The male eyes me thoughtfully, then smiles. “Buy me into the next round of Skran and my next drink,” he says. “We’ll discuss some ways you can ‘learn more,’ as you say.”

Silene’s eyes are wary, and Fionn looks like he wants to bury a knife in the man’s chest, but I only grin and agree to his offer, always the one in our group who’s most comfortable around strangers. Silene deals us in again, this time with my own coin sponsoring our new friend.

“So, tell me about the Sons and Daughters,” I say in a hushed voice after the first hand.

“They’re a network of humans and fae who work to ensure the future of the sons and daughters of this kingdom.”

“I see,” I say, slowly. “And you aren’t part of that network, is that right?”

He grins. “Exactly. I just know of them. Nothing more.” We both know he’s lying, but I don’t press it. Silene and Fionn stay silent, listening intently while continuing to place bets on the game, leaving me to navigate the conversation.

“And does this network often target the Queen of Thayaria?” I ask.

“Today was the first act against Queen Laurel herself. Earlier attacks mostly targeted smaller villages across Thayaria. But I’ve heard there could be more planned. Rumors only, of course.”

“Of course,” I say, considering his words carefully.

“Skran,” the stranger calls. Silene’s lips twitch. She knows she’s won. “Six pairs,” he says.

“Nine pairs,” Silene immediately responds, revealing her hand. She scoops the last of his verdes—my verdes—into her pile.

“Well, that’s my cue to leave,” the stranger says with a good-natured grin. He leans down close to me, and says, voice low, “There’s a granary a few blocks from here, painted red. Go there and ask for a fae named Restin.” With that, he stands and stalks to the door.

Fionn practically carries me home, Silene keeping a watchful gaze as I sing a bawdy tune all the way to the palace. While we were speaking with the stranger, I drank way more ale than I realized as he continued to wave over the barmaid for refills.

Once inside our apartment, they deposit me in bed and set several glasses of water on the bedside table. “You guys are the besssssst friends a male could ask for,” I slur out. They both roll their eyes, then close the door and leave me to my drunken state.