Chapter 32 – Sera
Chapter Thirty-Two
SERA
My gut tells me I can trust Jade. Our courts were allies back when my parents ruled, and if she’s telling the truth about Gabriella, she doesn’t mean me harm.
I don’t have much choice in the matter either way.
Other than the traitor Loche, there is no one I recognize left at court, no potential allies.
Jade leads me through the forest, and for the most part, we walk in companionable silence. So much was already shared that the quiet is a nice reprieve.
“Is the rabbit your only form?” I ask, unable to keep my curiosity at bay. The suns are high in the sky, and my stomach rumbles.
“No, I can manage a few smaller animals,” Jade replies. “My mother was an incredible shifter. She could transform into almost anything. If I had her skills, I’d become a horse and make this journey quite a bit faster,” she jokes.
“That’s still incredible,” I breathe. “I’ve never met a shifter before.”
“Well, now you can say you have.” Jade stretches her arms overhead.
“I do apologize for not bringing anything to eat. I took off after you as soon as I could get away and didn’t really have time to plan.
I had to know if you were her. The eyes were what really made me suspect you might be the lost princess. ”
I give a weak grin. “Yes, the enchantress queen should have insisted I glamour them if she was truly that worried about someone identifying me.” I pause to pluck a handful of berries off a nearby bush, needing something to keep me going.
“Not to complain, but do you know how much farther it is?” I ask.
My feet ache from lack of footwear amidst the brush and bramble.
“We’re getting close.”
Thank the gods.
Jade saunters through the woods ahead of me without a care in the world, her movements feline.
When one of the suns breaks through the clouds, my eyes are drawn to the shimmery tattoo of a crescent moon between her shoulder blades.
A few minutes more, and she steps through two trees and completely disappears.
I blink. Did I just imagine that? A hand pokes out from between the trees and gestures for me to follow. Her friends have wards this powerful? I can’t complain. Perhaps I’ll actually be able to let my guard down a little.
Taking a breath, I walk through the trees, the subtle zing of the wards stinging my skin.
I enter a small clearing, where a large cottage sits, surrounded by flowers of all colors.
It’s a little paradise. The cluck of chickens and their scratching and foraging draws my attention.
Behind the cottage is a weathered barn. Definitely not what I was expecting, but not an unwelcome surprise.
“Sorry for just disappearing like that,” Jade teases. “I could have warned you.”
I wave a hand. “It’s fine. I definitely feel safer knowing there are such strong wards.”
“It won’t prevent anyone from coming in if they stumble upon it,” Jade explains. “But it will alert Gianni someone entered. Speaking of—”
A short, round man pokes his head out the door, a wary look on his face until it breaks into a ginormous smile. “Jade!”
“Good to see you, Gianni,” Jade says with a grin. “I brought a friend who needs a place to stay.”
“Of course, of course. Welcome!”
He is completely nonplussed to see two half-dressed females at his door. I’m not sure if I should be relieved or worried.
He motions for us to come in, and Jade and I follow. The house smells incredible, like fresh bread and sweet treats. My stomach immediately rumbles again. The berries weren’t quite enough to sate my hunger.
An older male stirs a pot on a wood-burning stove and turns to greet us. “Why hello there! Jade! It’s been awhile.”
“Hello, Roman!” Jade says warmly before turning to me. “Might I introduce my friend Sera?”
I’m grateful for the lack of formalities. It’s probably best to keep my identity as quiet as possible.
“Lovely to make your acquaintance,” I say with what I hope is a real smile. I’m so overwhelmed and exhausted, I don’t have much energy left for pleasantries.
“You look like you’re about to fall over,” Roman says, tilting his head.
“I apologize,” I say. “It was quite a long night and my magic is depleted, taking whatever energy I have left.”
Roman gestures toward a long wooden table with benches on either side. “Please take a seat and I’ll get you some stew with fresh bread.”
“That sounds incredible,” I reply.
“You should sit too, Jade,” Roman commands, bringing three mugs to the table.
“Yes, sir,” Jade replies with a salute.
“Grab Jade an extra shirt?” Roman looks pointedly at Gianni.
“Oh, of course. Be right back,” he replies.
Within moments, Gianni is tossing a shirt to Jade, and she murmurs a thanks while he joins us at the table, picking up his steaming mug of tea. “We’re happy to have you, Sera. Just know it might not be the most peaceful of respites.”
I raise an eyebrow, uncertain of where he’s going with this.
Jade gives me an apologetic look. “Gianni and Roman have five brothers.”
Seven brothers living together? I attempt to hide my shock behind my own mug. Good gods, the Mother really blessed their parents.
“Where are the others?” Jade asks cheerily.
“They’re somewhere nearby,” Roman says, waving a hand. “There’s always something to do here.”
“I can’t say I’ve been around such a large family in a while,” I admit.
Gianni grins. “We’re quite loud when we want to be.”
Lovely.
“Oh hush. Don’t worry the poor girl,” Roman says as he brings over a tray with two bowls and a loaf of bread. “We can kick one of the boys out of their room so you can have a quiet space.”
“I don’t want to put anyone out,” I say, looking at Jade with where the hells did you bring me eyes.
She only smiles and shakes her head. “Nonsense. Don’t even worry about it. They don’t mind.”
A twinge of guilt curls around my middle. If Jade is right and the queen is readying hunters to come after me, the last thing I want is to bring trouble to this kind family’s door.
Jade and I devour the stew and bread embarrassingly fast, and it’s quite literally the best thing I’ve ever eaten.
“Thank you so much for the meal,” I say, trying to hold back a yawn. I hate how tired I am. I only have so many hours left until the swan takes over. “I so appreciate how accommodating you are, but I’m afraid I can’t stay.”
“What the hells, Sera?” Jade asks, kicking me under the table. Ouch.
I bite down on my lip, looking between the curious faces. Roman looks offended at my declaration. They need to know the truth.
“The queen is after me, and she might send her hunters.”
“Mother help us,” Roman groans, mopping his brow with a dish towel.
“All the more reason you must stay,” Gianni says fiercely. “The queen is a scourge upon our lands. It would be an honor to protect you from her.”
“But you seem to live a peaceful life here,” I say almost helplessly. “I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you or your brothers.”
“It might look like we’re at peace from the outside,” Roman says, “but the Woodland Court becomes more cut off from the rest of the realm with each passing year. Trade has ceased between our court and others due to the unreasonable tributes the queen demands.”
“Many visitors who enter never leave,” Gianni says, clasping his mug a little tighter.
I turn to Jade, noting her tight jaw, but she gives a subtle nod.
“If giving you refuge is a way to thwart her, even a little, we are happy to do so,” Roman adds.
“Besides, we’re not entirely helpless,” Gianni replies with a impish grin.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Someone might have left us a pet dragon,” he says with a wink.
“Mother, if he ever heard you call him a pet, he’d burn the cottage down,” Jade groans.
Oh! Oh.
“Your dragon is here?” I gape at Jade.
“He’s well-hidden, but he’s close. If there’s trouble, he will take care of it.”
I look between the three of them, trying to decide if they truly mean it.
Roman gestures broadly. “With the dragon’s wards hiding us, the chances of them coming here are very slim.”
The strength of the wards make so much more sense now. Dragons have such powerful magic.
“If you insist.” I shrug almost helplessly. “But if trouble comes, I will leave.”
“I’m not concerned,” Gianni says.
“There is something else you should know,” I say.
Roman raises a brow, and Gianni sets down his mug.
“I’m cursed to turn into a swan from when the suns set to when they rise.”
Gianni and Roman look at each other, then back at me.
“I suppose you won’t need a room for the night then?” Roman teases. “We’re truly not worried about trouble. You won’t harm us, right? Swans can be touchy.”
I snort. He’s not wrong. “As long as no one is chasing me, it should be fine.”
Jade chokes back a laugh.
“There’s a pond within the wards if you need a swim,” Gianni adds.
“Perfect.”
The small but comfortable bed creaks beneath me as I toss and turn. My body is exhausted, but my mind is restless. Jade left to do reconnaissance at the palace an hour ago.
I’m hoping the queen will let Alex go. He’s not a threat, not truly.
But she knows he’s your mate. She’ll use him to draw you out.
I keep imagining Alex in one of the horrible cells under the palace, and my heart aches. All the words unsaid between us hang over me, threatening to drag me under.
Convinced sleep isn’t going to happen, I head back out to the main living area, looking for distraction.
“No rest for the weary?” Roman asks, a knowing look on his face.
“I’m afraid not.”
“Would you like to help with the bread?”
“Sounds wonderful,” I reply, taking a moment to pull my hair up and out of my face, tying it into a messy knot on the back of my head.
After washing my hands thoroughly and donning an apron, I join him at the counter. A heaping pile of shaggy dough is ready to be kneaded.
“I’ll wash up if you can take care of that? Do you need instruction?”
I smile and shake my head. “I used to help in the kitchens in my previous positions. I’ve taken many frustrations out on a pile of dough.”