The Heart Between Kingdoms

by Mary Dublin

  "His Grace doesn't look too pleased about it."

  "I dare say he shouldn't. Maison has a kingdom to manage, let alone whatever idiot scheme Aeron tries to convince him of."

  Brennan frowned, a line forming between his dark brown eyes. Aeron didn't seem to be aware of King Maison's impatience, tired look—or perhaps he didn't care.

  "Maybe," Brennan said, giving Alyssa a wink, "I should bring him news of his granddaughter to lift his spirits.

  He tipped back the last of his red currant wine and spread his wings before his mother could protest. He landed on the wide shelf carved into the branch, nodding respectful greetings to the noblemen as he passed.

  Growing close to the king, however, Brennan's strong stride faltered. A few seats away, he could hear bits and pieces of Aeron's conversation with disturbing clarity. The tension in the air hit him like a wall.

  "Our alliance with the humans can be so much more," Aeron was urging Maison, leaned close to his golden seat. He was trying to be furtive, and doing a terrible job of it.

  Maison did not turn his face away, eyes hard. "My own daughter is one of them! My granddaughter. You ask me to turn on my own blood?"

  "Those weren't my exact words."

  "And yet they ring true." King Maison raised a brow.

  Aeron growled in his throat. "You'll damn the future of Evrosea with your lack of vision. How long can we survive in secret, cowering in the trees? Don't you long to fly freely in the sun?"

  Brennan held his breath along with the other fairies at the high table. He hadn't dreamed that Aeron would be speaking of something so extreme, but he made no move to intervene, not while the king looked so furious.

  "In what way are we suffering?" Maison demanded. "You suggest that we plunge ourselves into danger for a worthless cause! We will not stoop to the level of the wild fae, calling forth the attention of humans who would use us, destroy us."

  "Not if we make our power known," Aeron insisted. "If you simply consider the benefits—"

  "Benefits?" Maison's voice was nearly at a roar. "Are you truly foolish enough to believe that all humans would react with submission to being threatened with magic?" He shook his head and caught sight of Brennan, eyes narrowing. "Brennan. Come forward."

  It took a moment for his legs to respond. "Your Majesty?"

  "You've experienced firsthand what can happen when fairies are discovered by dishonorable humans, have you not?"

  Brennan gave a start. Truly, he had been thinking of Tessa and her predicament, alone with malicious humans day in and day out. His own experience hadn't even crossed his mind until then. Before he could answer, Aeron was trying to rally Brennan to his side.

  "No one is closer to our human allies than you, Brennan," Aeron said. "Surely you can agree that the crown of Mirrel would support us, should we make ourselves known."

  A scowl overtook Brennan's uncertain frown. "Putting them in such a position is the absolute last thing I want."

  He had never seen Aeron look so outraged before. Apparently, neither had half of the feasting fairies at the lower tables. One by one, more heads turned in their direction.

  "We've never had an opportunity such as this! To have humans in power willing to serve our cause."

  Brennan scoffed, his indignance making him forget that he was speaking before the king. "Mirrel doesn't serve us, don't be ridiculous!"

  "They wouldn't decline us, should we pose the proper argument," Aeron said, giving Maison a pointed glance. The king moistened his lips, eyes fluttering shut as if to pray for patience as Aeron went on. "Are you both really so small-minded? How long have we been at the mercy of humankind? You want to add another century to that score?"

  Brennan glared fiery daggers into the fairy lord's chest. "You don't even know what you'd be asking of them! Daniel's staked his title—everything he has—on our secrecy. And Esmae…"

  "Our dear Daniel is just one man," Aeron interjected. "You're not thinking big enough, boy."

  "And you're not thinking at all, my lord. Have you taken into account the amount of bloodshed that would result from trying to get the upper hand? I don't know what's more alarming—that you haven't stopped to think about the inevitable cost, or that perhaps you have."

  Aeron's expression darkened dangerously. "It would serve you well to not show such insolence—"

  "I'm afraid insolence is the only thing I can show when you speak of dragging my friends into your foolish scheme."

  "How dare you—"

  "Enough!" King Maison snapped, drawing himself up to his feet. His wings were rigid, practically vibrating in anger. "We will not expose our kind. Believe what you may, Aeron, but what you call cowardice, I call sanity. I'm not interest in domination when our people live lives of plenty. I am not going to put lives at risk for the sake of some foolish power-play." Maison stayed his gaze on Aeron's, dark almond eyes commanding and pleading all at once. "We live independently, safely, because we choose to. Do not mistake that for being at the mercy of humankind, Bogdan."

  Aeron stretched out an arm as if to reach for the king. But even he wasn't so foolish as to lay a hand on Maison when he was in such a state. The tables below them were stale in their silence, watchful eyes of noble fae and their servants all fixed on the king and Lord Aeron and—to Brennan's horror—himself, as well.

  "Your Majesty, please forgive my tone," Aeron murmured. "I only meant—"

  "Are you deaf? I won't hear you speak of this again. Am I clear?" Maison snapped, eyes flashing under dark, furrowed brows. "I don't want to strip you of your title, Bogdan, but if you don't stop blathering like a beast, you'll leave me no choice!"

  Aeron Bogdan turned bright pink in the face when the king's voice rang out for all to hear. Even his personal servants, garbed in the elegant teal color that he favored, averted their gaze out of embarrassment and seemed to shift more into the shadows.

  "It won't happen again," Aeron said in a low, modest voice. "I only wish to serve Evrosea."

  King Maison did not begrudge the apology an answer and remained a stony statue for an uncomfortable amount of time. Brennan almost flinched when he suddenly looked over to him and found himself subject to that intimidating glower.

  "Come with me," the king muttered, pushing away from the table. "I'm quite finished with dinner."

  It took his legs a moment to remember how to work. Brennan gave his wings a light flap to regain to the ground Maison had already covered, then set off matching his pace.

  All the while, he could feel Aeron Bogdan staring ice cold daggers into his back.

  Brennan turned the corner, following the winding path created by a branch of the massive palace tree. The smooth crystal pattern inlaid to the wall winked rainbows at him, but the familiar sight wasn't comforting. Aeron's glare was off his back, but the king's anger latched onto the air itself, more intimidating than the nobleman could ever hope to be.

  "My apologies if I spoke out of turn," Brennan said, bowing his head when Maison came to a stop, a flinty look in his eyes. "But I'm afraid I can guarantee it will happen again if he continues to speak of using Esmae and Daniel and Avie like pawns."

  "You did rightly."

  Brennan blinked. "Er—thank you, sire."

  Maison nodded, distracted as he began to unfasten his heavy golden cloak. It came off in a brilliant swirl of light and color, immediately plucked up by a servant when he held it out.

  "Aeron is lucky," the king growled, lifting the ornamental crown from his head. "That I don't consider having his wings clipped for talking of my daughter in such a way. Just because she's changed doesn't mean she's not still a part of this kingdom."

  It sounded strange when he said it aloud, but Brennan understood his meaning. "Esmae is a part of you still," he offered.

  The crown was taken by another fairy who bowed deeply before striding off to have it cleaned and stored properly. Maison sighed when the room cleared, some of the anger replaced by a familiar wistfulness. "Yes. She always will be.
But matters of my heart aside, trying to claim a triumph over the human kingdoms…"

  "It's a shitty idea," Brennan said with a scoff.

  The king chortled. "That's putting it generously."

  "If he's smart, this will be the last anyone hears of it." Brennan pushed his hand back through his hair, wishing he had stayed in Mirrel. But then, he wouldn't have seen firsthand the trouble Aeron stirred up. His peaceful night would have to wait.

  "Is something troubling you?" the king inquired. "You seem to have been in a trance since arriving this evening."

  Brennan clenched his jaw. "Yes. I've been troubled by the severity of Aveline's nightmares. Aeron went to see her for himself this morning, and that didn't make it any better."

  He felt vile. The news of Tessa's existence threatened to burst out, but held his composure. He wasn't lying, but he wasn't being completely honest, and it was enough to make his gaze skirt away. All he needed was more time to convince Tessa she had nothing to fear from Evrosea. The thought of her being interrogated didn't sit well with him.

  "I suspected as much," King Maison said, his thoughts too preoccupied to suspect Brennan wasn't telling the whole truth. His expression darkened and demanded that Brennan not look away. "I don't want him near Aveline again. Do you understand? If you catch wind that he so much as flies in Mirrel's direction, report it to me immediately."

  "Yes, Your Grace."

  The king took a seat by a fire that rotated in the center of the soft-lit chamber. The flames went from lavender to a pale cerulean, and though tongues of heat licked the ceiling, no scorching was left behind.

  "What was he doing with my little Avie this morning? Lady Alyssa told me you were there, too."

  The corner of Brennan's mouth turned up. Little somehow remained an apt description for Aveline despite the fact that she could hold her royal grandfather in one hand.

  "I'm afraid it's my doing, Your Grace," Brennan admitted, shoulders slumping. "Aeron overhead my concern for Aveline, and insisted on seeing the progress with her gift. He didn't mention anything to you?"

  "His interests were very single-minded tonight."

  "He claimed only wanted to look at her. Esmae wouldn't let him do anything magical, with Avie's human heritage."

  "Wise," Maison hummed, frowning deeper. "I'm not sure what's changed in Aeron these past years. We must tread carefully."

  "Of course." Brennan folded his arms and regarded the flames. He wrestled within himself, wondering if he should hold his tongue, but he was already withholding more honesty than he could bear. "I certainly wouldn't invite any healers that Aeron would want to send, but perhaps it isn't too outlandish to consider that Avie can handle a dose of magic. After all, the strength of her powers exceeds that of a standard fae child by now. I'd be surprised if a little glamour was even remotely dangerous to her."

  The king didn't appear as readily against the idea as Esmae, but his response deflated Brennan all the same. "It's neither mine nor your decision to make. If these nightmares persist, I'll talk to Esmae myself about taking action."

  Reluctantly, Brennan dropped the matter. "Other than her nightmares, she's quite happy. Learning to read and write." A fond smile eased the brooding look from his face. "She showed me a family portrait she drew just the other day, with you included."

  Some of the weariness was eased from Maison's face, the edges of his neat beard twitching upward. "I'd like to see that. It's been too long since I had a proper afternoon with my girls."

  "A king has endless demands," Brennan sympathized.

  "As does a father. Remind me to arrange a luncheon in the Sapphire Brook meadow the day after next. Heaven knows the fresh air will do them good after being cooped up in that stone box for days on end."

  Brennan stifled a small laugh and readied to leave, but the king cocked his head to the side, catching his eye.

  "Is there something else troubling you, Brennan?"

  He thought of Tessa, standing there in that beautiful gown with her ruined wings and haunted gaze. It was tempting to break his promise to her, if only for her own good. She couldn't possibly stay in the castle forever.

  No fairy could live out their days alone.

  "No, Your Grace. Nothing."

  "I'm just fine staying here," Tessa protested, fuming from repeating herself. "You go, if you must. Stretch your wings. I don't need you to watch me every second."

  The bottom shelf of a bookcase near the fireplace had become her temporary lodgings. The handmade mattress she and Brennan had retrieved sat in the very corner of the shelf, and books had been arranged into something of a small chamber to give her privacy. It was a closest thing to a bedroom she'd had in years, and Brennan wanted to whisk her away from the safety of it.

  He looked at her exhaustedly, leaning against the side of the shelf. "You can't truly want to spend all hours of the day in here."

  "Why not? There's plenty of room."

  "But you must get bored," he said plainly. "Esmae says you hardly made a move from here all night. Hardly spoke a word."

  Tessa crossed her arms. "I thought my safety was the priority. Not how social I am."

  Brennan made an impatient noise. She was learning very quickly that while he was skilled at holding his tongue when he had to, hiding how he felt was much a more difficult task.

  "Daniel and Esmae are entertaining the court right now," he said, sounding far too smug. "No one to really hold a conversation with, hm?"

  "You're here."

  He ignored this, persistent. "What do you have to be worried about out there other than some furniture?"

  Tessa sighed, pushing her hands through her long hair. "Just because you can get used to these giant lodgings doesn't mean I can."

  She expected another smart answer, or a derisive chuckle. When Brennan stayed quiet, Tessa raised her head quizzically to give him a frown. The lean fairy seemed to wrestle within himself for a moment, something flickering behind those dark mahogany eyes. He padded closer to her, holding out his hand. She noticed for the first time, the calluses that covered his palm and faint scars crisscrossing under his bracers.

  Not quite so pampered for a king's advisor, I suppose.

  "Come on, I'll escort you," he said.

  The offer was kind, but she leaned away from him with immediate suspicion.

  "What?" Brennan asked in bemusement. "It's not a trap."

  "That's just what someone would say if it was a trap," Tessa remarked.

  Brennan bowed his head, shoulders shaking with a soft chuckle. "Yeah, I guess so."

  He made a reach for her anyway. The moment his hand closed around hers, Tessa lost her will to argue. She could feel the strength in his grip, the heat pulsing from his skin into hers.

  "You're freezing," he mumbled.

  Brennan looked from their hands to her face, his face screwed up in surprise. Tessa was saved the trouble of answering when the door to the king's chambers was thrown open and a set of excited and very human footsteps charged inside. Yanking herself away from Brennan, she shrank into the corner of the low shelf as the heavy steps tramped towards the hearth—towards her.

  A wave of delightful anticipation that was not her own mixed with the fear coursing through her veins, making her shiver in surprise. She realized what the feeling meant just before the footsteps ended with a louder thump of the human dropping down to the floor right outside the shelter of the bookcase.

  "Uncle Brennan!" Aveline greeted gleefully, cocking her head to see into the shadows of the shelf. As it was, Tessa could only see a sliver of the girl's face beyond the books. "What's Tessa doing?"

  "Overreacting," he muttered.

  "She's what?"

  "Nothing, Avie. She's right here." He gave Tessa a pointed look over his shoulder that willed her out of the corner.

  She stepped closer to the light once she was certain Aveline had come alone. The little girl lay on the ground, her chin resting on her hands. "Hello, Princess," Tessa said, allowing herself to
smile at those innocent blue eyes.

  Those eyes, however, became murky with guilt, and Tessa soon felt it in the air as well. Aveline pouted. "Were you hiding? I scared you again, didn't I? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

  "Think nothing of it, Princess," Tessa said before Aveline could dwell on it. "I'm just… jumpy."

  Beside her, Brennan snorted as if jumpy was too weak a word. To her relief, he chose to hold back any quips and focused on Aveline instead. "You came in here like a whirlwind. What's gotten into you?"

  The princess opened her mouth and a bark ripped through the air. Tessa and Brennan went rigid as Aveline twisted away from them and all at once, a furry black snout pushed into the bookcase. Hot breath and sharp teeth glinted in the low light.

  "Samson, wait!" Avie shrieked.

  Unthinking, Tessa screamed and cowered into Brennan's chest. He moved fast, flinging them both to the opposite wall, far out of reach of the snapping jaws. Tessa peeked out over his shoulder as the entire shelf gave a shake. Aveline's hands shot forward, grabbing hold of the snapping dog and pulling it to her cheek with a frown. Against her, the dog looked perfectly tiny.

  "It's alright, don't be scared! It's just a puppy! He won't hurt you."

  The air rippled with the princess' well-meaning implores. But as if resilient to the feeling, Brennan hugged Tessa a little closer to himself, his breathing labored. "A puppy?" he echoed incredulously.

  She caught Brennan's eye from where she was tucked under his chin. Scowling at her own skittishness, Tessa hurriedly untangled herself from the taller fairy with an utterance of get off me and peered past the wooden overhang.

  "It's… trained, Princess?"

  "Well," Aveline said, cocking her head at the furry little mutt. "Not exactly. He's only a few weeks old, I don't think you can train them yet."

  "I don't think it's a good idea, Avie," Brennan announced in a stern voice. "To have that thing around us."

  Aveline's face fell, and Tessa pushed past Brennan. Magical influence or not, she couldn't bear to disappoint that innocent face.

  "Can you hold it still for us?" she asked.