Page 5 of Blooms of Darkness

“The man standing must be Storm. He said he would be wearing a red broach on his cloak,” Ian murmured close to my ear as he stood at my back, his eyesight infinitely better than my own, especially at night.

Storm stood stoically, unmasked, like most of the other Fae we aided. He scanned the woods as we hung back, concealed by a thicket of brush. He dressed entirely in black, with a leather-looking tunic covering his chest, and a sword strapped to his side. On his right shoulder lay a red broach, resembling a small flame, pinned to a black cloak so dark it could blend with the darkest of nights. The wind whipped around us and wove through his hair. He wore half of it pulled back in a ponytail, while the remaining light-brown strands rested just below his shoulders.

The other Fae sharpened his blade as he leaned casually against a tree. His black cloak, woven with an intricate, subtly swirling grey gave the illusion the man wore shadows. From this angle, I couldn’t detect any discernible features, aside from ridiculously broad shoulders and massive height. Even leaning, the unknown Fae appeared taller than his counterpart.

Ian squeezed my arm and moved beside me. When I met his gaze, I noted apprehension etched into his brows. I understood his hesitation. These strangers exuded power and presence to which we weren’t accustomed. Even cloaked in shadows, Storm’s companion’s magic practically sang around him.

Only a small number of Fae in our kingdom wielded magic that could be sensed by others from any sort of distance. This stranger just so happened to be one of them.

I broke Ian’s stare, turning to study the outsiders a few moments longer, the cloaked man in particular.

As if my focus stirred his attention, the hood of his cloak shifted and now faced me. A tingling sensation crept along my arms, despite the long sleeves of the black fighting tunic staving off the cool night air. A buzz hummed through my veins, and I didn’t dare move with the stranger looking in my direction.

Ever so slightly, black wisps of hair extended from the very top of his hood. The cloak concealed his features just as well as mine, yet, somehow, it seemed as though he stared straight into my eyes, into my very soul.

I knew my reasons for hiding, but what motives did he have to not be seen?

“Are you going to stare at us like prey all night, or finally grace us with your presence?” His deep voice rumbled with authority throughout the space between us.

The comment caused Storm to jerk his gaze in our direction. Aware we could no longer quietly observe, Ian and I emerged slowly from the brush and strolled toward our potential allies.

“You must be Storm,” I said, extending a hand as I approached. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You’re a woman?” The stranger’s scoff had me instantly hating him, especially when combined with the smart-ass remark seconds before. Mister Shadow Cloak’s attitude grated on me already.

Men and their domineering bullshit. I had to deal with it at Court, but most of the time, the people of Brookmere who needed help in the past, wouldn’t have cared if I ran the streets as a bloody mythical dragon if it meant they would get the aid they required.

“Is there a problem?” I asked.

“No problem.” Storm’s gruff voice didn’t falter as he shot a glare at his partner.

A dark chuckle escaped the stranger. “At least the ridiculous nickname makes more sense.”

Storm stiffened as his associate flipped his sword, spinning it in a circle before straightening from his tree. “With a name like the Hidden Henchman, surely you must drive utter fear into the hearts of all the royals so blatantly ignoring their kingdom’s problems.”

I crossed my arms, tapping my fingers against my forearm. “I didn’t create the moniker, it just stuck.”

I wanted to argue that the royal who mattered stood right here, but I would never give away my identity so easily. A princess—no,the crownprincess—wandering around commoners and thieves at night would bring more of a scandal than I wanted. Far too much attention and trouble than it was worth.

The shadow-cloaked man tossed his blade up to hold the hilt in his hand. Ian shifted, instantly sensing the change in weapon position. Casually, as though he couldn’t be bothered with the conversation, he situated himself in front of me, touching his blade. “Put the weapon down or we’re gone.”

The stranger’s hood slipped back slightly, revealing a glistening set of white teeth, a stark contrast to the blackness surrounding him.

“Enough,” Storm said, firmly outstretching his arm in front of his companion, who obediently backed away a few paces. “We need provisions and want to know if you can assist. That’s all this is. Don’t mind my incorrigible companion. He doesn’t get out much.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t bring him to future meetings when there’s something important on the line for you,” I said sharply, pausing for a moment. “Regardless, we are here to help. Next time use the system in place instead of thinking you’re above the other Fae who request our aid.”

“Other Fae? So, you are aware of how many are in need, yet you do this alone instead of petitioning the Crown for assistance?” The obnoxious sidekick’s sarcastic mouth made me want to throw a dagger at him to shut him up.

Breathe.They were people in need.

I’d survived far greater hells than an arrogant Fae thinking too highly of himself. Besides, I charmed an entire Court—without an ounce of magic in my bones. I could handle a bitter man who prattled on about things he knew nothing of.

“Unrest is growing. We’re working on it,” Ian jumped in. “Now tell us what you need so we can all be on our way. One wouldn’t want to stay in the woods too long at night.”

“Unrest” was certainly one way to describe it. The king had made me swear to stay away from gossip at Court, specifically, discussions and whispers of events happening at the border towns.

“It’s a minor threat, being handled by the guards,” he’d told me.

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