Chapter 30
Thirty
A Dance of Two Hearts
Thain walked with me until we reached the street that would lead me to Schula’s apartment.
I felt light, like a weight had lifted off my shoulders.
There was already pressure from the courts to be swayed to their side, and pressure from Baeleon to learn magic.
There was even the very real pressure of my seal that burned my back and begged to be released.
But now at least there was no pressure from the strain between me and Thain, and the fluttering warmth of hope was enough to let some of the other pressures fly away from my mind.
We said our goodbyes, and I walked the short few blocks back to Schula’s apartment by myself. Some stared, but I ignored them as I hurried back. I climbed the stairs quickly, until a weight dropped onto my shoulder and nearly knocked me over the railing.
“Puko!” I hissed at the fat black bird that had landed on my shoulder. “I know Mama Flori gave you bread this morning. You’d better not be begging for food.”
Caw!
I rolled my eyes and continued up the steps with the raven on my shoulder. The noise was sufficient to announce my return, because Schula was swinging the door open as I reached the top.
“Well? What happened?” She didn’t wait for an answer before pulling me inside. She waved Puko off to his usual windowsill and sat me down at the table.
“It’s okay now, we’re fine. We both apologized, and he said he was sorry I saw that side of him.” I beamed at her. “Tomorrow, he said he would help me with the seal.”
“His beastly side?” Schula murmured. “He can be wild when he’s riled up. When he pulls that out, it’s hard for him to put it away. I suppose the Stars made him a little more beast than the rest of us.”
“What does that mean?” I asked. “I’ve had so many questions about that since I first saw Thain. Back in the mountains, I couldn’t read him at all. Sometimes I still can’t.”
“When you first met Thain, he had just slain a band of raiders, right?” Schula asked.
“He killed them all in only a few minutes. It was probably quite a sight to see.”
“Right,” she said. “And do you remember how he acted after? Did the Thain you met then seem to be the same as the Thain you know now?”
“No,” I said. “He was really unsettling, actually. He was quiet, not that that’s new for Thain, but he was too quiet. And his movements were so . . . precise, maybe? Deliberate? Looking back, he really wasn’t the Thain I’ve come to know.”
“He was pulling himself back from the thrall of battle.” Schula nodded, running a tongue over her teeth. “The more he fights, the more riled up that side of him gets and the harder it is to pull back.”
“I didn’t know,” I said quietly. “Is it hard on him?”
“That’s hard to say,” she said. “On the one hand, it’s a part of him. I wouldn’t want him to go around hating part of what he is. On the other hand, I’ve seen his struggles to contain it on the battlefield. You’d have to ask Thain if it’s hard on him, I’m not sure.”
“You’ve seen him on a battlefield?” I gasped. “I mean, I guess I knew that. Old as he is and as much of a history of war as the Wyldes have, of course he’s been in battle.”
“Oh, he’s been in battle. He’s terrifying too. One of the best soldiers in the Autumn Court. The problem is, you can’t control him once he really lets go, you just unleash him in the right direction and let him do his worst.”
Something about that sentiment seemed sad. Sad that anyone was simply a tool to be unleashed. I might not know what it was like to be that useful to my people, but I knew what it was like to be thought of as less of a person and more of a thing to be dealt with. “I’d hate to see that,” I murmured.
“No sane person wants to see war,” Schula said. “But if it comes to it, be glad Thain is on our side.”
She hummed, eyeing her open wardrobe doors as a grin spread across her lips. “I’m glad you two made up. This calls for a celebration before tonight.”
“Schula.” I could already see where this was going.
“Let’s go look for some new clothes!”
Dressed in dusty rose with silver slippers and borrowed silver bangles, I was giddy as we walked to the River’s Edge. Schula walked beside me draped in a dramatic red gown, practically dancing us there. Not even the murmurs that trailed after me could bother me tonight.
When we rounded the last corner, the River’s Edge came into view.
The tables dripped with candles and fresh white flowers, just as they had the night I’d arrived in Thanantholl.
A few diners danced to a light, fast violin tune, their beautiful gowns and coattails swirling around them as they moved.
Everything shimmered in the fading light.
When we were close enough to hear the music, Schula took my hand and placed a palm on my back before dipping me to the music as the dancers did the same.
“I love this song,” she purred. “It’s been so long since I’ve been dancing. We should go one night, you and me. Leave the other two behind.”
She danced us to the front gate, where the closest diners watched us as she spun me around.
“Should we dance instead of dine tonight?” I teased.
“Another time,” she said. “I want food slightly more than I want to dance just yet, and we need to get a table. It looks like Eb and Thain aren’t here yet.”
A server appeared with a smile.
“Welcome back, Lady Schula and Miss Wren.” Marila, the watery fae from last time, greeted us with a bottle of wine. “Lord Eberon has already contacted us. We were informed to greet you with wine and the first course if you’d like it, as he and Lord Thain are running late.”
“Oh, are they?” Schula raised her eyebrow and inspected the label on the wine bottle in Marila’s hands. “I suppose I can forgive them, as long as they don’t dally too much longer.”
Marila snorted. “I’d hope so, this is our last bottle of this vintage, and it’s very expensive.”
“Cheeky tart.” Schula laughed. “Lead me to a chair, because I am in great need of that wine!”
“As you will it, Lady.” Marila grinned, and with a chuckle she took us to a nice table for four at the edge of the water. I sighed as I sank into the plush cushion, watching the rising moon reflect in the rippling river.
“Ahh, that’s what I needed after a long week.” Schula barely let Marila finish pouring her glass before it hit her lips.
“I’ll send for a treat while you wait on the others. You just sit tight and enjoy yourselves.” Marila smiled and glided away.
“This place never gets old,” Schula said and glanced over the water that gently carried away fallen maple leaves. “Eb and Thain had better get here soon, or I’ll start without them.”
“I wonder what would keep them,” I murmured.
“Court details, most likely.” Schula shrugged. “They’ll be here soon. Eb always arranges for me to have wine when he’s going to be late.”
My heart caught as I heard a new tune start up. The violinist was wonderful, and I was filled with a rush of movement as the notes peaked and dipped in a jolly tune.
“Ooh, I like this song too.” Schula knocked the rest of her wine back and set the glass down. “Come on!”
It felt as though my feet barely touched the ground as we raced into the open courtyard, and Schula didn’t take no for an answer as we twirled over the stone floor.
Every so often, a particular arch of notes seemed to signal to all the dancers to stop and twirl in place, then she would dip me, and the dancing would start all over again.
I was breathless when the song was done, but soon another started, and Schula continued to dance with me. I was glad for the soft new slippers I had bought, because my feet were going to be sore when I was done. Not that I cared—for once we were both enjoying ourselves without worrying.
We paused between songs as Marila brought Schula over a fresh glass of wine. Schula laughed and took a slow drink, closing her eyes and inhaling. She licked her lips and smiled when she was done.
A new tune was starting, and she winked at me. “I think I’ll sit this one out.”
“Okay,” I said, about to follow her back to my chair when a warm hand rested on my shoulder. I spun, my heart still beating from the fast-paced dance we’d just finished, and looked into a pair of molten silver eyes.
“Thain,” I whispered.
“I’m sorry we came late.”
I glanced at Schula, who was retreating to our table, wine in hand. Eberon was already there, pouring himself a drink as well.
“I think we’re in the way,” Thain said.
I looked around us, seeing how every other pair had started dancing again and we stood still in the middle of it.
“May I have this dance?” Thain gave me a ghost of a smile.
I grinned and took his hand.
Dancing with Thain was completely different from dancing with Schula. Schula was energetic and firm in her movements, but Thain was as I had always seen him in the Wyldes, fluid and precise. He moved like a big cat, graceful while the violin sang us a song of wind and rain and leaves.
The glow of soft lights and the faint hint of stars overhead added a thrilling veil to the courtyard of swirling silks and fallen leaves.
Thain’s hand was warm on my back, his chest solid under my palm, our other hands entwined as if they were made to fit together.
Warmth swirled between us, enveloped by the chill of the evening outside of the bubble we were in.
His expression soft, my chest pounding, our bodies moved together to the sweet cry of the violin.
The usual ferocity he carried at the edges of his features was gone tonight. His breath fanned my neck as he leaned down to murmur near my ear, “You look happy tonight. It suits you.”
“This place suits me.” You suit me.
I bit my lip, resisting the urge to pull his hair loose from its ponytail. He rarely wore it tied back outside the city, but since we’d arrived in Thanantholl I hardly saw it down anymore.
He leaned closer still and whispered, “I see you left that quartz at home. I will have to find you something more suitable to replace it.”
Our faces were so close now, I didn’t know where to look. From his eyes, burning with something I couldn’t place, to his mouth as his lips moved with his words.
The music stopped, and we pulled away.
“Would you like to sit down?” Thain asked.
“Yes, please,” I answered, tired from Schula and breathless from Thain.
Thain offered me a hand, and I took it. He was warm, and his palm had a rough edge to it. I sank gratefully into my chair and drank whatever red substance Schula handed me with relief.
“Wren, Schula, you two look splendid tonight,” Eberon said, raising his glass. “I’m so glad to be all back together again.”
“Me too.” Schula feigned a swoon before turning to Thain. “You wouldn’t believe what a boor Eb is when you’re gone.”
I busied myself with my wine, trying to hide my smile as Eberon made several indignant noises.
“It’s all right, Eberon. I missed you too,” Thain said. “You three are much improved company to Aithne, Asher, and Reghan.”
“I’m sure we are,” Eberon drawled. “But rather than dwell on them, why don’t we speak of something lighter?”
“Good evening.” Marila approached with a basket of fritters and a fresh pitcher of cider. “Let me tell you about what our chef has prepared tonight.”
Dinner was a whirlwind of conversation, dancing, food, and drink. Lots and lots of drink. I was more careful this time to not let it go to my head, and I had plenty of water between glasses of wine.
We didn’t talk about the Spring Court, or what had happened on the border, or even the impending trip to the Winter Lands.
Instead, Eberon dominated the conversation with cheap court gossip.
It was blissfully easy to enjoy the sound of his voice while Schula chimed in with all the right reactions to spur him on.
The cider was tart and cool and made my head feel underwater after a while.
Thain looked content to just listen to the others.
I supposed I did too. This was exactly what I had been craving for more than two decades, and I didn’t even have the words to sum it up. This was perfect.
The evening grew into night, and even though I was exhausted, I was reluctant to leave.
Schula finally announced that she was going to fall asleep at the table if we didn’t go home, so that was what we did.
Thain stood when we left. He seemed to have something to say, but Eberon put a hand firmly on his shoulder, and Thain stayed silent.
Schula and I waved our farewell and left through the front gate with a smile from Marila.
Our pace was easy and blissfully alone as we made our way from the River’s Edge.
The walk was hard on my feet, but I was still riding a high of emotions from the night, and they didn’t bother me too much.
I grinned like a loon as I helped Schula drag herself up the stairs to the apartment.
We were welcomed home by a huge raven on the stair rail, feathers puffed up, disgruntled to have been woken by half-drunk fae coming home.
“What’re you lookin’ at, bird?” Schula asked. Puko ruffled his feathers and turned the other way.
“Come on, Schula, I think you need to wash your face and go to sleep.” I held in the amusement as much as I could.
“Mmm,” she groaned and pushed open the door.
Inside, I managed to get Schula to wash her face while I struggled to unlace us both from our elaborate gowns. Once they were off, I draped them over the kitchen chairs and got Schula into the bed. I threw fresh logs in the woodstove and crawled under the covers myself.
“Wren,” Schula mumbled, already half asleep.
“Yes?” I yawned.
“It won’t hurt my feelings if you move back in with Thain,” she said.
I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I said nothing.
“I’m an adult, I can take it.” She yawned. “I know how he feels.”
“You’re drunk, Schula,” I said.
“Half drunk,” she corrected. “And I know what I’m talking about. It won’t hurt my feelings. Not if that’s what you really want. I want you to be happy.”
“You make me happy,” I said. “All of you do.”
“But not like Thain.” She closed her eyes. “I shouldn’t have pushed Caldon on you. I was wrong, you never needed him, you had him. But maybe he did. He needed that push.”
“You’re talking about too many hes,” I said. “I don’t know what you’re saying.”
“Oh, s’okay. You don’t have to know, he does.” She rolled over and snuggled deeper in the blankets. “It’s okay to want things, Wren.”
To want things. To want . . .
“G’night, Wren.” Schula’s words were muffled by the pillows.
“Schula?” I nudged her lightly, but her breathing had already evened out, and her mouth was slightly open.
I sighed and scooted down in the warm blankets too. “Good night, Schula.”
It took me a while after that, but I finally fell asleep.