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“You just have to let go?” He doesn’t sound overly certain. “Think about your appearance, and decide, consciously, to stop masking it.”
He’s not even finished talking when the strands of hair falling to my chest turn back to that strange hue.
Maybe I’m not that terrible at the whole magic thing, little as I might understand it. He’s right; all I had to do was breathe and just stop being so tense, on guard. And the coppery strands are gone, as if they were truly a disguise hiding my true self, as Ryther said.Hard concept to grasp when I’ve worn it for so long.
After I’m ready, Caenan leads the way out of the large house Ryther called up from the ground. When I finally cross the threshold, I find a blinding sun high up in the sky, on the other side.
I lift my hand, spreading my fingers to protect my eyes. “What the hell?”
It’s winter. It was winter at home, and when Junis brought me from his keep to this place, it was freezing. I even saw some snow along the way. Last night, the weather was icy cold; not enough to harm me, but I certainly noticed the bite of the freezing air, particularly after being dunked in the lake. But now, the heat is blistering, and nearby trees, which I swear were just naked branches casting threatening thorny shadows, are of a luxuriant green, and full of ripe berries.
Was I asleep for an entire freaking season?
“We’re in the Hollow,” Caenan says.
He means it as an explanation, I think, but it makes no sense at all to me.
With a deep sigh, my reluctant guide tells me, “The Hollow’s different from the rest of Ilvaris. It’s the heart of this world—the land doesn’t follow natural laws here. Outside, the seasons have their own rules. The day court is in eversummer, the night and winter courts, in everwinter. The rest of the land is subject to shifting seasons, not unlike those of your world. But here in the Hollow, dawn starts in early spring, it’s summer by midday, autumn in the afternoon, and winter at night.”
I peel the heavy knitwear Ryther gave me off my shoulder, considering what to do with it. I think about bringing it back to the room, but I don’t want to return inside, and give a chance to Caenan to either talk me out of leaving or tie me to a bedpost. I end up knotting it around my hips. If the weather is that changing, I should have layers anyway.
I step out of the shadow of the house, frowning.
The endless fields leading up to the castle nestled between those mountains haven’t changed from when I arrived at the back of Junis’s carriage. They’re still littered with various large tents, but unlike yesterday, they are quiet, desolate. I wouldn’t say deserted; I spot a few men and women in simpler clothing than that of the lords and ladies I’ve seen so far—servants, I think. They’re busy cleaning, sweeping, bringing supplies, or just standing guard.
“Where’s everyone else, nursing a hangover?”
“The lords and ladies are all at the conclave,” Caenan replies.
Making decisions about me behind my back is what he means.
“Look,” Caenan says, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He’s attempting to sound as patient as he can. “I’ve visited the mortal world often enough to understand that someone raised in that chaos wouldn’tcomprehendhow our world functions. I get that.”
I glance up at him in surprise. He’s gone to Earth?
Maybe he can bring me back home…
As soon as the thought comes to me, I remember all the reasons why it’s not an option right now. I’m in a huge mess, and simply returning to my classes, my dingy little apartment, and my concerts won’t fix it. Those people will know where I am. These problems would only follow me back home. And, according to Ryther, put my loved ones in danger.
No, returning home isn’t an option; not until this crazy situation I’m in is sorted.That’s why I need to be there for the discussion.
In the light of day, after a restful night of sleep, the situation seems simpler. There’s no reason why we can’t all be reasonable about this. So, what? My birth mother was queen. Big deal. I can just abdicate, and let them vote for the next ruler, as they were going to. Then I can return home. Forget this entire ordeal.
I’ve already been away for days. How will I explain it to my bosses? My family? Shit, this close to Rachel’s wedding, she’s going tokill me.I’m likely seriously slacking off on bridesmaid duty.
“Well, after you,” I say lightly, not wanting him to change his mind about taking me there.
He gives me a hard look.
Shit.
He read my damn mind. How do I stop that again?
“That’snotgoing to work, Darina,” Caenan tells me, firmly. “You could swear up and down you’ll never take the crown and it will make no difference; so long as you’re alive, you’re a threat. That’s reason enough for the royalists to want you out of the way. Then there’s the matter of lineage. Any child of yours would have a claim.”
“Oh, I’m having children now?” I grunt in annoyance. “Thanks for letting me know.”
I’ve never wanted children. First, because I don’t particularly like them, but also because my body isn’t made to give birth. Many of the doctors who poked and probed me over the years made that clear.
