Frost (Frost and Nectar #1)(14)

“Who are your parents?” he said at last.

“My mother’s name was Chloe Jones.”

“Not her.” He leaned closer. “Who was your biological mother? Your true family?”

A heavy weariness pressed down on me, and I wanted to flop onto the sofa again. A buried memory from my childhood clawed at the hollow recesses of my mind: me, standing before the portal, clutching a Micky Mouse backpack, sobbing uncontrollably because they wouldn’t let me in.

“I honestly have no idea. I tried to go back into Faerie one day, but they wouldn’t allow me.”

He cocked his head. “Why were you trying to get in? Did the human woman mistreat you?”

I felt instantly defensive at his question, and also annoyed he referred to her as the human woman.

“No. My mother was amazing. But the kids at school thought I was a freak with weird ears and ridiculous blue hair, and they weren’t kind. They tied me to a fence post once, like a dog leashed outside a café. I just wanted to see other people like me.”

A dark look slid across his eyes. “Well, now you will. If you agree to my proposal, I will help you find your fae family.”

“I’m sure they’re dead. Why would they let me get kicked out if they weren’t?”

But my mind was already made up. Because what kind of moron would turn down fifty million dollars?

Especially someone homeless and unemployable, which was my current situation. With fifty million dollars, I could open an entire chain of bars—if I even decided to work again.

And the truth was, even if they were dead, I was desperate to know more about my birth parents.

What exactly had happened to them? Fae almost always lived longer than humans. What were the chances they’d both died young?

I took a deep breath. “All right, I’m in. But we should sign some kind of contract.”

He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a form. I watched as he held it against the wall and crossed a few things out, then signed his name in an elegant calligraphy at the bottom.

He handed me the form, and I scanned it.

Generally, when given paperwork, my eyes just sort of glaze over, and the words seem to blur.

Then I assume everything is fine, and I scribble my signature. But this was too important to half-ass, so I forced myself to focus. He’d added in the amount I’d be paid and initialed next to it. There was a clause about secrecy, and a stipulation that I’d forfeit the money if I told any other fae about my role.

And if I lost the tournament, I got nothing.

I licked my lips, realizing there might be no point to a contract with the most powerful person in the world. “Who, exactly, would enforce this?”

Surprise flickered over his features. “If a fae king breaks a contract, he will grow sick and die. I can’t break it. Only you can.”

“Right. Okay. I guess that’s binding, then.” I signed it, then handed it over to him.

“Are you ready?” he asked. “It starts soon.”

“Now? I haven’t even showered.”

He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “Unfortunately, there is no time. But we’ll try to make you presentable in Faerie.”

“I volunteer as tribute!” Shalini stood in the doorway of her bedroom wearing a hot pink bathrobe. “Take me to Faerie. I’ll be a contestant.”

Torin exhaled sharply. “You’re not fae. And Ava has already agreed.”

“Don’t some of the women have advisors?” asked Shalini. “Someone as counsel? In Ava’s case, someone to stop her from any more outrageous drunken episodes?”

I should have asked about an advisor, but I was so caught off guard, I stammered, “Shalini, what are you doing?”

“Helping you.” She beamed. “I’m not letting you go alone. Who knows what these people are like in their own realm? I heard him say it’s dangerous.”

Torin shrugged. “So is your world.”

Of course—Shalini was desperate for adventure.

Torin turned, already heading for the door. “I don’t really have time to argue about this, but maybe it’s not the worst idea. You may need emotional support to keep you from falling off the rails and someone to help negotiate any duels. Let’s go. Now.”

I felt my stomach drop.

Duels. Neat.

But if anything could take my mind off the crushing heartbreak of last night, maybe it was a looming threat of death.





7





A VA


K ing Torin insisted I didn’t have time to shower. But no doubt, all of Faerie had seen the video of me covered in food and beer, and I supposed their impressions of me could only go up from there. I grabbed my gym bag and followed Torin out of the apartment.

As we went down the stairs, Shalini gripped my arm, whispering, “Ava, I’ll be one of the first humans to ever go to Faerie. This is so much better than a cruise.”

My pounding hangover added an extra layer of surreal to the situation. I bit my lip, trying to think clearly. This was the right decision, right? Really, it didn’t feel like I had much of a choice. A broke person doesn’t turn down fifty million.

When we stepped outside, the sunlight burned my eyes. The reporters had left the shattered camera and overturned van behind, and police sirens blared in the distance—no doubt on their way here. I realized I was shaking as I walked along the pavement. Maybe I should eat something?