by Zora Marie
“What about today?”
“Before or after I opened my mouth?”
Arlen glared at her, and she couldn’t help but smile.
“What? You were happy when I woke up, but your emotions dip almost every time I talk. And yes, I know it’s not because of me, rather because of what I’ve been through. You blame yourself and I understand… I’ve always blamed myself for what happened to Tomilin.”
Arlen sighed. “You are like your mother, entirely too perceptive. Dorn can help you learn to block other people’s emotions. It can burn you out to feel so much all the time.”
People. Everyone. Already she had so many new people to learn about—Dorn, Lord Farin, Arlen… There were even things for her to learn about her mother. She couldn’t help but wish Tomilin was there. Meeting tons of new people had always been his dream, not hers.
“Would you like me to carry you? We could get to the Sun Court quicker, and if we get there before dusk, we can use Lord Sadoren’s traveling platform to get home tonight.”
“Uh…”
“Or we can wait. I understand if you need more time. And if you decide that you don’t like the Moonlight Court, I will help you get wherever you want to go. I just—”
“It’s okay, Arlen, I know you just want to help. I just don’t know if I’ll ever be able to call anywhere home without Tomilin. He’s what kept me going…”
“All I ask is that you give us a shot and yourself time to grieve before you decide.”
All she had done these past few days was grieve and run. Tom would have told her to stop moping around and find something to smile about. Even when there was nothing to smile about, he always found something. Of course, he also would have thrown caution to the wind and she would have warned him against it.
She studied Arlen as they walked. Everything he’d said, he’d been honest about; she could tell as much by his emotions. She hadn’t gotten that gut feeling that something wasn’t right. Besides, what do I have to lose anymore? She held her bow a little tighter.
“Did you make it yourself?” He gestured to the bow.
She nodded. “It needs replacing. I broke a chunk off of it a few weeks back and it hasn’t drawn right since. I had hoped the fishing nets would feed us while I took the time to make a new one, but…” She shrugged.
“Well, my offer from yesterday stands. I actually have a few bows you can choose from.”
She fingered her arrows. They were no better than kindling these days, scraped thin by ribs and other bones. Even if she changed her mind about going with him, she’d need to make new ones. At this point they were just a nuisance, a tether to a past bathed in bloodshed. One of the fletchings broke off her favorite arrow, brittle and flaking. It was time to let them go. As long as she had her knife, she’d be All right. She’d survived with less.
She unstrung her bow so an animal wouldn’t get hurt on it and untied the quiver from her belt. It too had seen better days, the leather thin enough holes were forming. Goodbye old friend. She tossed it all into the brush without missing a step.
Already she felt bare without them. It’s fine. I can make myself better ones this time anyway, she assured herself.
“So may I carry you?” His tone was quiet and reserved.
“Fine, you can carry me, but your food had better be good,” she teased.
“Oh, it’ll be far better than that little bit of old cheese I gave you.” He scooped her up and seemed to walk even faster than he had the evening before.
“What’s got you in such a hurry to get home?”
“I can’t wait for you to meet Dorn and the others.”
“What others?”
“Well, there’s Lord Farin, his son Fen, and the fire girls, Ash and Amber.”
“You all live together?”
“No. Last I asked them, the girls had a place in town. Dorn and I stay in the manor; it’s easier than going back and forth.”
Rina frowned. She’d never been in a town before. “What is a town like?”
“Uh… a really big, busy village with nicer buildings.”
Rina debated whether or not to tell him that she’d never actually been in the village. Deciding she didn’t want to ruin his mood again, she asked, “How many people live in this town where you live?”
“You know, I have no idea. There are a couple thousand fae at least though.”
“Oh.” Rina knew her numbers well enough to know a thousand was a lot, but imagining what that many people looked like was outside of her grasp.
“Hey, don’t worry. I’ll be with you every step of the way, and when I have to take care of things for Farin, one of the others will be with you, probably Dorn.”
“All right…”
“Just wait, you’ll see.”
3
Rina
When Arlen stopped to put her down again, the sun was low in the sky. It was about the time of day that she would have headed back home, even if it meant going home empty-handed. While there wasn’t a literal wall where the border was, she could feel the buzz of its magic—like a zap of static electricity against her skin.
“Does it always feel like that when you pass through?”
“When you’re entering. It’s a little more painful to exit.”
“Really? Why?”
“It’s the wall caging your magic. Human wizards put it up to deter fae from crossing the border. They wanted to build a physical barrier, but the human kings argued that they needed the trade routes open for their people to flourish. When you come back in, the wall gifts your magic back. The pendants counteract the wall to some extent, but not entirely. Now, Lord Sadoren’s palace is just a couple hills over. When the guards meet us, please don’t say anything unless they directly ask you a question.”
“Why?”
“While Farin has a good working relationship with Lord Sadoren, you talk like a human…”
“I understand. Do not speak unless spoken to.” She mocked Arlen’s lilted accent.
“You’re a quick learner. Another thing. If we see Lord Sadoren, give a light bow. He likes that sort of thing.”
“And Lord Farin?”
“So long as we are near home, bowing isn’t necessary. Just don’t go telling everyone that. Oh, and stop staring at the ground.”
“Sorry, used to looking for tracks.”
“And stop apologizing for everything. At least until we get home.”
“Sor— all right.”
As they crested the last hill, the trees parted to reveal a sprawling palace. She couldn’t help but gape at the massive white and gold building. Numerous windows dotted both the walls and roof. Everywhere she looked, something glinted in the sunlight. Even the white walls around the entire thing were almost too bright to look at, yet she was transfixed.
Arlen cleared his throat. “You’re supposed to be trying to blend in.”
Rina swallowed. “Sorry, but that building is bigger than the village.”
“Yeah. Lord Sadoren is into grandeur… or at least his ancestors were.”
As Arlen spoke, leaves shifted on her right. She turned slightly toward the movement. Years of hunting had her scanning the trees without moving.
Arlen sniffed the air. “Jaren, is that you?”
A sigh came from the direction of the rustling leaves. A huge bird flew down, shifting in a flash of light right in front of them. He was dressed in green and white leather armor and his dark brown hair was braided back. “Who’s your friend?”
Arlen smirked at the stranger, then said, “Jaren, this is Rina. Rina, Jaren is a distant cousin who has moved to the sunny side.”
“Oh, come now. You know I was never drawn to the moon. And who is she for you to tell her such things?” Jaren grinned and she could have sworn he glowed a little brighter. His nose was a little more pointed than Arlen’s, but he had the same wide, teal eyes and high cheekbones. Although, perhaps all fae did. It wasn’t like she had met any fae to compare them to.
“I’ll tell you next time. We are in a bit of a hurry to get home.”
Jaren studied her, looking her over from head to toe, before meeting Arlen’s gaze. “Well come on then. I’ll let you in the back door… if only to keep you from stirring up trouble.”
“I would never!”
“Sure… You know, Rina, my cousin has always been a bit of a troublemaker.”
“Oh, not this again. Rye and I stole the party wine and hid it in your room one time, and I’ve never heard the end of it. It’s been, what? Over a thousand years?”
“As if that’s the only thing you’ve ever done.”
“Well, let’s not give Rina any bright ideas, all right?”
“As though I would pull a prank as lame as that,” Rina said with a grin.
After sharing a look, the two males led her down the hill. Jaren’s gait was smoother than Arlen’s, more of a gliding step. When Arlen nudged her, she glanced at him. He gave a slight shake of his head. Her brows furrowed in confusion before she remembered she wasn’t supposed to stare. She looked away, gluing her gaze to the ground. Then she remembered his other piece of advice about not doing that either. Lifting her head, she set her gaze on the small gate in the wall surrounding the huge building.
It looked as though it was covered in gold, its surface gleaming in the light. Little ornate decorations hung along the edge of the roof, reflecting golden rays. It made sense; this was the Court of Sunlight. But she had always thought of gold as a precious commodity. She had only ever seen gold a few times and Father had hoarded the coins until he could decide what he wanted to spend them on. No. Not Father, she reminded herself, trying to internalize her new reality. He was Jake and nothing more. My father was Ryfon. Tomilin’s… Jake really had been Tom’s father, a horrible one, but blood nonetheless.
When Jaren opened the gate, she straightened, trying to embody the way the two males walked and acted. Arlen had asked her to try to blend in and she would, as much as an elf who believed she was human her whole life could. Or at least she would try.
The door to the palace sat open behind the gate, inviting the late summer breeze into its stone halls. She felt dirty amongst all this white stone. She hadn’t properly bathed with soap in days, or more, and she felt like she’d leave marks on the walls if she were to touch them.
Every time they turned a corner, Jaren glanced at her. She wasn’t sure why Arlen hadn’t just told him who she was, but she had no choice but to trust his judgment. She had hardly spoken to humans other than Jake and Tom. Human… she couldn’t believe she was already thinking of people as humans. She wondered if that meant she really was one of them, fae that is. She felt a little off balance at the thought, but when she searched her soul for the answer, everything inside her shouted, “Yes.”
They came to some stairs with a set of guards standing at the top. The guards nodded to Arlen and Jaren but only gave her a passing curious glance. As she followed the two males up, she found herself on what appeared to be a roof. An overlapping pattern of circles decorated the floor. Its varying shades of cream and gold made it look like a piece of art, especially under the colourful rays of the setting sun.
“Tell Dorn I said thanks for the gift he sent last moon,” Jaren said as he stopped at the edge of a circle. “Sundra loved it.”
“The gift… Right, of course.” Arlen said. “Come.” He waved her to him, then wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
The moment they stepped onto the circles, a buzz vibrated through her. As they moved closer to the center, the world around them started to glow until she could see nothing but white.
“You’re all right.” Arlen held her a little tighter. “I’ve got you.”
When the light faded, she stood on a perfect rendering of a moon. Unlike at the Sun Court, there were no guards here, only the open sky and a dark colored wall with a door. She took a step and stumbled. This rooftop was far smaller, modest compared to the last. A tree lined path trailed down the hill and there was a town in the distance, partially hidden by the trees. Mountains framed the town, surrounding them on all sides.
Arlen steadied her with a hand on each of her shoulders. “The first few times will mess with your sense of balance.”
“How…”
“Does it work?” he finished for her and shrugged. “Magic.”
Rina rolled her eyes. “Of course, but how exactly?”
“It’s hard to explain.”
The dark wood door in front of them opened. Rina shifted closer to Arlen. A red haired male bound through the doorway, but the moment he saw her, he froze. “Arlen, who is this?”
“Dorn, meet our niece, Lazziar and Ryfon’s daughter, Rina. Rina, this is my mate.”
Dorn’s nostrils flared and then, out of nowhere, he hugged her. “Welcome home.” His warm embrace grounded her as her sense of balance returned. “Where is your mother?” He pulled away from the hug to look down at her.
“I…” She broke off, unable to meet Dorn’s gaze.
“Lyra passed away when Rina was little,” Arlen said. “Is Farin home?”
“Of course. Everyone just sat down for dinner when Farin and I felt you arrive.”
Everyone? Rina’s heart thundered against her ribs. The thought of meeting several new people at once…
“You don’t have to join us if you don’t want to.” Dorn’s energy flowed warm and soothingly against her senses, like a heavy blanket on a cold winter night. “You’re an empath like Lyra?”
She nodded.
“How about the two of you go to our quarters and I’ll ask Lord Farin to meet you there?”
Arlen nodded. It was a simple gesture, but Rina could feel the love between the two males. It was an emotion she had only ever felt from her mother and Tom. Theirs though, it was stronger, purer than even the love she’d felt from Tomilin.
Dorn studied her and she could tell he was sensing her emotions. There was a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth and a glimmer in his green eyes, subdued as if he could feel her sadness. He didn’t say anything, but his caring, almost loving, expression set her at ease as he opened the door for them.
As Arlen led her down a warm hall, Rina looked around her. The wood floors and cool toned walls were so much more inviting than the stone of the Sun Court. Especially since this house had a worn feel to it, like her favorite arrow. It was used, but well taken care of. She instinctively reached for them, then recalled she’d given them up.
Stopping in front of an open door, Arlen said, “These are mine and Dorn’s quarters. You don’t have to stay with us, but we would like you to. We have a spare room you can call your own.” He gestured with a hand for her to enter.
She stepped into a little sitting room with windows spanning the far wall. The fabric of the couch and two matching chairs was a pale blue, like snow on a cold winter night. Little pillows in bright reds and oranges littered the backs of them. She and Tom had never had pillows. Jake had traded a deer fur she had tanned for one once, but they had never been allowed to touch it.
“I’ll get a fire going in your room. You can sit in here if you like.”
Rina stared at the pillows. Tomilin had moved Jake’s once and she’d taken the blame. Jake had backhanded her so hard that her nose had bled for more than an hour and she’d sported a nasty bruise for weeks. Neither of them had made that mistake again.
“Rina?” Arlen asked. “You’re welcome to anything here. Please, make yourself comfortable. Just take your boots off before you put your feet on the couch; it’s a pain to clean.”
There was a bit of humor in Arlen’s tone. Looking up, Rina forced the tension out of her shoulders. He was trying so hard to put her at ease and all she could do was think of Tomilin. She made herself sit on the edge of the couch as he went into the room on the right. She couldn’t help but stare at a pillow next to her, unable to make herself touch it.
Humming floated faintly from where Arlen had left the door open. Finding herself drawn to the familiar sound
, she crept toward the next room. She could almost see her mother glancing up as she gardened, checking what she was up to and humming all the while. Stopping in the doorway, she watched as Arlen put another log on the fire he had built. The room was chilly but not cold by any means. She wouldn’t have bothered with a fire if it were just her.
“What?” Arlen dusted his hands off as he stood.
“That melody—Mother used to hum it. I haven’t heard it in years.” She glanced at the bed, at the mound of pillows sitting on top the covers. Rina had a feeling all the pillows were Dorn’s touch, the fluffy objects seeming to fit him more than Arlen. “Were Mother and Father mates like you and Dorn?”
“They were. Why?”
“What is it like to have a mate? You told me how they met, but…” She wanted to know how they knew they were right for each other, how they loved one another, and how they were together. There was so much she didn’t know. She knew how to track and kill, how to survive in the wilderness, but this may as well have been a whole new world to her.
“Rye and I talked about it once, how we were each drawn to our mates as though an invisible tether had pulled us to them. That was back when he’d questioned if Dorn was really my mate.”
The door to the hallway opened and she stepped back into the sitting room. Arlen moved past her. Dorn was first to enter, but Rina could feel the power pulsing off of Lord Farin as he stood just past the threshold. Fear rushed up within her, threatening to make her cower, but she refused to do that anymore. Cowering had led to her brother’s death and she refused to act like a deer cornered by a mountain lion anymore.
4
Arlen
“Farin, please come in,” Arlen said. “Dorn, will you help Rina settle in?”
“No,” Rina and Lord Farin said at once.
Rina’s response had him spinning to face her. He would have protested her quiet no, had Farin not spoken, too. He didn’t want to make her explain what she had been through over and over again. He hated the distant look she got every time something reminded her of her brother.
