Ever dismounts, one hand on the reins and the other patting his unicorn’s thick neck, hushing Nyx and watching us approach with an unreadable expression.
Nia stays behind me, her harsh breaths tickling the back of my neck as I come to a halt in front of him. “You came.”
His gaze never strays from mine, but there is the slightest lift to his lips that I’m calling a smile. A smile just for me. “The female who invited me was quite persuasive.”
Maddox appears from nowhere, stepping around Ever and clapping him on the shoulder. “Far be it for Ever here to turn down an invitation. I am Maddox, by the way.” He stretches his long-fingered greenish hand toward my cousin.
Nia’s hands remain pinned to her sides, her face devoid of color as she stares at him.
“This is my cousin, Nia Quill,” I say, urging her forward.
Gryffin joins us, not a hint of humor on his stony face. “Did we come to chat or are we going to do our fucking job and bring water across the canyon?”
Right. The water. Of course, Ever didn’tjustcome to see me.
“Would you like something to eat while you collect water?” There’s more than enough to go around.
Nia lets out a strangled, choking sound before snatching my hand and dragging me away from the well. “You can’t give him food,” she hisses.
“Why not?” I brough plenty of coin.
“Did you read the book Trevor gave you or just stare at the pictures?”
“I read some of it.” The first ten chapters, anyway. In my defense, the pictures were far more intriguing.
She presses a hand to her brow, her curls vibrating as she shakes her head. “Clearly you skipped the part that says giving an unmarried Unseelie food is akin to courting him.”
Courtinghim?
Isthatwhy Ever kept asking about the biscuits?
No.
Is it?
And I brought them twice.
“I didn’t know that,” I whisper.
“Just be glad that he didn’t give you a gift as well.”
Hedidgive me a gift. A gift I’m wearing in my hair as we speak. My stomach flutters as my gaze drifts over Ever’s strong back while he hefts a jug from the cart all by himself. “What would happen if he gave me a gift?” I force through dry lips.
“Then it means he accepts your offer of courtship.”
I gave him food. He gave me flowers.
Am I unknowingly courting an Unseelie fae?
I do not wish to be your friend.
This is not over.
Bloomin’ hell. I think I am.
What’s more, the idea of being properly courted by Ever makes me giddier than it probably should.
A hand slips around my wrist. Ronan tugs me back to where the rest of the Seelie are watching, a crimson flush painting his jaw and neck.