“Maybe I can peek through,” Tercel responded, shifting his falcon wings in the blink of an eye. He soared above the gated fence. One pass, and then another.
“I could sprinkle you with some pixie dust if you want to take a look yourself,” Farryn offered.
“Pixie dust? What does it do?”
“It can help you fly for a short time. And bring you luck. Humans tend to get a bit dazed when they’re exposed, or euphoric with positive emotion. But you should be fine, given your ancestry. Oh—never mind. Here comes Tercel now.”
“Nothing,” he said, returning to the ground. “The shrubbery is too dense.”
“Thanks for checking,” I said, disappointed he hadn’t uncovered any clues indicating the gate’s purpose.
We strolled for another hour, making a full loop around the island until they’d seen my garden and the cemetery as well. I took the longest possible path back home to the cottage, reluctant to have the night come to an end. My guests followed me back to the cottage door.
“Thank you for the tour,” Farryn said with a smile.
“You really live here all by yourself?” Tercel asked, a small frown on his face. “Doesn’t that get lonely?”
“Yes,” I admitted. “It does. Less so now that I have Nix living here with me.”
Farryn smiled at me with gentle eyes. “Then we’ll have to visit you again soon.”
I blinked, the simple kindness making me unexpectedly emotional. “I’d really like that.”
“It was great to meet you,” she said cheerfully, reaching out for a hug goodbye.
I instantly stiffened at the contact.When was the last time somebody other than Corvin hugged me?Zorana hugged me next, followed by Tercel. Corvin approached me last. The moment his strong arms wrapped around my body, it finally softened, embracing the contact. We stood like that for a while. A polite clearing of the throat drew us apart. I stepped away, breaking Corvin’s hold. He seemed reluctant to let me go, his arm lingering on mine until the last possible moment.
“Thank you all for sharing a meal with me. And for the company. It was wonderful.”
“It was a pleasure to visit your island,” Zorana expressed.
“I’m sure we’ll be back,” Tercel added. “And if you change your mind about that chicken…”
“Let us know if you need anything,” Farryn seconded, shaking her head at Tercel.
Corvin lingered a moment longer as his friends stepped away from the cottage. “I’ll contact you in the mirror. Kygraw can’t hide it from me forever,” he promised. “And I was thinking, when you return home from Solaris, maybe we could spend some more time together. If there’s anything I can help you with. Anywhere you want to go. I would gladly accompany you.”
“I was planning to distribute some of my moonstones throughout the realm soon,” I replied, smiling up at him. “I would like to find a local jeweler who might take them. How does a trip into Sivell sound? The Whitebridge Marketplace? We could go together?”
“Sounds great.” He grinned back at me, his shoulders dropping. “I’ll be there. Let me know when you return. And safe travels to Solaris.”
“I will. Safe travels to you all as well.”
As my guests took flight into the sky, a blissful sense of contentment took flight within my heart.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Istood in my room, deciding what to bring along for my trip. I pulled all of my tunics out of their drawers and tossed them carelessly onto the bed behind me, spreading them out so I could survey my limited options, though this was made more difficult by Nix casually sprawling his body across them. “Excuse me,” I grunted, dragging a plain brown tunic out from underneath his belly in order to stuff it into my bag. “I need to pack that. You know, you aremuchbigger than when we first met.” Nix curled himself into a tight ball, tucking his head across his front legs as he watched me pack the rest of my belongings.
He let out a soft, concerned growl. “I don’t think it’s wise for you to journey to Solaris alone.”
“I thought we’d been over this,” I reminded him. “King Filvendor promised me his protection.”
“Oh, well, if hepromised,” Nix said with no small amount of sarcasm. “Then you’lldefinitelybe safe.”
“The Fae take their promises very seriously,” I huffed. “Besides, I don’t know how long I’m going to be gone,” I continued as I folded a pair of pants. “I need someone to watch over the island for me while I’m away, in case we have any unexpected guests, or in case Corvin tries to get in touch again.”
“Then you should at least have a backup plan,” Nix advised.
