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Did he really think that? That someone here might try to hurt him?
Standing up, I threaded my fingers through his and pulled him to the door, but Lonan tugged his hand free before we could step into the hallway.
“You’re forgetting something, Oak King.” He picked my crown up off the chest of drawers and brought it over, settling it on my head with a faint smile.
I rolled my eyes, adjusting it. “I don’t have to wear iteveryday.”
“No, but today is the Summer Solstice.” He slid his hands down my chest. His eyes darkened. “And I like you wearing it.”
I chuckled, taking his hand to lead him into the corridor. When we emerged into the front hall of the palace, Lonan led me to the dining room where we found Nua and Gillie finishing their breakfast.
Nua’s big green eyes brightened. “Happy birthday, Ash. And happy Solstice.”
“Thanks.” I released Lonan’s hand to hug my brother when he reached me, Gillie just behind.
The silver-eyed fae slapped me on the back. “Want your gifts, old man?”
I snorted. “Old man. How old areyou,mushroom man?”
He chuckled, picking up a pile of cloth-wrapped gifts from the table. “Still young enough to keep up with your brother’s voracious appetite, don’t worry.”
I cringed, accepting the gift he passed me. “Maybe I should enforce a royal decree stating no one is allowed to make suggestive comments about my brother.”
Gillie shot me a wide fae grin. “Bring it on, king. I’ll just shout them all from the dungeon.”
Shaking my head with a smile, I unwrapped the gift. It was a beautifully embroidered forest-green coat, long and heavy, with a fur trim.
“For when the Bitter Months come.” Gillie slapped Lonan on the back. “Maybe this one will bring the snow with him.”
“Thank you. It’s lovely. Do we not normally get snow here, then?” I asked, running my thumb over the soft suede fabric.
“Not snow.” Nua was picking up another gift. “Frost in the mornings, but it does get cold and grey. Freezing rain.”
Lonan cleared his throat. “How hot does it get in the summer?”
Nua paused, his hand outstretched to pass me the next gift. His green eyes softened as he looked at Lonan carefully. His expression made my stomach clench with worry.
“Very hot.” Nua gave Lonan a sympathetic smile. “August is the hottest month.”
It was already very warm, and we were in late June. I glanced at Lonan as I started unwrapping the gift, but his face was blank, his mask in place. He gave a single nod of acknowledgement.
Nua and Gillie had also gotten me a new pair of lighter summer boots, a book about all the mushrooms on seelie land—Gillie shot me a cheeky grin when I unwrapped that one—and a signet ring stamped with a twisting serpent.
I’d thanked them, but silently eyed that ring with wariness until Nua told me that it hadn’t been the Brid’s. It had belonged to a former seelie king, and she’d never worn it.
I slipped it on my little finger, and Lonan gave me a smile as he took my hand, rubbing his thumb over its face.
“Have you shown him yet, Lonan?” Nua then asked, his voice sly.
“Shown me what?” I asked immediately.
Lonan’s mouth quirked, and he tugged on my hand to lead me out of the dining room, Nua and Gillie following behind.
We went down to the lower level of the palace, the torches already lit down here. After pushing open the door to the drachmsmith’s chamber, Lonan stepped back and ushered me through.
It had been cleaned. The hearth was lit with warm seelie fire, the cauldrons shining like new and stacked neatly to the side. All the cobwebs were gone, the floor swept and washed, and warm gold and deep green fabric had been draped over the stone walls to keep out the chill.
The cupboard and sideboard had been restocked with fresh supplies, and a dark wooden lectern had been brought in.
