Chapter 10: Faces and Fey

Chapter 10: Faces and Fey

The fey held herself like a feral kitten, ready to bolt or bite on the moment, her face hidden in the darkness of her cloak. She was too short to be full grown, by human standardsbut what were human standards to a fey?This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

She cast a glance down the hall, to where light slipped in through the window of the guard rooms door. Then she smoothed her dress and knelt down outside his cell. He could feel her watching, even if he couldnt see her eyes.

You were awake, werent you. Last night. Her voice was young, but there was a seriousness to it that counted more than years.

Aaron straightened himself up in his nest of blankets. I dreamed a girl opened a door in the wall. Only seemed fitting to have a gift waiting, if she came around again.

The fey gave a small snort. He couldnt quite tell if she was amused or offended. One roll is hardly a gift.

He fished in his coat and displayed his find over the blankets edge. A roll and a half? His other hand peeked out, a moment behind. With cheese?

He scooted forward and set them on the tray before retreating back to the wall. The little fey did not seem quite sure what to make of him. But after a moment of silence, in which he had time to fully appreciate what a sorry excuse his offering was, she accepted.

She was a surprisingly hungry little thing. A neat eater, but hungry.

You live in the castle walls? Aaron asked. Do, ah, the royals know about you?

She just about choked on a bite of bread, covering her mouth to stifle her coughs. Neither of them seemed eager to make enough noise to get the guard looking in. No. Though they would, if any of them bothered to pay attention.

That was a bit of a sour point, it seemed.

What do you do? Most who lived among humans set themselves a task, however unaskedthe housekeepers, the shoe makers, the stove cleaners, the street layers. The little ones who liked to be left alone for a night with a fresh bowl of milk and didnt much care to have their work interrupted.

She didnt answer for a time. Maybe it was rude to ask, he realized belatedly.

I keep the library dusted, she answered finally, her voice a bit too light. She tilted her head. Why are you here? Youre not really a fey, are you?

Aaron settled his blankets more firmly around his shoulders and tried not to watch the rest of his food disappearing. A person couldnt be stingy with the Fair Folk. Well, I was arrested as a doppel. Which Im not, and they know. So mostly Im arrested out of spite, I think. Couldnt tell them what they wanted, so Im in here to rot.

She delicately broke a piece of cheese off and centered it on a bite of bread. That doesnt sound like something the king would approve of.

Aaron shrugged. Well, maybe its not just Gentry in their walls that the royals dont bother paying attention to.

She chewed thoughtfully for a moment. At least, he thought it was thoughtful chewing. Bit hard to tell, when he couldnt see her expression. Are you a rat?

A rats a doppel, technically, Aaron said. Im a Face.

And whats that? She broke off a bit more cheese. It had been a small chunk to begin with, but she seemed determined to spread it out over the entire roll-and-a-half.

Aaron glanced to the light from the guard room. No change, there. He looked back to the girl. What is it?

You wont tell the guards about this, will you?

Him. Tell the guards. Him. He couldnt even imagine the look on his face. Whatever it was, it didnt seem enough for her.

You wont, she said. You cant. Not them, not anyone. Do you understand?

Aaron cracked a grin. Perhaps if I had some token of your favor, to remember you fondly.

He meant it as a joke, but the fey stood for a very long time in studious silence. She reached up under her hood. When she brought her hand back out, there was something clasped tightly in her palm. She thrust her hand out towards him, stopping just before the iron bars of his cell.

He hesitated to take it. Fair gifts were rarely given so easily. But then, they couldnt be refused so easily, either. He edged forward until he could stretch his own hand out from between the bars. Her fingertips brushed against his palm and he felt the touch crackle like the lightning a cats fur tossed in winter. The fey startled back, looking at him a moment more. Then she was running, her slippers nearly soundless, towards the solid stone at the end of the cell block.

Wait! Hed said it too loud and both of them knew it. There was a tension to her shoulders that hadnt been there before, and her head darted in the direction of the guard room, then back to him.

Now that he had her attention, he didnt know what to say. Didnt even know what hed been planning to. But it felt like he owed her something. His fingers tightened around her gift. Thank you.

She stared his way a moment more. Then she touched the wall and was gone, simple as stepping through a door, like the stone wasnt even there for her. He would have given anything to do the same.

The door to the guard room creaked open. Chereau stood in the doorway, game cards in one hand and a scowl on her face. What are you doing in there?

Aaron tucked his hand back under his blankets, squinting against the sudden light that silhouetted her. Nefarious scheming, he answered.

The guard snorted. Had a nightmare, little fey?

He buried himself deeper into his blankets, by way of reply.

Dont you worry. I hear the Ladys due back tomorrow. The woman took one last look around the cell block. Then she pulled the door shut again.

Tomorrow. The skin stealer would be back tomorrow.

That meant hed best be gone, tonight.

Aaron waited long seconds as his eyes adjusted back to the darkness of the cells. Then he uncurled his hand.

He didnt realize how hard his heart had been beating until his breath stopped.

Thank you, he repeated into the darkness, not caring what price the fey would ask.