Page 31 of Ties of Bargains

The man gave a nod, something of a grimace flashing across his face before he smoothed it into a smile once more. He took another bite of the fruit. “Where is she taking you?”

Perhaps it was foolish, but Harm was inclined to trust him. He seemed to be human, and Daisy liked him.

Harm settled a shoulder more comfortably against the post again. “To Golbet of Flight Talonstorm in the Court of Stone. I was originally bargained to Queen Mab of the Court of Dreams, but she bargained meaway to Queen Titania, who in turn bargained me to Golbet.”

“You dodged a quiver of trouble with Titania.” The man didn’t even try to hide his scowl this time. He reached into a pocket. When he withdrew his hand, he held out a small red flower. “This is a wild fae primrose. They often grow around faerie circles, and it’s said that they lead travelers home. If someone hands you a wild fae primrose, you can trust them. You’ll just need to get free of that cord first.”

When the young man continued to hold out the flower, Harm took the delicate thing. It had five petals in a deep red color. Growing up as he did in Tulpenland where flowers were so highly prized, he’d easily recognize this flower again now that he’d taken the time to study it. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I’ve done nothing to help you yet.” The man tilted his head in Val’s direction. “Last piece of advice. I wouldn’t mention any of this to her.”

Harm couldn’t help but look at Val, his gaze catching there. It felt like a betrayal to keep something like this from her.

But then again, this was survival. He didn’t owe her any allegiance, no matter how many times she saved his life here in the Fae Realm. She was only protecting him because he was a package she needed to deliver in one piece.

As he debated, a tallfeeënman with weathered brown skin and black hair streaked gray at the temples strode up to the weapons booth and halted next to Val. She whirled toward him, her eyes lighting withsomething Harm couldn’t identify. Loyalty. Respect. Deference.

The sight speared painfully inside Harm’s chest.

“Thanks…” Harm turned back to the stranger, only to find that he had vanished. The only sign that he’d ever been there was the core of the apple-fruit left in the dirt.

That was odd. Should Harm trust the man? Had he truly been human or had he been afeein disguise? But why would he attempt to trick Harm? Harm was already a captive and bound to afee.

With one last glance at Val and the strangefeeshe spoke with, Harm quickly stuffed the wild fae primrose into a pocket. It seemed he had made his decision after all.

Chapter Eleven

The swordsmith was proving particularly stubborn and uncooperative.

Val gritted her teeth. “One vial of basilisk venom and the tooth of a hydra. That’s my final offer.”

A movement at the corner of her eye was her only warning before the shadow of a figure stepped far too close into her space.

She whirled, hand already dropping to her knife. Then she stilled. “Diego?”

Her Wild Hunt Leader halted at the swordsmith’s booth next to her. Hints of gray threaded through the hair at his temples while his black beard and mustache were trimmed thin. Multiple daggers filled the bandoleers crossing his chest.

“I see the ease of this mission hasn’t dulled your edge.” Diego’s smile glistened in the depths of his dark brown eyes. “Though I became concerned when you didn’t return as quickly as expected.”

“There were complications.” Val tried to put a noteof frustration into her tone. She placed her back more firmly to Harm. As if he was nothing but her package. Just a puppy she planned to kick. “His bargain was traded away. It’s currently held by Golbet of Flight Talonstorm.”

“Unfortunate.” Diego clapped her on the shoulder. “At least one of my best is on this task. I know you’ll keep the package alive. Deliver it and return when you can.”

“I will.” Val hesitated. But she should warn him since she had the chance. “There’s something strange about this mission. The package was set up. Someone sickened his brother with a faerie poison. There’s a fae involved in this, and that fae specifically asked for a mercenary to transport the package.”

“I know. It’s a situation that I’m handling, never fear.” Diego shrugged with all the grace of a prowling jaguar.

Listening to rumors and handling the politics of working with fae monarchs on behalf of his mercenaries was, in part, Diego’s job as the leader of their Wild Hunt band. So why did her chest tighten, her instincts prickle? As if he wasn’t telling her the whole truth?

What was he even doing here? How had he managed to find her in the faerie market when he couldn’t have known she would even be here?

“But I see I’m impeding your bargaining. Acquiring a new sword?” Diego gestured from her to the sword lying on the table in front of them.

“Yes.” Val wasn’t about to explain further. HopefullyDiego wouldn’t notice that the length and heft were more suited to Harm’s longer reach and taller height. To keep him from studying the sword too closely, she gestured at the swordsmith. He had his burly arms crossed over his otherwise tiny frame, a scowl thrusting his lower jowl farther forward. “Except he’s being stubborn.”

Diego made a noise in the back of his throat as he shook his head. “After all the business my Wild Hunt has given you over the years? I insist you take whatever bargain my mercenary has offered you. No, better yet, consider it a part of our other deal.”

What other deal? Val hurriedly shook her head. “No, I’ll stick with my original offered bargain.”

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