by Mary Dublin
He had been wrong to believe that it would be any less overwhelming to take in this time.
A small figure broke away from one of the trees to greet them.
Nadine grinned. "Hello, Princess Esmae, Prince Daniel, Brennan." She bowed her head.
Like Brennan, she had been absent from Mirrel since Anglian's arrest. Daniel was quick to recognize her as the fairy who'd played a vital role in saving him. He had seen her before that, however, and noticed she was wearing a finer gown than usual. He hoped it was a sign that she had been rewarded in some way for what she'd done.
"I'm so happy to see you've recovered, Nadine," Esmae said.
"It's an honor to see you again," Daniel added with a gracious smile. "I can't thank you enough for your help."
Nadine's pale cheeks turned pink as she shook her head. "Anyone would have done the same," she insisted. Flying back, she beckoned to the three of them. "We must go. The council is expecting you."
The air glittered with fast-beating wings and crystalline lanterns that dangled from high branches like diamonds.
While Esmae seemed to glide between fixtures with a natural grace, Daniel slowed greatly to watch his step. He found himself wishing King Maison would allow him to visit recreationally someday, so he might get a better look at the miniature houses that ribboned around each tree's vibrant trunk. Each one was unique, glowing with warm light from rounded windows. They were polished and carved with ornate designs on their outer walls, the roofs made of tightly bound thatch.
And though he couldn't see them all, he could feel a hundred tiny gazes watching him wonderingly as he passed.
The council was seated on a raised dais upon a large balcony outside Maison's palace. A space had been cleared for the human guests on the lawn. Daniel was used to hard, high-backed chairs and long tables at meetings such as this. It felt strange to talk of such serious matters while seated on the ground like he was picnicking. Though naturally, he kept this thought to himself.
Brennan and Nadine swept away from them once the council was in sight. They joined the other servants milling about platforms in their fine robes. Most of the faces seated around the table Daniel recognized easily, but there was another, younger fairy sitting on the corner. He looked more boy than man, and was practically shaking as Daniel and Esmae approached. It looked as though the fairy next to him was all that was keeping him seated.
King Maison was placed at the center on a higher chair than the rest. His royal blue tunic was belted with a clasp of what appeared to be solid gold. His simple crown sat heavily on his brow, though to Daniel it looked more like a ring that had been repurposed.
All buzzing and murmurs of conversation ceased when the fairy king stood. The prince lowered himself to his knees before the balcony, ducking his head respectfully.
"Good evening, Your Grace."
Esmae gave a polite curtsey before settling down on her knees beside him, her gown flowering out on the grass.
"My Esmae," the king replied warmly. "Daniel. We're very glad you could join us this evening."
"And we're glad to be welcomed to Evrosea once more," Daniel said.
Maison gestured to the end of the table. "Before we begin, I'd like to introduce you to another newcomer to this gathering. Rommen, my brother and the future king of Evrosea."
The young man in the corner went positively still as all eyes turned on him. Daniel could see a faint resemblance to Maison and Esmae, though he carried a severe lack of confidence.
"Uncle," Esmae said gently after a beat of silence. "I'm glad to see you again."
Rommen turned to her, softening almost imperceptibly before giving a stiff nod.
Next to him, a man Daniel remembered as Aeron Bogdan clapped Rommen on the shoulder and smiled at Esmae. "Worry not, Princess. Rommen told me himself he's been looking forward to seeing his niece again."
The king took the floor again. "It is relieving to see you both," he told Daniel and Esmae. "The news of what occurred last week was very troubling indeed. I feared the worst when Brennan returned to Evrosea with his injuries." His expression became slightly more guarded as he focused on Daniel. "I've been assured by Esmae's guardians that no danger will arise in my kingdom due to your captors."
"You and your kingdom have nothing to fear from them," Daniel was quick to assure. "Those men's claims are not being taken seriously."
One of the council women seated on the left side of table made a small noise of disapproval. "Is human deception so common that even claims that hold a grain of truth go unbelieved?"
"Mother!" Brennan blurted indignantly. Though many eyes turned on him, his face stayed set in a hard scowl locked upon her.
"Come now, Alyssa," Aeron said, breaking the tension. "From what I've heard, what those men did was shameful and horrid. Their version of the truth doesn't deserve to be believed."
"He's right," Esmae put in. "Besides, we cannot sit here and pretend that all fae are virtuous. Just as there are dishonorable fae, there are dishonorable humans. Luckily, these ones are in no position to trouble us any further."
The king considered it for a moment before nodding grimly. "In any case, I am relieved that nothing more treacherous occurred."
"We have Brennan, Esmae, and Nadine to thank for that," Daniel said. "Along with one of my most trusted knights, Sir Logan." Shifting his satchel to his lap, he lifted the opening. "I have a small token of gratitude to share with your people, fit for the occasion." He produced a green bottle with a rounded bottom.
"What is that?" Lady Alyssa was the first to question.
Esmae wore a broad grin. "Wine," she said. "A fine one, by the looks of it."
Daniel pulled the cork free and set it aside, rummaging for the glass he had brought with him. "You'll find it's different from the ones you make from red currants or tree sap," he warned as he poured.
"It's less pure, I imagine," Alyssa muttered.
Out of the corner eye, Daniel saw Esmae's hands tighten in her lap. "It's perfectly pure!" she said, perhaps more sharply than intended. "And it's made from grapes."
A murmur of intrigue ran through the table. More than one set of wings fluttered with anticipation as Daniel ever so delicately set down the brimming glass before them. Once his hand was gone, they all leaned forward in their seats, debating amongst each other in whispers.
"I don't want any." Alyssa sat back and folded her arms. She must have been important, Daniel reasoned. She had objected before and she glared daggers at him now, and she didn't give a damn who saw her doing it.
"Your close-mindedness will haunt you one day," Aeron's small voice rang with impatience. He snapped his fingers at a servant and gestured. "Remus! Fetch me a glass."
The servant obeyed with haste, springing into flight so that he could reach over the rim of the cup and dip a fairy-sized glass into the drink. Aeron swirled the wine in his glass, sniffing it deeply before bridging it to his lips. Almost immediately, he went back for a larger swallow of the stuff, and then a gulp. Though he coughed from the strongness of it, he was smiling like a fool.
"This is a gift from the heavens!" he exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table. "Alyssa, you must try some."
"I told you I don't want any!"
But Aeron was on his feet. His paper thin cape swirled as he strode to her jeweled seat and thrust the cup before her. The councilwoman didn't last long under his awful smugness before she seized the goblet and shirked from Aeron.
"If it will shut you up…"
She sipped delicately at the dark wine. Her eyes went wide. She glanced from the crimson spirits to Daniel's face and back again. Her glare eased the slightest amount, but she still managed to sound condescending when she asked, "Is there more where this came from in your kingdom?"
Daniel flashed her a wide smile. "More than you can imagine, I reckon."
After that, Alyssa was much quieter.
Once the wine was passed plentifully amongst the council members and servants, the prince cleare
d his throat to speak again.
"There's another matter I wished to speak with you about, Your Grace," Daniel said, setting his hand on Esmae's leg. "Esmae and I are to be wed in a week—"
"I'm very aware," Maison interrupted, still studying his wine in the light. "My watchers do more than simply indulge themselves in your treats."
Daniel clamped his mouth shut, color rising to his cheeks. Civility aside, he doubted he would ever truly convince the fairy king that he was anything more than the human who had seduced his only daughter away from him. Nonetheless, he continued to try.
He looked to Esmae for encouragement before pressing on. "We'd like you to be there, if you can manage," he finished quietly. "I've drawn up some arrangements that you may find helpful in remaining discreet. I know it would mean everything to Esmae and… It would for me, as well."
Maison raised his eyebrows, giving Daniel a less critical look. "Of course I plan to be there," he said simply.
Daniel felt Esmae relax considerably. Although she had been on fairly good terms with her father since becoming human permanently, she hadn't been able to hide her worry the past few months.
"Thank you, Father," she murmured.
"I wouldn't miss my daughter's wedding," he reassured, then fixed his eyes on Daniel again. "I'm pleased to know that you've honored your promise to me to care for her. But it will still be assuring to witness the human vows that bind you together."
"I consider my word to you just as serious, if not more," Daniel said solemnly.
The fairy king looked rather pleased at that. "Good. There is also the matter of your father. You're to be king soon, are you not?"
Any murmurs that had been passing amongst the servants and council members were silenced suddenly, and every gaze turned to Daniel, the heir to the kingdom beyond the woods. He tried not to look as uncomfortable as he felt. It was inevitable that his soon-to-be rule be brought up, but nothing could prepare him to talk about his father in any way. All he could see was blood, and the weak man who had once been the strongest in his life.
"Perhaps we should discuss this later," Esmae said, laying her hand atop Daniel's.
Daniel shook his head. "No, it's alright." He gathered himself, eyes trailing amongst the fairies. "I am to be king soon. But that won't change a thing in the relations between Mirrel and Evrosea, as far as I'm concerned. Secrecy will remain a priority to ensure that Evrosea continues living in peace. Your people have aided me in the past and in these recent days. King or not, I am still indebted to you. I won't forget that."
King Maison inclined his head agreeably. "You're a good man," he admitted. "Until these public rumors of our ties disappeared, we'll have to take more extreme measures of discretion."
"Of course."
Aeron was on his third glass of the strong wine, though it seemed to have little effect on him. "I, for one, look forward to the strengthening ties. It seems that good can still come of this blossoming peace between us." He glanced down along the table, his smile waning. "Rommen? Speak up, boy. Don't you have anything to say to His Majesty?"
The boy blustered, horrified to have been brought under speculation. "N-no, I er… I can't say that I do." He ducked his head, staring hard at his lap.
Daniel frowned, unable to help but feel sympathy for Rommen. Not only because of his all too noticeable skittishness of humans, but because he was suddenly expected to take part in something he had never pursued. He likely never expected to inherit the crown. Daniel was raised his entire life knowing he was to be king, yet apprehension still crept up on him constantly.
Though the boy didn't lift his head, Daniel chanced a kind smile in his direction. "You know, Rommen, I have nothing but respect for you accepting the future rulership of Evrosea. Believe me when I say that I understand how daunting it can be."
Rommen didn't look up until Daniel finished speaking. His eyes were still wide and terribly unsure, but he seemed to actually be considering Daniel's words instead of being intimidated by his voice alone.
"I-I suppose you would know what that's like," he managed to stammer out. He paused for a long beat, losing his nerve and looking away, though he made himself speak again. "I'm sorry about your father. I know what that's like, too."
Daniel was slightly stunned for a moment, though touched that Rommen had mustered up the courage for that. "Thank you," he said with a slow nod.
From there, the boy seemed less ready to bolt out of his seat as the summer's end meeting proceeded. Perhaps it was because he finally spoke and nothing horrific happened, or because Aeron continued calling on servants to refill Rommen's wine.
Whatever the case, Daniel was relieved that the attention of the gathering shifted away from him and Esmae to focus on other matters in Evrosea. He could still feel stares, some more disapproving than others, but there were no arguments. No outbursts bringing his integrity into question.
For the time being, he was more than content to have Esmae relaxed by his side, and to be nothing more than an observer in the world he was still a newcomer to.
Chapter
Nine
"It's a fine piece, I suppose. For a human's hands."
Brennan scowled and snatched back his badge from his mother's hands. "Some of our own worked on it too. Fairies, Mother."
Lady Alyssa watched distastefully as he fixed it to the front of his tunic. "Even still… You're not going to strut about our kingdom wearing his crest, are you?"
"Why not?"
"It gives people the wrong idea."
He laughed, if only to mask his groan. He stood from the bench and paced to the edge of the palace balcony, his boots nearly soundless on the mossy wood. "You insult Evrosea as well as your own son now. Must you really spoil my happy ending?"
"I'm determined to keep you alive," she countered. "Which is more than I can say for you. What happened with those bandits…"
He was spared the rest of her lengthy and overbearing wisdom when a hum of descending wings came near enough to startle them. Lord Aeron Bogdan himself glided down and landed lightly on his feet before them. His night-glow, a brilliant green that matched his eyes, faded as he approached. Brennan took another step back towards the edge in surprise. He searched in the fairies flying overhead for any of his personal guards or servants. It was so strange to see Bogdan alone.
"Brennan! I was hoping to catch you before you left."
"But I'm not leaving. I don't live in Mirrel, m'lord. What do you need?"
"My boy, don't look so nervous," Aeron said, pounding him heartily on the shoulder.
Twisting away, Brennan tried to mask his wince with a smile. "Careful. The flight to Mirrel and back isn't the most forgiving on my wings, given what happened."
"Apologies. I wanted to congratulate you. I hear you're the chief advisor to Prince Daniel now."
Crossing her arms, Lady Alyssa scowled. "A conflict of interest, if you ask me," she muttered.
"Not if we manage to align our interests," Aeron pointed out, eyeing Brennan appraisingly. "What a unique situation you're in."
Brennan smirked. "Not half as unique as Esmae marrying him in the first place, if you think about it. I appreciate your congratulations all the same."
Aeron nodded distractedly and said, "How far would you say he'd be willing to go for you?"
"Er… I beg your pardon, m'lord?"
"Why, you practically saved his life, did you not? He's indebted to you."
Unable to bear the uncomfortable silence for more than a few seconds, Brennan chuckled tightly. "They weren't planning to kill him to begin with. Even if I thought they were at first, rewards and favors were the last thing on my mind. They still are."
Aeron bobbed his head in understanding, but his piercing green eyes seemed faraway. "But he's fond of you. He trusts you with his own kingdom. I'll bet there's nothing he wouldn't do for you, is there?"
Brennan stood at attention as Aeron took it upon himself to straighten the shoulders of his tunic. His strong fingers b
rushed over the badge Daniel had given him, perfecting that as well. Aeron was impressively tall—well over six and a quarter inches—and towered over Brennan at present. He felt cornered, even as the fingertips remained feather light on his person.
"I'm not sure I understand your meaning," he replied carefully, eager to ignore the pit in his stomach.
Aeron pulled his hands away, eyes flickering towards Lady Alyssa. Brennan wondered, if his mother hadn't been present, if the fairy lord might've had more to say.
"Yes, well… Perhaps now isn't the best time to speak, hm? Regardless, Brennan, this is historic. I think we'll all benefit from your hard work." Aeron clapped him on the shoulder again and Brennan bit his lip to keep from cursing in pain. "Keep it up, lad."
"Don't encourage him," Lady Alyssa interjected.
Aeron Bogdan chuckled, looking only the more joyful as Alyssa leveled a thin lipped scowl at him.
"Always a pleasure to see you, Alyssa."
Brennan watched, standing back beside his mother, as the fairy lord spread his grand wings and flicked them hard. He soared into the air and disappeared into the sunlit branches.
"That was strange," he said, the moment the man was out of earshot.
"Don't you dare let his flattery go to your head."
His mother took him gently by the arm. She was pulling him towards the nearest crystal-panes door in the trunk of their tree. Though he knew she was aiming to distract him with a cup of elderberry tea, Brennan allowed himself to be escorted out of the sun.
After everything that had happened, home was a welcoming sight.
Summer skies were soon replaced by a sheet of grey. The grey today brought chill and gentle rain, but Esmae was determined to enjoy the fresh air regardless. While Daniel's days had grown more chaotic in days leading up to his eventual coronation, hers had grown emptier. Though she missed the long afternoons they used to spend curled up in the library or meandering the castle gardens, she understood that things had to change.