Page 1 of Treasured By the Fae Royal
CHAPTER1
YVETTE
The room is eerily quiet.I step closer to Mama as the early morning sun floods through the windows, accentuating her pale, sickly features.
She’s breathing. Barely.
I swallow past the burning in my throat and readjust the pack that’s slung over my shoulder. It’s brimming with a week’s worth of supplies. If I hurry, I can make it to Sorsston and back in just four days.
I pray all goes to plan and that I’ll find a skilled healer in the secluded mountain city. If I don’t find a healer, or the healer isn’t willing to travel, I’ll have to venture further north than planned.
Gods, please keep Mama breathing while I’m gone.
Please help me find a healer who’s well-versed in treating mangga bites.
A shudder passes through me as I recall the horrible scream my mother let loose when the venomous, six-legged creature clamped down on her leg.
Mama and I were on our way to visit my aunt, whom we hadn’t seen in years, when we had the frightening encounter with the mangga. It happened at the very end of our journey just as Aunt Heather’s little green cottage finally came into sight. Somehow, I managed to kill the hissing creature before it could strike again.
If only we hadn’t taken that shortcut through the grassy meadow. If only we’d stuck to the main road.
Regret wells in my heart. The shortcut was my idea.
Footsteps sound in the hallway, and a second later, I feel a comforting hand on my shoulder. I turn and wrap my arms around Aunt Heather, burying my face in her chest. She smells like cardamom and vanilla and nutmeg, as well as a multitude of other scents reminiscent of a cozy home. Gods, I’ve missed her.
“This is all my fault.” My voice cracks. “If she doesn’t make it, I’ll never forgive myself. I’m not just talking about the shortcut through the meadow, but the trip to visit you. That was my idea too. Mama was reluctant to leave our home in Trevos and travel all the way here, but I talked her into it and promised her everything would be okay.”
Aunt Heather pulls back and cups my face. She looks so much like Mama that I almost break down in tears. “It’s not your fault. Besides, she’s going to make it,” she says in a kind but firm tone. “Do you hear me? She is going to make it. I will take good care of her in your absence. You just hurry back with the healer and all will be well. Remember what I told you. Visit the apothecary shop and ask for Evelyn. She’s an old friend of mine and the best healer I’ve ever known. I’m certain she’ll come.”
“You haven’t visited Sorsston in almost a year. What if Evelyn’s no longer there?” Countless worries flit through my mind, each one darker than the last. “With the Summer Court army nearby, she might’ve fled to a safer area.” During the past few months, the fae have wreaked havoc in the human territories, conquering many villages and even large kingdoms like my home city of Trevos.
Aunt Heather’s stoic expression wavers, and she glances out the window. A faraway look enters her eyes, then she blinks it away, squares her shoulders, and refocuses her gaze on me. “If Evelyn’s no longer there, ask around the city. She has a lot of friends who live in the countryside like me, friends who would be glad to take her in if she had to flee Sorsston. Someone might know where she went.”
I nod and blink back a fresh wave of tears. I don’t dare voice the other worries I’m harboring. Like, what if Sorsston has been conquered just like Trevos? Almost a year has passed since the Summer Court army defeated my home city. Not only are they still occupying Trevos, but they plan to remain in control indefinitely, and during the initial weeks after the short but bloody battle, they wouldn’t allow any humans in or out of the city, enacting a complete lockdown.
If the fae are occupying Sorsston and have it locked down, will I still be able to reach Evelyn’s apothecary shop? I think of the letter I have in my pocket, penned by the newly appointed fae Warden of Trevos himself, that is supposed to guarantee my safe passage on the road. But would the letter help me gain admittance to a settlement that’s locked down by the fae?
Gods, I can’t fathom Mama dying. I simply can’t.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Aunt Heather says in a gentle tone. “You’re thinking about what happened in Trevos. You’re worried Sorsston might’ve suffered the same fate and that it’ll complicate your search for Evelyn.”
I smile through my sorrow. “I haven’t seen you in almost eight years, but it’s as though no time has passed. It would seem you can still read my mind without any difficulty.” An ache pierces my heart when I think about the time lost. All because my late father didn’t like Aunt Heather. Eight years ago, after a disagreement with my aunt that was entirely his fault, he forbade Mama and me from visiting ever again. He even tried to prevent Mama from sending and receiving letters, the hateful man.
Aunt Heather returns my smile and smooths a hand through my hair. “Be gone with you, child. The sun has just risen, and you need to get on the road. Please promise you’ll be careful.”
“I promise.” I lift my chin. “I promise I’ll be careful, and I promise I’ll return soon with a healer. With Evelyn.” I infuse my voice with conviction. Maybe if I actually believe I’ll succeed, then I will. Fake it until I make it. I must think positive, and I must be strong. I must be brave, and I mustn’t cower.
Even if I meet the Summer Court army on the road.
I quickly remind myself of the letter that guarantees my safe passage. If any of the fae tries to hinder my travels, they’ll be risking the wrath of the powerful, highborn fae lord with whom I’m acquainted. Warden Valloc. He mated with my dearest friend, Mira, several months ago, and I have her to thank for arranging the letter.
I give my aunt another hug, kiss Mama’s cheek, then depart the cottage. The morning is bright but so cold I can see my breath. Thankfully, it hasn’t snowed yet this winter, and I pray the first snow holds off until I return with a healer in tow.
My chest tightens when I come across the grassy meadow where we encountered the mangga just yesterday afternoon. I unsheathe a knife from my belt, holding it at the ready as I give the meadow a wide berth. I reach the main road a short while later and stick to it, even though walking through the forest would be preferable because it would keep me better hidden. But where there’s one mangga, there’s always more, and I have no wish to encounter another one of those ghastly creatures.
I alternate between a moderate jog and a fast walk, wanting to hurry but also not wanting to exhaust myself too quickly. If all goes well, I’ll reach Sorsston by tomorrow evening.
The wind picks up, and I pause just long enough to wrap my cloak more tightly around my body. I also don a hat and mittens, knowing it’s only going to grow colder the further north I go, and I anticipate it’ll be downright brutal when the sun sets.
