Shame flickers inside his golden eyes, and he sighs. “It’s just a letter from an old acquaintance. Truly. Nothing nefarious.”
I cross my arms, resembling little Thicket as I tap my foot against the floor.
Tegwyn steps towards the exit. “I’m going out for a while.”
“When will you be back?” I enquire.
“In a couple of hours. Expect me back by nightfall.”
And then he whisks away like leaves on the wind. I wait only a few moments before I grab my cloak and follow him down the tunnel and out into the blistering cold.
No more secrets.
26
Ivy
IfollowTegwyn’sfreshtracks through the snow, treading carefully so as not to make a sound. Eventually, I come upon a clearing as I hide behind the bushy boughs of a tall spruce.
Tegwyn stands before a pair of ancient trees at the edge of the clearing.They have twisted, spiralling trunks and branches that seem to stretch like arms, and I can’t tear my eyes away. I’ve never seen a more peculiar-looking set of trees. They seemalivesomehow, covered in gnarls and clumps of green moss. There’s definitely somethingotherabout them. Most trees are living in a sense, but these ones appear to be sleeping. One bears the face of an old, bearded man, and a shiver skitters down my spine.
The faerie whispers something unintelligible, and his breath fogs the cold air.
One of the trees awakens, opening a large pair of obsidian eyes, and I cover my mouth before a sound escapes.
The tree. It’s Fae.
It assesses Tegwyn carefully with bottomless eyes, then extends its limbs, intertwining with those of the neighbouring tree once it deems him worthy. The branches twist and creak with the sound of snapping wood, sprouting flowers and vines along the way, and soon a gateway to another world appears. Tegwyn steps through the gate, andI seize my chance. I spring forward, darting through the tree’s branches before it can stop me, and I land on the other side with a thump.
Sharp stone grazes the heels of my palms. The ground is no longer blanketed in snow. Now it’s paved with cobblestone.
I look up from beneath my hood to find myself inside a narrow alleyway with sandstone walls. Tall buildings surround me.
I’m no longer in the forest.
A cacophony of strange voices trickles my way, and I gaze at a street up ahead, spying scores of Fae of various shapes and sizes.
Quickly, I clamber to my feet, keeping to the shadows. Snow dusts my cloak, and I wipe it off, hoping none of those faeries notice the sudden chill. Somehow, I have brought winter to this quiet street, and I must be vigilant.
With a deep breath, I lower my hood, braving a step into the busy thoroughfare. I have to duck around a lumbering troll as it stomps by, nearly crushing me to death.
The Fae here aren’t all so terrifying, though. Some are beautiful and slender with delicate, pointed features and flowing manes of hair. Others have wings, and several possess claws and hooves, and I spy one or two faeries that have horns like Tegwyn. Wisps hum in the air, resembling snow eddies as they flutter beneath the warm light of a lantern, one lit with pure magic. I really have entered a whole new realm.
I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb.
Luckily, no one pays me any heed as they fuss with garlands and streamers. A pair of graceful, lithe women hang red and green bunting across the street, attaching it to the chocolate box houses on either side with glowing orbs of magic.
There’s a trestle table in the centre of the street filled with food, and to my relief, none of the meat appears to be human. It’s mostly chicken, beef, and pork, so I’m safe, for now.
The Fae don’t just like their meat; they have bowls of fruit and grains, too. Are those candied almonds?
My mouth waters, but I know better than to eat faerie food, and I walk on by.
Some of the revelers wear fancy bells and wreaths of holly, and I spot several poinsettias on the table. Of course. I thought the red and green bunting looked familiar…
They’re celebrating Yule. Who would’ve thought that the Fae celebrated the festive season, too? It appears our races have more in common than I realised.
This will be the first holiday season without my parents, and I shut my eyes, keeping the morose thoughts at bay. I mustn’t let my emotions get the better of me.
