Page 88 of Fallen Star

“From Prince Aerix,” she explains—as if it wasn’t obvious. “He says you’re to have full use of these items, and that he’ll have a plot in the garden cleared for you by tomorrow. He also asked if there’s anything else you’ll be needing—specifically regarding the tools he sent for the wood whittling.”

Victoria’s fork clatters against her plate. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she says, her eyes narrow. “Youaskedfor all of this? And hegaveit to you?”

“I didn’t think he’d actually…” I trail off, staring at the items in disbelief.

“What did you do for him?” Her voice is clipped, as if she’s accusing me of something. “Or rather,tohim?”

“Nothing,” I say, my fingers drifting to where his fangs broke through my skin. “At least, nothing I assume you haven’t done for him.”

“Then in the span of a few hours, you’ll have had to have done moreactivitieswith him than I have in the past sixteen years,” Victoria says with a smug smirk. “And I can assure you—that’s far from possible.”

“He’s never done this for anyone before,” Sophia says, her brows furrowing as she watches Aethelthryth unload the final armful of stuff. “At least, not that I know of. They sometimes give us small things to keep us occupied—cards and such—but never at our request. And certainly not all at once.”

I glance at Aethelthryth, who nods in confirmation.

“He’s trying to keep you entertained,” Victoria says with a bitter laugh. “Like a cat with new toys. The novelty will wear off soon. In the meantime, enjoy your arts and crafts.”

I ignore her, instead focusing on Aethelthryth.

“Tell Aerix?—”

I’m interrupted by Sophia kicking me under the table.

I glare at her, and she shakes her head, her eyes wide with warning.

Oh.

She’s worried I was about to tell Aethelthryth to tell Aerix thank you.

She highly underestimates my ability to adapt. Not just to this world, but toeveryhobbyI’ve ever pivoted to in my life.

“Tell Aerix I’ll make good use of his gifts,” I say calmly, trying to hide the thrill running through me at the fact that he’s done something so unique for me.

“I’ll pass along the message,” she says, and after one last confused, lingering glance, she turns and goes back inside.

Zoey

Aethelthryth leavesthe satchels with me—presumably so I can transport all thisstuffto wherever I want to take it.

After lunch, I waste no time. If Aerix wants to amuse himself by giving me everything I asked for, then fine—I’ll take full advantage of it. So, I put everything back into the satchels and walk over to the largest fountain in the middle of the courtyard, sit down in the grass, and bring out the wood whittling tools.

The wood is smooth beneath my fingers—high-quality. Just like everything else in this gilded prison.

“Anyone want to join?” I call out, my voice carrying across the courtyard.

Sophia immediately bounces over, settling beside me.

To my surprise, Victoria lingers, eyeing the supplies with poorly concealed interest.

“Here.” I hold out another knife. “Assuming you’d rather whittle than take a stab at me?”

“Please.” She rolls her eyes, takes the knife, and sits down. “Physically harming anyone else here is a surefire way to get send to the barns.”

“And if anyone tried to attack a fae?” I eye the knife, confused aboutwhyAerix would so easily give me such a weapon.

“If you attack a fae, then you’llwishyou’d been sent to the barns.” A haunted look crosses her eyes—one that tells me to not push further.

I can’t help thinking about those times when I launched myself at Aerix with that dagger. And his saying that he saved my life each of those times by not killing me on the spot.

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