Chapter 7 #2
I realized his offer from a few minutes ago had just been desperation, a bit of hope like a candle in the window at winter solstice.
The Windrose inhaled, then exhaled a long breath. “Rowan, are you of the Autumn Court?”
“Yes,” Rowan said, nodding his chin down until it touched his chest.
“Did you stay in the human realm past the point at which the Autumn Court gave up its claim to the city?” The Windrose had a wooden staff in his hands, even though I was sure it hadn't been there a moment earlier.
“Yes,” Rowan admitted.
“Did you make any attempt to create obligations or negotiate deals with any human or other creature living in the human realm during the time of Winter's dominance?” The Windrose tapped one finger on the head of his staff.
“No,” Rowan said.
The Windrose narrowed his eyes. “Do not lie to me. I can sense a connection between you and August here.”
Rowan looked at me, his expression pained. “He has given me gifts of food, of his name, of his friendship. I feel an obligation toward him.”
Hawthorne hissed, the sound loud in the room, but I couldn't look away from Rowan's tender, open expression. He looked down, forcing his face to stillness.
“I see. August, when did your students begin acting strangely?” the Windrose asked.
I licked my lips, frowning as I tried to think. “A couple of weeks ago, maybe? That was when their assignments started looking worse.”
“Is the date important?” King Hawthorne sneered. “They are mine. I have claimed them; I have trapped them in obligations. Neither you nor King Balsam can make any claim on what I have already acquired, especially as the deal was done during Autumn's ascendance.”
The silence stretched in the room, and the Windrose asked, “Do you think it was done during Autumn's ascendance, Rowan?”
“I think,” Rowan was still staring at the wooden floor, but he glanced to the side, looking once at King Hawthorne, “I think my lord is very aware of the laws that bind us to peace. He would know that if he could not tempt the human children before the Winter Court took power, then there were some blurred lines he might abuse in order to gain his prize.”
Hawthorne hissed again.
The Windrose nodded. “I find myself in agreement. King Hawthorne, you flaunt the rules that keep my court from chaos. You allowed one of yours to live in the human realm, in violation of the treaty. For that, the Autumn Court will pay steeply.” The tension in the room was so thick that I wasn't sure I wanted to move and draw attention to myself.
“Unless you would forswear Rowan? If he was not of the Autumn Court, if he, instead, was of no court, then his presence in San Amaro would not have been a violation.”
King Hawthorne was so still, he looked as though he was carved from the wood of his throne. He glared at Rowan, the expression deepening with each moment.
“Rowan is no longer of my court. He bears no allegiance to me, no affection. I throw him out. Let him wander all of the thousand realms without the protection of my name or fealty to me.” The words dripped with vicious anger, but when he heard them, Rowan gasped, as though he finally had his head above water and could breathe again.
“It is so noted. As Rowan of no court was in the human realm, I can find no fault with the Autumn Court for his presence in San Amaro,” the Windrose said. He raised his staff and brought it down once.
A cold raced into the courtroom, and King Balsam raised his voice to say, “Windrose, this is not—”
“However,” the Windrose said, ignoring Balsam and fixing King Hawthorne with his gaze.
“That does not excuse the temptation of human children during the rule of the Winter Court.
According to the witness, their change in behavior happened during King Balsam's rule, meaning the Autumn Court has violated the treaty. King Balsam, your demands?”
“I would have him yield the children to me,” King Balsam said.
King Hawthorne pulled his lips back from his teeth in a snarl, but I couldn't let it go. “No.”
Everyone turned to look at me, and I flushed at all the attention.
“No. They're my students. They are pups that need my protection.”
“I agree that King Hawthorne will yield the children. But, King Balsam, he was never technically in the human realm to tempt them. Instead, I void any obligation or contract he forged with them. The children are free. He has risked much and gained nothing, losing one of his court in the process.” The Windrose fixed King Balsam with his gaze, and I could feel the tension between them. “Will that suffice?”
“I accept it,” King Balsam said.
“Good.” The Windrose raised his staff again, bringing it down with a thundering bang.
“And while I have everyone's attention, I would warn all of those here to keep clear of those children King Hawthorne enticed with his promises. One of them is my child, and if any harm should come to him, then you have fair warning of my wrath.”
The silence stretched, then the monarchs rose, disappearing into doorways that appeared in thin air, leaving the room empty except for Rowan, me, and the Windrose.
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face, then sat forward, his hands braced on his knees.
He was staring at Rowan. “Rowan of no court, treat this as a gift freely given. But always understand that I am watching, and if you should try to violate the treaty, or harm anyone in the city, I will not be as generous a second time.”
Rowan nodded, his chin jerking up and down. “I understand, Windrose.”
The Windrose turned his gaze to me, and I searched his face, trying to figure out which of the boys was his son. Inside, I swore. This was so much worse than having helicopter parents in my classroom. What was I supposed to do if his kid got a C on a paper?
“Now. Unfortunately, we are all going to have to go to the police station, because that's going to be the easiest place to call parents for pickups and to have someone who isn't me explain… this.” He smiled. “Come on.”
I looked at Rowan, then followed him through the door, finding myself in a noisy police bullpen. Detective King was standing in front of twelve chairs filled with guilty-looking high school students. They gazed up at me, but their expressions were unhappy.
Detective King looked at the Windrose and smiled. “Parents have already been called, and we’re just waiting on them before we can start taking statements.”
I looked over the students, frowning. “Wait, where’s Bastian? Sebastian Rossetti—”
I had just finished saying his name when Bastian walked in, grinning as he ducked his head, a Latina cop ruffling his hair. He had a soda in his hand, and a blonde cop on his other side said, “King, your bad habits have rubbed off on your son.”
The Latina cop grinned, shaking her head. “She's just mad because Zahide couldn't even get him to admit he was in the Far Realm. He just kept saying that he wanted to speak to his guardian and he was invoking his right to silence.”
I blinked, feeling like an idiot. That was why King had wanted to talk to Bastian earlier.
I flushed when Detective King looked over at me.
“Mr. Bright, I wanted to say thank you.” He took a few steps forward, and I planted my feet so I wouldn't move back.
King dropped his voice. “I can't tell you how much it means to me and Parker to know that someone at school is watching out for Bastian. All the kids, really, but… thank you.”
“Really, thanks,” the Windrose—Parker?—said. “Plus, anyone that can quote the rights of minors like that has Nick's appreciation. I always like someone that can stand up to the cops.”
I flushed, stuttering out a few platitudes.
Then I had to have my statement taken by the police, and by the time that was all done, most of the students were gone, disapproving parents sweeping them away, until it was just Rowan and me outside of the police station.
“Well,” I said. “Is that offer of friendship still on the table?”
Rowan was looking at me with something like wonder. He leaned forward, one hand on the side of my face, and when he kissed me, my whole world went white.