Page 56 of Crown of Slumber

Dreya’s eyes lit up. “Oh, Your Highness, that would be the greatest honor!”

Aurelia smiled and took another sip of her tea, the icy rage in her eyes dimming slightly.

Dreya had Hallie bake us an extra batch of scones and biscuits for the road and insisted we take a pair of horses as well. Aurelia would only accept the kindness if Dreya allowed us to reimburse her for them. The innkeeper stammered her thanks, but she took the gold, and the relief on Aurelia’s face told me just how guilty she felt about taking advantage of the woman’s hospitality. Before midday, we set off, each saddled on our own horse. We kept to the main road, keeping a light, easy pace as we rode in silence.

I watched Aurelia as her distant gaze remained fixed ahead, as if she was trying not to look at me. She absently traced the marking on her knuckle from our bargain. I had an identical one on mine as well, but it was difficult to see on my tan skin.

“Why do you often come to that inn?” I asked her.

Aurelia took a moment before answering. “Wouldn’t you want to return to a cottage that can anticipate your needs?”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“I’m not obligated to answer your question.”

My eyes narrowed at her. “What’s the matter with you? Did I do something to offend you?”

She scoffed. “Everythingyou do offends me, Fenn.”

“I don’t understand why you’re being so hostile after?—”

“After what? We shared a bed? I tended to your wounds? I scrubbed your injured body?” She shook her head, her lip curling in derision. “Don’t think that just because we shared a few amicable moments together that that makes us friends. I just didn’t want you bleeding out or slowing us down with an infection.”

My stomach soured, and I found it difficult to swallow around the lump in my throat. “If there is something specific I have done that has caused you genuine pain, I’d like to know.”

Aurelia exhaled, then turned to look at me, her blue eyes cold. “Why did you say that to Dreya? About relations between our courts?”

I frowned. “Why shouldn’t I say that? Isn’t that the point of our ruse?”

“Do you know what she could do with access to stardust? She could enhance the magic of the cottage. She could expand her business so that she isn’t scraping by to make ends meet.”

I snorted. “She hardly seems to bescraping by. I saw several other patrons there during our stay.”

“Dammit, Fenn, that’s not the point! Do you have any intention of sharing your wealth with other kingdoms, or is this all just a game to you?”

I glared at her. “That’s rich, coming from you. How many dragons have you shared with other courts?”

Her nostrils flared. “That’s different. Dragons are brilliant living creatures who don’t deserve to be caged or?—”

“And do you think we are merely sitting on a pile of unused stardust, laughing idly while the kingdoms around us waste away?”

“Of course not, but?—”

“Itoldyou stardust is scarce, and yet you still accuse me of hoarding it from other kingdoms? Gods, it’s no wonder your court has no allies.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” she snapped.

“It means your people have isolated themselves from other kingdoms for years, Aurelia. You’ve only brought this on yourself. You accuse me of not helping anyone, but what areyoudoing for the Realm of Valora? Have you done anything to assist another fae court besides your own? Anything at all?” I raised my eyebrows at her in a challenge.

Her cheeks reddened, and her nostrils flared. She opened her mouth, no doubt to argue with me, but then faltered. “I—” She stopped again, her mouth clamping shut. The blush on her face spread to her ears. “That’s not?—”

I only continued to raise my eyebrows at her, and though I tried not to look smug, the glare she threw at me told me I was failing.

At long last, she found her voice. “All anyone cares about are our dragons, Fenn. We tried to be civil. We tried inviting other kingdoms. But all they wanted was to steal from us.”

“Are you sure it was theft? And not just kingdoms trying to barter?”

“Dragons are notgoodsto exchange!” she said hotly.

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