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"He's none other than the great Ryzellius Dravenstone. High Lord of the Winter Court himself."
Vayne’s words sank in a full minute after they left his lips.
"High Lord of the Winter Court," I echoed. "You're—"
"One of the four most powerful Fae in the world," Tavian said. He seemed more matter-of-fact than impressed. But then again, he already knew.
Ryze shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it over the back of a chair. "That's more or less accurate. What do you know of the courts?"
"I know there are four," I said slowly. "One for each season: winter, summer, spring and autumn. Each one has some kind of affinity with their season."
Ryze pressed a thumb to his lower lip. "It's more like an affinity with the season's magic, but close enough. I can manipulate ice and snow, but I like to be as warm as the next man." He cast a sly glance toward Zared, as though to remind him about the last time we talked about warmth. As if it wasn't only minutes ago and didn't earn Tavian Zared's animosity.
Zared glared at him, but turned back to face the window.
"That's how you were able to make a portal from ice?" I guessed.
With a start, I realised I was having a casual conversation with a man who was basically a king. A king with magic.
"Should we be calling you my lord, or something like that?"
Both Tavian and Vayne snorted laughs.
Ryze looked pained. "Please don't. At least not when it's just us, like this. In front of my court, High Lord is the correct term, or Lord Ryzellius. There's no need for formality otherwise. Although, maybe I should reconsider how Vayne and Tavian address me, since they don't display a great deal of respect for me." He peered around me toward them, but seemed more amused than chastising.
"I'd sooner worship the goddess of little, fluffy ducks than call you High Lord Ryzellius," Vayne told him. "Not unless I have to."
Ryze looked at me sadly. "See what I mean? No respect at all. None."
I smiled. "It's terrible."
"Maybe you should have them strapped," Zared suggested. "Or better yet whipped."
"I would, but I think they'd enjoy it too much." Ryze grinned.
"Then you need to do it harder," Zared told him.
Ryze raised an eyebrow at him. "I don't think I've ever been accused of not doing anything hard enough."
Zared looked disgusted, but Tavian burst out laughing.
Vayne shook his head at the rest of us and grumbled. "I need a bath." He stalked out of the room.
"We all need a bath," Ryze said. "Khala—"
"She's not joining you," Zared snapped.
Ryze looked at him like he was on the verge of tossing Zared out the window. "Not that I owe you any kind of explanation, but first of all, that's up to her, not you. Second of all, I was merely going to show her to her room, and explain how the taps work, if necessary."
To me he said, "I'll have someone organise a change of clothes for you. When we're all clean, we can sit down and eat. I’ll explain everything."
"It's about time," Zared mumbled.
"You want us to stay here?" I hadn't thought that far ahead. I hadn't thought far ahead at all. Not beyond understanding why Dalyth went after me and my sisters. Or why Ryze and his companions saved us from them.
"Unless you know someone else in Lysarial?" Ryze asked. "There aren't a great many humans in the city." He rubbed his pointed chin. "There are some, but as you might imagine, they're as welcome here as Fae are in human cities. You might find the palace more comfortable for now."
I didn't get the impression we had a choice, so I simply nodded and hoped Zared would go along with it. Better the Fae you know, and all that.
