Chapter 10 #3
“Wairen.” Thain turned to the open door to greet a fae that appeared to be made entirely of birch bark. “It’s good to see you again.”
The person with the tree-like appearance nodded deferentially. “And a pleasure for your safe return.”
“It’s good to see you looking well,” Schula greeted, and Wairen offered a charmingly awkward smile, like the toothy grin of a toddler still figuring out the world.
“We have a guest,” Thain said, moving to the side so Wairen could have a clearer look at me. Lifting a hand enough to offer a small wave, I forced a smile to cover my nerves.
“A guest,” Wairen said, mimicking my wave with awkward hands. “Delightful, a guest. Are there things? I will take the things.”
Wairen wore not one stitch of clothing, but upon closer inspection there were no anatomical features to identify them as anything but a living tree.
Their smooth, bark-like body held only a general shape.
“I’m grateful for your hospitality.” The words came automatically, an echo of many, many lessons by Mila.
“Thanks, old friend.” Thain turned to Wairen, handing over my sack. “We are expected in the throne room soon.”
“Certainly.” Wairen nodded. “Important business.”
Thain brought us inside to a lush receiving room of brocade chairs around a roaring fireplace, carved wood detailed with twisting plants. I noticed a collection of liquor bottles lining the mantle; Thain and Bryn had a hobby in common.
“Welcome to my home.” Thain gestured toward the stairs. “You have free run of the place. My room is the only one on the third floor. On the second floor, you will find a bedroom with a red door. The kitchen is through that archway if you’re hungry, and Wairen is always here if you can’t find me.”
The tree-like fae in question made their way up the stairs, my things in tow. Once Wairen disappeared into the second-floor hallway, I turned back to Thain.
“Is Wairen . . .” Clearing my throat, and my thoughts, I didn’t know how to ask. “Are there servants in Thanantholl?”
Schula snorted. “No. Wairen is a part of this place. They like to keep the tree, and by extension the house, tidy.”
Eberon hummed, eyes drifting up the stairs.
“Don’t ask them for the work of servants.
They don’t eat food, so their cooking is atrocious, but caring for their tree and the grove around it is a basic desire for most dryads.
I think Thain meant that if you need to know where something is that Wairen would be able to tell you. ”
“Only the king has servants, keepers of the palace,” Thain added. “Wairen has lived here for a long time. Their tree is at the back of the house, and as they find pleasure in keeping this place free of pest or disease, I have always kept their tree safe in turn.”
The stress fell off me, and my shoulders relaxed. There was no way I would ever feel comfortable with another person doing things for me like that. “All right, understood.”
Mostly, at least. There were still questions about what a dryad was and why they cared for a tree when they appeared to be part tree themselves, but now I wanted nothing more than to find a way to wash my face free of the grime of the road.
“You are welcome at my apartment or Eb’s house, but Thain’s will be the quietest, and we thought you’d prefer it.” Schula stretched her arms, allowing herself to fall back onto the shoulder of a bemused Eberon as she yawned. “We should go.”
“Am I perhaps a piece of furniture now?” he asked.
Schula didn’t have an answer, only a nonsensical “Mm-hmm,” as she cracked her neck and stood up straight again.
“Right.” Eberon turned to me. “Our first duty is to the throne. We need to report in, but I’ll send some things over for you to try on while we’re gone. We’ll be back before sunset, and I’m treating you to a dinner worthy of Thanantholl.”
“I understand. I’ll be fine here, go do what you need to do.”
Schula wiggled her fingers in a silly wave, looping her arm with Eberon’s and pulling him out the door. Thain took a few steps but paused in the doorway. He looked over his shoulder at me, one hand on the doorframe, the light coming in from the street behind him illuminating his outline.
Swallowing down the overwhelming sensation of just how solid he was—in size and in temperament—I stilled at the bottom of the stairs.
“I hope you can consider this your home for now. We’re glad to have you with us. I’m glad you came.” Thain gave a rare smile before slipping out the front door.
I watched them through the bay window, making their way down the street and out of sight. After they were gone, I watched the people of Thanantholl.
Thain obviously lived on a less traveled road, because few crossed the path of the window for me to see. Sharp eyes and pointed ears went about the day at ease. Things that might once have given me nightmares now walked only feet away, and I could only be glad they weren’t the wraith.
“Would you like to see your room, Wren?” Wairen creaked down the stairs. “I am particularly proud of the plants in this room.”
“Yes, please. Wait, do you grow plants inside the house?” Curiosity had me drifting up the stairs after Wairen.
“Yes, very satisfying. Very pretty.” Their words were short but pleased as we made our way to the top of the stairs.
Plants in the house. What next?