Sable sits atop one of the boulders next to the river, swinging her legs childishly. But there's nothing childish about the smug grin on her lips. She knows she's caught us.
"I'm escorting them," Breena speaks, stepping forward. "As you know, Queen Tatiana is interested in their outcome, and Kailan thought it best to get out for a while. The human was sick."
Sable glances at me, her lips curling in disgust. "Humans are such vile creatures. You would be better if you chose a Fae female, Kailan. At the very least, a prettier human." She hops off the boulder, standing in front of me threateningly. "Better watch your back, human. One wrong move toward me and I'll make your death slow and agonizing."
"I'll watch them," Breena promises. "And I trust Kailan to keep his pet in line."
Barely sparing Breena a glance, Sable locks her gaze with mine and tells me, "See you soon."
Kailan tugs me around her, walking down the wooded path without looking back. Breena frolics beside us, a triumphant smile on her lips. Her lavender eyes shimmer with excitement. "I can't believe I got away with that! Human, is this what it feels like to lie?"
"My name is Cara."
"A clever play on words," Kailan congratulates. "You did so well, I regret having to do this." Before she has time to react, he picks up a decent sized rock and clubs her over the head with it. He catches her as her eyes roll back into her head, gingerly resting her against a tree.
"Why did you do that?" I hiss quietly, only managing to control my volume out of fear of drawing Sable's attention. We haven't gone too far from her post yet.
"She likes Tatiana's court. We cannot lie. Tatiana won't let her back in if she says she helped us. Now, she can safely say she escorted us until I overpowered her." He gives Breena one last long look and then starts walking, expecting me to follow.
"You must really love your sister."
"I do," he agrees. "I left Queen Mab's court when she did to ensure her safety."
I rush up to him so we're walking side by side. "And your other sister, Olga. Is she with Queen Mab still?"
Kailan half grins. "Olga is Courtless, something that runs in our family and what I have considered doing countless times. Tatiana knows, which is the only reason why she's so curious about our bargain."
"What does it mean when you're Courtless?"
"Being Courtless means a Fae has no allegiances. They answer to no one. Take the lone wolf, for example. He is his own alpha, able to do whatever he chooses. But, if he runs into trouble, there's no one to help him. If you choose to go Courtless, you have to be able to defend yourself."
"Is that why you haven't gone Courtless?"
He cuts me a glare. "I'm not yet Courtless because I worry about my sister. She's young for a Fae and doesn't know what she wants." He stops at a tree, knocking against the bark in an odd rhythm. The knot twists, widening into a decent sized hole. Reaching in, he withdraws a bag, slinging it over his shoulders. "I suppose they'll label me Courtless now. Tatiana won't let me back, and I'm not going to embarrass myself to get back into Mab's court."
"What about King Oberon?"
"Of the Seelie Court? Unseelie are rarely welcomed among Seelie."
"Humans and Fae rarely mingle, and yet here we are."
He arches his brows. "We should go to your home so you can pack a bag as well. You need clothes, female necessities, and something to keep you warm at night. Some food too, just in case."
"If I'm going home, I'm staying there. My mother is there. I made our bargain for her."
Kailan's in front of me so suddenly, I run into him, my face bouncing off his chest. He grabs my chin, forcing my gaze to his. "Your mother won't be a target. I will be, and you will be only as leverage to get to me. You're the only human I've bargained with and everyone knows it. You won't be safe at your home."
"If I can't go home, then my mother is coming with us."
"No she's not." His eyes flash red as a muscle feathers in his jaw. "She'll definitely be in danger then, and your trade would be for nothing."
I match his glare but I see his point. Angry with this entire situation, I demand, "What shall I tell her?"
"The truth. You're running away with a Fae to uphold your debt and protect your life." He releases my jaw. "The Seelie Court is in that direction as well, so we can stop at your house and be on our way quickly."
"We're going to the Seelie Court?" Fear and excitement swirl in my gut. I'll finally meet my father, but if it's anything like Tatiana's Unseelie Court, I'll have to keep on my toes. And Kailan. What will happen to him?
"You are. I'm going to find Olga."