Page 30 of Kingdom of Faewood

By some miracle or gift from the stars and galaxy, the shop across the street was exactly what I needed.

I peered behind me again, but the door remained closed. Even so, I knew if Jax had any inkling what I was attempting, he would return and use his horrid Ironcrest magic on me once more, robbing me of speech entirely and probably for the full night.

A tremor ran through me. To not have the ability to speak had been terrifying. I usually never felt that kind of vulnerability, even when my guardian was selling me off to the highest bidder.

“Bastard. I hope he rots in the underworld.” I seethed quietly under my breath, then pulled my gown down my chest more, so all one could see was bare skin, before squeezing my upper body through the window. It was narrow enough that itwas a tight fit, but I managed to get one bare arm out, which was all I needed.

“Pardon!” I called quietly and waved in a friendly manner to a passing wildling.

He glanced upward, his beady eyes narrowing when he saw me. “Armarus Above, what are you doing? And undressed nonetheless,” he added with a sneer.

I forced a sheepish grin. “Sorry, sir, but could I trouble you to fetch me adillemsill?” I nodded toward the shop across the street.

He frowned, his whiskers twitching and shimmering in the moonlight. “Why don’t you get it yourself?”

I brought a hand to my mouth, feigning embarrassment. “I haven’t got any clothes on at the moment. I gave them to the inn staff to launder, and well...” I shrugged sheepishly.

The wildling rolled his eyes. “Dillemsills aren’t free, you know.”

“Oh, I know! I have a half rulib to pay for it.” Before he could protest, I dropped it to the ground, thankful that I always kept a few coins in my gown’s inner pocket. “That should cover it.”

He snatched it off the ground, muttering that he didn’t have time for this, then stalked to the shop across the lane that had a bright blue sign in its window advertising dillemsills.

I glanced nervously over my shoulder again, certain that at any moment, Jax would burst through the door.

But the door stayed closed, and the music below remained as rowdy as ever.

The wildling returned a few minutes later, carrying the small bird in his cupped hands. He whispered into its ear, then released it.

The small creature, covered in purple feathers with a long yellow furry tail that trailed along the ground when it walked, flew up to me, then hopped onto the sill beside me.

“Thank you!” I called to the wildling.

But he was already halfway down the street and didn’t bother replying.

Several other wildlings and siltenites walking by glanced up at me curiously, but nobody interfered or paid me much attention.

I took a deep breath, working to calm my breathing as I carefully held out my palm for the dillemsill to hop onto.

It came readily, then cocked its head, its sharp and intelligent eyes regarding me impatiently. “What’s your message?” it asked in a shrill voice.

I brought it closer to my lips and whispered, “I need you to venture to Emerson Estate near the palace, ask for Guardian Alleron, then tell him that the Dark Raider has taken his lorafin, and I’m currently being held captive on the second floor of the Lemosilly Inn in Lemos. And if he’s already left Emerson Estate, then you need to find him on the road and warn him. Tell him to bring all of his guards or the kingsfae. He’ll need them.”

The dillemsill’s eyes grew rounder with every word I spoke. “The Dark Raider?” it finally said with a squeak.

“You’ve been commissioned and accepted my fee,” I reminded it sternly. I knew it also understood why I wasn’t asking it to go to the local kingsfae. In all likelihood, there was only one or two kingsfae patrolling this small town. And given Jax’s strength, dozens would be needed to take him down.

But Guardian Alleron had many trained guards at his disposal, and he could bring more if needed. They would be able to save me if they were prepared for what waited. Sheer numbers alone would do it. My brow furrowed, but I reassured myself that theywouldn’tend up like Mushil if they arrived on high alert.

The bird’s small eyes narrowed, and it ruffled its feathers. Finally, it nodded. “Very well, my lady.”

I sagged in relief against the window as the dillemsill began to spin. Its wings flapped. With every movement of its feathers and twirl of its body, the small creature’s magic grew. The bird whirled and spun, moving like a mini tornado, and then...it disappeared in a wink of magic.

The second it was gone, a small smile formed on my lips. It would take only minutes for the little bird to arrive back at my guardian’s estate, and if Guardian Alleron wasn’t there, a servant would tell the bird where to venture next.

With any luck, I’d bought enough time for my guardian and his hired hands to get here by tomorrow, and if they traveled through the night, they would make it.

Smiling, I closed the window, made sure I put everything back to where it’d initially been, and then re-engaged the locking spell.

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