Page 27 of Ties of Bargains

“No, because I’d actually succeed, and I’ve wasted one healing potion on you as it is.” Val eased into herfighting stance.

Harm just shrugged and dropped into a stance of his own. He had more of an uncertain edge to him with the knife in his hand rather than the stave. It seemed knives weren’t a Tulpenland prince’s usual weapon.

Well, she could fix that.

Chapter Ten

As Harm shouldered his pack once again, his muscles ached. After several days spent doing nothing but strength, sword, and knife training, his whole bodyhurt.

And he’d thought being mauled by a monster wolf was bad. Turned out training with Val was worse. Far worse. He looked forward to walking once again today. At least they’d only be training in the evening.

“Don’t dawdle.” Val marched forward, the cord yanking on Harm’s wrist as she reached the end of the tether.

And there was the pricklyfeeënmercenary he’d come to know rather well. She’d been almost pleasant during the past few days. It had been unnerving.

Harm hurried to catch up, falling into step with her as they strode between the massive, vine- and moss-draped trees of the Tanglewood. The moss beneath their feet was soft and springy, the air warm and faintlyfloral-scented along with all the green smells of the forest.

They hiked through the Tanglewood for several hours, Daisy bounding ahead of them. Although they caught the occasional glimpse offeeën, neitherfeeënnor monsters bothered them.

At last, the forest grew brighter ahead, the trees becoming smaller as Val and Harm neared the treeline. At the edge of the forest, a meadow dotted with flowers in all colors and shapes spread out before them.

In the middle of the meadow, a city of tents, caravan wagons, and booths formed of everything from branches to stalks of grass to what might have been bones sprawled among the wildflowers. A lilting music filled the meadow while tantalizing smells wafted on the breeze.

Val halted, half ducking into deeper undergrowth.

Harm dropped into hiding beside her. “What’s that?” And, more importantly, why were they hiding?

“A faerie market.” Val’s eyes flicked back and forth as she scanned it and the bustling meadow.

“And…that’s dangerous?” Markets weren’t particularly dangerous back home, but this was the realm of thefeeënvolk.

“Right now during the day? No, not particularly, if you keep your wits about you.” Val gave a hint of a shrug. “But at night? Absolutely.”

“Then…why are we hiding?” Harm glanced from her to the bustling faerie market once again.

“It’s never wise just to charge into places like a faerie market. Especially as a courtless mercenary. But I don’tsee a large presence of guards or librarians from the Court of Knowledge, so it should be safe enough for us.” Val turned to him, gesturing at his pack. “I’d bypass it altogether, but it wouldn’t hurt to acquire some supplies, especially a sword and clothing with a magical pocket for you. If you’re willing to part with more of your trade goods. Faerie markets don’t take coin. Just bargains.”

Harm flexed his fingers on the strap of his pack. He didn’t want to use more of the blue-and-white pottery he’d taken along. Who knew how much he’d need for bargains to return home once he made his escape?

But on the other hand, he’d need a sword, especially once Val left and he made his escape on his own. The clothing with a magical pocket would be handy as well. He wouldn’t always have Val with him to carry his items in a pocket, and carrying everything in a pack advertised to everyone who saw him that he had items with him. A magical pocket would keep that a secret, and secrets like that were as valuable as currency here in the Fae Realm.

“All right.” Harm gave a sharp nod. “Let’s bargain for whatever you think is best. You’ll know better than I do what I’ll need.”

Val straightened and pushed away from the tree. “Then stick close. We can’t hide the cord tethering us together, but I don’t want to advertise it either. I’m a courtless mercenary with few protections here. I don’t want to draw the attention of the sovereigns of this court.”

“Understood.” Harm stepped even closer. Then,following an impulse that even he didn’t want to examine, he clasped her hand, the cord tucked close between them.

Val jumped, yanking her hand free of his. “What are you doing?”

“Hiding the cord as much as possible.” He lifted his eyebrows. “If the method is all right?”

She eyed him like he’d just suggested swimming through a sewage-choked canal. But after a long moment, she reached out and took his hand. “Fine. Yes, this would be the best way to hide the cord.”

Harm grinned at her sour expression and pushed through the undergrowth with Daisy leading the way. He didn’t want to examine why holding Val’s hand sent such a thrill through him. After all, once this was over, he’d escape back to the Human Realm, and she’d return to the Realm of Monsters. They’d never see each other again.

Yet he couldn’t help but enjoy the feel of her fingers clasped in his, despite the slight awkwardness. Nor the way her shoulder occasionally brushed his as they strolled across the open meadow.

When he’d left home, all he’d wanted to do was return as quickly as possible. And he still did. His father and brother were in danger from whatever strangefeeënconspiracy he was caught up in.

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