“We don’t know that,” Nathem insisted. “There’s no way to know for sure.”
“It’s called faith.”
Cliff leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “It would make no sense for the mate bonds to be idle because of humanity. They’re not connected to us in any way.”
Yamra rolled her eyes. “You two are so cynical.”
“What if the bonds aren’t really stagnant, but everyone thinks they are because their mates are human?” All eyes turned to Tanith. After a moment’s hesitation, she went on. “It makes sense, doesn’t it? That if all the fae are separated and hidden on Wickenvare, they can never interact with the love of their life on another continent.”
Nathem tilted his head. “I mean… theoretically. That could be one explanation, but there should at least be a couple of mates among the fae that are already here, right?”
“Maybe it depends on whether or not they can identify the bond,” Tanith suggested. “What if they just pass it off as love?”
Yamra shook her head. “No, that’s impossible. The bond is rumored to be undeniable.”
“But very few people on Wickenvare have ever even claimed to have a mate bond. Everyone believes them to be nothing more than hopeless fools in love,” Cliff added.
“Then it just isn’t common,” Yamra decided. “Like Tanith said, our people probably have human mates. This is… I mean… It’s a breakthrough.”
“Not if we can’t do anything about it,” Tanith reminded them. “You’re not supposed to leave the island, and humans aren’t welcome beyond royals.”
“We could do a study,” Nathem suggested. “Send off a few and see if they can find a mate.”
“Riven wouldn’t risk our people like that,” Cliff corrected. “Never mind mate bonds. People have suggested some mates are human before. It changes nothing.”
“It’s worth looking into,” Yamra challenged. She flashed a smile across the table for good measure. “And if there were any questions about whether or not Tanith was worthy of joining the royal historians, I think it’s been answered.”
For the first time in a long time, Tanith was warm with pride, content as she engaged in a long, in-depth conversation with the trio.
They asked about her upbringing as a princess of Ellesmere, and about her training as a firstborn in the generation overlapping with the appearance of the island. They asked about her journey and her discoveries since coming to the island and begged for her to share which way she was leaning.
Like a pendulum, she was back and forth on the matter. Before, she’d been ready to step on board a ship and make her way. Then Meelah arrived and with her sister on Wickenvare, Tanith felt content—like there was no need to return home, but Meelah was back in the human lands again and Tanith wasn’t sure where she stood on the matter anymore. Not with so many factors in play.
She stayed in the library for hours, skipping dinner in her excitement once the other historians left. She walked past shelves of tomes thicker than she was, and chose them out of their line-ups, flipping to pages at random and recalling faerie history as she pleased.
Tanith imagined her own books on the long mahogany shelves, her name printed at the bottom. Children could study her work in schools, and future historians could reference her words. She could be the record keeper from tomorrow until forever if she pleased. She only needed to decide to stay put.
“There you are.”
Tanith looked over her shoulder as Ardeen let herself in, her dark halo of curls pulled into two small puffs on either side of her head. Begrudgingly, she put the book in her hands back into the empty slot on the shelf.
“Did you need something?”
The princess of Larune shook her head and sat at one of the tables. “I thought we could catch up. You were busy today and all day yesterday, not to mention I’ve been following Uhri around since I arrived.”
“I don’t blame you,” Tanith admitted. “He is handsome. I just wonder if that’s enough after only a week of knowing him.”
Ardeen’s lips turned downward. “I don’t know what it is about him. At first, I wasn’t impressed, I’ll admit. I thought he was a barbarian through and through, but then he saved my life. He took me to his home in the city and it was… civilized. From there on, he seemed like a normal person. Immortal, but normal.”
Tanith knew firsthand how easy it was to get swept up by the attention of handsome men. She’d known Shaw longer, but Riven… She didn’t know what to think about him.
“I’m sure he’s tempting when you consider there’s an arranged marriage waiting for you at home.”
“It’s more than that,” the dark-skinned woman insisted. “So much more. He’s trying to be better than his upbringing, and I’m trying to make up for years that were taken from me. You and the other firstborns must understand that.”
“Of course, but we can’t forget everything beyond the barrier.”
“I never will,” Ardeen promised. “The human lands will be my future. It’s the future for all the fae. I don’t want to tell you what choice to make, but I also don’t want you to rule out staying on Wickenvare. Not yet.”
“I won’t be deciding today. There’s still time,” Tanith reminded her.
“Thank the Ghods for that. Maybe Kent will rethink his decision while you consider yours. He’s been pretty pissy today.”
She nodded. “Yesterday too. He just really wants to go home.”
“It’s a shame. Has King Riven said anything to you about Ward and Ekko? I’m starting to worry about them.”
Tanith shook her head. “They’re still looking for them. I’m surprised they’ve managed to evade the guards this long. I thought they’d be like bloodhounds with their enhanced senses.”
“But then again, Ekko is like a shadow. He’s got four younger siblings, and I don’t think he’s ever lost a game of hide and seek.” She sighed. “I hope they’re found soon. Especially if they’re as indecisive as you.”
Scoffing in offense, Tanith crossed her arms. “I see how it is.”
Ardeen smirked and leaned back in her chair, lacing her fingers behind her head. “By all means, Tanith Estiellon. Make your choice and prove me wrong.”
CHAPTER 23
Ardeen and Tanith spent an entire week touring Wickenvare. They swam in the river and in the ocean, spent an offensive amount of the king’s money shopping in the city, and even stopped by a farm further out of the way to see the animals.
There were cows, sheep, and pigs—nothing that wasn’t in the human lands, much to Tanith’s chagrin. She’d hoped to see dragons or unicorns so she could write about them too.
When Riven couldn’t accompany them, he sent four guards to follow on their tail, though they only ended up carrying their bags so the princesses could dance through the city and point at the displays in the shop windows.
Ardeen hadn’t had much luck in her desire to become a guard like Uhri, but he convinced her that after she touched the Light, she’d have the strength and skill to pass the tests. As for Tanith, she carved out a few hours in the evenings, sitting down with the historians and helping them write. Apparently, shocking news was hard to come by in the daily papers since the land was so peaceful, but there was always something, and since it was the time of year that the island was visible, they chose to write about the fact that Ward and Ekko were still nowhere to be found. They made wagers on where the pair were hiding, concluding that they must have been constantly on the move. Yamra and Nathem even went as far as to place bets on when the human princes would be found, much to Cliff’s chagrin.
It wasn’t until one cloudy evening that Tanith finally had a moment to herself. She stood by her window in a long red gown with a low cut down the middle. It was made of silk and the puffy mesh sleeves hung off her shoulders. Her raven black hair was half tied back, a braid on either side, and a red ruby hanging from her neck. She was woefully overdressed, but she couldn’t complain.
The only thing that had her
spirits down was her impending decision and the fact that Shaw and Kent had both been avoiding her. It had been several days since she’d seen either one and as the hours passed, she grew bitter towards the brothers. Neither one of them was there when she needed them, and their inability to be reliable was growling old.
Riven, however, was a rock. He checked on her every day and ate with her at almost every meal, despite the fact that he was running a kingdom. She wished all men were more like him.
As she watched the gloomy clouds pass by her window, she decided that the last thing she wanted was to be alone with her thoughts. She needed answers, so with a short sigh, she started towards the door and made her way towards the library.
The historians were already gone, but it wasn’t them she was after. She turned her gaze to the stairs and began climbing, up, up, up. She rounded the spiral so many times she was dizzy when she finally reached the top, but at least her calves had gotten used to the climb since she’d arrived.
Leevi was in his chair as always, his narrow nose in a book that he didn’t bother to look up from. “Tanith Estiellon. How may I be of service?” the Seeker wondered, carefully studying the words on the page in front of him.
She cleared her throat slightly. “I was wondering if you could help me with the cube. I wanted to check on my sister.”
For a moment, he didn’t move. Then he lowered his book and rested it on his desk before gesturing to the glass mass across the observatory. “Bring it here.”
Tanith started towards it quickly, eager to get her hands on it. In truth, she should have checked on Meelah sooner, but she’d been too busy distracting herself with the pleasures of Wickenvare.
Leevi was quick to snatch the item when she brought it over, putting his hand on the bottom and three fingers on one side, holding it out. Tanith put her hand on the opposite end, focusing on the square at the top and imagining Meelah’s face.
The glass became blurry for a few moments, smears of brown and pink that clarified in moments. She had bags under her brown eyes, though her lips were still carefully painted bright. The youngest princess of Ellesmere looked around a foreign bedroom, grand enough for a royal if not a bit dark. It was colder in the South, one tiny window offering a view of the outside world. There were mountains to the east, a light fog overhead, and a careful path running across the ground below. Guards dressed in Ograboden beige jogged in a line, chanting as they went. Meelah’s face was grim as she watched before someone tapped on her door lightly.
“Knock, knock,” a tall girl with coiled hair black to her waist said for effect. Like Ekko, there was a single white streak running through her dark strands, paler patches of skin dotted around the otherwise black flesh.
Breene Ravenmark was the second-born, merely two years younger than her brother and just as strikingly beautiful as she let herself into the room.
“Hi, Breene. Is it time for dinner already?” Meelah wondered, stepping away from the window.
The princess shook her head. “No. I came to ask if you wanted to borrow some of my clothes. My mother had a field trip planned for you tomorrow and I thought you might have packed light. People often misjudge how chilly it can get in Ograboden.”
Meelah nodded simply, rubbing the goosebumps on her exposed arms. “That would be nice. Thank you.”
Awkwardly, Breene interlaced her fingers. “They’re going to be alright; you know. Don’t tell my mother, but I spoke to a psychic in the village, and she assured me that the firstborns were in good hands.”
Frowning, Meelah studied the princess curiously. “Good hands? What does that mean?”
Breene shrugged. “I assumed she meant that they would take care of each other. What was it like seeing them off at the docks? I wish I could have been there myself, but mama said I needed to stay with Garan, Lidia, and Amery.”
“It was… It was like putting all of your hope in a box and sending it off to sea, just wishing that eventually, it will return.”
She nodded. “I think they will but keep your hope for yourself. It’s luckier if you don’t give anyone the chance to take it from you.”
Meelah smiled slightly, dipping her chin in understanding. “I’ll try.”
Breene held out her spotted hand. “Good. Come on, then. I’ll let you take your pick from my closet, but don’t tell Lidia or she’ll get jealous.”
Chuckling, Meelah took her hand and followed her out the door, leaving the gloom behind.
Tanith was sucked back into reality as Leevi pulled the cube out of reach, uninterested in watching the youngest princess of Ellesmere try on clothes. “Were those the answers you were seeking?” he asked, setting the chunk of glass on his desk.
She nodded. “I just wanted to know that she’d arrived in Ograboden safely. She looked alright to me, if not a bit sad.”
“But you can’t help that, can you?” Leevi asked, turning back around and shuffling some papers.
Tanith supposed not—unless she were to return home. Maybe her sister’s happiness did rest in her hands, but she’d have to give up a tempting opportunity to go home.
As she watched Leevi dutifully ignore her, more questions popped up in her mind. She wondered more about why he was so… old. “Leevi?” she asked. He turned around looking exasperated. “Why do you choose to malnourish yourself?”
He seemed surprised by the blunt question before returning to his constant state of irritation. “What business of it is yours?”
She shrugged. “I’m curious, and maybe you could help me understand the parts of being a fae that others can’t. To help with my decision,” she clarified.
Leevi grunted and crossed his arms over himself. “I wasn’t meant to be a part of this world,” he admitted. “It’s downright criminal that we don’t get a choice in where we end up. They all thought I was crazy when I was young, wanting to die before I’d even lived. Now I’m at an age where some—very few, but some—choose to take their own lives, and it’s normal. I still feel like my mind is out of whack, though. There are people that have been expecting to see me off myself and read about it in the papers. The same ones who started rumors about me and questioned my sanity. I want to die, but I want to prove them wrong more. If I go, it’ll be because my body failed me, not because I played the Ghods game.”
Tanith nodded in understanding. “Isn’t it painful, though? Slowly starving as your immortal body fights to keep you alive?”
For the first time since she’d met him, he laughed. “It’s a bitch, but it’s going to be worth it. Hopefully, I’ll wake up in the right world next time.”
“Hopefully,” she agreed.
“Are you finally getting along with someone, old man?” Riven’s voice called from the stairs as he joined them.
Sighing in displeasure, Leevi stood, snatching his book and muttering about going to a quiet place before stomping down the stairs.
“Nice going,” Tanith complimented with a not-so-subtle eye roll. “Now he’s never going to talk to me again.”
“Oh, please,” the king argued. “He heard me coming. Were you checking on Meelah again?”
She nodded. “Yes. I don’t think Ograboden suits her, but it looks like she’s made a new friend and she’ll be home again in no time.”
The silver-haired man sighed and dropped onto the net in the middle of the floor, scooting to the middle of it and looking up at the painted ceiling. “Come here. I’ll show you something.”
Raising a brow, Tanith walked to the edge of the floor and lowered herself onto the crossed ropes, gracelessly flopping and rolling until she knocked right into his chest. Riven tossed an arm over her waist to turn her, pointing at the ceiling.
“See that?”
She squinted. “The depictions of the fae?”
“No. The window in the center of the dome.”
Tanith took a moment to realize that the orange circle was the sky and not paint. “Oh. I see it.”
He looked over at her and smiled. “Watch this.”
At the turn of his wrist, the structure creaked, metal groaning as the paintings in the dome overlapped one another, collecting image upon image until the art was out of the way, a glass dome with a clear view of the setting sky left in its place.
“Wow,” Tanith hummed in awe. “How did you do that?”
Riven shrugged, tucking his arm behind his head. “The glass dome is the top layer. Then there’s a metal dome beneath it with wood attached on the other side. The wood is the layer with the sealed paintings, but they all overlap and move in tandem.
“I didn’t catch any of that, so I’m going to chalk it up to magic,” Tanith admitted. “Though, I thought you could only sense metals, not move them.”
“Oh, I can’t move them,” he confessed, holding up a small white remote hidden on his other side. “That’s what this is for.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “That was quite a show.”
“But impressive, right?”
“Very, despite the fact that it isn’t dark enough to look at the stars yet,” Tanith reminded him.
Riven hummed shortly. “We are a star. Let’s appreciate what’s here before admiring all the others.”
So, they laid there in the net, pressed against one another, and they watched the sky of orange and pink dim over the next hour until it was nothing but a dark smear of navy blue with glittering white gems winking back at them.
CHAPTER 24
“Goodnight,” Tanith said to the rugged fae king. After stargazing in the observatory’s net with her, his silver hair was finally out of place, rope markings patterned across his tan arms. She doubted she looked anymore put together.
“Goodnight, princess. I’ll see you at breakfast,” he promised, lingering for a moment before dipping his head and breaking out of step. His hallway was private, a floor above and the guest chambers were further down. Any other night they crossed paths, he would walk her to her door, but not now. She wondered if it had something to do with their close proximity minutes before.
Tanith & Shaw (The Fealty of Firstborns Series Book 1) Page 20
