She nodded, and he clasped the bracelet around her right wrist. Her hand—her entire arm—tingled. Rajahl vel’En Daris’s crystal hummed against her skin, and the resonance of it seemed to generate an echoing vibration in Dajan’s crystal. It swept up through her skin to the tiara in her hair, where one of the loanedsorreisu kiyrresponded with its own shimmering power. Bel’s crystal, she realized with eerie perception.
Dajan, Rajahl, and Bel’s Soul Quest crystals were all resonating in a joint harmonic that pulsed in time with the beating of her own heart. As if they—and she—were somehow joined.
“Rain,” she whispered, “I can feel your father’s crystal and Dajan’s... like a heartbeat.”
His eyes gleamed with catlike satisfaction in the Fire-light. “That is a good sign,shei’tani. Your magic recognizes the magic of the warriors whose crystals you wear.”
“Bel’s crystal is beating, too.”
“He has bloodsworn himself to you. That bound his soul to your service. Dajan forged a tie between his soul and yours when he died trying to protect you.”
“And your father’s crystal?”
“The link is a reflection of your bond to me. It is good that you feel it so strongly.”
“It feels... strange.”
“That will pass in a moment as your body absorbs the resonance into itself.”
She held her breath, and the energies quieted... still there, but less noticeable. Rain watched her, smiling. There was a deep-seated peace in him she’d never sensed before. “You seem pleased,” she said. “Did your meeting with Dorian go well?” He’d sent theselkahrshards and word of the demon attack to the king, then gone to see him in person as soon as their session with Master Fellows concluded.
“It did. I will address the Council directly tomorrow. If I cannot convince them, he has promised to invokeprimus. One way or another, the borders will remain closed.”
“But you still want us to wed and leave tomorrow.”
“I do. Keeping the borders closed only stops the Mages from sending their agents freely into every city and hamlet. It does not mean the danger is past. I’m sorry,shei’tani, I know you would like more time, but I need you safe behind the Faering Mists.”
“It’s all right.” She laid her hand over his. “As long as I can visit my family, nothing else holds me in Celieria. I’m ready to go to the Fading Lands with you. I’m ready to learn how to use my magic and do whatever I can to save the tairen.”
“His esteemed Majesty, Rainier vel’En Daris Feyreisen, the Tairen Soul, King of the Fading Lands, Defender of the Fey, and Lady Ellysetta Baristani Feyreisa, truemate of the Tairen Soul, Queen of the Fading Lands.”
With her hand on the back of Rain’s wrist, Ellysetta descended the curving staircase. She looked out over the sea of faces below, and all she could think was that the last time she’d descended this staircase, she’d ended up humiliating herself and everyone else at the dinner.
As Prime Minister Corrias approached to greet them, she saw his gaze flicker briefly over the wealth of Tairen’s Eye crystals she wore. He bowed, and his forehead nearly touched the floor. “My Lord Feyreisen, Lady Ellysetta.” There was respect in his voice. And a hint of fear. He had not escaped the other night’s Spirit weave unscathed, then.
She murmured what she hoped was a suitable reply and breathed a little easier when Rain guided her past the prime minister, saying, “Come,shei’tani. We must greet our hosts, and give the prince and his betrothed our blessings.”
Queen Annoura, Ellysetta noted when they reached the dais, was missing the usual predatory gleam in her eyes. Instead, there was wariness and chilly respect and—as with Lord Corrias—a hint of fear.«She knows I spun that Spirit weave, doesn’t she?»
«Dorian told her,»Rain confirmed.
Surprisingly, the queen’s reaction hurt. Ellysetta was used to the fear and distrust of the common folk of the West End, but she had not expected it from the queen of all Celieria.
Behind the queen and off to one side, stood the queen’s ladies-in-waiting, including a beautiful young woman with dark hair and stunning blue eyes, whom Ellie recalled meeting briefly at the previous dinner. What was her name? Jiarine? She was staring at Ellysetta with a strange intensity. Jiarine looked away as soon astheir eyes met, but the brief exchange of glances left Ellysetta frowning. There was something unsettling about the lady.
King Dorian greeted her with a crooked smile and false heartiness.«I trust we’ll have a less eventful evening tonight, Lady Ellysetta?»he added, surprising her by weaving his thoughts on the common Fey thread.«I’m getting a bit old for that much excitement.»
She blushed and promised to avoid the pinalle and keflee. After sharing a few more stilted pleasantries with the king and queen, Ellysetta and Rain moved to the left of the dais where Prince Dorian and his betrothed sat on smaller thrones.
The couple stood as they approached. The prince gave first Rain, then Ellysetta a quarter bow, and Lady Nadela made a curtsey of similar respect. There was no fear in either of their gazes, only youthful arrogance and a touch of resentment. Oddly enough, that made Ellysetta relax. The arrogance of Celierian nobility was something familiar and understood.
She stood silent as Rain laid his hands on the young couple and said, “The blessings of the Fey upon you, Prince Dorian and Lady Nadela. May you enjoy long life, prosperity, and the continuation of your line.” He stepped back.«Now you give them your blessing, Ellysetta.»
She gave the couple an apologetic look. “Though the Fey have accepted me as one of their own, I wouldn’t feel right offering you their blessings. I do, however, believe in the grace and mercy of the gods. If you’ll permit me, it’s their blessing I’d like to request on your behalf.”
Prince Dorian and Lady Nadela shared a glance, then the prince nodded. “Of course.”
Ellysetta smiled, relieved. “Thank you.” She reached out and took the couple’s hands in hers. “May the gods bless you, Prince Dorian and Lady Nadela, with a long life, a strong love, and the happiness of many healthy children.” A strange, tingling warmth hummed through her, and her vision took on the fecund greenglow of Earth. The tingling sensation concentrated in her chest, then traveled down the lengths of her arms and into her hands, where it flowed out of her fingertips and was gone, leaving only a cozy warmth and slight weariness.
