“Oh,” Rey said.“Thosede Valoises. Of course.” He let the magic in his blood do its work again, shifting his bones and fur. Eli cursed and dropped him as Rey transformed into his human form, which was unfortunately naked as a jaybird. Rey took a step back, tossing his hair. “But I’m afraid we must have our conversation another time.”
He winked and turned on his heel. He made it two steps before Eli caught him, swung him around, and the world went black.
It was probablybad luck to tie a trickster spirit to his own cart. It was no doubt worse luck when it was the same trickster spirit who, years ago, had given a terrified young Eli de Valois a ride away from the Blanchet estate. Still, Reynard clearly didn’t remember, so maybe it didn’t matter.
Eli had to ride ten miles out of town before he was sure no one was following them. The good thing about kidnapping a man in broad daylight was that no one expected it, so by the time he was urging the horse to a trot, people were still trying towrap their minds around this short, scraggly fellow dragging an unconscious trickster spirit to the cart.
He didn’t look like a trickster. When Eli had heard that Reynard the Fox might be more than just a folktale, he’d imagined a dashing, somewhat short fellow with a roguish charm. The actual Reynard was lanky, with long, skinny limbs and a complexion that went ruddy and pink whenever he blushed. His nose was attractive and beaky, but his face was angular and covered in freckles, and he gave the impression of a man too gangly to live. Foxes were supposed to be sleek and clever, but Reynard just seemed awkward.
Was this the same trickster who stole the Green Man’s walking stick and trapped Winter in Lukos? The one who ran off with the golden Starian crown so that a new one had to be made out of wood? Eli reached over to touch the bruise he’d made when he’d struck Reynard in the eye, and Reynard woke with a start, nearly falling off the bench in alarm.
“Careful,” Eli said, holding Reynard upright.
“Oh, no.” Reynard groaned as he saw the ropes tied around his wrists and ankles. “I don’t know what I did to you, but surely we can come to an understanding.”
Eli looked away. “You didn’t do anything. Or you did, but it doesn’t matter. I wasn’t trying to kidnap you—you just kept running away.”
“Yes, that makes perfect sense. Why didn’t I consider that?” Reynard twitched his bruised eye, and Eli watched in fascination as the bruise went yellow and faded from his face. “That actually hurt, you know.”
“I’m sorry.”
Reynard gave Eli a baleful look. “If you’re really sorry, you’ll let me go. Did you...dress me?” He looked down at his rumpled clothes, which Eli had admittedly shoved on him in a hurry.
“I couldn’t leave you naked. And we need to have our talk.” Eli urged the horse to turn down a narrow lane. “I know what you are.”
“A helpless victim? Oh, yes.” Eli gave Reynard the driest look he could manage, and Reynard puffed his cheeks out and let go. “Fine. Yes. You know who I am,somehow.”
“If it helps, it took me almost five years. You hide your tracks well.” Eli smiled wryly. “Honestly, it was the horse that gave you away in the end. It didn’t matter what disguise you wore—the horse has been the same for years.”
Reynard groaned. “Unicorn is a queen among horses. She barely even kicks. I can’t just let her go!” He looked at Unicorn. “And you’re smart enough to find me again even if I had to leave you, aren’t you, darling?”
Unicorn just flicked her ears back.
“Sure.” Eli used to dream of owning a horse. His brother had one before everything went wrong, and his father had been an accomplished rider, but Eli had been left to sigh wistfully while Sabre went off on horseback with his friends. Now, a horse was just another liability. “But it was the horse and the cart. You’ve established a pattern over the last decade or so.”
“And what do you need from me, exactly?” Reynard looked Eli up and down, lingering on his sword and the shortbow strapped to his back. “You seem capable enough. The Hanged Man, they call you here. A charming name, to be sure.”
Eli grimaced. “Don’t call me that. It’s Eli.”
“Right, and you can call me Rey, thank you. I would prefer you not to bandy my full name about. Names?—“
“Have power,” Eli said. “I know.”
Reynard—Rey—tilted his head. “They do. Funny you should know that so young.”
“Yeah, well.” Eli turned the horse and cart into a grassy field, and let the horse slow to a halt. “I’ve been surrounded by peoplelike you for a while. Will you behave, or will I need to keep you on a leash?”
“On my honor, I shall not run,” Rey said, trying to put his hand on his heart.
“Right. Leash it is.”
Rey let out an indignant cry, but Eli didn’t bother arguing, just hauled Rey down off the cart and into the grass. Rey went quiet when Eli picked him up, and sat there after with his brows furrowed, staring at Eli.
“What?”
“You’re stronger than I thought,” Rey said. “That’s all.”
Eli rolled his eyes and sat down next to him. “Rey, I’m not here to fight you, whatever you might think. I’m here to help.”
