Page 84 of Court of Winter
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 topay 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—“thecrown 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?”
“I try to be.”
Blessed Mother.I truly was losing my mind because I actually found myself believing him. My frown deepened as we strolled to a food stall.
“What’s changed between us?” I asked when he stopped to study the menu.
Fried pastries dipped in honey and sugar were visible in their display. Something that decadent couldn’t be found in Firlim’s harvest market. Of course, the prince purchased two of them, then held one out to me.
“Nothing’s changed.” He bit into his, his strong jaw working the pastry. “It’s simply become apparent that you’re going to be working at my side for the foreseeable future. Therefore, I need to put you on the court’s payroll.”
“But you’re acting...nicer now.”
He gave a wicked grin. “Shall I go back to being a bastard?”
I laughed, unable to help myself, then realized I waslaughingwith the male who’d murdered my family.
But even that realization didn’t sober my enjoyment.
Ock. It was official. I was either certifiably insane, or his regret at what he’d done to my family was thawing my resolve to hate him.
The prince held out his arm. “Come. I’ll show you the ice caves before it gets too dark.”
* * *
The prince flewus north of Pentlebim, to the coast of the Brashier Sea. Tangy salt nipped the tip of my tongue as the rich air grew denser the lower the prince flew.