What in all the realms?
I snatched my hand back as though I’d been burned, my breaths coming so fast that I feared I would hyperventilate.
The prince froze.
I wanted to ask him if he’d felt that too, but I didn’t dare open my lips. Having any kind of reaction to him disturbed me to no bounds, and I couldn’t even comprehend how something like that could happen.
I inwardly shook myself. It must be his strange affinities or perhaps my new affinity. They’re messing with my head.
I ran a hand through my hair, still in disbelief that I’d tried to stop him from doing his duty, but he’d looked so . . . tired, but it wasn’t like the crown prince needed my help.
I made a point to wrap my arms around my waist. “I can wait here if you need to assist.”
Shouts still came from down the lane, but they were growing less frequent.
The prince stared down at me, his gaze so intense it was burning, as though he was waiting for—
He snapped upright. “I shouldn’t leave you unattended.”
I shook my head. “I’ll be fine, especially if I’m still cloaked under your illusion. Nobody can see or hear me, and I know Kroravee has a reputation for being unfriendly, but surely nobody will bother me. They have no idea that we’re connected. Right?”
His frown deepened, but then the fae guards who had passed us returned, towing a male behind them. The male’s head hung as his wings drooped down his back. His hands were cuffed, and he dragged his feet, but whatever scuffle had been occurring seemed to have been contained to him and him alone.
The prince’s lips curved up when they passed, and the market returned to its normal hustle. “I guess my services aren’t needed after all.”
A mist of magic descended over me, and then a fairy walking by jumped. “Ock, apologies, miss. Didn’t see ya there.”
He didn’t say anything to the prince—he didn’t even glance at him.
“Doesn’t he know who you are?” I whispered, amazed that anybody in the realm would act so nonchalantly around their prince. Prince Norivun’s aura alone commanded one’s attention, and the feel of him . . . Even I’d known he was the prince when he’d stormed into my village’s field kitchen all those weeks ago, and I’d never laid eyes on him before that.
The prince’s lips twitched. “I’m wearing an illusion mask.”
I arched an eyebrow as the prince held out the crook of his arm to me. “A what?”
“An illusion mask. It hides my true appearance, like a glamour when fae travel to other realms and don’t want to be recognized as different.”
“You look the same to me.”
He smiled wickedly. “My mask is only for those outside of my Shield.” He held out his arm again. “Stay close, and I’ll look the same to you.”
I shook my head, not taking his arm. Before he could stop me, I jumped away from him, then turned.
My breath caught.
The male staring back at me was shorter than the crown prince, with hair cut close to his head, a larger nose, and pointier ears. With widening eyes, I took a step closer to him and then another.
I didn’t feel when I passed through his Shield, but I blinked, and the crown prince looked like himself again. “Unbelievable. Your magic truly created that?”
“It did.”
“How are you so strong?”
“I told you. I was bred to be powerful.” He held out his arm for a third time. “Now, shall we? I’m due back in court this evening. We don’t want to waste what time we have.”
Maybe it was his cheeky smile or the way he looked so boyishly playful, but I found myself slipping my hand around his elbow and settling my palm on his forearm.
That strange sensation washed through me again when our bodies connected. Something in me calmed, as though everything was now right.
Mother Below. I was truly losing my mind.
We spent most of the afternoon strolling through Pentlebim’s market. I quickly learned that it was much larger than Firlim’s, with an entire section dedicated to luxury items and things I’d never seen before.
Fur cloaks. Fragrant perfumes. Delicious chocolates and sweets. Beautiful silk dresses. Butter-soft leather gloves. Large jewels and sparkling gems. Handcrafted daggers and swords. Intricate artwork and sculptures.
They were extravagant items. Decadence at its finest, yet I still marveled at the richness that our great continent had to offer. I’d never in my life owned anything close to the wares that Pentlebim’s market sold.
“I didn’t know such goods existed,” I murmured for what felt like the hundredth time. My eyes widened as I studied everything that we passed. So many colors, textures, and fragrances. This market felt like a living and breathing entity. No wonder so many fae traveled from around the territory to visit it.
“It’s why I brought you here.” The prince casually strolled by my side. “I thought this may be a new experience for you.”
“It certainly is.” I fingered a pair of gloves. They were dyed a rich purple and were so soft they felt like silk. Thick fur lined their interior. They would likely keep one’s hands warm and dry even on the coldest of winter nights.
Since the vendor didn’t shoo me away—probably thanks to the expensive-looking tunic and slacks I wore courteous of the Court of Winter’s tailor—I slipped a glove on, just to see if it was as soft and warm as it looked.
My fingers burrowed into the fur, the heat from the gloves already igniting my chilled fingers. I’d never owned anything even remotely as nice as them. With a sigh, I took them off.
“Would you like them?”
The prince’s question had my head snapping toward his. “What?”
His hands were clasped behind his back, making his shoulders appear even broader than normal. “I could buy them for you. Would you like them?”
“Oh no, that’s all right.” I ran fluttering fingers through my hair. “You don’t need to buy me anything.”
“I insist.” He picked up the gloves and held them out to the vendor. “It’s the least I can do since I haven’t properly paid you yet for your time and help, but I will. I’ve been meaning to set up a bank account in your name. I will back-pay you from the day you arrived at the castle.”
My mouth opened and closed like a fish as the prince bought the gloves before I could stop him. The vendor held them out to me in a beautiful sack. Even the bags one received here were luxurious.
I took it automatically as I tried to comprehend what I’d just heard. “You’re going to pay me?”
“Of course.”
“But I thought I had to do as you said since you’re”—I lowered my voice so I wouldn’t blow his disguise—“the crown prince.”
His lips twitched. “You do have to do as I say.”
“Then why are you paying me?”
“Because it’s the proper thing to do. Nobody works for free.”
“But that’s something a gentlefae would do. I thought you weren’t a gentlefae.”
He coughed, muffling a laugh. “That’s not something a gentlefae would do. That’s something an honest fae would do.”
“So you’re honest?”