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Without giving it another thought, I emptied the liquid into my mouth. My chest and belly warmed as it slid down my throat. It was even tastier than I could’ve imagined. A blend of lemon and chamomile that instantly relaxed my nerves.
Minerva set her cup down. “How is it, my dear?”
“It’s delicious. I’ve never known tea to have such flavor. Normally, it tastes like dirty pond water, but this?” I took another sip. “I could drink it all day.”
She reached across the table, placed her hand on mine, and smiled. “It’s an ancient recipe. I can try to find it for you if you’d like.”
I opened my mouth to tell her how much I’d like that when she interrupted me and asked, “Have you ever had your palm read?”
Talon and I shared a look, taken back by the sudden change of subject.
“I’m sorry, it’s one of my many specialties,” Minerva continued. “And I’d be delighted if you allowed me the honor of reading yours while you’re here.”
It never interested me—tarot, crystals, palm readings—it all seemed nonsensical. However, that was before arriving in Faerway and experiencing all the magic. Before learning all the stories were true. It was hard not to be slightly curious now, if only to not offend her.
“Yes—I mean, no. No, I’ve never had a palm reading. I’d love that.”
Butterflies swarmed my stomach as she pulled my hand toward her and unraveled my fingers, running hers along my palm.
“Ah yes. A nice, strong headline, just as I suspected. You’re wise—bullheaded even.” She chuckled, pointing to the line that ran directly under my index finger. “This line here, your heart line, indicates you can be quite ruthless and impulsive. This will be your downfall—you’ll need to be careful.”
I sucked in a breath. My downfall? I didn’t like the sound of that. However, she continued, running her fingers along mine, observing, and pressing the skin on my palms to get a better look. Her face gave nothing away as she twisted and turned my palm up and down and over, checking every angle.
“Yes, you have much to offer, my dear,” she went on. “With much luck and love on your side. You’ll be powerful because of this—almost unstoppable, but not without its challenges and sorrow. Your future is bright but also filled with darkness, my dear. Hold on to the light so it doesn’t consume you.”
Minerva released my hand, and I pulled it into my lap, wringing my fingers together. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to feel about any of that. My downfall. The darkness that could consume me. My head ached as I mulled over her words, trying to find a semblance of comfort but feeling short of nothing.
Talon cleared his throat. “Well, as touching as this moment is, can you help us or not, Minerva? We must get back on our journey.” He leaned back in the wrought-iron chair and stretched his legs. Despite the size of the kitchen, his tall frame took up most of the space—the room shrinking around him. His eyes never left hers as he continued to clean his fingernails, the sharp, polished blade a promise that he’d be leaving with that vial one way or another.
Minerva glowered at him and clicked her tongue. A wicked gleam shone in her eye as she turned her attention back to me. “Always in such a rush, this one. Fae have endless time and yet no patience. Riddle me that one.”
Talon rolled his eyes.
She stood from the table, holding up the body of her dress as she twirled and swayed through the kitchen—stopping when she reached a shelf of labeled bottles, varying in different sizes. She ran her fingers along each one before plucking out a small purple vial, no bigger than her thumb.
“Here we are, the nightingale elixir,” she sang. “An elusive remedy that can kill as quickly as it can cure. Three and a half drops every hour for one day and not a second sooner.”
My skin went cold as she placed it in my palm, turning it.
“I think this should cover it.” Talon reached into his pocket and pulled out a cloth bag and tossed it in the center of the table.
“Oh, no, no. Your coin isn’t necessary. This visit has been far more valuable.” Minerva took my hand. “Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you.” She turned to Talon. “The next time you show up here unexpectedly, I’ll give you a tail.”
A smile curled up his lips, and he touched my elbow, signaling it was time to leave. “It was nice seeing you too, Minerva.”
“Remember what I said, Elowyn,” Minerva said, her touch cold. “Don’t let the darkness consume you.”
Thirty-Six
Zephyr carried us through the inky shadows and deep into the untamed forest as Talon skillfully navigated us around trees and branches. I felt exposed to whatever lurked beyond my sight, the skin crawling on my back. We needed to stop and make shelter somewhere—especially when things like drowlers existed. I shuddered at the memory.
We rode for another hour until we eventually slowed to a trot, coming to a full halt in a circle of trees. “Where are we?”
Talon grabbed my waist as he helped me dismount the horse next, rubbing the side of my arms to warm me. He lifted his chin. “Look up,” he said.
I did what he asked—my mouth gaping open at the sight of the treehouse above. It appeared multi-leveled, with sections of it hidden behind thick hemlocks and a wraparound deck. It was secluded—like our own private oasis—and I basked in the privacy it’d provide from the creatures that wandered the night.
I hummed, turning to Talon briefly before approaching the hanging ladder. “Please tell me we’re going to sleep up there.”
