Page 64 of Kingdom of Faewood

Jax’s brow furrowed, and he stopped in the middle of the street. He lifted the cloth slightly, just enough to reveal what was underneath it—a small branch of pure-white bark. A single pale golden leaf sprouted from it.

My jaw dropped. For a moment, I just stared at it.That can’t be what I think it is.

The male thrust it toward Jax. “I’ve been hoping you’d ride through again soon. I’ve been holding onto this in case I was lucky enough to find you.”

Jax carefully fingered the leaf, and a brush of potent magic rose from it, but he replaced the cloth and shook his head. “This is entirely unnecessary...Malimus, was it?”

Malimus straightened, and a broad grin parted his pale lips, revealing large oblong teeth in his snout. “Yes, Dark Raider. I’m honored that you remember me.”

Jax canted his head. “I do. And how’s your daughter?”

Malimus’s entire expression lit up. “She’s fine, fully healed and back to her usual impish self.” He took a step closer to Jax. “I have you to thank for that. If you hadn’t found her when you did, she would have died at the bottom of thatbolum.”

“Then it’s a good thing we tracked her as quickly as we did.”

He nodded vigorously. “My Valorus is everything to me. She’s the light of my life.” Malimus bowed again. “Please, accept my gift. It’s the least I can repay you with.”

But Jax held up his hands and shook his head. “I insist that you keep it. Please make good use of it.”

Malimus’s eyes widened. “But I traveled all of the way to Silventine Wood to get this for you.”

Bowan let out a low whistle. “It takes balls to go in that Wood.”

Trivan grunted. “Sure does.”

Lars nodded as well but didn’t say anything.

Jax also inclined his head in agreement. “Which is all the more reason you should keep it. If you were brave enough to venture into the Silventine Wood and come out alive and withthat, then you deserve to be the bearer of its good fortune.”

The wildling bowed again and then again. “Thank you, Dark Raider. Thank you. May the stars, moons, and galaxy bless you.”

“And you.”

Jax carried on, leaving the simpering wildling behind. Malimus continued to hold that priceless branch within his grasp while he watched the Dark Raider depart.

My jaw refused to stop resting on the ground. “But, he—” I shook my head. “Did you really just turn down agoldling branch?”

“I did.”

I gaped at him, but he continued to walk casually through the streets as more fae called greetings to him or bowed reverently.

“But...why?” I shook my head in disbelief. Most fae would kill to possess one of those. “A single leaf can create ten gold bars from a simple brick or a dozen diamonds from a plain rock.”

“That’s right. Alchemy is possible with that leaf.”

“Yet, you refused it.” I shook my head again, and I didn’t have to turn around to know that Guardian Alleron was likely salivating after that branch. “Why?”

“Because I don’t need it.”

I gazed up at him, but whatever I’d hoped to decipher from his expression was guarded by his mask. “Are you truly so wealthy that you’d turn down that kind of payment?”

“Not all wealth is measured in gems and metals, Elowen.”

“No, but that leaf could buy someone a lifetime of independence.” I worked a swallow. “What I wouldn’t give for a gift like that.”

His gaze cut to mine, his aura beginning to churn, before he glanced briefly at Guardian Alleron, who was still bound at the wrists with Bowan’s magic. Several bags were draped over him from my shopping venture, however.

“Did he never give you fair payment for what you’ve done?” he asked in a low voice. “For all that you’ve sacrificed?”

---