Page 48 of Consort

“Folas is looking for you,” he says flatly.

I wait for more information, but that’s all he cares to give. Fuck Folas. I don’t take orders from him. Still, looking suspicious is the last thing I need. I have no choice but to give up my search for Farris and turn back toward the castle.

Vernan silently observes me as I walk away. I feel exposed under his gaze and uneasy having my back to him. He gives me a bad feeling. I can’t count him as an ally. Not without some heavy proof. For now, I’ll pretend to be cooperative and go see what Folas wants.

When I arrive at the castle grounds, I hear shuffling from the brittle bushes near the main doors. No creatures nest or hunt in the dead foliage around here. I look to the side just in time to see the edge of Torren’s black cloak slipping into the shadows. I’dlove to send a blast of my fire to ignite the dead underbrush and set his fake shadow up in flames. But it’s better if he thinks he’s been successful in hiding from me.

Folas’s attention is far more concerning at the moment, anyway. He’s been avoiding me recently. I’m nervous about what might have given him the confidence to call for me now.

Just as I expected, he’s is waiting just inside the main doors, ready to pounce.

“Durin, nice to see you,” he says with a sinister smile. “You’ve been quite busy lately, haven’t you? Out in the woods, doing who knows what and who knows whom…”

No one knows about the heat except Farris. And no one has seen me anywhere near Rue, not even Torren. I made sure of it. I was never given any instruction on how much time to spend in the castle. He’s bluffing.

“I understand my expectationsandmy restrictions, Folas,” I drawl, knowing he’s trying to fluster me. I don’t know why he hates me so much, but I won’t let him get to me. He’s the least of my concerns.

“Folas, what is your official role?” I ask, deciding to rile him up.

He pauses in front of me and pulls in a sharp breath. After a few moments, he decides to ignore my question and just grunts at me to follow him.

“You’re a servant, aren’t you?” I press with a laugh as we walk in the direction of my room. “I thought you were some kind of fancy, castle-bound noble. Silly me. Those robes really had me fooled.”

He stiffens, and I can see the strain in his jaw from clenching his teeth.

“No,” he grinds out, opening my door for me. “I’m not a soldier of the queen, but I am no servant.”

I go to taunt him more, but he wins this round.

“The queen requires your services tonight,” he sneers, stepping back so I can enter my room.

I want to argue because it can’t possibly be the Radiant Season already. But I recall easily crossing over the shallower streams and the absence of pixies buzzing in my ears as they sleep away the hottest time of the year.

Folas is right–it is indeed the season’s change.

Rage billows in my chest, but I ball it up tightly and hold it there. I have to clench my fists as I enter my room to keep from ripping his face in half. What I would give to see those knotted curls go up in blue flames…

I slam my door and drop my clothing, trying to calm myself. I’ve been brought here to bathe, and the servants don’t deserve my wrath. I pace and take deep breaths until I feel more composed. Then, I wipe off my scowl and enter the bathing chamber.

The two kind servants are waiting with their hands clasped in front of them. The tub is filled, but no steam rises from the surface. I’m pleased to find they accepted my offer and didn’t bother themselves with heating it.

“Hello, lovely fae.” I smile, genuinely comforted by their friendly faces.

I dip my hands in the water and release the heat that was meant for Folas. The servants’ eyes widen as they watch the water take on an almost milky haze from the heat. When the temperature is right, I stand and turn to them.

“What are your names?” I ask. “If you’ll share them.”

“Leah,” the young one says. “And this is my mother, Sarra.”

Sarra huffs at her before getting down to business. “Let’s get you washed up.”

I sigh and begin to glamour my curls away, as well as the hair that’s regrown beneath my arms.

“I didn’t realize the Radiant Season had arrived,” I mumble,trying to mask my trepidation. “At least I should be free for a while after tonight.”

“Last time was off schedule. The next one won’t come so quickly,” Sarra says, her tone warmer than usual.

“The season honestly slipped my mind,” I say, stepping into the water. “I haven’t seen the queen in a while.”

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