um, good. She’s been meaning to call you to set up a dinner or something,” I lied, because I didn’t know what else to say.

She smiled serenely. “I doubt that, dear. I’m sure she told Essie that’s the case, though. Colleen has made her feelings about me quite clear.”

I had no clue why there was so much animosity between them. It had always been there. Long ago, I’d realized my mother was a good liar, so I tried to remain neutral in the family war. Until now.

Faced with my grandmother’s disapproving tone and obvious disgust for her daughter, I had no problem choosing Mom.

“I’m sure you want to get back to your friends,” I said coolly.

A smug look gleamed in her eye, like the one Mom had when she talked about new-age fae—those not born into a coven. According to my mother, they only thought they were practicing magic. Really, they just danced naked under comets and stuff.

“It was nice to see you, Winter.” My grandmother turned on an elegant boot and walked away.

“She’s sort of scary,” Fern whispered. “In a totally impressive way.”

“You obviously haven’t spent a lot of time with Nana,” I said dryly. “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

We finally made it to the front of the line, where we both ordered peppermint hot chocolates and chatted with Astrid and Morgan. When our drinks were ready, we wandered around the carnival.

There were lots of booths selling handcrafted items like sweaters and quilts. Two older women sold crystals to cure every ailment known to humans. We passed a fried dough stand with a group of guys from Arcane, including Archer, but I looked away as soon as he spotted me. I was so not in the mood for another lecture. There were also balloon-popping dart games, a ring toss, and even a dunking booth. Apparently, no one had been brave enough to get inside the latter with the unseasonably cold temperatures.

After our first full lap, we ran into Mom and Nana near the hot chocolate stand. Unfortunately, that was the same time Laz showed up, which delighted my mother and made Nana look like she’d swallowed something vile. He charmed Mom with small talk for a few minutes before I inserted myself into the conversation.

“I think Tina is looking for you,” I lied.

Laz fought a grin, seeing straight through my shitty excuse. Still, he took the hint.

“Nice talking to you again, Ms. Sable.” His gaze shifted to me. “Meet me in the main lobby at five?”

“Oh, where are you two going?” Mom asked. Her smile stretched so wide that I cringed. She was weirdly proud of me for dating the chancellor’s son.

“It’s a surprise,” he said.

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