Fairies and Wolves
Alex
Raven Hall was an impressive, flamboyant mansion, closer in style to Buckingham Palace than to an average mansion. But Winterdale, the mansion where the three courts met, made Raven Hall look like a modest cottage.
It wasn’t a matter of size. With its one hundred rooms, Winterdale would fit twenty times into Raven Hall, but it was its history that made it astounding.
The walls radiated so much ancient magic that humans naturally steered clear of the mansion, feeling their skin prickle if they came too close. Rumour had it that Merlin himself—the greatest wizard ever to live, no matter what Darius said—had turned an old Roman residence into a magical fortress.
My skin tickled as I entered the hall with Irene, Myrtha, and Darius.
Irene rubbed her arms. “Do you feel it?”
“The feelings of an army of ants walking along your arms?” Darius beamed. “Yes. It’s magic. The courts meet here for this reason. There’s so much magic in this mansion that our powers don’t work. We are mere humans. There is no chance for us to attack each other.”
Myrtha tilted her head. “Really? We can use daggers, guns, and poison.”
“Always ready to lift the mood.” Darius sounded amused.
Irene gasped, staring at us. “It’s true. I don’t see any auras.”
We followed the butler down a wide corridor. There were no paintings hanging, but portraits and landscapes had been immortalised on the walls themselves, replacing the wallpaper. A chilly wind froze us as we strode past a snowy view of the Welsh Yr Wyddfa.
Irene shivered. “What is that?”
“A spell.” I leant closer to her. “Or a portal to Wales. I’m not sure.”
Myrtha’s teeth chattered. “This display of magic is completely unnecessary.”
“I can’t use a spell to keep you warm.” Darius wrapped an arm around her. “But I can use an old-fashioned method.”
She reddened, then paled, and flushed again. “What are you… I mean, you shouldn’t… It’s not…” She slipped away from his embrace. “I’m quite well. Thank you, I suppose.”
“You’re welcome, I suppose.” Darius grinned.
The butler opened a set of double doors and introduced us. “His Grace, Ravenhill, the Duke of the Dark Court. Lady Myrtha of the Wilis. Miss Harlowe, and Wizard—”
“Mage.” Darius huffed. “It’s Mage Mr. Darius Strange.”
The butler arched his brow. “Mage Mr. Darius Strange.”
Darius shook his head. “Every time it’s the same story.”
Esmeralda, the Duchess of the Fair Court, welcomed us with a bright smile. Her Prussian-green silk gown was more appropriate for a ball in Mayfair than for a meeting with vampires and werewolves. Her skin glowed with a warm golden hue similar to that of the wilis. She loved to impress.
“Ravenhill. What a pleasure to see you.” She gave a graceful nod in our direction.
I doubted she was pleased to see me.
Knight, the Duke of the Moon Court, nodded as well, but the gesture was less dramatic, and judging by his simple grey suit and unshaven face, he didn’t give a toss about impressing anyone.
Broad, tall, and with eyes a deep shade of amber, he belonged to a different breed than Graves.
A scar marred his cheek, running from his left ear to his chin—a blade, perhaps, which made me wonder about werewolves’ healing abilities.
The footmen helped us sit at the oval table. The chandelier was reflected in the glossy top of the table, and I couldn’t help but check that my reflection was sharp.
Seemingly reading my mind, Irene traced a finger over my reflection. “I don’t think you have anything to fear.”
A little shiver went down my spine as I imagined her finger touching my real cheek.
Three fairies from Esmeralda’s court and three werewolves from Knight’s court joined us.
“Don’t back down.” Darius leant over from his seat next to me.
I shot him a glare. “I won’t.”
“And leave Graves out of this meeting for now,” he whispered. “It’s not the moment to discuss Graves’s claims over the Moon Court.”
“I know.” I gritted my teeth.
He frowned. “No need to be so aggressive. You’re too nervous.”
I exhaled. “Fine.”
Tea and sandwiches were served, and of course Darius didn’t miss the opportunity to take his fill.
“Dukes of the Dark Court and of the Moon Court, I believe you’ve had enough time to consider my proposal.
” Esmeralda sipped her tea as if this were a mere afternoon party.
“I would like to reduce the use of unnecessary magic and in general, to restrict it. Knight? What’s your opinion on the matter? ”
He swept his gaze around the table. “There are no wizards or witches in my court.”
“For now.” I pretended not to know about his rather delicate situation. “What if a witch wants to join you?”
Knight didn’t flinch. “The Moon Court is for werewolves only.”
A murmur spread through the fairies.
“Dear Knight.” Esmeralda selected a pastry covered in pink frosting. “I reckon the former Moon Duke was more open-minded. He allowed different supernatural beings to live on his land.”
He whipped his head towards her like a hound who had spotted a squirrel.
“Only to mistreat them. He burdened them with unreasonably high taxes and sometimes beat them if they didn’t pay.
If a wizard or witch wants to live in Whitechapel, I have no objection.
But they will abide by the rules of the court, or they won’t be protected by me and my werewolves.
In any case, they won’t have any say in the court’s matters. ”
Darius shifted nervously on his seat. Irene stiffened.
“The Dark Court includes witches,” I said. “I won’t ask them to limit their powers.”
Darius finished swallowing the sandwich. “Magic is part of us mages. And why should only mages be affected by this restriction?”
I leant back in the chair. “I won’t sign the bill.”
Esmeralda wiped her lips with a delicate gesture. “Ravenhill, you might want to reconsider, because if you don’t change your mind, I might invoke Merlin’s Act.”
I clenched my jaw. Esmeralda wasn’t playing nicely.
Knight gave me a puzzled expression. “What the hell is that?”
“Language!” Esmeralda sounded outraged.
“It’s an ancient act,” I said. “It has been used only once. In case of a severe crisis, the duke or duchess who has been in charge of their court for longer can appoint themselves as the supreme ruler of all courts, and enact the bills considered necessary to restore peace.”
“That’s absurd.” Knight thumped the table. “The whole point of a discussion among the courts would be naught.”
“That sounds like something the ancient Romans would do,” Irene said. “The last time they appointed a dictator, it didn’t end well.”
“It’s a matter of safety.” Esmeralda raised her voice. “We must be careful because humans might get hurt or discover our existence, and they possess war machines capable of wiping us out.”
“We’re very careful.” Knight almost growled. If he could use his power, I was sure he would grow fur. “And there’s no crisis now.”
Esmeralda arched a sceptical eyebrow. “With due respect, Knight, you and Ravenhill have been dukes for a short time. You conquered your positions through violence and blood. I’ve been the Fair Duchess for over five centuries, and the Fair Court has never had an insurrection or a war.
You will excuse me if I don’t find your arguments reassuring. ”
“That’s…” Darius paused. “… unfair. Koschei was a real threat to humans, yet you didn’t intervene. Ravenhill isn’t a threat.”
Esmeralda was flustered. “I didn’t intervene because I thought I had an understanding with Koschei. He tricked me. I’m not proud of that, but I’m being honest.”
“And the Moon Court had belonged to my grandfather,” Knight said, “before it was taken from him. Besides, werewolves don’t live as long as fairies.”
“You claim that everything is well under control in your courts then. You have no problems.” Esmeralda swept her gaze over us. “Myrtha, I heard the wilis you’ve recently created are dying in agony.”
Myrtha flushed. “Actually, Irene is a new wili, and she’s perfectly fine.” Her voice sounded small and uncertain.
Irene shifted on her chair when Esmeralda angled towards her. “It’s true. I’m a new wili, but my power is growing.”
“Indeed.” Esmeralda turned towards Knight. “What about you, Knight? Are the rumours about trouble in your court unfounded?”
“What troubles?” Knight lacked confidence as well.
I exchanged a glance with Darius. We were aware of the outbreak of rabies in the Moon Court. Humans wouldn’t get infected, and that was the reason Knight had managed to keep the outbreak quiet.
“I heard that Mr. Nathaniel Graves, the son of the late Moon Duke, claims he wants to challenge your position as Moon Duke,” Esmeralda said. “Is a new war coming?”
I was surprised by her knowledge. Each court had informants and sometimes spies throughout London, but Graves’s complaints shouldn’t have reached the fairies.
A muscle in Knight’s face twitched. “No war is coming.” He didn’t add anything else.
“The Fair Court aims to create an equal and safe world for both supernatural beings and humans.” Esmeralda didn’t soften. “With your attitude of mistrust—”
“Mistrust? Us?” Knight curled up his upper lip. “It’s you who doesn’t trust us.”
Esmeralda narrowed her gaze. “Convince me that the situation in the Moon Court is normal and safe and that Myrtha isn’t losing her power in the Dark Court, and I’ll change my mind.”
“What does Myrtha’s power have to do with anything?” I was growing impatient.
“Everything.” Esmeralda lifted her chin.
“If her power is vanishing, then it’s true that her wilis are dying, and thus the power of the Dark Court isn’t only diminishing but also causing harm to people.
Many of the witches and wizards, who were with Koschei, left because they didn’t agree with your leadership.
And that’s concerning as well. Is your leadership making the court weaker? ”
She wasn’t completely wrong. Myrtha’s power had started to dwindle when I’d become the duke, which didn’t make sense. Koschei had been an abusive, cruel duke towards humans, yet Myrtha’s power had thrived. But now she was growing weaker.
I worked my jaw. “I don’t think there’s a reason to be concerned.”
“Besides,” Knight said, “the Fair Court isn’t violent. How will you impose your will on us?”
Judging by how Esmeralda’s face became serious, I would say she would become violent.
“That proves my point. You and Ravenhill believe that violence is the only solution to every problem. There are many ways harmony can be achieved, which don’t involve violence.
Think about what I told you, gentlemen, and keep your courts under control.
This meeting ends here.” She rose, and I did as well.
“Just remember, the power of the fairies is ancient, more ancient than vampires and werewolves. Or mages.” She pinned Darius with a glare.
She left the room without making a sound, followed by the other fairies. Instead, Knight scoffed and puffed, muttering curses.
“Knight, I need to meet you.” I chased him down the corridor. “Tonight. Whitechapel.”
“If it’s about Graves, I don’t have time.”
“It’s about something else. And you’ll have time.”
“Fine.” He glowered and spun towards the front door in a flutter of grey fabric.
We exited Winterdale without talking. Myrtha looked mortified, Darius was fuming, and Irene was worried.
“What did Esmeralda mean by her speech on not needing violence?” Irene asked as she climbed into the carriage.
“Good question. Can she overpower us?” I turned towards Darius.
He scratched his chin. “I suppose she can. Fairy magic is an ancestral force that precedes even my type of magic.”
Myrtha rubbed her forehead. “This is my fault.”
“No, it’s not,” we chorused.
“I should have been more careful with my power.” She sounded dejected. “I abused it, and that’s the result. Esmeralda exaggerated the situation, making it a problem for the whole Dark Court, but she isn’t wrong.”
“Maybe it’s me.” I moved closer to Irene, needing to feel her warmth. “Your power started to diminish when I became the duke. It might be a coincidence, but you’ve used your power for over two hundred years. Why should it start to dwindle now?”
We stared at Darius who was busy eating a brandy ball.
He swallowed. “I don’t have an answer to everything. Yet. I need to consult my—”
“Book,” we said together.
He straightened. “Is my book amusing to you? Are you making fun of me? Yet you always ask me to solve a problem.”
Irene squeezed his hand. “You’re wonderful, and we all appreciate you very much.”
He brightened, but Myrtha frowned at Irene and Darius’s joined hands, and I could relate to her sentiment.