Harper gasps, a hand flying to her mouth.
I whirl on Zephyrus. “Say nothing more.”
“You went to Under withhim?” And then she halts, realization darkening her eyes. “That’s where you disappeared to last month. You know who this is, right?”
“He is the West Wind,” I state.
“And I imagine the title means nothing to you. Are you aware of his reputation?”
I’m unable to shield my confusion. Reputation?
Harper laughs. “Oh, this is wonderful, absolutely wonderful. It proves everything I have ever thought about you, Brielle. What a fool you are. What a stupid fool.”
My teeth grind together as hot, familiar shame washes through me. Perhaps she is right. I trust too blindly. But why and how would she know him if she has never met him before? I’m obviously missing something.
Harper tsks. “Imagine what Mother Mabel will say when she learns how you have erred.”
Imagine what she will do.
Mother Mabel could send me from Thornbrook. This I know. Venturing into Under is one thing, but bringing a man into the Father’s sanctuary would be seen as an act of disloyalty to Him and to my faith.
“Are you going to tell her?” My throat strains.
Harper picks at her nails. “I haven’t decided. I suppose it doesn’t matter if you get the sword before me. Once Mother Mabel learns of your deception, you will never be allowed the honor of ascension anyway.”
That is true, which is why I must find the mythical sword first. If I can bring it to Mother Mabel, might she extend to me mercy for having momentarily strayed?
“Are you looking for Meirlach?” Zephyrus asks curiously.
“We are.” Harper considers him with a sidelong glance. “What of it?”
His mouth curves. It is too sly, as is everything else about him. “I am acquainted with the Stallion and his Grotto.” He slowly peruses her body, boots to waist to scowling features. When their eyes meet, Harper quirks a brow. “I can take you there,” he says.
The queasy drop in my stomach sends me forward a step. “We don’t need your help. We know where we’re going.”
“Do you?” He turns from Harper. “Let me guess. You’ve been using a map of some sort, only it has failed to lead you belowground.”
Harper’s cold glare cuts to me, as thoughIam to blame. “We have,” she says to Zephyrus. “It didn’t work.”
He chortles as if to say,Of course not, and winks at Harper. It doesn’t escape my notice. “We can use one of the Wells to enter.”
She stares at him. “Wells?”
Now I’m certain Harper has not read a page of the Text in her life. “The Wells of Past, Present, and Future,” I tell her. “They are mentioned in the Book of Origin, when the Father sought healing from their purifying waters.”
The West Wind dips his chin. “Indeed. According to the fair folk, their ancestors built those wells with their own hands.”
I cross my arms, then drop them. There is no mention of the fair folk in the Book of Origin. It likely isn’t true. Regardless, we don’t need his help. I tell him as much.
He shrugs. “It would be a shame for you to travel all that way, only to be barred from Under. You of all people know the danger in venturing below without a guide. Step off the grassy path, and who knows what dangers await.”
Harper’s frosty gaze swings to mine. “Is this true?” Her voice cracks out so forcefully I flinch.
“Yes,” I say, “but we can’t trust him.”
At this, the West Wind’s smile deepens. Pleased by my distress? The man is too twisted a creature. “Do you not think that the presenceof a man would help you on your travels? The fair folk do love their maidens, after all.”
Harper blanches. “He travels with us.”
