Page 5 of Cold Hearted
Days.That was certainly inconvenient. Every minute that passed, more and more of the Summer Court was falling prey to the curse.And one horse wasn’t exactly proper, but my mother wasn’t here to scold me, so what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
I huffed. A lifetime worth of training and my court put into jeopardy all because I couldn’t keep my mind focused for one minute while I stepped through the portal between worlds. But there was nothing to be done about it now except start my hunt for the Ethereum Northern lord. He would likely be in his castle, so that’s where I needed to go.
“Well, that’s not ideal, but it will have to do. Name your price. We should probably leave before nightfall,” I said, and jingled the sack of coin at my waist.
“We?” he asked.
“Yes,we. I already said I’m not familiar with the terrain and will need an escort.” Was this fae daft? That would be a pity, but perhaps he was only blessed in the physical sense and lacking in mental capabilities.
The fae chuckled. “Well, little bird, I’m sorry to say thatweare not going anywhere together. Like I said, I am not for hire. I am headed to the tavern for a pint of mead and a good game of cards. If you’re looking for transportation to Noreum, I suggest you inquire with the bartender. He might know of a guide willing to take you for the right price. Good day,” he said, and then tipped his head in farewell, but I caught his arm before he had a chance to turn and leave.
A guide in these parts could lead to me being sold into slavery or raped. No, only a royal guard would have the reputation and good moral standing to get me there in one piece. I would have to weave a partial tale to get him to take interest in getting me to his lord.
“As a royal guard in the Northern Army, your duty is to protect your lord, is it not?” I asked.
His eyes squinted in annoyance, and he looked down at where I’d hooked his arm in my grip. “Of course, my duty to protect Lord Roan is above all else,” he stated.
Roan. I had a name.
I nodded. “Then you must get me to see him at once, for my business in Noreum is with him.”
“Is that so?” he asked, his face washed in amusement.
“Yes, it is,” I replied, getting slightly nervous that this guard might not take me to his lord unless I gave him a specific reason.
“I’m sorry to inform you that nowhere on the royal service charter does it say we are required to accompany citizens seeking council with Lord Roan, no matter how lovely they may be.” His eyes again raked over my body and the tight-fitting clothes and clung to it. “But I’ll be sure to take that up with our lord the next time we speak.” He yanked his arm from mine, and with a mock bow he turned on a heel and strode toward the tavern.
No!
I watched him leave, panic rising up inside of me.
He’d said Noreum Castle was days away. That meant my people would have to wait days until I returned with the heart. What were the odds of another royal guard passing through this small village? And paying a villager to take me into the city of Noreum was risky. I knew from the journals that the outskirts of Noreum were rife with danger. They carved you up and sold your organs to blood witches. No. I neededhim. He might be annoying, but I felt like I would be safe with him.
“Wait,” I shouted and chased after him. “You don’t understand,” I said when I caught up. He didn’t stop walking, nearly at the tavern door now, but he slowed his steps and turned his face toward me. “Ihaveto see Lord Roan urgently. And it’s your duty to take me to him because I have an important message to deliver. I have intel about…”
I racked my brain for information that would be important to an Ethereum lord. I didn’t know anything about current events and happenings in this realm, and only had book knowledge of their land and customs. I didn’t have many options here.
Stepping closer to the fae, I lowered my voice conspiratorially. What I was about to do was taking a big chance. I had one big card to play, and the fear was that by playing it I could show my hand, but I needed to be assured access to Lord Roan. I couldn’t cut out the evil fae’s heart if I couldn’t get in front of him.
“I have intel that I know the Northern lord will want to know. His life depends on it.”
The guard’s face immediately darkened, and he pivoted on his heel, turning to me fully.
“What information?” he demanded, and my heart leapt. I knew I had him, but I was careful to keep the glee off my face.
“I can tell no one but Lord Roan. I’ve probably said too much already.” I glanced around, pretending to be worried someone would overhear us. “So you see, it’s imperative thatyoutake me to your lord.”
The stranger narrowed his eyes as he regarded me. He looked me up and down, taking in my clothes and the tip of the dagger’s hilt at my waist, settling his gaze on my face. I knew he was considering my words,trying to figure out if I was truthful or not. Bringing highly sensitive and important information to his lord would surely bring him reward for his efforts, but if I was lying there would be repercussions for him.
I did my best to look innocent and earnest, with a touch of desperation. At least that last emotion was genuine. I was desperate to find an Ethereum lord. Desperate to carve his heart from his chest. And desperate to take it back to my realm.
“Relay to me your intel and you have my word that Lord Roan will know.”
I shook my head. “No.Ihave to be the one to tell him. It’s the only way I can be assured he will get the message properly.”
“Where are you from?” he said quickly, his brow knotting together in the center of his forehead as he ignored what I’d just told him. My heart hammered in my chest.
“Here. Obviously.” Did he know I was from Faerie? If he did, I was dead.
