Chapter 3 The Ruse- Leora

My phone screen flashes. “Hey Becca.”

“Is that all I get? Come on, show some life!” Her voice rises and falls like she’s riding a rollercoaster, each word climbing higher than the last. “The publishers went absolutely wild over those final chapters. They’re drawing up contracts for a whole series.”

“Gods. I’m speechless.”

“Just say yes. That’s literally all you need to say right now.”

“Of course. Yes. But I need to ask you something.”

“Shoot,” Becca said, practically singing the word.

“I need to get away. Somewhere quiet to focus on the new series. Research, inspiration, you know.” The phone went quiet. I counted one, two, three heartbeats.

“What location did you have in mind?” The sparkle had vanished from her voice, replaced by something flat and professional.

“Well, my top three are France, Scotland, or Peru. I haven’t decided yet.” I traced my finger along the rim of my porcelain teacup, watching the steam curl upward like ghostly fingers.

“Here’s an idea: I’ll arrange a ticket for each destination, and you can take your pick as a surprise. When do you need them?” Becca asked, her voice honeyed with efficiency, the clacking of her manicured nails against her keyboard audible through the phone.

“By morning, I’ll have everything packed and be ready to leave for the airport.” The leather of my armchair creaked as I shifted, glancing toward the window where twilight painted the sky in watercolor hues of lavender and amber.

“It will be handled. And Leo, have a safe journey.” Becca swiftly ended the call, leaving behind a hollow silence.

I was certain of my destination, yet an unshakeable awareness of being watched prickled at the nape of my neck. As a member of a Fae Royal family, the Human world offered no sanctuary, only the illusion of it. Unseen eyes tracked my movements, their attention a weight pressing against my skin, cold and calculating as winter frost. Therefore, a decoy was essential, a sleight of hand to confuse my observers. Those clever little spies with their pointed ears and glittering, too-bright eyes would be forced to choose a single location, but they would remain oblivious as to whether they had selected the correct one.

Caution would be my closest companion now. The Seelie Queen’s edict of exile from Elphame carried a simple penalty for return: death. My summons back meant little if it hadn’t reached every guard and gatekeeper, this journey could be walking straight into a noose.

Lane and I had played this game before, of course. We’d slipped across borders like shadows, particularly into UnSeelie territory. My friend, Artemus, the UnSeelie Prince, was always happy to see us. The few times we’d been caught in Seelie lands, Corwyn had talked our way free. That cousin of mine could convince starlight to change direction if he put his mind to it. This time would be different, no records, no trails. I’d be a ghost.

I packed light: essentials only, just enough to remain dignified. Lucinda’s smoky blue gown lay folded with particular care among my things. “Worthy of royalty,” she’d called it when she presented it to me. The fabric caught light like water holds sky, perfect attire for an audience with Aunt Valinor, Queen of the Seelie Court herself.

The silver circlet felt cool against my fingertips as I lifted it from its resting place. Ocean waves frozen in silver, that’s what the craftsman had captured in those intricate twists and delicate loops. The pearl at its center caught the light, winking at me like a tiny moon. My throat tightened. Princess of the Fae, a title that now felt as heavy as the crown itself.

Only this and my arm bands had followed me from Fae. The golden cuffs, Gwyn Hunter’s gift, had been with me since I was a child, growing as I did. Though I could remove them at will, no one else could pry them from my skin. One tap against the metal transformed them into whatever I needed: my favored twin short swords, a bow with arrows, any weapon I required. Another tap, and they would slither back to innocent bracelets, my secret hiding in plain sight.

Stuffing the last of my things into the worn leather backpack, I ran through a mental checklist: passport, wallet, phone, journal, charger. The phone would be dead weight in Fae, but it was just a cheap burner, I’d ditch it before crossing over anyway. I fired off a quick text to Lucinda explaining my “short trip” and waited. No reply. She’d be furious when she saw it. Something about the Elphame Realm set her teeth on edge, though she never explained what. Old grievances, perhaps, but against whom? I’d learned not to pry, the tight line of her mouth whenever the subject arose told me enough. Adopted or not, some parts of a mother’s life remain her own.

I also messaged Oberion to cancel our gym date for tomorrow, and all he replied was one word: “Loser.” What an asshole!”

It was late, and I really needed to get some sleep, if I could manage to do so. My alarm would be ringing soon enough.