38. Chapter Thirty Eight Rhowyn
Chapter Thirty Eight: Rhowyn
“Your True mate?” I snapped at him. “How can you be sure?” I needed an answer quickly. This had not been what I expected when we started this journey. Sure, I had felt closer to him and had used his magic once, but this was different, wasn't it?
“Come. I'll take you to the Chieftain now,” the warrior said with a smirk, clearly enjoying the bomb he'd just dropped on us.
Seeing no other way except to follow the now departing warrior, I turned to Brannoc. “We are not done with this conversation, by a long shot.”
He grimaced and replied, “Trust me, I know.”
We were silent as we marched through the forest, the warrior clearly knowing the way even though all the trees looked the same to me and there was clearly no path. Several times, I was slapped in the face and arms by branches as I followed the man, and I swore I saw his shoulders shaking as if he was laughing at me.
I turned to glare at Brannoc, needing to send my ire somewhere, and considering the secret he had kept from me, he seemed like a good source to direct all my anger at. A twinge of guilt ate at me when he dropped his head from my view, his shame and guilt clear as day to me. Shit. Maybe I was being too hard on him? I mean, he had tried to tell me something earlier before everyone had come in and interrupted us.
I shook my head. He’d had ample opportunities to tell me, but he chose not to. He had made the decision to keep something this huge from me, leaving me to find out like this. If I was supposed to be his mate, shouldn't he have been able to trust me with this information? Unless.... no. He had sworn himself to me already, hadn't he?
It wouldn't be the first time that a man told a woman what she wanted to hear just to get into her pants. What if he hadn't meant what he'd said? What if he didn't want to be my mate and that's why he hadn't told me?
I looked over my shoulder as if the answer could be found with just a glance, but it was the same slumped shoulders as he followed behind me. When I stumbled over a root, I whipped my head back forward just in time to catch a face full of branches. “Watch it, asshole!” I snapped, completely fed up with these Ravens.
The warrior simply turned back with a smile. “Perhaps it should be you who watches what she's doing?”
I narrowed my eyes at him in response, dreaming up ways I could maim him, but I was certain he didn't see me as a threat. What with my diminutive height and human body, he thought I was beneath him. Some weakling to trample all over.
Focusing completely on my path forward, I managed to catch the next branch, a smile gracing my face in triumph for the first time since the truth bomb earlier. Take that you stupid warrior asshole! I was country once, and I know how to avoid shit. It's just been a while since I had to rough it. I thought at him, keeping all my angry words to myself.
After about forty miles and ten hours, or maybe it wasn't that long, but it felt like it in this terrain, the warrior pushed back a final branch and held it for me. I looked at him tentatively, pausing because I couldn't be sure this wasn't some trick where he was waiting for me to move forward so he could release the branch into my face again. Deciding to take the chance and be ready for it just in case, I moved forward cautiously.
I halted with a gasp as I took in the area that had been hiding behind the branch the warrior was holding for me. I glanced at him as if this was some kind of joke or mirage, only to find a prideful smirk.
Turning back, I took in the view, feeling Brannoc's warmth coming up to stand behind me. I sensed his hand coming up as if he wanted to grab my waist, but he hesitated, dropping his hand to his side. A twinge of hurt gripped me, but it did nothing to mar the beauty that was before me.
A village stood ahead of me, homes built into the trees like in the fairy tales and stories I'd read about. People, or rather Ravens, went about their daily tasks, paying no heed to us other than the occasional curious glance. Children ran back and forth, chasing each other and playing games, some even disappearing into their smoke forms to reappear in front of the others in a form of tag. Their laughter reached my ears, and this idyllic scene caused my heart to ache. What would my life have been like if I had grown up in a place such as this? Clearly there was love and pride here, family everywhere.
“It's beautiful,” I whispered in awe, turning to the warrior.
“Welcome to Bran Coille, my home.” He let me look a little longer before waving at me. “Come, it is time to meet my True Mate, Chieftain Revna.” It seemed that my response to his home had changed his demeanor toward me, as if my appreciation had warmed his heart and lowered his distrust of me. Clearly, I was still the outsider here, but with my connection to Brannoc, maybe they'd welcome me.
We followed the warrior, who had yet to give us his name, but if his mate was the Chieftain, I knew he was someone important to this tribe. Or did they call themselves a flock? I knew crows were called a murder when they grouped together, but what were Ravens called? I filed the question away to ask Brannoc later. Maybe.
Members paused in their tasks, watching us as we were led to a large tree in the middle of the village. Their stares caused the hair on the back of my neck to rise, and it took everything in me to keep from stiffening my muscles in preparation for an attack. Instead, I kept my muscles loose and my gait unhurried as if I did this sort of thing every day. Although I did shift my weight from my heels to the balls of my feet so I could react quickly should I need to. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst, a mindset that had gotten me safely through life so far.
As we neared the largest tree, I took in the details that surrounded me. A large door was carved into the front, two guards on either side. Up above, I could see some balconies and walkways, which connected to the other trees around us. Guards marched along the walkways, their eyes following Brannoc and I closely, wary of our intentions. It was easy to sense their irritation at having obvious outsiders in their domain. They didn't trust us, which I couldn't blame them for because I didn't trust them either. Sure, I was going along for now, but I wasn't about to lower my guard. We simply needed access to the water they protected and would happily be on our way once they gave us what we came for.
Although, I could hear Arryn's voice now, advising me on how prudent it would be to gain their trust and allegiance, something we may need in the future, being that we found ourselves at odds against the Queen and current regime. At the very least, we didn't need them as enemies. Which meant I'd have to play the diplomat . Shit . I really wished I had Arryn or Baer here to help me navigate this meeting. I was a shoot first and ask questions later type of girl. Having to play the part of a politician came about as naturally to me as a dog playing poker.
At a nod from the warrior, the guards moved from the door, their weapons at the ready as they gauged my threat level. It seemed that I wasn't much of a threat to them because they visibly relaxed once they caught sight of my human ears, which were clearly on display. Go ahead and underestimate me, I thought. Everyone who did had come to regret that decision. I knew what I was capable of and that was all that mattered. Unlike men, I didn't see the need in puffing out my chest and throwing my weight around.
And if I was being honest, those men who felt the need to do such things always left me with the impression that they were covering up for their own lack of confidence. Because, in my opinion, if you were powerful or confident, you didn't feel the need to let everyone know. For instance, one of the things that won me over with my men was the fact that they never felt the need to lord their power or status over others. And they were all, without a doubt, powerful in their own ways. Thank goodness they never felt the need to bluster like so many other men I'd met.
I smiled to myself at that thought as I glanced at the guards, finally receiving an inkling of unease from them, which only stretched my smile to one of pure amusement. At the guard's stiffening stance, the warrior looked back at me, his own amusement clear. Shaking his head with a huff at his men, he led us inside the tree, clearly not understanding why they now feared a small human woman.
If I had expected the inside to feel claustrophobic or dark, I would have been woefully wrong. My sharp inhale at the bright and homey interior had the warrior laughing at me. “It's bigger on the inside,” he said, obviously understating that sentiment. I couldn't resist; a loud guffaw escaped me to echo around the entry. The similarity to a blue telephone box and a certain doctor amused me to no end.
He led us up one of the stairways to the right of the entry, which curved around and led to another doorway on what I assumed was the second of many floors. Looking up, I had to grab the wooden rail to steady myself, the distance disorienting. People rushed in and out of rooms, going about their business and barely glancing at us. Again, we were greeted by two guards on each side of the double doors that stood before us. They nodded to the warrior and swung the doors wide for us.
Inside the room, I felt transported back in time to where the British courts and lawmakers would meet in what I guessed would be the Victorian times. I had seen documentaries and TV shows displaying similar setups to the one that was now before me. Rows of wooden stands surrounded us in a horseshoe shape, all the benches currently sitting empty and creating an echo of our footsteps across the wooden floor.
The warrior bowed, drawing my attention from our surroundings to the lone figure that sat and waited for our approach. The willowy, dark-skinned woman sat in a wooden throne-like chair that was simple and elegant. Her hair was dark as night, reflecting blue and purple like an oil slick in the light. She was stunning in her beauty as she regarded us with a gentle smile on her face. Her purple eyes reflected a wisdom beyond the years that she appeared, letting me know that despite the youth she presented, she was much older than my meager twenty-five years.
She stood, her hair covering her breasts from view, a simple loin cloth like the one the warrior wore, hiding the rest from view. Her supple skin rippled with strength in the graceful movements. Instinctively, I was met with the urge to bow to the woman, but I held my head high while fighting the urge. Brannoc remained standing behind me to my right, his body rigid as he seemed to also struggle with the urge.
“Interesting,” she stated as she glided over to us, circling us like a predator would do their prey. I refused to succumb to the overt intimidation tactics, waiting quietly until she was once again standing before me. Instead of addressing me, she turned to the warrior who was still on bended knee, head bowed. “What have you brought me, Ramund?”
Rising, he moved to stand beside her and spoke as if they were having a private conversation that greatly amused them. “A stray Raven and his True Mate.”
Her head snapped to Ramund, the only indication of her shock. “A human as a True Mate? Surely you jest.”
“No, my love. Apparently, this human is also in line to be the next Queen.” The way he said human was as if he had mentioned he'd stepped in dog shit, dripping in disgust and scorn.
“Now I know you must be pulling one over on me,” she replied, somewhat irritated by the joke she thought he was having at her expense.
“Chieftain Revna,” I said, drawing her formidable gaze to mine before continuing. “He's not joking. I am the rightful heir to the throne after having completed the three trials and being selected by Avalonia herself.”
She tilted her head in confusion. “But you look nothing like the light-haired fae that goes by the name of Genevieve, who Titania has announced as the winner.” Her eyes narrowed as if daring me to disagree with her.
“She's lying,” I said simply with all the confidence and surety that I was the true Queen. “Avalonia chose me herself, and I'm here to complete the ascension to my throne despite Titania's efforts to thwart me.”
“Hmmm....” Revna studied me, seeing something in me that relaxed her. She stepped forward, sniffing me like her mate had. I tightened the grip of my hands that were clasped behind my back, letting her invade my personal space to complete whatever assessment she had to make, doing my best to not make any new enemies.
Stepping back, she tilted her head. “I never did care for Titania. It's about time someone came to knock her off her high horse.”
Relaxing slightly with her statement, I replied, “That's the plan at least.”
“And what is it exactly that you hope to gain from us?” Her head tilted to the side slightly, in the way that Brannoc often did when studying something that fascinated him.
Looking to Brannoc for reassurance, he simply nodded once, indicating I should continue. “We've come to ask for access to the pure waters so that I may drink and commune with Avalonia. As previously discussed, starting the ceremony at the castle's source is not possible, which has led us here to you.”
Her eyes found Brannoc's clearly not happy with him, her eyes narrowed in a withering glare. “I see. I take it you are the reason she is aware of our source?”
“I am,” Brannoc answered succinctly.
“And what gave you the right to reveal such a secret?”
“As Ramund mentioned before, as my True Mate, Rhowyn has just as much right to these lands as I do,” Brannoc said, not bending under her scrutiny.
“And you think that we should allow a human access to these waters?” she questioned further.
“She's not human.”
“Really, because she could have fooled me.” Her gaze met mine with scorn and unhappiness, her previously kind demeanor full of sharp edges now.
“I'm not human. I am simply wearing the glamor of a human,” I answered with just as much righteous indignation, my limited patience already beginning to wear thin. While I was giving her the respect she deserved in her own home, I would not be talked down to, and I'd be damned if I let her treat Brannoc with that same scorn. He had every right to this place, too.
“And why do you feel the need to wear such a glamor? Are you trying to lower our guard? To trick us?” Her posture moved from relaxation to awareness, studying my movements now for any sign of attack.
Unsure how to proceed without revealing all of my weakness, I knew I had to give her something, or we'd fail before we'd even gotten started. Failure was not an option. This was the only way, and I needed to do what was necessary to gain access to the water that they guarded.
With a deep sigh, I held out my hands to placate her and to let her see that I meant no harm or danger to her. “My glamor was placed by my father when he sent me to live on Earth. He was the head of a rebellion against Titania and feared for mine and my mother's safety, so he sent us to Earth where I was raised among humans, completely unaware of my fae heritage until I was selected to compete in the trials. My glamor should have broken upon my return to Avalon but has not for reasons we can only surmise at this time.
“We mean you no harm and do not wish to deceive you in any way. We simply ask for access to the waters so that I may commune with Avalonia and complete the task she has assigned me. We will leave and never return afterward should that be what you wish.”
She studied me, looking to her mate as if they were having a silent conversation. After several minutes, it seemed she had come to a decision. Turning back to us, she said, “I alone cannot make such a decision. The request you have made must be granted by the majority of our council. It is too late to convene them all and so it must wait until the morrow. You shall be our guests until such a time that a decision can be made.”
“Will we be able to be present during this meeting?” I asked, suddenly afraid that we would be misrepresented.
With a sigh and quick glance to her husband, more silent conversation passed between them. “If you must insist, then I must grant such a request as is the way of our people and our duties that we are bound by.”
“I insist,” I said without any doubt.
“Fine.” She waved a hand dismissively at us, already turning her back on us. Her body language indicated that she saw us as no threat. “Cyerra will show you to your rooms. We convene for dinner in about an hour. It would be wise to be there, as many from the council will be as well.”
Grateful for the hint, I couldn't help but suspect that she was on our side, though she was trying hard not to show it. “Thank you,” I told her as she left the room, followed by her mate.
A door opened, and a young female entered. Her hair was just as dark and sleek as Revna's, but her skin was just a shade lighter. They shared the same purple eyes, and I could easily see the resemblance. If I had to guess, this was Revna's daughter. Thankfully, the daughter was wearing a little more than her mother, her breasts covered with a light leather material that was split down the middle. She wore leather pants in the same material, with wide stitching along the sides of the pants that revealed plenty of blue and white tattoos. Bowing slightly in greeting before us, she said, “I'm Cyerra, please follow me.”
Bowing in return out of instinct, I said, “Thanks. I'm Rhowyn and this is apparently my True Mate, Brannoc.” My words dripped with irritation and earned a gasp from Cyerra.
“Your True Mate? Really?” Her wide eyes bounced between us.
“So, I've been told,” I told her with a forced smile, still not happy with the secret Brannoc had kept from me.
“This is truly unheard of. A human for a True Mate! What is this world coming to now?” She jabbered on as she led the way out of the council room.
“She's not human,” Brannoc hissed at her, clearly not happy with the way I was being regarded.
“Really? She looks so much like one!”
“It's a glamor,” I assured her. “I'm actually High Fae. At least that's what I've been told.” The last part was murmured under my breath because, at this point, how could I be certain? It seemed that everything about me broke all the laws of magic so far. Perhaps this would be just one more thing that made me an outlier among the Fae.
“It's a strong glamor, for sure. I would never have guessed had you not told me,” she said, oblivious to the fact that her comments could be taken as insensitive.
“Yup. Hence the reason it's still in place.” I smiled forcefully at her. Really, it wasn't her fault, and I couldn't exactly take out my ire on her. If anything, she seemed like she might be a fount of information that I could use to my advantage.
“Wow! Still, to have found your True Mate among the High Fae. Maybe times really are changing like Mother said. Too many of us are going our whole lives without finding our True Mates, so maybe the answer is to go searching among the rest of the fae,” she babbled on, a romantic sigh leaving her. “I'd give anything to be able to find my True Mate. Mother says I will, but I'm just not as sure. Do you think it's possible that I have one among the fae as well?” she asked me, halting our march along the wooden walkways, her face full of hope. There was no way I could crush those dreams.
“It's possible. I mean, we've been chosen by Avalonia herself to be mated, so maybe yours is out there somewhere too,” I assured her.
“However, it would be unwise to leave the enclave to search for your mate without the approval of your Chieftain,” Brannoc rushed in, dashing the young girl's hopes.
“Mother would never allow me to leave the enclave,” she murmured despondently.
Glaring at Brannoc for his insensitive words, I tried to buoy her spirits again. “Who knows, crazier things have happened. You may just get her approval after all. Maybe, when I'm Queen, we can try to assimilate more of the Ravens among the fae.”
“Really?” she gasped, her face so full of hope again.
“Really.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful! To not be hunted just for what we are. To be able to be safe among the others would be a dream. There's so much of the world I want to see, but I've been stuck here all my life. Mother says it's too dangerous for me to leave, what with me being next in line for the throne,” she rambled as she led us from one tree to the next, the forest floor far below us.
Everyone else avoided us, pausing to eye us as we passed or taking other pathways so as not to come near us. Nearly everyone who caught sight of my rounded ears glared at me with disdain. Curious as to why the Ravens appeared to despise humans even more than the fae, I decided to ask Cyerra. “Why is everyone looking at me as if I'm lower than pond scum?”
“Oh, that's because you look human.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her statement. Thanks, Captain Obvious. “And why does everyone seem to hate humans?” I clarified.
“Oh. Oooh. You don't know?” She turned to me in shock.
“No. I was raised among humans on Earth and only recently found out I was fae,” I explained to her.
“Well, once, the High Fae loved to visit Earth and bring humans back to live among us. The humans were enamored of us and our magic. The High Fae were amused at the primitive nature of humans, finding grand entertainment in showing them our ways. The humans saw us as Gods. Many chose to stay and live among us for their entirely short lives, but after a couple of centuries, the humans had nearly overpopulated us. Their birth rates far exceeded our own, and it wasn't long until they had the numbers to force a rebellion. A few of the human leaders had decided that they were no longer satisfied with their mundane lives and went about seeking ways to steal our magics from us.
“Many people died in that war, mostly humans, but the Ravens suffered greatly as well. See, we are not originally from here, and once the fae saw how easily the humans had turned on them, they began to view us suspiciously as well. It wasn't long until the fae began hunting us, killing any of the Ravens that they saw as too powerful.
“Avalonia took mercy on us and granted us this small pocket of land. We're technically part of Avalon and yet not. We're hidden from the fae as long as we protect the source of Avalonia's power. Our lives are tied together in balance, because if one of us were to perish, the other would quickly follow,” Cyerra explained.
She paused at a door, opening it and indicating we should enter. Her hand landed on my forearm as I moved to pass by her and into the room, halting my progress. “Did you mean it when you said you wanted us to be able to rejoin the fae lands, to be safe amongst your kind?”
Placing my hand on top of hers, I said, “I did.” Turning to glance at Brannoc still behind me, I continued. “It seems that Avalonia wishes that to be since she gave me Brannoc. I have a feeling that it's all part of her grand plan.” I smiled reassuringly at her.
Nodding with a beaming smile, she said, “I'll leave you two here to rest. Please enjoy your stay. I'll be back to gather you two for dinner in about an hour. You'll find a change of clothes for both of you inside should you wish to freshen up beforehand.”
“Thank you, Cyerra. I appreciate your hospitality, and I look forward to seeing you again shortly. Hopefully with your help, we can also make the council see the prudence in allowing us passage to the waters.”
“Of course. I'll see you shortly.” She beamed, bouncing away with high spirits.
I watched her leave. “I like her,” I told Brannoc, meaning every word. Her innocence was refreshing, and I couldn't help but wonder what such a feeling would be like. To have such complete and utter faith that things would work out for the best. There was no sense dwelling on things that would never come to pass. Instead, it was time to have the hard conversation with Brannoc that we had both been avoiding. Welp, there was no time like the present.