Page 43 of Until the Stars Fall

CHAPTER 21

Connor

Another evening. Another tavern.

I settled myself into a chair at a back table while Matthias retrieved two pints of ale for us. It was the sixth such tavern in as many days, and the patrons here greeted me in the same way as those at the previous five had: with wary stares and grim half-smiles.

I couldn’t blame them.

Their fallen spirits were the reason for this week’s trip around the country. Traveling to meet my people face to face was one of my favorite parts of being the crown prince, even if it meant enduring lumpy mattresses and bland food. It got me out of the palace and away from my brother and his drama.

Of course, these visits weren’t nearly as relaxing as they had once been. Everyone had been on edge since the attacks had begun. Still, the journey was a much-needed respite from dealing with Brennan and his supposedfriendshipwith Lieke.

Matthias slumped into the chair beside me with a weary sigh. He handed me a pint glass filled to the brim with ale, foam tumbling over the edge and dripping onto the table. I took a long draught, savoring the rich drink with my eyes closed. This was much better than being home.

Matthias laughed lightly, and I opened my eyes to find him watching me with a comical grin. “Either the ale here is really good or you’re particularly worried about this town’s concerns.”

“A little of both actually,” I said. “We really need to get a brewer on staff at the palace.”

Leaning closer, Matthias whispered, “Maybe we can entice the one here to move?”

“Let’s see how tonight goes first. If they’re as angry as the people we’ve met elsewhere, I’d hate to stoke that ire by cutting off their access to good ale.”

Matthias nodded and lifted his own tankard to his lips. As he was drinking, a pair of fae, a male and a female, slowly approached our table. Their stern glares bored into me, and the pub grew quiet.

“Your Highness,” the female said with a quick nod.

I dipped my chin in return and smiled warmly at her. “Please sit,” I said, gesturing to the empty chairs at my table.

“No need,” the male said gruffly. His eyes narrowed. “This won’t take long.”

Placing my folded hands on the table, I leaned forward and raised my brow in an invitation for them to proceed.

The male cleared his throat and pulled his shoulders back. “Our son, sir.” His lip quivered once before he stilled it with a deep inhale. “He and his wife were killed two weeks ago.”

Matthias set his glass down and pulled the ledger from inside his jacket, asking, “Where?”

“They were traveling back from Fairden,” the female said quietly.

Thumbing through the pages, Matthias searched his records. When he stopped, he glanced at me and nodded.

“It was them, wasn’t it?” the male asked. “The humans?”

I drew in a breath and fought the urge to survey the room and the citizens who waited to hear my response. These parents deserved my full attention. This was why I made these trips—to connect with my people, to listen to their concerns, to reassure them that their rulers were here for them.

But I knew what would happen once I confirmed their fears.

Their anger was inevitable.

And justified.

“We believe so, yes,” I answered. “We are—”

The male stepped closer, shrugging off his wife when she reached for his arm. “What are you doing about it?”

“Your High—” Matthias started to rise from his seat as he spoke, but I quieted him with a raised hand, never once breaking eye contact with the distraught male.

“What’s your name?” I asked gently.

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