“Ensure the place is safe?” Lexi laughed. Keeva made the tiny feline sound like a sentry. She went to the farthest door on the left and propped it open. As gorgeous as the day was, she couldn’t resist. She set the kitten down and nudged it toward the garden. “There you go. Keeva said you’d want to check the perimeter.”
The orange cat flicked an ear, then marched outside as if assuming the mantle of protector.
“Well, isn’t he the brave little thing?” Lexi turned to find Keeva staring after the tiny beast as if praying he didn’t ravage the village. “Do you have a problem with cats?” She had to ask. This was just too strange.
“Just allergies,” Keeva said, her tone still unconvincing.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hate when anyone is denied the pleasure of an animal friend.” Lexi went to the door and looked out across the garden—a delightful menagerie of brightly painted gnome statues and concrete piggies greeted her. “Oh my goodness. I love it. The wildflowers. The flagstone path to that old oak. What a gorgeous sanctuary.”
“Most who stay here like it,” Keeva said. Once again, her tone said otherwise, making Lexi wonder even more about the girl. She seemed nice enough. She was just odd. As long as she wasn’t dangerous, that was the key. A glance at the kitchen made Lexi feel better. A large wooden rolling pin and knife block full of knives sat on the counter beside the cookie jar. If need be, at least she had a few weapons.
She shook away the silly thought. Keeva was not dangerous. She was just different, and nothing was wrong with different. As Mammaw used to say, the world would be a pretty boring place if everyone were normal.
“The place is perfect,” Lexi said to the wide-eyed girl. “I am so glad I came.”
“Aye, Mistress Lexi. We are glad ye came as well. Welcome to Seven Cairns. We hope ye enjoy yer stay.”
* * *
“A Fae tigerhas already come to her, and the Highland Veil revealed itself. The lass saw it.”
“Calm down.” Mairwen came away from the window and motioned to the teapot and cups on the table. Her assistant Keeva needed to learn to keep her reactions to herself. “Pour yerself a cup of tea and tell me everything.” She had a fair idea about what had shaken the girl, but she needed details, facts, not emotions. “I saw the Highland Veil as well. I was verra shocked that it showed itself to our visitor. That is a rare thing, indeed. A great honor for a mortal. Did Mistress Lexi comment on it?”
“She was taken by its beauty. Said it reminded her of her grandmother’s quilt of many colors.”
Mairwen nodded as she seated herself at the table. “Good. She associated the show of the Veil with her beloved grandmother and did not panic. That is a good sign indeed.” She sipped her tea, then set it aside, frowning. “And what did ye say about a Fae tiger?”
“I believe it is Aylryd. He glamoured himself into the form of an orange kitten, a tabby, and has already stolen her heart. She thinks someone abandoned him, and is determined to care for him and find him a home.” Keeva picked up her teacup and saucer, then set them back down when they shook and rattled uncontrollably. “She has no idea what he is. She thinks him a harmless moggy.”
“He appears as a harmless wee moggy to her. Fae tigers only come to those they wish to protect and serve. Much like the Unseelie panther that came to our Emily. Aylryd is a Seelie beast determined to protect his future queen.”
“But what will she do when she meets Prince Jeros? How will he feel about his fated mate being guarded by a Fae tiger?”
“Prince Jeros has greater things to worry about than a Fae tiger. Trust me. The fool still has to overcome his obsession with perfection and his definition of beauty.” Mairwen reached for her worn tarot cards and shuffled them. She drew a card, placed it on the table, and nodded at it. “See? The Emperor. Reversed. Excessive control, a tendency to be rigid or inflexible, or a need for validation or control. This has obviously manifested as stubbornness, a refusal to compromise, and a lack of adaptability. Until our prince sees with his heart instead of his mind, he shall be a very miserable prince, indeed.”
“Aylryd will eat him if he makes Mistress Lexi cry.”
“Then we must hope, for the prince’s sake, that does not happen.” Mairwen sipped her tea, reshuffled her cards, then dealt three more. They made her smile. “The lovers. The Two of Cups, and the Four of Wands. See here what the cards say about our Lexi and her prince? Strong bonds. Unity. Harmony. Love. Attraction. Our prince must simply overcome his blindness to Lexi’s true beauty.”
“He swore he was not that shallow.”
“He lied. You saw his reaction when he first saw her scars.”
“At least he will be prepared when he sees her. After speaking with her for but a short while, one hardly notices her scars. He should alsofeelher soul reaching out to him. Surely then the scales of prejudice and judgement will fall away from his eyes, enabling him to see her for who she truly is and can be if he will but allow it.”
“We can only hope—for his sake and the sake of the Highland Veil. It longs for their bond.”
* * *
“Feckin’Mairwen,” Jeros raged as he stormed through the gardens, blind to the roses, the potted lilies, to every flowering plant imaginable that filled the lush oasis. All he saw was the loathing in the old woman’s eyes as she sneered at him, damning him for his shallow pettiness, a pettiness that smacked of his mother’s personality. He threw back his head and roared. Never! He was not now nor ever would be like his cruel, heartless mother. She should have been born an Unseelie, so cold and thoughtless was her nature.
Daston Nightleaf, Sevenrest’s longtime butler and trusted ally, appeared as though summoned. “Is aught amiss, Yer Highness? Might I be of service?”
“Yes,aughtis amiss, and no, ye may not be of service.”
The wiry little man, for no servant must ever be as tall as those whom they serve, bowed his head and went silent.
Jeros immediately felt guilty for speaking to the devoted butler in such a manner. “Forgive me, Nightleaf. This situation is no fault of yers, and I have no idea how ye might make it better.”
