Why wouldn’t the faeries know of an Upper Court’s favorite substance, even the most exclusive? We are the ones who bring it out, then hide the evidence.
When Carter opens the door to the kitchens, his somber air falls away, and reluctantly, so do my questions. Lila and Fern sit at the table together, two goblets and a plate of little dessert squares in front of them. At the sight of us, Lila gives a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
Carter and I bring the dishes over to the sink.
“You ladies have fun.” He sighs. “I have to wait awkwardly in the hall until HisMagnificencesummons me to help take off his tight leather trousers.”
Fern snorts as he leaves, and for a moment I’m tempted to follow once more.
“Saved you some chocolate,” Lila says, pushing the plate forward.
“I’m working on a new recipe, one with milk,” Fern says. “I need some taste testers.”
From Lila’s glum expression, I feel that Fern conjured up the role of taste testers, especially for High Fae dishes, but for that I am even more grateful. When I pop one in my mouth, it’s soft and sweet and creamy. “Fern, I’ve never had something more delicious in my life.” I’ve been at Reign for over a moon, and still the difference in faerie food access amazes me.
Fern chuckles, a pleased sparkle in her eye. “Flatterer.”
Lila grabs a bottle of liquor from the floor, clinking it against the table, and pours each of us a glass. She drains hers. “Fern wastelling me about her uncle who used to work for a Healing botanist. They studied trees and found out they can talk, right?”
Saplings spring up from the grass. A growing network, a family, someone with whom to share roots.
My pulse quickens. While I was relaying a secret that should’ve never been unearthed, Lila was poking around and conducting her own investigation.
The cook sips her cup. “In Healing, they do experiments. They tap into the plane of magic and observe pulses of energy sent through the roots. Not just their geniuses, but information in those pulses. Scents that the trees would release to inform one another of dangerous animals that might eat them. When to drop leaves, if at all. The roots, you see, are like the mind. They store memories.”
The life of a chestnut tree flickers before my eyes.
“It happens slowly, and so it is not always considered intelligence,” Lila says. Then she looks to me with a lopsided smile. “You’re very smart, Avery, and even if you weren’t, I would still like you. I like you, Avery.”
“Fae wine, is it? That stuff is strong,” I say, grinning.
“Did Avery ever tell you about how she and her friend Briar got drunk at the coronation?” Lila blurts. “It was—oh. Oh no, Avery, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up—”
“It’s okay,” I say. A smile tugs at my lips, for Lila’s consideration and because for the first time since the coronation, I remember that moment fondly, and because I am so tired of frowning. I turn to Fern. “We heard the executioner was coming and I was already bored to death.”
Fern gasps. “Naughty faerie!”
Lila reaches for the bottle to pour again, and I sniff the floral wine in my cup. “What is this?”
“The king sent it back earlier. Wasn’t dry enough for him.” Fern hiccups. “We’re just sampling it.”
I glance between the pair of flushed faces, then drain my glass. They squeal and refill the cups and we clink them together, the air warm.
“Oh no!” Lila gasps. “How are we going to get you back to Illusion? We can’t drink and lace. We might end up in a bush somewhere!”
A laugh bursts from me, light and bright. It breaks up the heaviness of the night, the fear and dread churning in my stomach. It’s a temporary distraction, and this time not a harmful one.
“What’s this?” Fern demands. “You don’t have a room in Reign?”
“We didn’t know what was going to happen between the two Houses, so I kept my old room,” I explain. “I’ve been going back and forth.”
“Sounds exhausting,” Fern exclaims. “Why not have two rooms?”
“Is that allowed?”
“I’m in charge of the rooms, so I say yes!” she shouts, wrapping a thick arm around me. She is sweaty and her embrace is warm. “Pour me another drink, will you, Lila? Aw, come on—more than that. After all, no one is drinking and lacing tonight!”
“Would you like that, Avery?” Lila asks, her face shining. “Would you like a room at Reign?”
