2_-_court_of_mist_and_fury_a_-_sarah_j._maas

down the steps and onto the gravel of the main drive. Through the latticework of various
bodies, High Fae and lesser faeries alike, I spotted the retreating form of the wraith
heading around the corner of our house—toward the pond beyond the grounds. She
trudged along, wiping at her eyes.
“Excuse me,” I called, catching up to her, the sentries on my trail keeping a respectful
distance behind.
She paused at the edge of the house, whirling with preternatural smoothness. I avoided
the urge to take a step back as those unearthly features devoured me. Keeping only a few
paces away, the guards monitored us with hands on their blades.
Her nose was little more than two slits, and delicate gills flared beneath her ears.
She inclined her head slightly. Not a full bow—because I was no one, but recognition
that I was the High Lord’s plaything.
“Yes?” she hissed, her pike’s teeth gleaming.
“How much is your Tithe?”
My heart beat faster as I beheld the webbed fingers and razor-sharp teeth. Tamlin had
once told me that the water-wraiths ate anything. And if there were no fish left … “How
much gold does he want—what is your fish worth in gold?”
“Far more than you have in your pocket.”
“Then here,” I said, unfastening a ruby-studded gold bracelet from my wrist, one Ianthe
had told me better suited my coloring than the silver I’d almost worn. I offered it to her.
“Take this.” Before she could grasp it, I ripped the gold necklace from my throat, and the
diamond teardrops from my ears. “And these.” I extended my hands, glittering with gold
and jewels. “Give him what you owe, then buy yourself some food,” I said, swallowing as
her eyes widened. The nearby village had a small market every week—a fledgling
gathering of vendors for now, and one I’d hoped to help thrive. Somehow.
“And what payment do you require?”
“Nothing. It’s—it’s not a bargain. Just take it.” I extended my hands further. “Please.”
She frowned at the jewels draping from my hands. “You desire nothing in return?”
“Nothing.” The faeries in the line were now staring unabashedly. “Please, just take
them.”
With a final assessing look, her cold, clammy fingers brushed mine, gathering up the
jewelry. It glimmered like light on water in her webbed hands.
“Thank you,” she said, and bowed deeply this time. “I will not forget this kindness.”
Her voice slithered over the words, and I shivered again as her black eyes threatened to
swallow me whole. “Nor will any of my sisters.”
She stalked back toward the manor, the faces of my three sentries tight with reproach.