Page 37 of The High Mountain Court

“What is that?” Hale asked, looking at the string.

“Give me your wrist,” Remy instructed. The prince narrowed his eyes at her but did as she said. Remy wrapped the string around the prince’s wrist, once, twice, three times and then tied it in a neat knot.

“There,” she said. Still holding the prince’s wrist, she refused to look into his smoky gray eyes as she said, “Now you belong to me too.”

Hale’s pulse hammered against her fingertips.

Hale shook his head and said, “Good thinking, Red,” winking.

“My name is Remy.”

“Remy.” He nodded softly, turning to the armoire. The prince took his time scanning her figure and then a wicked smile appeared on his handsome face as he said, “Ready for your acting debut . . . Remy?”

* * *

Remy stood at the first-floor landing and rapped on the door in front of her. Heather opened it on the first knock. Seeing it was Remy, she stepped out into the hallway, shutting the door behind her.

“What’s going on? Are you ready?” Remy asked, shifting back and forth. They were heading into Saxbridge for lunch with the Heir to the Southern Court. Remy could hardly contain her excitement. She had always wanted to see the Southern Court’s capital city, half an hour’s carriage ride from Ruttmore.

Heather’s hazel eyes skimmed over Remy, and she smiled. Remy wore the duck-egg-blue dress that Bri had left laid out on the giant bed. The lightweight fabric had a high boatneck that hid most of her witch’s collar. She wanted to keep it that way, but the point was for it to be seen, so she forced herself to pull it from under her dress and lay it on top in prominent display. Her dress clung around the bust and top ribs, spreading out from her waist into a bell-shaped skirt that landed at her ankles. The dress had short, sheer sleeves slitted so her shoulders peeked through. Remy wore her hair tied in a low ponytail, her hair extra voluminous in the Southern humidity. A few escaping curls framed her face. She wore round, silver stud earrings that matched her flat silver slippers. It was a modest outfit compared to the opulence she had seen others wearing, but it was perfect for a member of a royal’s entourage.

“You look so beautiful,” Heather said. She reached out her hand and tenderly stroked a sheer sleeve between her fingers. “This is a fine dress. You look like a queen. You look like your mother.”

Heather gave Remy a sad smile. Remy had forgotten that Heather had lived in Yexshire for a time. She had known her mother, though they never spoke about her. This is the closest they ever came to speaking of secrets they kept locked tightly away.

“Are you not coming?” Remy asked, looking to the door shut behind Heather.

“Fenrin is still a little under the weather today,” Heather said with an unconcerned shrug. “I will stay back and make some more medicine for him. It will be no problem.”

“But . . . Saxbridge.” Remy’s eyebrows lifted. “Don’t you want to see it?”

“I have been there before, actually.” Heather’s smile was soft. It was then Remy realized how little she knew of who Heather was before the brown witch had taken her in. “Once in my youth. It was beautiful. I’m excited for you to see it.”

Remy clasped her hands in front of her. She didn’t know much about Heather at all. She blamed Heather for their boring, backcountry lives but Heather could have had a much more exciting one were it not for Remy. The brown witch sacrificed her own life to hide Remy’s secrets.

“You don’t mind me going without you?” Remy asked, squinting at her guardian.

“You have told me time and time again that you are not a child.” Heather’s cheeks dimpled. A strand of her copper hair fell free of her bun and she tucked it behind her ear. “These past weeks have shown it to me more clearly. I’m sorry it took me so long to listen.”

Remy swallowed. She never expected Heather to acknowledge her as an adult. She thought if it were up to the brown witch she would go on doting and fussing over Remy forever.

“You don’t need to worry,” Remy said, even though she knew Heather would, because worrying about Remy was what she did best. “I will have four fae warriors around to protect me.”

“I wish there were more, but I’ll accept it.” She chuckled, cupping Remy’s cheek. “You are priceless, Remini.” Remy stilled at her full name. “Do not forget your purpose. Do not forget who you truly are.”

Remy’s heart beat faster as she nodded to Heather. Her purpose had only ever been to stay alive and keep hidden. There had never been a plan beyond that. She wanted to ask Heather what came next. What happened beyond the hiding? But they never talked like this. Now, as she was showing herself in the world, it seemed she needed reminding.

“I won’t forget,” Remy said, looking at her hands.

“Let’s go, Rem!” Talhan called from the floor below. The rest of their fae companions waited at the bar.

“I should go,” Remy said sheepishly. It felt strange to leave Heather behind.

“Have fun,” Heather said. It might have been the first time Heather had said that to her in her entire life. “But be careful with that prince.”

There it was. Remy couldn’t help but chortle at her guardian’s warning.

“Always warning me away from the boys, Heather.” Remy laughed.

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