Page 24 of Fate and Flame
“I wanna fight him.” I pointed to the giant trying hard to line up the weapons along the fence without knocking them all down with his clumsy fingers.
“Greywolf?” Brax asked. “He’s a fun opponent. He’s from the Wind Court.” He motioned for the giant to join us, and we waited as he pounded across the arena. “Greywolf, this is Prince Fenlas and his mate, Ara.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course, that’s all I would be known as in this kingdom. Probably for the rest of my life.
“Hello, Prince sir,” the giant said. “Ara, sir.”
“No, Greywolf. We talked about this. She is a female fae. You call her ‘my lady’.”
“Ara’s fine,” I interrupted. Fen cleared his throat, but I ignored him.
“Ara wants to train with you someday.”
“Nope. Can’t fight my lady.” He took three careful steps backward.
“Where are you from?” I asked, tilting my head as I tried to place the slight lilting accent.
“The Winterlands, my lady.”
“Never heard of them.”
He lifted his giant shoulders. “They are hidden.”
I doubted that was true. I was well-versed in every territory in the Wind Court. I had to memorize most with my mother, but it was possible something slipped through the cracks.
“I tell you what, big guy. You let me train with you, and I’ll see about finding you a proper pair of shoes.”
Everyone looked to his feet but me as I met his stare.
“Okay.” He grinned so wide I should have offered him a toothbrush.
His uniform was evidently made especially for him, but I doubted anyone in this kingdom could make his shoes. I happened to know a sly, old female in the Marsh Court, though.
“Should we go meet the others?” Fen asked.
“After you, Prince sir.” I winked and swept my hand beforeme, bowing.
He gave me a roguish smile and turned to his soldier. “Keep working on those rotations, Brax. I’ll be down in the morning.”
“Aye, sir.” Brax trudged away shouting orders to other fae, and Greywolf followed him with a high knee, exaggerated march.
“Only you would pick the giant to spar with.” Fen lifted my fingers to his soft lips.
“I like a good challenge,” I answered.
We approached the stables where Wren, Greeve, and another female that must have been Gaea waited. Her unique cat eyes were strikingly familiar to me. I had seen her with Autus numerous times. I tried to keep an open mind, remembering the rebel from the village we had helped, but Morwena’s threat of the northern king weighed heavily on me.
“Ara, this is Gaea. She’s come for refuge.”
Play nice.
Why do you keep telling me that? I don’t walk around biting heads off, Prince.
“Aren’t you coming with us?” I asked Wren.
“No, I need to help my sister. She’s been running everything on her own and I promised I’d help out today. I’ll try to come for dinner.” She leaned in to hug me. “Be nice,” she whispered into my ear.
Fen snorted, and I elbowed him.
