Page 6 of Stolen Threadwitch Bride
Her gaze darted side to side as though checking no one had heard, but the corner of her mouth rose in a secret smile. “Not insane, just… hopeful. Do you think fae let women train? If they do, it just might be worth putting myself forward with the other unmarried women.”
With my chin, I pointed to the centre of the square where there was no sign of the dark-haired fae or his shadows. “Call him back and ask him. He seemed the type who’dloveto answer all sorts of questions from ‘humans of whatever this place is called.’”
As Rose laughed, my mind snagged on her words.
Unmarried women. Lord Hawthorne’s daughters were unmarried. The last girl to be taken in the Tithe had been from their family—a great-great-something aunt. They would call it an honour to be chosen. Lady Hawthorne would be desperate forthat.
And what was desperation for Lady Hawthorne would be an opportunity for me.
Sure enough, when I turned, Lady Hawthorne came sweeping through the crowd in my direction.
The Stones
Lady Hawthorne cornered me, other wealthy mothers stalking closer, eyeing us.
“My girl needs the best outfit there. You must have something.” She threw a sideways glance at one of the other ladies. “Exclusive to her. I’ll pay whatever it takes, but none of the other girls wear your clothes.”
Her desperation. My opportunity.
I pulled out the bodice I’d shown her husband earlier, and Lady Hawthorne gasped, hand twitching towards it. The nearby ladies straightened, eyes widening, fixed on the garment. Even without anyone wearing it, the call of my gift—look at me, look at me—weaved its way through them.
Heart pounding, I named a ridiculous price.
“And,” Rose added, “if your daughter’s chosen, you give Ari a contract with a monthly fee.”
My mouth clamped shut. She must’ve realised how my meeting with Lord Hawthorne had gone. Either my wince or the way I’d steered the conversation in the opposite direction—I’d given myself away.
But she was too kind, too sweet to make me say I’d failed. Instead here she was, fighting my corner, saving the day.
That price I’d named would clear my debts, and the monthly fee… With that, bills wouldn’t be a worry anymore.
I stared at my shaking hands and waited for the inevitableno.
And waited.
And—
“You two drive a hard bargain. Very well, I’ll send the money and contract in the morning.” Lady Hawthorne nodded and snatched the bodice from me.
The contract, as though there was no doubt the fae would choose her daughter.
“Come along, quickly now,” she told the girl, who hurried at her heel, a bounce in her step.
Excited at the thought of the Tithe. Silly girl.
I rubbed my chest. “Did that just…?”
Rose grinned and slid her arm around my shoulder. “We’ll get you an atelier, yet.”
* * *
The sky was slippingpast dusk by the time the circle came into view. No bright sunset colours remained, only violet darkening to indigo. The full disc of the moon sat just above the forest, pale in the gathering gloom. Stars winked into being, brighter and brighter as the sky dimmed.
But our path wasn’t dark. Hundreds of glowing motes lit the way to the circle and more gathered around the ancient, craggy stones. Pale lilac and turquoise, white and green, gold and blossom pink. I gripped Rose’s arm, gaping at the drifting lights.
“What…? How…?” She shook her head, reaching out as one floated closer to us.
“Fae light.”
