Page 17 of A Court Bright and Broken

“What were you doing in the market?” I bit out. “Spying on people? Looking for disloyal subjects to report back to the King?”

He shook his head rapidly. “No, nothing like that. I was sketching. I find humans interesting.”

I made a disgruntled sound. “I’ll bet you do—like curious bugs you study before having them exterminated.”

Before he could respond, the gates opened, and a group of Elven guards came trotting down the path toward us.

Reaching us at shocking speed, they gathered around Sam, supporting him and inquiring after his well-being in worried tones.

“Are you all right?” one asked.

“What did this human do to you?” another shouted.

The guard moved toward me, obviously intending to strike me down. Or perhaps take me into custody, which would have been just as bad. Possibly worse.

There were tales of human women who were taken into King Pontus’ palace never to be seen again.

“Do nothing to harm her,” Sam commanded in a tone that brooked no disobedience.

Alordlytone.

The soldier stopped immediately, but I still felt as if I’d been struck.

This man, this piteous “beggar” I’d been traveling with, was not just High Fae. He was an Elven lord.

One of the rich who grew ever richer by taking from the poor, who’d taken everything from my family—including my mother.

“This woman saved my life,” Sam announced.

“You.” He pointed to one of the guards. “Bring her some food and a flask of water. Wait, no.”

Then he turned to me. “On second thought, come inside with me. I’ll have a feast prepared for you. It’s the least I can do to thank you for your help.”

My shock was so great that I didn’t stop him when he took my hand and attempted to lead me inside the gates of the capital city. Finally, I found my tongue and backed away from him.

“Insidethe palace? No, I couldn’t. I can’t. I have to get back to the market. I have to—”

The hand I’d pushed into my skirt pocket came out empty. I reached into the other one, a flurry of panic filling my chest and making my head feel dizzy.

“Where is it?” I started spinning in a circle, searching the ground around me.

“Where is what?” Sam asked. “Have you lost something?”

“My mother’s locket. It’s gone.”

“Do you think you dropped it?” he asked.

He ordered the guards to start searching the ground for a locket. They immediately complied, splitting up to move in several directions, including down the path from where we’d come.

“I must have,” I said.

I knew for sure this wealthy Fae man hadn’t taken it. I must have lost it on the journey. But there were no holes in my pockets. Not in this dress anyway—it was my good one.

A sick, hollow feeling seeped through my empty stomach.

“I have to find it.”

I was nearly in tears. The locket was the only thing I had left of value. If I didn’t find it, my family was going to starve.

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