24 Cara

The farmhouse comes into view through the treeline and my stomach twists into a series of knots. Candlelight flickers from the open kitchen window. Had Mother noticed my absence and stayed awake all night? It isn't dawn yet but it is fast approaching.

Kailan walks silently beside me, mute since he announced he's abandoning me at the Seelie Court. He remains with me until the border fence and then turns in the direction of the village.

Swallowing my fear, I march across the yard and walk through the door. Mother is sleeping in the chair, slumped over the armrest. I'm tempted to rouse her but decide it's best to pack first. Grabbing a sack, I stuff a couple dresses, stockings, one of the extra quilts, and the horns Kailan gave me inside. I pack extra cloth just in case my monthly blood starts and throw my cloak around my shoulders. Writing a quick note, I leave it on my bed.

Standing in the threshold, I take one last longing look at my mother. The only person I've known my entire life, the one whom I traded my first child for. I know she can handle herself, but I miss her already. "I love you," I whisper into the lightening room. "I'm so sorry."

Kailan stands on the path into town, waiting for me patiently. I stroll past him, raising my chin indignantly. He chuckles. "I didn't know you knew where the Seelie Court is."

I look over my shoulder, mostly to ensure he's following. "It can't be too hard. All I have to do is walk around the forest, crying about being lost, and a Fae will find me."

"Not always." He lengthens his stride to catch up, giving me a sidelong glance that tells me he's hoping I'll bite on what he offered. As much as I would like to know about the Seelie Court, I'm not in the mood for conversation.

The sky gets lighter with each step we take, shifting to a warm blue as the sun peeks above the forest. Roosters crow throughout the village, harmonizing as they announce the new day. People shuffle out of their homes to begin their routine. I recognize a couple women as fellow vendors so I greet them. They reply cordially and then glance curiously at Kailan.

"What's happening with the two of you?" the older woman, Sarah, asks with a warm smile.

"We have an arrangement," Kailan answers, continuing on the path without looking at them.

"A marriage arrangement!" I gush, putting on my fakest happy smile and clutching a hold of Kailan's elbow to halt his movement. "We're going to meet his family, since that's where I'll be staying after the wedding."

"We really should be going," Kailan growls.

Sarah ignores his sour tone. "You should have brought horses. Makes traveling easier and faster."

"Noted." Kailan steps away from them, pulling me with him. I wave at the two women.

"It was good seeing you again, Cara!" Sarah says, waving back.

The second woman, Cynthia, who's around my age and was married three years ago, hollers, "I hope you like your in-laws!"

Kailan curls his lip. "I suppose you thought that was clever," he hisses when we're far enough away.

"It was." I frown, starting to pull my hand from his elbow.

He clenches his arm, holding me there, and leans to whisper in my ear, "You want to tell people we're engaged, so you had better keep up the charade."

I glare at him. "I lied to my mother, okay? I left her a note that I met a man who promised to pay five thousand coins as soon as we're married. The only stipulation was I had to leave with him immediately."

"Five thousand? You really think you're worth five thousand coins? Your mother will figure out your lie soon enough. How could you possibly come up with five thousand coins?"

"From King Oberon."

He chokes on a laugh. "Are you serious? You think King Oberon is going to just give you five thousand coins? He's the king of the Seelie Court. You're a weak human with no business of being involved in a Fae realm. Unfathomable. There's absolutely no way he'll accept your request."

"He'll give it to me because he owes me for an entire life of not knowing who I am. A whole twenty-four years. That's a long time."

"Of course he won't know you. You're an insignificant human to him."

"Except I'm not." My gut twists. Should I even admit this to Kailan? Then again, it isn't like the information is damning. "I'm Oberon's illegitimate daughter. That makes me half Fae."