The Way Home
This piece is so realistic that it looks like something that the artist carved from memory, not imagination.
Shaped from fallen wood, this is a freestanding mushroom cottage.
Honey hues imbues the creation with warmth, and the roof overhangs the walls with vertical slits beneath that mimic the gills of a mushroom, standing in for roof tiles.
In a real structure, they might also offer ventilation.
The roof rises to a domed cap, and the doors actually open to reveal the incredible detail within.
This seems to have been crafted in two pieces, lending it a three-dimensional coziness.
There is a tiny hearth made of stone and the minuscule furnishings are meticulously sized to scale.
Curved shelves line the walls with tiny artifacts set atop them as proof of a full and happy life.
One might believe that tiny folk truly make their home in this magical, whimsical place.
There is a small sign above the front door that simply reads, MIREMOREL. Below that, two words: WELCOME HOME.
Kerboros
I pull Thea from the edge of the gathering to the center, where she belongs.
As long as I live, I will not permit people to ostracize her or make her feel that she doesn’t belong because she was born somewhere else.
Newcomers bring new ideas, though in truth, she’s essentially a native.
She remembers nothing of the mortal realm, as she was stolen only a few hours after her birth.
Though I’m unaccustomed to attention and I never shared my father’s desire to hold the reins of power, I pitch my voice to carry. “First, I must say I didn’t seek this role.”
“People who don’t want power are the only ones who should have it,” someone calls. It sounds like Thea’s dad, but since Mudge isn’t tall and the crowd is huge, I can’t be certain.
“Agreed,” Zeph says.
I acknowledge them with a nod, then turn my attention to Thea.
Since I’m already holding one of her hands, I take the other and raise it to my lips.
This isn’t an arranged marriage. It’s not a marriage of convenience either, an agreement we’ll reluctantly sign to prevent worse consequences.
No, I intend to make it clear to this assemblage that I chose her long ago and that I can imagine myself with no one else until the end of time.
“You have been ordered about your entire life,” I begin.
“So have you,” she says quietly. I might be the only one who hears it.
“And so, before this assembly, I must ascertain one thing beyond any shadow of a doubt. Do you want this? Do you wish to marry me? Forget the peace accords, Winter and Summer be damned. Do you want me?”
She smiles with her entire soul, a luminous glow behind her beautiful eyes. “Always. My answer is yes. I’m glad we can prevent further conflict, but you’re everything I ever wanted in a partner, and I’ve been searching for you my whole life. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you sooner.”
“Recognize me?” My voice lilts on the question.
“Yes. Soulmates should quicken to each other on sight.” Her smile says she’s teasing me, but the word soulmate fills me with joy.
Lady Mirralee interrupts the moment to decree, “Remove the exiles. Carry out the sentence immediately, before they seize an opportunity to escape and foment unrest.”
The former Lord and Lady of Winter are bound, both with magic and with cold iron, and the palace staff drag them from the great hall. Liskaal and Valnevi are still screaming in protest. I don’t watch them go. In fact, I only have eyes for Thea.
“It seems to me,” Pell drawls, “that we are dressed and gathered in a manner that’s entirely suitable for a wedding. Weddings always have cake! They should get married right now.” They glance around looking for support of the suggestion.
I tilt my head. “What do you think?”
“It’s a little sudden,” Thea says. “But I have no doubts about you. Or us.”
“A wedding!” Mudge shouts it first.
Others take up the cry. I hear Rosa and Taragon, louder than the rest. Lady Mirralee restores order by rapping on the table again.
“This could have been a wretched ordeal, but thanks largely to Zeph’s machinations, it shall be a joyous one instead.
Let us witness as Winter and Summer plight their troth.
Then there shall be revels unlike any experienced in recent times. ”
“After tonight, we’ll live as legends.” Lord Sorren speaks his agreement with what seems like a warm look at Lady Mirralee.
Yes, there’s definitely something between them.
Though I have no proof, I believe Zeph has blood ties to both royal houses, Summer and Autumn, though they were raised by Lord Sorren.
Perhaps Zeph has no desire to hold a title in either court.
It occurs to me that they might have orchestrated all this to win their freedom by offering up me and Thea in their stead.
It’s diabolical: a coup, a bait and switch, and a fox slipping a snare all at once.
Clever, clever Zeph.
Since I’m so pleased with the outcome, I don’t mind that they used both of us for their own ends.
Lady Mirralee whispers to Leifan, who hurries to another staff member, and soon an entire regiment of workers is rearranging the look of the great hall, carrying tables to go with the seats, and someone has conjured lights, while a brownie hangs bright banners, and yet someone else hurries about with vases of fresh flowers.
In less time than I could have imagined, the sonorous speaker who announced all the arriving guests calls us to the center of the hall. “Lord Kerboros. Lady Thea. Please take your places and speak your vows before this assembled company.”
I haven’t thought about this; I never imagined I would be so fortunate. But I shall not let this moment pass or permit this blessing to slip from my grasp. Still hand in hand, I walk with Thea, feeling the weight of the collective eyes fixed on us.
“You first,” she whispers.
We are surrounded by people. But my focus narrows to Thea’s smile, her sparkling eyes. I can only speak the truth and hope it’s enough.
“I will always see you. I will always listen to you. I will always believe you. I promise that I will disagree with you when you’re wrong but with gentleness, never in anger.
I will protect you with my last breath, and I will heed your counsel because you are a kind and brilliant person.
I love you with my entire soul, and I promise to be there when you need me. Will you take me as yours?”
“I will,” Thea breathes.
I kiss both her hands in a courtly gesture, hoping she can tell how happy I am. “Your turn,” I murmur, beneath the thunderous applause.
When the room quiets, she inhales deeply.
“Some people picture how this moment will go, and I never did, likely because I was too busy causing trouble.” She pauses for the ripple of surprised laughter.
“But even if I’d imagined my wedding, it could never compare to the reality of surviving the darkest days with the perfect partner by my side.
Over time, you earned my trust and never once let me down.
“In turn, I promise to wreak havoc on your enemies—in the silliest ways imaginable—and I promise to make you laugh when you’re in the doldrums. I promise to pull you into bed at the least provocation and make you wonder a thousand times a day what in the world I’m thinking.
I promise to keep the mystery alive and never explain anything until the last moment.
And most importantly, I promise to love you until I die. Still want to be mine?”
She startles a laugh out of me, and I answer with the chuckle caught in my throat. “Yes. More than anything. It could only ever be you.”
Lady Mirralee applauds, rising to motion at everyone else. “Citizens of Autumn and assembled guests, please join me in welcoming the Lord and Lady of Winter.”
All around us, fae surge to their feet, applauding with joyous abandon. Someone starts calling for a speech or a toast. The demand becomes overwhelming, but for once, I have something to say.
A nearby waiter places a glass in my hand, and I raise it, indicating that I’m about to cooperate. The hall hushes, eager to learn what sort of ruler has taken power in Winter. I smile slightly, considering how outraged my father would be over what I’m about to do.
But my brother? Geraint wouldn’t be able to stop smiling.
“Earlier, I said I don’t want this responsibility.
Before, all I wanted was to disappear—to be left alone to focus on my art.
” It’s the first time I’ve acknowledged that particular passion in public.
“Now that I have the freedom to do as I wish? I refute the strangling levels of control my cousin embraced. I intend to convene a ruling council in Winter. I’ll discuss issues with them, and we’ll determine the best course via consensus.
I plan to appoint representatives from all classes of wild fae.
“Our system is stagnant. This is the wild fae’s home too, and they deserve a voice.
I shall see that there is a fair distribution of power.
Not only is it more equitable, but it also grants me the chance to be with the people I love.
So don’t be startled if I spend more time creating beautiful things than imposing my will.
Nobody asked how I intend to handle this responsibility, and so I believe I am free to do as I see fit within my territory. ”
“Macha’s tits,” Rosa says loudly into the silence. “It’ll be absolute chaos. I love everything about this.”
Thea rises up to kiss me in front of the whole of fae society, both high and wild. When she pulls back, she grins at me. “Chaos, hmm? This is indisputable proof that you’ve married the right person. That’s basically my middle name.”
The other rulers confer quietly, and then Lord Sorren rises with honey wine in hand. “We shall observe this democratic experiment with great interest.”
Pell is grinning with a glee that seems borderline deranged. “Oh! I’ve never been so entertained. I want a council too! I know, I can do the lottery idea.” Immediately, they signal to staff and ask for paper, pen, and ink.
I feel mildly concerned for the people of Springtide, but it won’t be worse. I hope.
Lady Mirralee rises as well. “Now that all official matters are attended to, let the festival begin!”