Page 39 of Bound to the Fae Assassin

She walked alongside him, wondering how long it would take for his mood to dissipate. He might be annoyed, but she was right. And it would be best if she remembered it.

For herself, she was determined to enjoy the walk. It was her day off. There was no point not soaking in the rare sight of a blue sky before the rains began. No reason not to enjoy the blushing leaves of the maples and oaks.

Echo picked his way through the meadows in his cat-form, keeping his distance but staying in their sight, leaping after the occasional field mouse.

After a time, Farrow could sense Blackthorn relaxing. She stole a peek at him out of the corner of her eye.

“What are you thinking of?” he asked her.

“I was wondering where we’re going,” she said, not wanting to admit that she was interested in his moods.

He smiled, and it was as radiant as it was rare.

“What?” she asked.

“I’m no longer sure you’ll be happy to know the answer,” he replied.

“Try me,” she said, wondering what he could possibly mean.

“We’re going to explore the depth of your magic,” he told her.

“What does that mean?” she demanded. “You know I cannot use it here.”

“There’s a place where it should be safe to use,” he told her. “A place where enough residual magic still hangs to the walls that yours will not be cause for alarm.”

The abandoned magic academy.

It was the only place he could be talking about, and they were headed in that direction.

“It’s forbidden to go there,” she whispered.

“So, we are unlikely to be happened upon by others,” he pointed out.

“But if we are,” she began.

“Everyone loves the baker’s daughter,” he said. “You’ll admit you were searching for a rare spice and couldn’t resist the academy’s gardens.”

She frowned. He was right that the townsfolk were kind to her and knew her name. She had never gotten into any trouble before…

Magic danced just below the surface of her skin, eager to be known.

“Only for an hour,” she said. “And only if we don’t bump into anyone between here and there.”

“I will not accept your bargain,” he said. “But your concerns are noted. It is early for a first of tenday. I imagine most others are asleep in their beds. We are unlikely to gain notice on the way.”

Farrow knew this was an unnecessary risk. She knew the pain it would cause her parents if they found out what she was doing. She knew the pain it would cause herself if she were caught.

She knew all of this.

But she found herself following the Fae Prince anyway, eager magic buzzing in her veins and quickening her step.

Chapter 18

Farrow

Farrow looked up at the overgrown building, sucking in a deep breath of crisp air.

She wasn’t easily spooked, but there was something strange about the old magic academy. Blackthorn told her that old magic clung to it, like an invisible mist, and she thought he was right.

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