House of Lies and Sorrow (Fae of Rewyth #1)(4)

“You provide food for your entire family?” he asked, catching up beside me.

I don’t know why I felt the need to answer him, but I did anyway. “My sister, Tessa. My dad’s a useless drunk. Someone has to put food on the table.”

A flash of something crossed his dark features, but it passed before I could identify it.

“Did you make that rabbit trap yourself?” he asked, continuing the interrogation. How long had he been watching me? Annoyance crept into my body. Was he serious? Following me into the forest to embarrass me, taunt me, and start casual conversation as if we were friends?

“Look,” I said, stopping and turning to face him. “I don’t know who you are or what you’re doing out here, but it’s probably best for both of us if you go home and leave me alone. And if you’re a creep who thinks he can take advantage of a young woman, just know that that knife isn’t just for rabbits. And it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve used it on a man.”

I was angry. My heart was beating into my ears.

But the man just smiled in amusement, crossing his hands over his chest and leaning on the nearby tree.

“Okay, Jade,” he said. “I’ll leave you be, then. My apologies for interrupting your clearly under-control hunting trip.”

“How do you know my name?” I asked, stepping forward. “Who are you?”

He paused in thought, as if he were debating on whether or not to answer me.

“I know your name because you are marrying the Prince of Shadows tomorrow. Everyone knows your name, Jade Farrow.”

“That’s not true,” I said. My heart sank to my stomach, dread creeping into my senses. “Nobody knows about that.”

“You’re very wrong,” he said. “It’s all anyone’s been speaking about for weeks.”

“You’re not from around here,” I said. “I’ve never seen you before. How did you find out about my marriage?”

He smiled in amusement again.

He was taller than any man in my village, stronger than any of them, and a complete stranger.

A chill ran through me. Could he be a fae? In the human lands?

I shook my head. No. It was impossible. He didn’t even have wings. The darkness hid most of his features, but I didn’t see pointed ears, either. They looked normal, with a small silver piercing on his left ear.

“Nervous about something?” he asked. His calmness and cockiness were doing nothing to help my growing agitation.

“Yes,” I answered. “I’m nervous about how damn creepy you’re being. If you won’t answer my questions, then I suppose I’ll be on my way. It was not nice to meet you, stranger.”

I turned to continue walking, but he pushed himself off the tree and blocked my path.

“You’re being sent to marry a fae prince,” he repeated. It wasn’t a question.

I lifted my chin. My mind swarmed with the possibilities of what he could possibly want from me. Did he need me for leverage? Or did he hate the fae so much he wanted to kill anyone associated? This man might have been a stranger, but I was not going to show him fear. Not on my last day alive.

“No,” I said with all the confidence and power I could muster. “I’m being sent to be killed by a fae prince. Not much of a difference, though.”

For the first time during this entire interaction, the man looked shocked.

“What, you’re surprised?” I asked. “If you know enough to know that I am being married off, then you should know that every human who marries the mysterious Prince of Shadows ends up dead.”

“Those are rumors,” he said, suddenly defensive.

“Maybe,” I replied. “But rumors start from somewhere.”

“I have a good feeling about this. You will not die tomorrow, Jade Farrow. I wish you a long and happy marriage to your mysterious Prince of Shadows.”

His words were respectful and cordial, but I nearly laughed in his face. A marriage to the Prince of Shadows had no hope of being happy. I had no hope.

Death would be easier.

“Sure,” I said after a few seconds. “Whatever you say…”

“Mal. My name’s Mal.”

“Well, Mal, I should get going. Big day tomorrow and all.”

I’m not sure why I was expecting him to protest, but the tiniest amount of disappointment crept into my chest when he nodded his head and moved away so I could pass.

“I’m sure I will see you again soon, Jade,” he said as I walked away. I ignored the butterflies that ignited in my stomach, likely from the sudden nerves about the realization of what would happen tomorrow.

Mal was never going to see me again. Tonight was my last night alive.





CHAPTER 2





Jade





My father was awake when I made it back to the house.

Not good.

His slurred, temperamental voice carried into the street, followed by Tessa’s crying. I changed pace into a run.

“What’s going on?” I said, storming through the front door. My father, clearly drunk, was pacing in the kitchen. Tessa had cowered herself into a corner, arms across her body and tears streaming down her face.

If he laid a hand on her, even a finger, I was going to kill him.