The Ryderdim Estate was exactly as I’d imagined it would be. Lush lawns, elegant fountains, and beautiful gardens stretched across their property.
Farther up the winding road, other House estates waited, both House Torleaf and House Messepire within view.
The guards bowed at me, then opened the gates. We strode up the wide drive to the steps to the Ryderdim’s house, and when the door opened, and I introduced myself, the wildling staff member ushered the three of us to a large sitting chambers.
“I shall fetch Lordling Nathaniel as requested.” The wildling bowed at the doorway, then promptly closed it on his way out. The only sound in the room was a clock, hanging near the window, that chimed quietly as we waited.
Ree and I sat on a large sofa, but Kole stayed standing as his attention continually moved around. He was the portrait of a dutiful warrior, and it was hard not to admire the width of his shoulders as he assessed the beautiful artwork on the walls.
“I wonder how long we’ll have here,” I said quietly.
Ree frowned. “Why? Is there somewhere you need to be?”
“No, on the contrary. I’m not sure how long they’ll allow me to stay.” I explained Lady Ryderdim’s disdain of me and recited her scathing words from the other week, forbidding me to befriend her grandson. It was impossible to forget them, but if she objected to our visit, I planned to tell her we weren’t here for a social call but rather to gain information for the crown.
With any luck, she wouldn’t draw objection to that.
By the time I finished explaining, Ree looked appalled, and a chuff came from Kole.
“The lady of this House is a fool to act as though you’re something to fear,” he said in a cold tone.
Ree nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”
I shrugged, then sighed. “Even so, she’s forbidden Nathaniel to befriend me.”
“But we’re not here to make friends with Nathaniel,” Ree replied, and a hint of annoyance filled her tone, “and if his grandmother needs reminding of that, I’d be more than happy to tell her.”
I bit back a smile because Ree had never been one to back down from a fight, but something told me Lady Ryderdim wouldn’t either. I could only imagine the war of words that would ensue if those two got into it.
I rubbed against her shoulder. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Kole stiffened, his attention shifting to the door as his nostrils flared slightly in an inhale. Not even a second later, the door opened.
Nathaniel glided into the room, a smile on his face and his aura brimming. Black hair covered his head, and he wore pressed slacks and a thin crimson sweater. He looked every bit the picture of wealth and privilege.
“Princess Primelle! What a pleasure to see you. I could barely believe it when my staff told me you were here for a visit.” He strode across the room and held his hands out.
I stood and took his outstretched hands, and when the young lordling leaned in to kiss my cheek, Kole’s mouth pinched.
“Thank you so much for seeing us.” I gestured to Ree. “This is a longtime friend of mine, Harrietta Blackthorn, and you remember my Imperial Warrior, Kole.”
Nathaniel barely looked at Kole, but he took Ree’s hands too and made a show of kissing her as well. From the wall, Kole rolled his eyes, and it was such an unusual response from him that I almost laughed.
I feigned a cough to cover it up and said, “I appreciate you taking the time to see us.”
“Of course, I’m always happy to see you.” Nathaniel gestured to the sofa, so we sat, and he lowered himself on a chair across from us. “What can I do for you?”
I beamed at him. “I was hoping I could take you up on your offer to discuss celestial magic more.”
A look of confusion descended over his face, but then he snapped his fingers. “Ah, yes, I told you at your introductory ball that you should stop by to discuss my particular area of scholarly research. Brilliant! I’m delighted that you remembered.” He straightened in his seat, and his eyes lit up with excitement.
“Indeed, and specifically, I was hoping to see if you knew anything about the gods and goddesses in our realm?”
“Of course, which gods are you curious about? They go hand in hand with celestial magic since our universe’s magic is derived from the stars.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” From my bag, I withdrew the book that held the findings Ree had discovered that morning and showed it to Nathaniel. “Do you by chance know anything about this ancient lore?”
He skimmed the text, his eyebrows drawing together. “Interesting. The God of Night and Goddess of Light are not well-known gods, and few fae speak of them.”
