Six

ELLIS

"Kianna tau. Lista?"

My head pounded as my eyes slit open, but there was only soft, dim candlelight around me. My tunic was gone, but a bandage wrapped around my head and another around my shoulder. I hadn't even realized I'd injured my shoulder; unless it had happened after the guard punched me out.

And a woman, dabbing a cool cloth against the fire in my temple. I tried to sit up, but she pushed me back down, holding me there. To my embarrassment, she was too strong for me. My eyes lifted to the pointed ends of her ears.

Fae.

Dark hair like mine curled riotously around her ears, cut short like another fae female I'd known; one with pink hair, who'd died back in our realm.

Peri.

"Gina mundari."

Fae language. I didn't know any of it.

I sat up slowly as she slung the rag back into a bowl, getting up and fussing with a dinner tray. The smell of meat and garlic met my nose. I tried to focus, but it was hard as my stomach demanded attention.

"Feyanna."

She set the tray of food down roughly on my lap with a loud clinking sound as the cutlery banged together. I stared down at what looked like chicken and potatoes, trying to make sense of the strange word she'd just said. Was it an animal that lived only in the fae realm?

She eyed me with one dark eyebrow raised, arms crossed over her chest like I was dim. It was an expression I'd seen so often on Viana that a physical ache bloomed in my chest. This fae's eyes were a bright, pure gold. That in itself was my only salvation in looking at her and not seeing a twin of Viana. I took a large bite of food just to have something to do that didn't include staring at her or having to respond.

Oh, it was wonderful.

Guilt assailed me, clogging my throat and turning the food in my mouth to ash. Had Eve received the same treatment, with a nice bed and hot food? I tried to remember if she'd eaten at the picnic when we'd first arrived, but I don't think she had.

The fae female huffed, and dramatically put her palm over her chest, emphasizing her words like I was deaf.

"Feyanna."

Oh. Oh. It was her name! A hot blush creeped up my neck and face. Maybe they'd hit me harder than I'd thought and caused brain damage.

I set the fork down and put my palm over my chest.

"Ellis."

She snorted.

"Pe sai."

I might not know what she was saying, but the tone said enough, transcending any language barrier.

"Mang."

Feyanna pointed again to the tray, then leaned back in her tray to watch. Mang meant eat, I supposed.

"Do you know where Eve is? Has she eaten yet? Can I send this to her?" I asked hopefully though I knew it was likely a losing battle.

Feyanna tilted her head to the side, eyebrows furrowing.

I gripped my fork harder than necessary, willing myself to remain calm. "Eve. The princess?"

She smirked. "Rainea?"

I had no idea. Gently, I set the tray aside and flung the covers off. Only to hurriedly snatch them back as Feyanna giggled behind her fingers.

"What—Why am I naked?"

I'd felt ridiculously powerless as of late, but nothing took power from you quite like waking up naked when you didn't expect it. I covered myself back up in horror. It was understandable why I'd be shirtless, but naked?

Feyanna clapped her hands and laughed at me in delight, babbling a string of fae I had no chance of interpreting. From the burning of my ears, I knew my face was bright red again.

"Ellis ea idion garc!"

That didn't sound like a ringing endorsement.

"Where are my clothes?" I bit out. My fingertips heated and burned through the fabric of the comforter I grasped in my hands, leaving nothing but charred fibers behind. I dropped it on my lap.

Feyanna's eyes narrowed as she stood, one hand on her hip. Her velvet dress was shorter, ending at her knees. She pointed at my tray of food.

"Mang."

Well, that was clear enough. Eat, and maybe then I'd get my clothes back.

I seized the tray again with ill grace, shoving food into my mouth without really tasting it. It felt wrong to eat while I had no idea where Eve was or what trials she was facing. It didn't seem fair to be under this female fae's ‘tender care' while Eve was likely surrounded by guards and those who wished to do her harm.

As I guided the last bit of meat onto my fork and into my mouth, Feyanna turned and retrieved a bundle of clothing that was sitting on the chair behind her. She put it on the bed next to me and took the tray, setting it down on a small bench at the foot of the bed.

I gathered the clothing in my hands, frowning at the quality of the expensive purple silk and the velvet lining. Was that silver embroidery? The pants were the softest leather I'd ever felt between my fingers, with matching boots and a silver belt studded with emeralds that would set off the green in my eyes.

I glanced up at Feyanna, who smiled brightly at me. Too brightly.

"Do you mind?" I growled at her.

She grinned back, flashing her fangs and once again crossing her arms over her chest in a clear challenge.

I didn't know who she was or what she held here, but I knew trying to fight her would likely end badly for me. Why put her in here if she wasn't able to knock me on my ass? Unless the fae king was trying to play with my mind, and lower my defenses?

I eyed Feyanna again, dismissing that notion entirely. This female fae was small, yet she'd held me down with ease. Her eyes gleamed at me oddly—hardly a simpering, silly girl who would coo over a man just to get attention.

Scowling, I grabbed the breeches and shoved them under the covers, pushing my legs through and wiggling them up over my hips.

Feyanna rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically at being denied a free show. I slid out of bed and wobbled slightly as all the blood raced down through my legs. Feyanna grabbed my arm and steadied me, her grip as strong as steel.

Fighting with her would not end well for me. She was strong, as all full-blooded fae were.

I broke away and slid the tunic over my head, holding the belt and trying to visualize how it went around my waist. It was much too big, wasn't it?

Feyanna scoffed and snatched it from me, muttering more fae gibberish under her breath. She threw the belt over my shoulder, hooking it to a small loop of fabric at the top of my tunic I hadn't noticed, then weaving it around my waist and clasping it together at my hip. Small, but strong.

I filed that away for later.

"La, enfin!" she exclaimed gently, brushing off a bit of dust from my shoulder, her fingers resting lightly against the side of my neck as her eyes softly examined me. It was such an affectionate gesture that reminded me so harshly of Viana and Eve that, for just a moment, I didn't want it to end. I seized her wrist in my hand as she went to pull away, desperate to prolong even this bit of kindness.

Her eyes flared, cycling through so many emotions so quickly that I had no idea what she was thinking.

Perhaps it was for the best.

"Lach. Na eaon dae choses a faen."

She pulled her wrist back, and I let go, embarrassed. She was probably chastising me for being so familiar and pathetically grabby. I was surprised she hadn't slapped me, honestly. Though again, she didn't seem the prudish type with how she'd hope to catch me naked.

"Vienne."

She gestured me forward, and reluctantly I followed.