Page 186 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

“That does not sound like anything I have seen.” She frowns. “I am struggling to understand your relationship with the kal’ana.”

My head pivots this way and that, checking to see if we’ve caught anyone’s attention, before I scold the tiny mortal. “Do not use that name. Ever. She is simply Annika, and nothing else.” Though there is nothing simple about the Islorian princess who now seems to rule my every thought and decision. How did I end up here, serving as her rescuer and protector, on the hunt for treats to draw her smile while I pine for another chance to feel her bare skin against mine?

My mother would be distraught to learn what I’ve become. Then again, she has already expressed her deep disappointment in me and all but abandoned her children to their fates. I no longer seek her approval.

“Our relationship is … complicated,” I admit after a long moment.

“Because she hates you during the day and fornicates with you at night?”

“Who says we fornicate at night?”

“Is that not what you call what you did in the barn?”

“How do you know what happened?” I pause, my gaze narrowing on the conjurer. “Were you spying on us?”

“No. Though I may have used a rodent to check on you a few times.” She grins. “Do not fret. Mice are difficult to control. I saw little.”

I waggle my finger. “Do not do that again. And never tell Annika you did it in the first place.”

A peddler ahead has a basket of flowers.

“Have a coin I can borrow?” I hold out my hand.

Begrudgingly, Destry slips one into my palm and I swap it for a bouquet of tall stems with blossoms that remind me of Annika’s eye color. I hold them to my nose, but they carry no scent.

“So, she stabbed you in the thigh, but you care for her.” Destry tests a knit blanket between her fingers before we keep going.

“I deserved to be stabbed, so I will not hold that against her.” I give a vague and short explanation about our family’s histories and crimes against each other. Though the crimes are beginning to seem more and more one-sided. In fact, maybe all one-sided. King Ailill may have caused the rift, but how many generations must pass before you are forgiven for your ancestors’ wrongs?

I never asked myself these questions before getting to know Annika. Now, I struggle to condemn her for any of it.

“You are telling me that you are both heirs to your realms’ thrones.” Destry stares with disbelief.

“Spare heirs. We have siblings who are in line before us. In Annika’s case, one is likely dead. I’m not sure about the other.” I pause at a clothing stand with fine leathers, admiring a tan-color vest that would complement Annika’s blond locks and fair skin.

“Do not ask me for coin for that,” Destry warns.

“Have no fear, my friend. I would not want to deprive you of your ale.” But I wish I had pilfered more than that one gold brush now. I could use my affinity to knock that stand and distract the merchant’s attention, but she’s an elderly woman and I imagine those weathered hands spent countless hours on this stitchwork.

We keep going.

“What happens if by some miracle, you return to your realm? Will you be at war?”

“That, my friend, is a very good question.” There are clearly things at play that we know nothing about.

We round a corner and come upon a group of six guards at a stand selling cured meats. I can’t understand their words, but it’s clear they’re arguing with the young boy merchant.

“What is going on there?” I ask.

“They do not feel they should pay full price. Keep moving,” Destry whispers. “Do not do anything to stir questions.”

“Give me some credit.” I wander over to a nearby fruit stand to study the elderberries. Annika might like these. I hold out my palm. “I will pay you back, I promise.”

Destry scowls as she digs through her pockets.

Meanwhile, I’m keeping one eye on the exchange across the street. The noisiest of the guards reaches into the coin purse tied to his belt and flicks the payment at the boy, letting it sail over his head. As the boy spins and scrambles to fetch the money from the dirt, the guards each collect handfuls of linked sausages before walking away.

The boy’s shoulders sink as he discovers he’s been duped.

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