I stared out across Aithinne's dining hall from my vantage point at the high table, seated on a throne next to Arach. It was the same as it had ever been. The torches, the tables, even the windows. It made me wonder if it would ever change. Which made me want to change it. Maybe it was time to redecorate. Guirmean had redecorated when he took the throne. Why hadn't I?
Then again, I had changed Castle Aithinne in many ways. When seasons returned to Faerie, Arach and I had false ceilings put into the rooms with vaulted ceilings and shutters put on the windows. I brought the Fire Pixies inside as well, and when it wasn't winter, they lived in a village just outside the back of the castle. I also brought the Hidden-Ones out of hiding, and when babies started growing into toddlers, we had the playground and the swimming pool built. But more importantly, I changed the Fire Fey, and not just by bringing fertility back to our kingdom. They were different. I could see the difference happening already. It was in the way they smiled at each other. The way they started to look at the Hidden-Ones as if they were more than a weapon. Was it good that I had started these changes early? I couldn't help but feel that it was.
“You love them,” Arach whispered in a tone of wonder.
I looked over at him. “What? Who?”
“The Hidden-Ones. You love them.”
“I love all our people.”
“But you love them best, don't you?” He cocked his head at me. “You are so different from what I first thought.”
“I get that a lot. That and the height bit.”
“The height bit?”
“Yeah, people say they expected me to be taller.”
Arach snorted a laugh. “I like your height. Fey women are generally tall. It's nice to have someone who fits my body perfectly. Someone to lay their head on my chest.”
“Someone you can cuddle?” I lifted my brows.
“There is nothing wrong with wanting to cuddle your wife,” he said stiffly.
Time to change the subject. I couldn't talk anymore about the Hidden-Ones or our marriage. It would lead to emotions I didn't want to stir in Arach. Or rather, I didn't want to stir more. “Did you mirror King Rory to check on him?”
“You mean, after you asked me to check on him?” His eyes twinkled.
“Yes, I'm a nagging wife. Get used to it.”
“There's no need to nag. If I say I will do something, I will. I did indeed speak to King Rory, and he invited us to join their celebration. Obviously, we can't attend now, but I thought perhaps later, we could fly over together.”
“Really?”
“One must foster allies.” Arach winked at me.
“Who are you and what did you do with King Arach?”
He burst out laughing. This, of course, got us odd looks from our court. All except the Hidden-Ones, who cheered at their king's pleasure. It wasn't that they were simple-minded. Far from it. The Hidden-Ones were brilliant. They were smart enough to know when to withdraw and when to be bold. And they always took pleasure in what they could, be it bloodshed or the laughter of a friend.
Oh, my fierce, powerful, loving faeries. I had to let go of my irritation over the word monster. As with every derogatory word, monster held malice only when spoken with such. I would reclaim it for them. Theyweremonsters. Monsters with savage visages hiding beautiful hearts that burned true. Arach was right. I loved them best.
“I do love them best,” I whispered.
“What was that?” Arach asked.
“The Hidden-Ones. One day, you'll understand. It kills me to say this, but for now, they must stay as they are. Let them return to their caves and keep to themselves. Let them become legend again.”
“A Thaisce,” Arach's voice dropped as he cupped my cheek. “You're weeping.”
I sniffed and brushed the tears from my cheeks. “You're lucky, you know?”
“Of course, I am.” He smirked, but there was a teasing light to it. “But tell me why.”
“Because you have so much ahead of you. So much discovery, adventure, and joy. For me, it's in the past.”
“Surely you have new things left to discover, more adventure to experience, and joy awaiting you. Your life is far from over.”
