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Gage, on the other hand, stood and stepped between the angry man and her chair. “I kindly ask that you keep a civil tongue in your head when you address my mate Dirk Vi’Eirlindol. Your squire is correct, she has only arrived this morning, and aside from seeing the queen, she insisted on meeting you.”
“Another one too young to be taken seriously,” the older man muttered before sitting down. “Well? Sit. Let us see what she has to say,” he ordered Gage, pointing to the chair he had vacated just moments ago.
Gage exhaled slowly and sat back down. Turning to her, his expression softened. “Ask him your questions now, my darling. He’ll be civil if he knows what’s good for him.”
The older man harrumphed. “Go on.”
“Sir, I have only been able to check one of the lighting systems so far, but it was in such amazingly good condition that I insisted on speaking with you before going any further. When my mate told me your family has been protecting and maintaining the lights since the birth of the city, I knew I had to meet you,” she gushed without preamble. “I know I’m young. In fact, I only just came of age last month, but my family were the ones to design the grid, and I’ve been taught all the spells used to create and strengthen the system.” She inhaled and kept going. “The crystals in the main tree were in near perfect condition!” she leaned forward toward the older man. “Were they replaced, or did you fix any fractures that occurred?”
The older fae’s eyebrows were nearly to his hairline as he took in her jumble of rushed words. Slowly, he turned to Gage. “Is she always like this?” he asked, his former bite of hostility diminished.
Gage cleared his throat. “We only met about an hour ago, sir. But, she did just experience eating chocolate for the first time by eating half a dozen brownies,” he explained ruefully.
The older man shook his head. “Nevan, a pot of sugared tea for the young lady. If she doesn’t have a steadily decreasing intake of sugar, she will crash later.”
“Of course, my lord,” Nevan said, looking surprised yet pleased.
“Oh! We brought these,” Zoe said, holding up the box and sachet. “It’s chamomile shortbread and Blessed Chamomile tea. I’ve never had that before either, though my good friend would try to get me to drink it from time to time back in Storm Keep.”
Dirk’s expression went from indignation, to anger before settling on begrudged concern. “Why would a youngster like you need this?” he asked, then waved Nevan over to collect the tea and cakes.
Nevan nodded to her and took the gift away to prepare the tea.
“I was alone all the time after my parents and brother left. Some days,” she swallowed hard. “Some days, it was like the weight of everything was just too much. She’d offer the tea, but I remembered that my parents didn’t approve, so I’d just nap until I felt better.”
“All alone? At the Fire Temple?” Dirk asked.
She nodded. “The council assigned out most of my family to contracts outside of Storm Keep. The temple estate was huge and empty.”
“When was the last time you saw your parents?” Dirk asked.
“Over ten years ago. They weren’t even able to make it home for my coming of age,” she admitted and sighed. “It was a sad little affair.”
“The being alone part, that’s the hardest,” the older fae admitted.
She nodded. “I heard about your family’s loss. I wish I could do more to help, but all I can do is inspect the lights.”
Dirk’s face turned stony for a moment. Then he relaxed when he looked into her eyes. “People need light, my dear. Light can be a source of warmth and hope. I think that’s exactly what the people need most right now. I know it would help me confirm that I didn’t miss something in grieving my nephew.”
Zoe stood and squeezed herself between the older fae and the arm of the sofa where he sat. She took his hand. “You didn’t miss anything! I sent my magic through the central tree, and each crystal was perfectly intact to the point that I thought they were new. You and your family have taken such wonderful care of the grid I feel like I won’t be able to do much.”
Still looking a bit shocked at her actions, he patted her hand where it rested over his. “Our family has an affinity for crystal. It’s why the queen tasked us with maintaining the lights. You, on the other hand, know the magic that gives it life, light, and warmth. Don’t sell yourself short. Others will do that for you, trust you me.”
Nevan came in and nearly tripped when he saw his charge cozied up with their visitor. He quickly schooled his features, though he smiled the entire time. “My Lord, they have brought over treats from the Brick Oven. I know you’ve wanted to try some, as young Master Peter owns the establishment.” He placed the tray down on the table before handing a poured cup to Dirk.
The older fae scowled and jerked his head toward her, indicating that she was to be served first. Nevan immediately switched to serve her.
“Peter, huh?”
Zoe accepted the cup from the squire and looked up at Dirk. “He gave us the tea for you and told us to tell you that he was thinking of you and that you weren’t always a mean old bastard,” she explained before lifting the shortbread off the plate.
Gage covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes dancing.
Nevan froze in handing the second cup of tea to his charge, and Dirk himself barked a short laugh. “Lies. I’ve always been a mean bastard.”
“I think you’re quite lovely,” she admitted.
“Then you better keep that to yourself, missy.”
