She rounds the corner of the screen, eyes widening as she stares at the undergarment. “What in the name of oak and ivy is that thing?”
“A mandatory article of clothing for women,” I say through my teeth as I turn my back toward her. “I need you to tighten the laces and tie them off.”
She takes up the ends of the laces, grimacing as if she expects them to bite. “Why is this necessary for human women?”
“To support our figures,” I say in a mocking tone. Lorelei pulls the laces tight at the top, eliciting a gasp from me.
“Did I hurt you?” she asks with alarm.
“No, I just...forgot how uncomfortable these are.”
“Is this really necessary? You could wear something else and cover your clothing with a cloak if you’re worried—”
“Just do it,” I say, though there’s no bite in my tone. More an eagerness to get this over with. “I need them to see me as one of them.”
She releases a sigh, then returns to tightening the laces. “Do I have to wear one of these too?”
I turn my head to the side to eye her from my periphery. “No, of course not. Why would you?”
“Because I’m going with you, obviously.”
I’m taken aback. “Did Aspen order you to come with me?”
“I askedhimif I could accompany you.”
I sigh. “Lorelei, I appreciate your dedication, but I’ll have no need for a lady’s maid while I’m in Sableton.”
She pauses her tightening and shifts to my side until our eyes meet. “You may not need a lady’s maid, but you might need a friend.”
I want to argue, to tell her Foxglove will be there, but I can’t bring words over the lump in my throat. Instead, I nod and return to facing straight ahead, eyes unfocused as they well with tears. Lorelei resumes her work, and I grit my teeth against every pull.
By the time I’m finished dressing, outfitted in human clothing and my most unassuming fae cloak, I feel the same way I did when I first left home for Faerwyvae.
Like a lamb being led to slaughter.
* * *
My heart isheavy as Lorelei and I leave my parlor. Every shadow in the hall pulls my attention, and my eyes dart to each one, expecting Aspen at every turn, around every corner. But he doesn’t appear, neither to try and stop me from leaving nor to offer me a heart-wrenching farewell. I am both disappointed and relieved.
Foxglove awaits outside the palace, standing beside the carriage led by two dark puca. The puca aren’t nearly as terrifying to behold as they were when I first saw them, especially now that I’ve become so well-acquainted with the far more menacing kelpie. Then again, the kelpie helped me during my trial in the Twelfth Court when I fought to win back Aspen’s throne from Cobalt. But had any of that surreal experience been true? Or had it only occurred inside my imagination? The crown I returned with was my only proof.
And now it sits on my parlor table. Belonging to no one.
I climb inside the carriage, taking a seat on one of the long benches while Foxglove and Lorelei take the one across from me. As the carriage begins to move, I don’t dare look out the window. I don’t think I can handle the sight of Bircharbor fading from view. Not because it’s become dear to me—it was only just beginning to feel like home—but because I’m afraid I’ll see an antlered silhouette watching me from one of the windows. The thought alone strips the air from my lungs.
It isn’t until we’ve been traveling in silence for what feels like an hour that I finally lean forward and stare at the scenery. We’re surrounded by oaks and maples with deep red leaves twinkling like rubies overhead, falling like stars to the ground where they coat the earth like a blood-red sea. I take in each crimson hue, memorizing the shape of every leaf like it’s the last time I’ll ever see it.
I settle back into my seat and face Foxglove, seeking a less emotional conduit for my thoughts. There’s always one thing I can count on to do just that. Logic. “How are we getting to Sableton? I’m assuming we aren’t taking the long way.”
“Right you are,” he says. “We’re nearing the Autumn axis. Once we reach it, we’ll be transported to the axis line along the wall. From there, we’ll make our way to the Spring axis where we’ll cross the wall into Sableton.”
Aspen once explained interaxis travel to me briefly, but there’s still so much I don’t understand. “Where exactly is the Autumn axis within the court? I know where the axes are along the wall, but I’ve never left Autumn but by sea.”
“The axis encompasses a portion of land in the forest on the southern end of Autumn near the perimeter where Autumn meets Wind.”
“And it will automatically transport us to the Autumn axis along the wall?”
“If by automatically you mean as a result of me using my magic to get there, then yes.”
