Chapter 2

MURGHA

At first, no one said a word. I'd heard of the shadow fae priests but knew only enough that if I encountered one, I should run fast in the other direction. They were the elite warriors of the shadow fae clans who lived in a city called Gadlizel high in the Solgavia Mountains. They were brutal and deadly and should not be trifled with.

Even so, the guard at my side decided that he would. He was either very stupid or very brave. Perhaps a bit of both.

"We don't want your kind here," said the guard. "You should leave."

I'd expected the shadow fae to scowl with indignation, perhaps snap a few words about insolence and disrespect. However, the towering shadow fae did none of that. He merely arched one dark brow, his mouth quirking with what seemed amusement.

Again, he disregarded the guardsman, completely ignored him, and addressed Papa and Rukard, "I'm joining the game."

This time, the silkiness in his voice was laced with warning.

"There's only one roll left," protested Rukard.

Papa was smart enough not to talk back to the lethal-looking stranger.

"Then you have a greater chance to win," said the shadow fae. He placed two things on the table—first, an unsheathed black-steel blade about as long as my arm from shoulder to elbow, and second, a pouch of coin, twice as large as Rukard's.

Papa's smile finally appeared as he stared at the mound of coin that was fortune enough to last a lifetime.

"My roll," said my father, gathering the stones and bones into the cup.

I hadn't moved an inch since the stranger had appeared in the doorway. I suddenly realized my pulse throbbed in my throat, my heart rate speeding wildly.

Both guards had taken vigil behind Rukard, arms crossed and expressions grim. But my attention was entirely on the stranger.

I'd met a few wraith fae before, on my visits to the Borderlands, but I'd never seen a shadow fae this close. Only from a distance that one time.

On a late afternoon last winter, Tessa and I had been foraging in the woods for whatever we could find before the first snow.

"Look, Mur! Up there!" she'd shouted excitedly.

I followed where she pointed. "I don't see anything."

"By that tall mountain, don't you see them? Shadow fae."

And then I did. They were quite far away, thankfully, since Tessa was shouting loud enough to wake the dead. I watched the three dark fae creatures flying in a triangular line until they disappeared over the peak.

"Good thing they stay in their mountains," I observed.

"Indeed." Then we went back to foraging.

That had me wondering even more about the stranger. We'd been told by countless fae who lived in the area they didn't often come down from their mountains. So why was he here, playing a game of Kings and Bones with the likes of my father and the ambassador?

I observed the stranger at my leisure, realizing something I hadn't noticed at first because my attention was entirely drawn to his horns and wings and giant presence. He was strikingly beautiful.

His eyes were a shocking shade of crimson, and his face was carved into sharp, lovely lines at the cheeks and jaw, his mouth full and wide.

His intense gaze was on the game as Papa rolled, but it flicked to me long enough to make sweat bead down my back. I looked at the game to avoid his gaze.

"How about that?" Papa laughed heartily, tallying his points aloud. "That's fifty-six you'll have to beat."

Though I didn't play the game, I knew it was a high number.

Rukard took the cup and rattled it for his final roll. When he spilled the contents of the cup, I noted his wicked smile spread wide. I also noticed the fall of my father's face. Though he'd never loved me as his own daughter and though I'd warned him countless times about his gambling, particularly this afternoon, I couldn't help feeling pity for him.

"Seems I'm in the lead now," said Rukard, sliding his smile to me.

I winced, realizing I could very well be leaving with this foul man. I let my hand rest on top of the dagger beneath my dress, taking comfort. I'd slice his face off, or something worse, if he tried to touch me.

I could search for Tessa. Perhaps, the beast fae who'd taken her was actually caring for her in his clan. It was my only option other than finding work in the Borderlands. But a young female alone was a prime target for all manner of crime.

The shadow fae reached his clawed hand across the table and scooped up the bones and stones into the cup. He rattled them once then flung them across the table.

Papa gasped. I couldn't see properly from where I was sitting so I stood and stepped to the side, directly facing the stranger now. But I was staring at the board where the rodent skull sat perfectly at the center of the throne on the board.

I looked at the shadow fae who was staring at me, his expression hard, unyielding, and a glint of determination in his demon gaze.

"No," declared Rukard. "You cheated. You used your magick to make that happen."

For a moment, the shadow fae didn't even acknowledge him, his gaze entirely on me. Then he blinked slowly and rose from the table, turning his attention to the blustering ambassador.

He replied with nothing more than a cold glare. Then he reached across the table and scooped up his pouch of coin, not bothering with the rest, and gripped his black-steel blade on the table. "Get your things, female."

How did he know I had been wagered in this game? He'd entered the inn after the wager.

My mind spun at the prospect of leaving the only home I'd ever known—albeit a sad one lately—and going with this fearsome shadow fae.

" Now ," he clipped, his command jerking me into motion.

Instantly, I stalked away from the men, the tension mounting in the room. Perhaps they'd start fighting while I was gone gathering my things, then I could slip away. But as I crossed through the kitchen and into our private part of the house, I heard the distinct sound of heavy boots following me.