CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
I stood in my room, deciding what to bring along for my trip.
I pulled all of my tunics out of their drawers and tossed them carelessly onto the bed behind me, spreading them out so I could survey my limited options, though this was made more difficult by Nix casually sprawling his body across them.
“Excuse me,” I grunted, dragging a plain brown tunic out from underneath his belly in order to stuff it into my bag.
“I need to pack that. You know, you are much bigger than when we first met.” Nix curled himself into a tight ball, tucking his head across his front legs as he watched me pack the rest of my belongings.
He let out a soft, concerned growl. “I don’t think it’s wise for you to journey to Solaris alone.”
“I thought we’d been over this,” I reminded him. “King Filvendor promised me his protection.”
“Oh, well, if he promised,” Nix said with no small amount of sarcasm. “Then you’ll definitely be safe.”
“The Fae take their promises very seriously,” I huffed.
“Besides, I don’t know how long I’m going to be gone,” I continued as I folded a pair of pants.
“I need someone to watch over the island for me while I’m away, in case we have any unexpected guests, or in case Corvin tries to get in touch again. ”
“Then you should at least have a backup plan,” Nix advised.
“What did you have in mind?”
He jumped off the bed. “Follow me into the study. There’s something I think you should take with you.”
Setting another pile of clothes down, I walked out the door and into the hallway, following Nix toward the study entrance.
I stepped through the door to find him lying on one of the bookshelves.
“Reach up here and grab this flute,” he instructed.
“Your predecessor Melarue left it there. She was rather inept at tidying things, always throwing them around the study instead and leaving messes behind like her life depended upon it.”
Raising my heels off the ground, I stood on the tips of my toes, blindly running my hand along the top of the bookshelf until I located the object Nix wanted me to find.
My hand closed around something wooden and cylindrical just as he promised it would.
I brought the instrument down to my level, inspecting the swirling blue design painted upon it, like a river flowing tumultuously down the length of the flute. “Try playing a note,” Nix suggested.
Slowly, I raised the flute to my lips. Before I could exhale, a large black spider came scuttling out of the furthest hole.
With a shrill scream, I flung the flute away from my mouth, sending it flying across the room in my surprise.
“Yes, throw the priceless artifact at the wall,” Nix intoned dryly, tracking its flight with his amber eyes.
“Sorry,” I said sheepishly, walking over to where it landed and inspecting it for any obvious signs of damage, careful to roll it once more before touching it in the event it contained a whole family of spiders.
I held it up. “I don’t think it’s damaged. ”
“Are you going to test it out?”
“Eww, no—not when it’s full of spiders! I think I’ll pass. What does it even do?”
“If you’re standing by water, it summons a hippocampus.”
“It summons what?”
“An aquatic horse. That flute was gifted to us by a thankful shepherd after your predecessor Vella saved his herd from a mysterious illness. Turns out his rival was feeding them poison. He vowed if the Midnight Sovereign was ever in need within the Summer Court, a hippocampus would come when called for as long as he lived to fulfill that promise.”
“Are all of the artifacts in the study from people we’ve helped?”
“Many. Not all. The Midnight Sovereign does not ask for payment. But it’s always wise to accept a gift.”
“No payment besides a moonstone, you mean.”
“The moonstone is both payment and protection, helping guard those who travel to our island.”
“I think Terani’s offering, her moonstone, helped strengthen my ability to call upon the moon.”
Nix nodded. “Yes, I anticipate your powers will only continue to grow from here.”
“And what do you think about where I am now?” I half jokingly asked.
Nix gave me a long look. “I believe in your potential. You should too.”
I flushed under the weight of his gaze. “Yes, well, I’ll still bring the flute with me. Thank you.”
“Return safely, Little Moon,” he replied, his voice solemn.
The river was calm, unlike my racing heart.
Arriving at the riverhead, I sent my small vessel back toward the island lake behind me, my nerves nearly getting the best of me.
I fiddled with one of the moonflowers tucked into my braid, waiting to see if King Filvendor would keep his word and send a carriage.
Part of me doubted that he could really deem it worth his time to meet with me.
Perhaps the carriage he promised would never materialize.
Perhaps his invitation was a mistake or a cruel joke. Perhaps—
A golden carriage appeared on the horizon, pulled by six majestic horses galloping at breakneck speed.
When it reached the river, the carriage rolled to a standstill, rocking slightly as the driver jumped down to greet me.
His long golden hair was sleeked into a ponytail behind his pointed ears.
“Elvira Hallwell,” he said with a small bow.
“Welcome back home.” He opened the side door of the carriage, then offered me a gloved hand.
I wavered where I stood a moment, his words bouncing around my head.
Was Solaris my home? I’d been born and raised here for a formative part of my childhood.
But so many of those memories had faded.
I was only ten years old when Kaylin found me.
When I reflected on my childhood, I didn’t picture the orphanage anymore.
I pictured her teaching me to read in the study.
Afternoons spent outside in the dirt, learning how to garden.
Telling ghost stories in the cemetery. History lessons and the smell of parchment.
Accompanying Kaylin into Dewwick Village, sure, helping her deliver another baby, but always returning to the island afterward.
The island was my home. Solaris was my birthplace.
But I didn’t correct the coachman. I politely thanked him instead as I took his hand and ascended into the carriage.
Taking a seat, I sank into the throw cushions, resisting the urge to touch my cheek to their soft silk.
I was alone in the carriage. Alone except for the beautifully wrapped gift box sitting on the seat across from me. I looked around. Was the box for me? The carriage started to roll forward as the horses began a slow trot that quickly became a steady gallop.
Once our movement became smooth again, I moved closer to inspect the box. A tag on the box had my name written on it in a beautiful script. It was for me. I lifted the lid, peering inside. Momentarily breathless, I withdrew the cloak folded neatly inside.
It was stunning, embroidered all over with a floral design, evoking the bright colors and carefree attitude of summertime.
Tall yellow sunflowers, cheerful white daisies, delicate red roses—their likeness each perfectly captured by a talented seamstress, who must have spent hours laboring over the garment.
Immediately, I threw the cloak around my shoulders, reveling in its soft, cool fabric.
Nix did say it was always wise to accept a gift.
I settled back against the cushions, a wide smile spreading across my face.
This visit was off to a very pleasant start.
Presumably, they were taking me to the Summer Palace, located in Solaris.
There was no longer an Archlord of the Summer Court after all.
Rather, King Filvendor was now a ruling monarch in the five kingdoms, his territory separated from the other Fae courts.
I pressed my face to the window, close enough to smudge the glass, not wishing to miss a single glimpse of the scenery.
Sunlight streamed into the carriage, illuminating my view.
His magic must have moved with him, because Solaris was locked into an eternal summer, unlike the other kingdoms which still experienced all four seasons.
Everything was bright and happy and thriving.
I gawked at the landscape as we passed a meadow of vibrant wildflowers.
Then again, when we skirted a lake, its crystalline waters the purest blue I’d ever laid eyes upon, water droplets exploding in a prism of color, as a horse-like creature dove in and out of the water, its sleek body flawlessly transitioning into fins and tail.
Could that be one of the hippocampi Nix described?
A flock of golden songbirds drew my attention away from the water, soaring by the carriage window while trilling a joyful tune.
Our path took us through a small village. A few people smiled and waved at me from the side of the street. There were people who looked like me, with the same pointed ears. Everyone was dressed for warm weather, apparently more than accustomed to the kingdom’s pervasive sunshine.
I observed a group of villagers sharing a loaf of bread outside a bustling bakery, and I smiled at the picturesque scene it painted.
And yet, I suspected that things were not quite as harmonious as they appeared, if my status as an orphan was capable of evoking so much fear during my childhood.
The Fae were still the ruling elite here, and tensions still existed, bubbling just beneath the surface.
As the scenery shifted to rolling fields, I turned my face away from the carriage window and dozed against the cushions.
The sound of clashing swords woke me from my slumber.
I peered out the window again, spotting a regiment of soldiers training in mock combat.
Their armor was red and gold and bore the emblem of a shining sun.
A soldier brought his opponent to his knees with an ease I could only dream about.
The carriage traveled onward, approaching the Summer Palace, and its massive golden gate.
I gulped, looking down at my plain tunic, then back up at the opulent display of wealth.
At least I had the new cloak I had been gifted to wrap around myself.
To either side of the gate stood a statue of a lion.
Gold. Everything was gold. Even the gate’s handles were gilded—probably more valuable than the entire contents of my small cottage.
By magic or some other unseen mechanism, the gate swung open at our approach.
The carriage came to a stop in a spacious courtyard, and the driver opened my door, offering me a hand safely down.
I spun around in a slow circle, marveling at my new surroundings. Marble paving disappeared into a maze of manicured hedges and babbling fountains. In a daze, I followed my escort into the palace, the sweet perfume of the courtyard gardens hitting me in full force as we stepped inside.
The perfume lingered indoors as we walked down a long hallway lined with cascading florals, straining to escape their ceramic vases.
Fragrant arrangements of soft pink peonies, bright yellow sunflowers, and deep purple irises filled the hallway, a cheerful distraction from the grandeur of the palace.
Rich tapestries, ornate chandeliers, and detailed artwork covered the palace from wall to ceiling.
I trailed after my escort, trying not to touch anything remotely valuable.
We entered the throne room, and I could finally narrow my attention to a single focal point.
Sprigs of greenery sprouted from the boughs of the living wooden throne positioned in the center of the room, along with vibrant summer flowers.
The man sitting on the throne exuded raw power and elegance.
There was no question whether or not he possessed magic.
A shining golden aura swirled around his fair skin.
His salt-and-pepper beard was a testament to his long life since the Fae notoriously didn’t show their age at the same pace as humans.
He loomed over the room and I suddenly felt very, very small by comparison.
“ELVIRA HALLWELL,” a voice rang out, announcing my presence.
He forgot to announce my title, but I was too overwhelmed to make any noise of protest.
King Filvendor stood, assessing my appearance with an intensity that raised goose bumps along my arms. “Wonderful, I see you received your gift,” he said in a deep, authoritative tone that echoed throughout the throne room.
He swept down the dais with predatory grace—a fluidity of movement which hinted at lethal restraint, and I was suddenly very certain I didn’t want to find out what happened when that restraint was broken.
Filvendor flung his arms wide. “Welcome home,” he boomed, his voice exuberant.
And when he smiled at me, it was as bright as the summer sun.