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The leader fae led us farther and farther into the city, and I felt like we were on display. Eyes watched us, judged us. I’d even seen adults pushing their children away, as if we were a threat or wanted to cause them harm.
It was unnerving.
By the time we were led into what I could only describe as the mother of all trees—it was so wide, I could hardly see from one end to the other and so tall, its leaves touched the clouds—I was sure my eyes couldn’t possibly widen any further. I was wrong, though, because when we were led inside the tree, they did.
The fae had carved out a very, very large room—a hall—that could’ve easily rivaled my father’s throne room in size, and from where I stood, I could see hundreds of stairs running up and down the height of the tree. There were holes in the walls. It took me a moment to realize they were doors and windows to more rooms.
Outside, I’d seen green leaves on the high branches. How had they carved out such a palace and still let the tree live?
Did the fae commune with nature? Were they able to use their magic in such a way?
I hoped we’d find out.
I hoped we weren’t being led to a prison—or worse, an execution.
I flinched when the thought entered my mind. I couldn’t, wouldn’t, let Braz and Florin pay for my sins. I was the reason they were here. My magic was the culprit.
Even if my vessel felt empty with this fae net attached to my skin, I’d find a way to free my lovers… if it came to that.
Many heads popped out of the holes to watch us as we crossed the expanse of the hall. It made me squirm.
“Grandfather,” the leader fae holding Florin said as he pushed Florin to stand beside me. Braz was pushed to my other side. “We found these three wandering our forest. A mage, an orc, and this one smells of fae.” He nodded toward Florin.
“Half-orc,” I murmured, but no one paid me any mind because a fae with horns bigger than any I’d seen yet stood from where he sat with a group of young-looking fae. The young ones were hanging on every word as the big-horned fae spoke to them for another minute before walking toward us.
The young ones remained where they were, and as the old fae moved closer, I examined him. He had the same build as the leader fae, but his skin was wrinkled in places, and he had far more piercings on his face. His septum, the bridge of his nose, his eyebrows, and lips were pierced, and he had so many piercings on his ears I couldn’t quite count them. His chest was covered with a sleeveless shirt, so I couldn’t see all of his blue markings, but he had many on his arms and neck. Perhaps they were tattoos?
When he moved over to our group, all the fae in our party crossed one arm over their chests and bowed their heads. Maybe this was their king?
It was at that very moment that I realized I had zero idea about the fae and their culture. Should I try to bow the way they had? Or would mimicking them be considered disrespectful? Should I stand my ground and pretend I wasn’t terrified, or would it be better to act meek and timid, or perhaps strong and uncaring? I had no idea what to do, so I looked to Braz and Florin, both of whom were standing tall despite being tied up. I followed suit and silently wished I could get this net off me. It was starting to make my skin itch, and I really wanted to move more than just my feet.
“Jedrek,” the old fae said with a smile before pulling our party’s leader into a hug. Jedrek, the warrior fae—there was no doubt in my mind that was what he was—embraced his apparent grandfather back.
The two parted, and the old man finally glanced at the three of us. “I’m Romulus Wranrel, an elder of the fae. Welcome to my home.” He opened his arms, gesturing to either the palace-like tree—or the entire city, I couldn’t be sure but didn’t think it much mattered at this point. “Now, what are an orc, a mage, and a fae doing in my forest?” He turned his laser-like eyes on Florin. “Andwhomight you be, little one?”
He was the second fae to call Florin that, and it made me frown. Florin wouldn’t appreciate being taunted for his size. He was just as strong—stronger—than most everyone I knew.
“My name is Florin,” my sweet friend said, but before he could continue, the elder held his hand up to stop him from speaking.
“All will be clear in time.” The elder—Romulus—pulled a dagger from his belt and walked toward Braz. He quickly and swiftly cut Braz’s biceps before any of us understood his intentions.
I yelled and started struggling against the net. Someone held me in place as I wiggled and screamed, but the net was too taut and strong, and the arms around my waist held me tightly. Florin struggled beside me, but he was similarly held by another of our captors.
“I’m okay,” Braz said to us. “Calm down.” The worry in his voice made me take a breath. I didn’t want to make this harder for any of us, and it was clear he was struggling. He wanted to protect us. He wanted to help.
But none of us could get out of our restraints.
The elder brought the bloodied blade up close to his lips and whispered, “Tell me your secrets.”
A strange wind blew through the room around us, and something that sounded like bells tinkled in the air. It only took me a few seconds to realize the sound was coming from… from Braz’s blood.
Romulus straightened with a nod. “A half-orc, then. You have a good heart.”
He moved over to stand in front of me, and both Braz and Florin yelled. Braz managed to make it three steps before his guards stopped him, but the elder didn’t even blink in his direction. He simply stepped forward, sliced my arm between the net’s openings, and stepped back, whispering to the blood again.
The same thing happened with the wind and bells, and then the elder said, “Mage. A king’s son. How curious. You also have a good heart. Strange, considering your heritage.”
My eyes widened at the ease with which he’d discovered my most guarded secret. What kind of magic did the fae possess? How strong were they?
