Sable sat atop one of the boulders next to the river, swinging her legs childishly. But there was nothing childish about the smug grin on her lips. She knew she had caught them.

"I'm escorting them," Breena spoke, stepping forward. "As you know, Queen Tatiana is interested in their outcome, and Kiran thought it best to get out for a while. The human was sick."

Sable glanced at Cara, her lips curling in disgust. "Humans are such vile creatures. You would be far better if you chose a Fae female, Kiran. At the very least, a prettier human." She hopped off the boulder to stand in front of Cara threateningly. "You'd better watch your back, human. One wrong move toward me and I'll make your death slow and agonizing."

"I'll watch them," Breena promised. "And I trust Kiran to keep his pet in line."

Barely sparing Breena a glance, Sable locked her gaze with Cara's and told her, "See you soon."

Kiran tugged Cara around Sable, walking down the wooded path without looking back. Breena frolicked beside them, a triumphant smile on her lips. Her lavender eyes shimmered with excitement, her complexion making her appear childish. "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," Kiran congratulated. "You did so well, I regret having to do this." Before she had time to react, he picked up a fist sized rock and clubbed her over the head with it. He caught her as her eyes rolled back in her head, gingerly resting her against a tree.

"Why did you do that?" Cara hissed quietly, managing her volume out of fear of drawing Sable's attention. They weren't too far from her post yet.

"She enjoys Tatiana's court. We can't 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 gave Breena one last long look and then started walking, expecting Cara to follow.

"You must really love your sister."

"I do," he agreed. "I left Queen Mab's court when she did, to ensure her safety."

She rushed up to him so they walked side by side. "And your older sister, Olga. Is she with Queen Mab still?"

Kiran half grinned. "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. She thinks its end will sway me a certain way."

"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 a Fae chooses to go Courtless, they need to be able to defend themselves."

"Is that why you haven't gone Courtless?"

He cut her 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 stopped at a tree, knocking against the bark in an odd rhythm. The knot twisted, widening into a decent sized hole. Reaching in, he withdrew 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?" She asked the question to also gauge how her father was among other Fae. If he would welcome her, or shun her. She clasped her hands together, then released them when she caught herself doing the action.

"Of the Seelie Court? Unseelie are rarely welcomed among Seelie."

"Humans and Fae rarely mingle, and yet here I am."

He arched 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."

Kiran was in front of her so suddenly, she ran into him, her face bouncing off his chest. He grabbed her chin and forced her gaze to his. "Your mother won't be a target. I will be, and you will be leveraged 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 flashed red as a muscle feathered in his jaw. "She'll definitely be in danger then, and your trade would be for nothing."

Cara matched his glare but she saw his point. Angry with the entire situation, she demanded, "What shall I tell her?"

"The truth. You're running away with a Fae to uphold your debt and protect your life." He released her 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 swirled in her gut. She'd finally meet her father. But, if it was anything like Tatiana's court, she would have to remain on her toes. And Kiran. What would happen to him, claiming to be Unseelie?

"You are. I'm going to find Olga."

♦♔♚♕♛♢

***They broke away from Tatiana's Court. But what awaits at the Seelie Court?***