Page 80 of Ties of Bargains

“You’ll have to assess that for yourself.” Harm grinned even as he tugged her down the street, taking the time to nod and smile at those they passed.

This was the first time he and Val were going out and about in Tulpenwerf since he’d returned nearly three months ago. They’d been caught up in endless court events as his father celebrated the return of both of his sons, tedious soirees as both he and Gijs were reintroduced to Tulpenland society with Val and Saskia at their sides, and finally the grand celebrations for the weddings. First of Harm and Val in the Tulpenland tradition so that no one would question the validity of theirfeeënmarriage and second of Gijs and Saskia, done with as much pomp and circumstance as possible so that her father couldn’t undo it.

All of that had left little time for wandering Tulpenwerf and introducing Val to the wonders of the canals, cheeses, stroopwafels, cassis, and other foods and sights to be found.

But the time to schmooze the Tulpenland nobility and rich merchants had been worth it. As Gijs had predicted, Harm hadn’t been forced out of his position as heir. He’d been deemed odd. Eccentric. His new ties to thefeeënvolkquestioned. But when it came down to it, Tulpenlanders would prefer to have him on the throne with afeeat his side than lose their duchy’s autonomy.

Beyond that, the Tulpenland merchants were already rubbing their hands together, discussing theways they could capitalize on trade with the Fae Realm. It seemed business outweighed the dangers of bargaining with thefeeënvolk.

Val laughed, a broad, joyful smile on her face, as he dragged her down the street. She’d put up with all the parties, events, and celebrations, even if she hadn’t enjoyed them.

At least going out for lunch was something Harm could give her that she would enjoy almost as much as she’d enjoyed whipping the palace guards into shape.

Harm found a table at one of his favorite spots along the canal. When the proprietor hurried to their table, Harm ordered cassis and a pancake with plenty of strawberry jam.

A few people stopped by their table, bowed, welcomed Harm home, and congratulated him on his marriage. The braver ones worked up the courage to give Val a welcome and congratulations of her own.

When their food arrived, Val followed his example and liberally smeared her side of the pancake with jam. After she dug into her first bite, she closed her eyes. “This is really good.”

Harm sliced off his first bite. “Told you.”

“Here you are!” The dragon girl Tora, in her fae form, appeared out of the bustle on the street beside them. She grabbed a chair from beside a nearby table, plunked it beside theirs, and plopped into it.

“Uh, good morning.” Harm managed a smile for Tora before he shared a look with Val. So much for their first meal out on the town. “What are you doing here? How did you get here? The tulips are done blooming.”

“Oh, that. Turns out the basement of the windmill next to that tulip field has become a faerie circle. It’s more or less round, after all, and it seems the turning blades give the magic a bit of a boost.” Tora tore off a hunk of the pancake with her fingers and popped it in her mouth. “Ooh, this is really good.”

Val scowled at Tora before she met Harm’s gaze. “I’ll send Abelardo to investigate the windmill. We’ll likely need a guard stationed there to keep a watch for fae.”

Harm mentally added arranging a guard rotation to his day’s list of things to accomplish. “Tora, you didn’t answer my first question. What are you doing here?”

“Besides trying Tulpenland food and acquiring more of that blue-and-white pottery?” Even in her fae form, Tora’s teeth flashed white and a hint sharp. “The Primrose League has its first task for you. We rescued a human boy from the Court of Dreams, and it was easiest to get away by hopping through the faerie circle to Tulpenland instead of sneaking him out of the court. But as far as we can tell, the boy is from one of the islands off the coast somewhere. Not sure where. I’m bad at Human Realm geography.”

“Returning him shouldn’t be a problem. Tulpenland’s ships travel all over the world.” Harm glanced past Tora. “Where is he?”

“He and Taran are hiding just outside of town. We weren’t sure how hard it would be to locate you.” Tora tore off another bite of pancake. At this rate, Harm would have to order another pancake for himself and Val.

“And you volunteered to be the one to search us out.” Val crossed her arms as she stared at Tora.

“Of course.” Tora reached for the pancake again.

“We’ll have to fetch him and see to his safety.” Harm sighed and sliced off one last bite of pancake before he was forced to abandon it.

No matter. The rescued boy would be hungry. Harm would just order several more pancakes when they returned.

Val pushed to her feet, the leashes for both of the dogs in one hand, her other hand resting on the hilt of one of her new, iron daggers. “Let’s go.”

Harm grinned, plunked coins on the table to pay for their food, and climbed to his feet.

His life had changed beyond his wildest dreams since the last time he’d sat at this table. But he wouldn’t trade this life for anything in the Human Realm, Fae Realm, or Realm of Monsters.

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