Chapter 20
Twenty
Spring and Interest
CAW!
My eyes opened to a black blob sitting in the window.
“Be quiet, Puko.” I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head.
We had already been traveling for days, and sleeping in the carriage was getting quite old.
I could appreciate the fact that we would arrive sooner than if we had walked, and I certainly appreciated it while we slipped through the Unclaimed Wyldes, but my backside was sore, and if I had to hear one more lecture from Eberon or play one more game of dice to pass the time, I was going to scream.
And the worst part of the entire trip was that I wasn’t bursting with excitement at every new sight and sound and food and story because I was so wholly consumed by the fight I’d had with Thain.
And I hated it. And I regretted it. And I couldn’t do a damn thing about it because we were traveling to opposite ends of the Wyldes.
“Have you had a good look around? We’re in the Spring Lands now,” Schula said from the bench opposite me.
She wore a butter-yellow dress, a new fashion from the Spring Lands, apparently.
Eberon and I had already changed as well, knowing we would arrive today.
Now that we were finally here, I pulled Puko inside to sit on the bench next to me so I could watch the view.
I stared out the window. Rolling green hills and trees in bloom dotted the countryside.
The road was well traveled, and I could tell it had rained recently from the muddy tracks and prints.
A few fae, on foot or horseback, waved at Eberon as we passed.
“It really does look like spring, even though it’s nearly winter. ”
Schula laughed. “Well, yes. That’s how it works over here.”
“So, what is our first stop in Dwellonmar?” I asked.
“The palace. We’re expected, after all. He will give us some kind of accommodations, and then we will be free to leave and buy an appropriate gift. I will warn you, though, we’ll be eating dinner with the court.”
“Lovely.” I sighed.
“It won’t be too bad. We won’t be the center of attention or anything. The dinner will be toned down, what with the recent events,” Schula said. “Here, I think we’re coming up on Dwellonmar now.”
We both gazed out the window to the hilltop ahead of us. The traffic on the road had certainly picked up since I’d last looked out. Wind swept through the grass as we crested the top. A caw overhead told me Puko was still with us.
“Oh my,” I breathed. The morning sun rose behind the hills of pink blossoms. The city was surrounded by hawthorns, woven together like a wicker fence.
Thorns as long as knives grew between the trees.
Dwellonmar was a fortress, a protected grove of flowers and springtime.
Where Thanantholl was protected by cliff walls, Dwellonmar was concealed by the growing arms of the Wyldes itself.
“It does make an impression,” Schula said flatly. “The inside is much better, or at least much prettier. We’re nearly at the gates; they’ll want to look in the carriage to know who’s coming in.”
“How do they know who is Spring and who isn’t?” I asked.
“They just know. Once you’re part of a court, you instantly know who’s on your side.” Schula sat back and straightened her leggings. “Part of the magic of the Wyldes.”
“Oh.” I watched out the window as we slowed, joining the line waiting for entry to Dwellonmar.
“You know, if we unsealed you, I’d bet you could sense a lot more of these things too,” Schula whispered.
I gave her a look, and she shrugged. “Not that you have to, I’m just giving you information.”
“Yeah, I know.” I sighed. “I just wish you weren’t right.”
“Next!” a guard called from up ahead.
“Ugh, here we go.” Schula sighed, and the carriage pulled forward for inspection.
Past the gates, I finally caught a glimpse of the city.
It was all hills and trees in pink bloom so thick the falling petals looked like snow.
The buildings were bricks, not like the smooth clay surfaces in Thanantholl.
The roof tiles were shiny copper, but some had aged to green.
Decoration was everywhere, from flower garlands strung over doorways to fountains tucked in every corner.
“It’s beautiful, and it really is an eternal spring here.” I watched a group of sprites cleaning laundry in a large fountain. One splashed another when she wasn’t looking, and the whole fountain laughed about it. Someone nearby was playing a stringed instrument.
“That it is. It can get old, though, constant cheer and dancing and nonsense. I honestly don’t know how they get anything done around here,” Schula drawled.
“Don’t say that out loud,” Eberon warned from the driver’s bench.
“Sorry, sorry.” Schula waved a hand. “Lazy spring days aside, if this is where you belong, of course we are behind you all the way.”
“I’ve actually been worried about that.” I left my window to scoot closer to Schula. “What if I don’t feel that magic with any of the courts? I won’t belong anywhere.”
“All fae belong somewhere, even half fae. It’s possible you won’t feel that pull very strongly with your magic all sealed up like that. But let’s say you don’t feel it at all; you’ll always have a place with me, you know. If you don’t feel it, you have the freedom to go wherever you want.”
“I suppose so.” I watched out the window as we wound up the hills. At the top was a large structure of pillars and steps. “What is that?”
Schula looked out her own window. “That is the palace, the Steps of Spring, they call it. There are one hundred steps leading up to an enclave of trees and marble. The inside is a maze. Try not to wander it if you can help it.”
“Is it that bad?” I watched it disappear behind the next hill.
“Yes.” She scrunched up her nose. “I’ve heard plenty of tales. And the Spring Court has a particularly mischievous batch of unseelie that are ready to tempt lost fae. Just stay with me or Eberon.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem.” I pulled my head back from the window, and we rode up and down and up again.
Schula sighed. “I guess it’s time.” A soft white glow covered her as she slowly changed. Her skin flushed to a light rosy pink and her eyes darkened to a firmer blue, no longer the usual eerie ice. Her sharp features softened, her long fingers shortened.
“Is that what glamour does to a fae? You look more . . .”
“Human?” she finished for me. “Some part of us, whatever part we used to deceive and hide amongst humans, remains in our glamour. I still have my ears, my teeth are still sharp, but this is what glamour is. And for whatever reason, the Spring Court favors it in formal settings.”
“You look beautiful either way,” I said, and a tinge of pink touched her face as her smile warmed.
“Thank you. It looks like we’re almost there.” She averted her eyes and looked out the window, so I did the same.
The carriage pulled up near the Steps of Spring, and we were helped out by two attendants.
“Welcome! Welcome, it’s been too long. Please, come this way, I’m sure you’re all in need of rest. The footmen will attend to your bags and your horse.
” A tall fae with a dark complexion and long pink braids bowed to us.
He wore a waistcoat and loose pants, similar to Eberon’s attire for Dwellonmar.
But his was a sage green that matched his eyes.
The lines around his mouth revealed a lifetime of smiling, and the mirth in his voice added a warm joy to the timbre of it.
As he helped Schula down from the carriage, he pulled her into a tight hug.
“It’s so good to see you, Caldon.” Schula squeezed him before pulling back to arm’s length and adding firmly, “I sincerely hope there is lunch in my room.”
Eberon’s head whipped toward Schula at her words, his eyes wide. My heart skipped a beat too. I’d thought they were here on a diplomatic mission; was this going to cause trouble? But Caldon just laughed, a light sound like bells in the wind.
“I wouldn’t dream of starving you, my dear. A hungry Schula is a dangerous one.” The smile was genuine, and for all my fear of the unknown fae, I liked this one just a little more for it. “If you’ll all follow me, I’ll take you to your rooms to freshen up before His Majesty calls for you.”
When his attention shifted off Schula, it landed on me. Everything about him was still warm and welcoming, but the light of curiosity in his eyes was new. “And this is the one we’ve heard so much about?”
“Wren, this is Caldon of the Spring Court. The most gentlemanly scoundrel I know,” Schula said in introduction.
Caldon, to his credit, laughed it off. “You wound me terribly.” He placed a hand over his heart then turned to me with a bow. “A pleasure to meet you.”
“And, Caldon, this is Wren,” Schula offered.
“Nice to meet you as well.” I mimicked his greeting, already reflecting on how many times I was going to need to bow in this place with a sigh.
“Your attendance is greatly appreciated,” Eberon added. “Please let us know if our party can compensate you in any way.”
“Nonsense, Lord Eberon, your company will be more than enough.” Caldon inclined his head. “Just repay me with one of your enchanting tales later. If the rumors are true, I hear you’re a delight in a conversation.”
Eberon looked to be what I could only describe as flustered. Whatever narrative of dignity and diplomacy he had prepared in his head, Caldon had just dashed it to pieces.
We were led up the steps to a doorway. All the steps. All one hundred steps. My thighs burned by the time we made it to the top, but I wouldn’t let the others see my fatigue. Once through the marble columns, we appeared to be in a tunnel of ivy.
“Don’t let the ivy play tricks on you,” Caldon said. “I’ve prepared you rooms from which it should be easy to navigate to the bath and to the great hall.”
We wound through the halls, every twist and turn changing from a wall of ivy to pillars of marble, from stone fountains to sunlit grottoes.
I never would have guessed from the outside how big it was in here.
I’d lost track of the way long ago, but Schula and Eberon trusted Caldon not to get us lost, so I would too.
We rounded a column and were taken down a hall of ivy with an oak door somehow firmly ingrained in the wall.
Caldon opened the door to reveal a small common area with a table.
Three doors led off the common room, and more importantly, on the table in the center of the room was a feast. Bowls of fruit and trays of pastry were decorated with flowers tucked in between.
“It will do.” Schula clicked her tongue, and Caldon let out a full-bellied laugh.
“I’m very glad it meets your standards.” He stepped back outside and pointed down the hallway beyond our door. “From that corner, the large hallway with the lion fountain in it, turn left and left again for the baths. If you turn right, you will head straight for the great hall.”
What in the Mother’s name is a lion?
“You accommodate us, Lord Caldon.” Eberon bowed. “Thank you for the hospitality.”
“My pleasure.” Caldon eyed Schula with a sly grin. “If you need me, any of the attendants can fetch me at once. For now, I’ll let you settle in.”
Schula shook her head with a smile.
Then his eyes slid to me, pinning me in place. “If any of you need me.”
Something in me numbed and heated and stilled all at once. What was that expression? What did that mean?
“Thank you,” I said, realizing I’d hardly spoken since we’d met. He winked at me and left.
The door barely closed before Eberon rounded on Schula. “Explain.”
“Oh, simmer your embers.” Schula sat down at the table. “I’ve known Caldon longer than I’ve known you. Now, I dare you to stop me from eating half this table right now.”
Stomach growling, I sat down with her and looked up at Eberon.
“Fine.” He threw up his hands. “But please notify me next time you’re ready to stop my heart. We are still dignitaries here. King Baeleon entrusted this task to us.”
“Deal.” Schula grabbed a plum from a bowl and took a large bite, which signaled Eberon to sit and me to take a round crust stuffed with something red. We were finally in the Spring Court, and I was ready to see what they had to offer.