The Faye's Keeper: Keepers of Light: Book Two
Page 10
It shone brightly in the orange light of the setting sun, all crystal and glass and rock. Upon closer inspection, Abby realized that it was growing right out of the ground. Rock and earth split and opened to reveal crystal spires and walls. Rich green vines snaked up the sides, wrapping around the pillars that lined an arched walkway. Pausing for a brief moment, Abby took a deep breath. It had given the illusion that it was a large palace, a castle even, but up close she realized that it wasn’t much bigger than Elazar’s home. Even so, she was fairly sure she hadn’t seen a more beautiful building in all of her life.
Walking through the archway and down the stone path, a large wood door stood before them, unlike the smaller homes that used cloth over the doorways. After glancing at Wesley, she raised her hand and knocked. The sound vibrated against the stone. The door creaked as it opened, revealing a servant in light green robes. He bowed his head, gesturing for them to enter.
“Please, Lady Abigail, come in. M’lady is awaiting your arrival in the sitting room.”
The inside was just as spectacular as the outside. Bright and airy, the glass and crystal walls were warmer than Abby expected them to be. With all the stone, she had figured the rooms would be cold. The Faye led them down a hallway the length of the house, doors on one side and tall windows of glass on the other. When they came to the third door, he stopped and gestured inside. Lady Neirdre stood before a large fireplace, a glass in her hand. When they entered the room she turned, and a smile lit up her face. “Abigail, Wesley. I am pleased to welcome you into my home.”
The lack of an honorific title surprised Abby, but she didn’t want to assume that she didn’t have to use them. Bowing her head, Abby returned the smile. “We thank you for your hospitality, Lady Neidre. You have a beautiful home.”
As if waving off her words, Lady Neirdre sat down on one of the multiple couches. The light green fabric warming the room even more. “Please, join me. And in my home I ask you disregard the use of such titles. I want you to feel comfortable in my home. Tell me about the rest of your day.”
They walked around the couches, sitting on one of the larger ones. Wesley leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, his arm brushing Abby’s as he moved. “I’m sure you heard about the news from my Alpha.”
Her face calmed, a solemn look coming to her features. “That I did, young wolf. It is very troubling, but also unsurprising. There have always been those who disagree with the way of the world. I suspect there always will be.”
Abby placed a hand on Wesley knee, before turning her attention to the Faye across from her. “Do you think this news will impact the Council in any way?”
Neirdre sighed, placing her drink on the table beside her. “It is hard to say, Abigail. The Council aren’t exactly known to be understanding. However, I think your presence here will sway them more than anything.” She shrugged slightly, her focus returning to the fire burning beside her. “I will not pretend that the Faye are known for helping — or even caring — about the world outside of our own. But I believe that you both may be the start of something new. A new age.”
Wesley glanced at Abby, “So you don’t think the fact that Abby was born illegally, against the Treaty, will amount to anything?”
Smiling, Neirdre turned back to them. “Considering that her father is no longer with us — no, it won’t be a problem. I doubt it will even be brought up. Not to mention since you are Mated to a werewolf. No, I don’t think it would be wise of them to make something of it. However,” she looked from Wesley to Abby, “don’t be surprised if they want you to remain here. Be prepared for it, actually.”
“I already was, actually. I kind of wondered if that was why we had been summoned here in the first place.”
Neirdre raised an eyebrow before nodding, “Smart girl. It was one of the main reasons for your summons. Although I suspect Lord Elazar may have already been questioning the vampire’s actions as well.”
The same servant from the door walked back into the room, two drinks balanced on a silver tray. He set them on the table before them before bowing, “The meal will be ready shortly, M’lady.”
Neirdre nodded, before turning her attention back to Abby. “Now please, tell me how your day went. Have you been enjoying our home?”
Unable to help herself, Abby smiled. “I don’t think I could ever dislike it. It’s the most magical place I’ve ever been.”
~~~
The sun had set hours ago by the time Abby and Wesley made their way to the door of Neirdre’s home. After a good meal and even better company, Abby felt comforted in knowing that they had another ally in The High Forest. They were just reaching the arched doorway when Neirdre paused by a window, causing Abby and Wesley to stop too. The woman looked out with a thoughtful expression on her face, her brows drawn together tightly. Abby wondered what she was thinking about. Wondered if their conversation over dinner about Abby’s childhood in the human world sparked something in the old Faye.
Neirdre sighed, her hands clasped in front of her. “I wish to apologize, dear Abby. I feel so guilty that you didn’t know of your world until recently — that you never got to meet your father. He was a brilliant man, and an even better mage.”
Afraid to move, like it would stop Neirdre from speaking, Abby stood frozen. Wesley’s hand was warm against her back where he put pressure, just enough to let her know that he was there. Would Neirdre speak more about Abby’s father? Wesley had been right — more people knew who he was and could answer her questions. But did she dare ask anything? She didn’t want the Faye to clam up.
Neirdre smiled softly, looking away from the window and back at her face. “I contemplated not telling you, but I’m sure you’ll hear about it from someone and I would rather it come from me.”
What was she talking about? Abby could feel her own confusion, as well as Wesley’s, swirling through her mind.
The soft smile still on her face, Neirdre looked back out the window. “Your father’s home, that now belongs to you, sits beyond those trees.” Looking back at Abby, the Faye’s eyes filled with sadness. “I haven’t been there in a while myself, but I suspect it may hold answers for you.”
Her father’s home. She hadn’t even thought about it, but it made sense. Of course her father would’ve had a home there, in The High Forest. Just imagining all the things she could find there left her palms sweaty and her hands shaking. Maybe she would finally discover who she really was. Maybe she would find out who her mother is.
When Neirdre turned her attention back, Abby’s eyes were still wide in shock. “I can’t begin to understand how you must be feeling. How you must have been feeling since you arrived here. But if you need anything, please, do not hesitate to call for me.”
Taking a deep breath, Abby nodded her head. “Thank you, Neirdre, for everything. I — I don’t know what to say.”
With a small smile, her brows still pinched slightly, Neirdre nodded. “Don’t worry, child. Having you in my home is enough for me. Just know that you have friends here, after all of this vampire nonsense is over with.”
Focusing on the warmth of Wesley’s hand on her back, and his comforting presence in her mind, Abby smiled. It was all a lot to take in; everything that had happened to them since arriving there. And it seemed like there was more to learn and discover. “Thank you. Your kindness means a lot to us.”
A servant opened the door behind them, the cool night breeze drifting in through the arched walkway. Wesley’s hand fell from her back and clasped her hand a moment later. His soft tenor voice filling the hall, “Thank you, Lady Neirdre. Abby is right, your kindness speaks volumes.”
With a final look at the friendly face of their new friend, Abby and Wesley turned to the door and walked out into a star-filled night.
~~~
Once back in the seclusion of their room, Abby headed for the bathroom to start a bath. She wasn’t ready to sleep, even after an eventful day. The knowledge that her father’s home was so close
, where more of her questions might be answered, was putting her on edge. Turning the different knobs on the side of the tub, she stared at the water flooding in. She was so focused that she didn’t hear Wesley walk into the bathroom until his hand gently touched her shoulder.
“Why don’t you go get out of that dress; get your hair up. I’ll get the bath ready.” His hand was warm where it met her skin, falling just over the neckline of her dress. His love flowed into her like the water that filled the tub. With a small smile she rose, placing a kiss to his cheek. The stubble growing there tickled.
Although Meira had helped get the dress on in the morning, it was thankfully easy to take off herself. Once the fabric pooled at her feet, she gently took the circlet off her head and placed it on the dresser. Gathering her hair on the top of her head, she secured it with a ribbon before heading back into the bathroom.
Wesley knelt by the side of the tub, his arm dangling in the water. He was wearing only his trousers, the muscles in his back on display for her. She took a moment to admire the man that had chosen her before walking over, gently using his shoulder to steady her as she climbed in. A sigh escaped her lips as she lowered herself into the warm water. It was the perfect temperature, just at the line of too hot but it helped loosen her sore back muscles. Who knew that archery would be such a workout.
Her eyes were closed, but she could hear Wesley moving. His thoughts flowed around the room, floating in and around her head like a breeze. And then he was close again, situating himself behind her and laying a hand over her stomach. She could feel her own body and his relax into the water and each other. The world may have been burning around them, but they needed this moment. Letting go further, her mind melded with his and there was no distinction between his thoughts and her own. They were one person, thinking and feeling the same things. They were unaware of how much time past. It was late when they got into the tub, and it was even later now, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was each other.
Slowly, as if waking from a deep sleep, their minds separated just enough to think again. Abby sighed, leaning even heavier against Wesley’s chest, confident knowing that he would hold her head above the water. His own hand left her stomach but was back a moment later, a soap-filled rag in his hand. She let him wash her and only when he seemed satisfied did she return the favor. By the time Wesley pulled the drain on the tub, Abby could barely hold her head up.
It wasn’t until they snuggled up under the covers; the moon bathing the room in light, that Abby let her emotions free. Only a few silent tears left her eyes before Wesley’s grip around her middle tightened, and he whispered loving words into her ear. It was like being so relaxed had opened the walls she had put up — the story that Soryn had told them; the meeting with Elazar; the wonderful meal with Lady Neidre and then her father’s home. It was all so much. She couldn’t tell if she was sad or happy. No, she was just overwhelmed.
Wesley’s arms held her tight, grounding her as the emotions flooded her senses. He was her anchor in this life and she hoped to god in the next one, too. “Whatever else we learn here, whatever else happens, I’m here for you. Always.”
Chapter Sixteen
Wesley
When Wesley woke up the next day, the bed was empty beside him. As he stretched, taking up the majority of the lush and oh-so-comfortable bed, he listened for Abby moving around the room. The only things he heard were the birds in the trees, the wind blowing through the leaves, and the occasional voice down below. With a sigh, he sat up, the sheets pooling in his lap. Looking to his left, he saw a note propped up on the lantern beside his pillow.
I got up early to train with Soryn.
I’ll probably be at Elazar’s by the time you wake up.
You slept restlessly, so I didn’t want to wake you.
See you later.
Love,
Abby
Scrubbing a hand down his face, he groaned. He hadn’t slept well, but he sure hadn’t meant to keep Abby up, either. They had gotten back to their suite late the night before, after their dinner with Lady Neirdre. But Abby had been in no mindset to sleep after learning about her father’s home. Wesley couldn’t exactly blame her for feeling confused, but he hadn’t really known how to help her through the feelings, either. He thought the warm bath he ran for her helped, but apparently not as well as he hoped.
And now she was off training with Soryn. Great.
It wasn’t that he hated the guy. Soryn was starting to grow on Wesley a bit. But that didn’t mean Wesley liked him being near Abby — and alone. There was just something about the guy that made Wesley’s hackles raise. With more effort than necessary, Wesley swung the sheets off and set his bare feet on the cool floor. The thin pants he wore at night kept him cool, but they were almost too comfortable. He never wanted to take them off. Maybe he would ask Meira if he could take them home with him.
As if answering his thought, there was a soft knock at the door before it opened, revealing the Faye. She smiled sweetly when she saw him, before walking to the couches and placing a tray of breakfast down. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
He chuckled, waving a hand in her general direction. “Don’t worry, you didn’t. I was about to get up and go find Abby.”
Turning back to the bed area, she inclined her head. Resting a hand on her hip, she gestured to the tray beside her. “I figured as much. I just got word from Soryn that he left her in the care of Lord Elazar. I thought you might want to eat before you head over.”
Rubbing a hand behind his neck, Wesley smiled. “Thank you, Meira. But I would’ve found something, you didn’t need to go to the trouble.”
Meria smiled before she shook her head, heading past him into the bathroom to turn on the water in the bathtub. When she was satisfied with the temperature, she returned to the main room. She headed back to the door, but paused with her hand on the knob. Turning to face him, she gave him a warm smile. “It was no trouble, Wesley. Really.” He nodded his head slowly as she left the room, the door closing softly behind her.
Alone once again, Wesley couldn’t help but sigh. He sure wasn’t used to being waited on. His every need met before he even knew about it. The water rushing into the bathtub proof of that. It wasn’t a bad thing, by any means. But he also wasn’t sure he could handle living that way for long periods of time. He liked his space and his privacy. It was bad enough living in a house with two other werewolves.
It was time to stop being lazy. Wesley headed for the bathroom, even though he had taken a bath with Abby the night before. Might as well take advantage of the bath Meria so kindly got ready for him. Maybe he’d eat breakfast while he soaked.
~~~
Walking through the village without Abby by his side gave Wesley a completely different feeling than before. With his Mate with him, The High Forest almost felt like home, in a way. A place where they were welcomed. But on his own he felt like a canary in a cage. It was like he was being watched with every footfall on the grassy path. Like every Faye turned to look at him as he walked by. Whether or not it was actually the case, he wasn’t about to look around to find out.
He let out a sigh of relief when Elazar’s tree house came into view. In the mid-morning light, the pale colors of the facade shone brightly against the bark of the tree. But damn those stairs. If he hadn’t been a werewolf, and in relatively good shape, his thighs would be getting a serious workout. When he was half-way up the stairs, he felt less self-conscious and stopped to look around at the world below him.
Faye bustled around in the early morning, running errands of this sort or that. From his vantage point, he could just make out the path that led to the training field. Male and female Faye heading down it, bows on their backs or swords strapped to their sides. If he focused hard enough, he could just make out the sound of swords clashing. He understood how the Faye could exist in their own world, unconcerned about what the rest of the planet was up to. If he was honest with himself, he even forgot for brief moments.
If it wasn’t for Alex and the vampire issue, he could see himself and Abby staying here for a while. She needed the training, and he didn’t want to keep her from learning more about her heritage. He could get used to the staring, and maybe it would even stop after a while. But they couldn’t stay here, not for long. Just waiting for the High Council to arrive was making him nervous. He hadn’t received word from Alex that day yet, but he wasn’t expecting any good news. If anything, things would have gotten worse.
There was an uprising happening, and the vampires weren’t taking their time. Whoever was helping them, whoever believed in their plea would not wait until Abby had permission from the High Council. Concern for Alex and the rest of the pack weighed heavily on Wesley as he came to Elazar’s door.
A moment after knocking, the door opened before him and the same servant from the day before bowed. But before he could walk into the room, the servant walked out onto the platform and shut the door behind him. He gestured to the set of stairs leading up, off to the side of the platform. “Lord Elazar and Lady Abigail are above. Please, follow me.”
Wesley watched the Faye head for the stairs with a sigh. Of course, more stairs. He knew in that moment that if he and Abby were to ever remain in The High Forest, their home would be on the ground.
After making a full circumference of the tree, and climbing a good thirty feet in elevation, another platform leveled out. Stopping to glance around, over the edge of the stairs, Wesley was momentarily breathless to realize how high up they were. He could see the tops of other trees from that vantage point, their canopies looking even bigger from above.