Page 64 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

Viridian’s eyes widen in wonder, and he leans his head back to take in more of our surroundings. His steps slow, and he cranes his neck to look up at how high some of the buildings stretch. People move around him on either side, advancing farther into the bustle of the city square.

“Come on,” I say.

I take his hand and pull him forward as I walk. He adjusts his pace to match mine, but his focus is still elsewhere. Market stalls packed with goods fill the square. The sounds of wagon wheels rolling on stone and loud voices fill my ears, and the aroma of freshly baked bread graces my nostrils. Street vendors call out prices on each of our sides, holding out their wares as we pass. We saunter by a stall with fresh produce, one with leather goods, and another with fine jewelry. I wave my hand at all of them, so they know we aren’t interested in buying anything. That’s not why we’re here, after all.

I look back over my shoulder. The childlike awe on Viridian’s face captivates me. The stone-faced expression I’m used to is nowhere to be found. Even though he’s away from High Keep, experiencing the human districts for the first time, he’s not reserved, or stiff, the way I thought he would be. For once, it seems like he’s completely at ease. Completely himself.

I can’t look away.

Viridian’s eyes meet mine. He smiles, and it’s a wide, toothy grin, lit up like the brightest of stars.

I avert my gaze, a blush rising to my cheeks. Looking forward again, I tighten my hand around Viridian’s, leading us through the crowd. We weave through bodies until we reach the road that runs perpendicular to the square. Small shops line the road, and there are some people that linger outside, but it’s much less crowded here.

Glancing up at the buildings, I find what I’ve been looking for.

“In here.” I tug his hand and step through an open doorway.

Chapter Sixteen

Awarm glow from the hearth illuminates the tavern. Some men sit at the bar, where the barkeep fills their tankards. Others sit spread out across the wooden tables, talking over a hot meal.

I step forward but stop when I don’t feel Viridian behind me.

Turning to him, I see him standing in the doorway. His smile is gone, replaced by stitched brows and a tight mouth.

“What is it?” I ask, lowering my voice. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s—” he pauses. “I don’t know how to go about this.”

“Don’t worry,” I tell him, waving my hand. “I’ll do the talking. I know how humans gossip.”

“Well, that, too, but that’s not what I meant.”

I cock my head. “Then what did you mean?”

“Do we…” he gestures at the tables. “Do we simply walk in and sit down?”

My eyes close briefly when my lips perk up. All my life, I’ve thought the noble fae were free from fear or uncertainty. That they were so sure of everything. But here he is, the Crown Prince of all Inatia, a fae belonging to one of the five Noble Houses, unsure of himself when entering a tavern.

Perhaps humans and fae aren’t so different after all.

“Yes,” I say, taking Viridian’s hand. “Come with me.”

He nods, his rich amber eyes staring back at me. His expression relaxes, though his brows still knit together.

I pull him deeper into the tavern and sit at one of the empty tables near the center.

“I’ll be right there,” a woman calls, carrying a tray of tankards to a nearby table.

I smile back at her with a wave. Viridian stiffens, watching her as she goes.

“It’s all right.” I put my hand on his arm. “There aren’t any rules here. No etiquette to keep track of.”

At my touch, the tension in his body melts away. His eyes find mine again, and it feels like we’re the only ones in the tavern. As if everything else has faded away.

“Hello,” the woman says when she approaches our table, wiping her hands on her dirty apron. “What can I get for you two?”

“Two ales and hot meals, please,” I tell her.

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