Page 76 of Fae Tithe

Eleanor bounded down the stairs two at a time. Halfway, she nearly collided with Beth. The Changeling had never seen the bubbly owner of Bright Sun Inn look so frazzled before.

“I was on my way up to your room,” she said, gritting her teeth, “hoping your mother or father could explain to me why there’s smoke everywhere, why there are guards searching the streets, and why my boys are gone. I saw you all together at dinner a few days ago, and I knew something was wrong. What is going on?”

Eleanor’s eyes narrowed with frustration. “I don’t know where they are. Declan and Simon invited Mum to join them. They wanted her to kill the King.”

Beth blinked. Her mouth opened and shut. “They wouldn’t.”

“They did,” the Changeling replied, sticking her chin out. “If they’re gone, it’s because they planned it all. They made this happen and Mum helped them. We are trying to leave Solas, Beth…”

The owner lowered her head, sniffing, a single tear tracking its way down her cheek as she squeezed her eyes shut.

“…and I need your help,” she continued.

“You’re asking me for help?” the Blue Cap replied, lifting her head and meeting the Changeling’s gaze.

“I am.” Eleanor’s eyes searched her face. She grasped Beth’s thick wrist and turned her hand upwards. The Changeling fished three ruby chips from her pocket and pressed them into the Blue Cap’s broad hand. “Please.”

Beth looked down at the three shimmering jewels in her hand. “What’s this for?”

“It’s for whatever my family owe on our room and board, for the cart in your stables, and your help to hitch in it,” Eleanor replied.

The Blue cap studied her hand for a few moments before she closed it around the rubies.

“Will you be using your parent’s geldings?” she asked, looking back to Eleanor’s face.

She worried her bottom lip with her teeth, the wheels of her mind turning. Seelie Stallions are the fastest creatures on four legs.

“No,” the Changeling answered. “I have a better idea.”

Lance removed his hands from Helena’s legs.

“Try that, sweetheart,” he said, shifting back on his knees, moving away from the bed to give her room to place her booted feet on the worn-out rug.

For the love of the sea, please let that be enough. I don’t have much more in me.

The High Prince watched as Helena pushed herself up from the bloodied sheets. She stood for a moment and wobbled a little. Lance shot up and caught her in his arms before she fell.

“Thanks,” Helena murmured into his chest.

“I’ve got you,” the Merman reassured, looking down at her and brushing loose strands of hair from her eyes.

She looked up through her eyelashes at Lance.

“Can I kiss you? I know I must look awful right now, but—”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he blurted out, studying the burns all over her skin.

“Please?” she asked. “I need to… I need to feel like I’m really here.”

“You’ll tell me if it hurts? Promise?” Lance insisted before touching her further.

Helena nodded in agreement.

The Merman wrapped his arm around the small of her back and softly cupped her peeling cheek. He knew he had to be gentle. He pressed his lips to hers softly. Helena opened up to him and let his tongue explore hers. He lightly stroked the inside of her mouth. Lance felt the heat between them building, excitement coiling in his belly. He shifted his hand up the small of her back and into her hair as their kissed deepened, gently massaging her scalp. Helena sighed against him, and he finally broke their caress before they got too carried away.

“I missed you,” she breathed, laying her blistered temple gently against his excited heart.

“Missed me?” Lance chuckled. “I’ve been here the whole time.”