“I understand your concern. But we have been fighting this civil war for twenty-five years. We can’t continue to lose lives and harm our own folk any longer. All my attempts at hiring assassins or at breaking Orofine have failed. But so has Jasper's. We need something different, something unexpected, to defeat Jasper. This human is not allied with another nation. She is not a subject of Latiah, and she can kill the king. She is the only one of us who can kill the king without dying in return. I am willing to use her to end the tyrant king.”
Raikin frowned as he looked at Savine. He wasn’t happy, Savine knew. Raikin rarely was pleased with Savine’s decisions, especially if he did not take Raikin’s counsel first.
“She appears to be a tiny, weak human. No more useful than a mouse. I do not understand how we can expect her to defeat a force greater than our own. It’s based on luck that we will see success in ridding our world of Jasper through this woman.”
“You shared your objections, Raikin. I’m still going through with this plan. We need this woman. The Goddess sent her to us to help us, and I will not deny the fate of the Goddess in all this. Do as you are told, or keep your objections to yourself. I want all of you to meet Avery formally.”
Savine got up and motioned to the guards standing outside of the sitting area. They brought Avery out to the patio. Avery’s hair was pulled back in a braid, revealing her elegantly curved ears. Her wide eyes and round mouth didn’t hide her fear as she faced a room full of fae. Savine’s fingers twitched with the desire to trace thatfull mouth and those rounded ears. She wore her every expression like it was a gateway into her soul.
Chapter fifteen
Avery
Avery’s heart thundered as she entered the presence of the six fae around her. She reminded herself that this was her new reality. She needed to be strong and not show her fear in front of them. Fortunately, none seemed as terrifying as the Hylax. However, one female with skin the color of skimmed milk, eyes like amethyst, and tiny sharp teeth like a fish sent a shiver down her spine. She recognized her as the same woman who’d brought Savine wine to her tent.
Savine approached Avery and motioned for her to enter the sitting area. “Avery, this is my council. You know Kyla. She is my second in command.” Kyla gave Avery a cheerful grin but did not rise from her seat. “Beside her is her soulmate, Garnel. He is the general of our forces.” The fae man near Kyla had long, curly, flame-red hair. It was shaved on the sides and braided in long, loose braids down around his muscular shoulders and back. His dark skin rippled with a fur pattern underneath. His pointed ears were pierced all the way up, filled with tiny earrings that seemed to connect through a chain. He was a gigantic man, taller and larger than Savine. When was the folk considered a giant instead of a fae?
“I saw you once, although you were not conscious,” Garnel said by way of introduction. A shiver went down her spine. All Avery could do was nod atthe man.
“Beside Garnel is Gaelyn. She is my quartermaster. A tremendous task to assemble and disassemble an entire town twice a year.” The bluish-fish woman gave Avery a bored glance.
“Next to her is Jay, my master of the herd. He cares for the elk and moose. You will meet with him after this to see about a beast that will suit your needs.”
The dark-skinned and dark-haired fae gave Avery a friendly smile. At least someone here didn’t look like they wanted to eat her. The essence under his skin was made of tiny, thin lines like fur.
“Lastly, we have Raikin. He is my emissary to other nations. Raikin is often gone but just returned from the southern nation of Goldoth. He and Jay are also soulmates.”
“Pleased to meet you,” the man said in a way that sounded anything but pleased. His skin was white as snow, with a few faint gray lines under his skin where his essence showed. His hair was also white, while his eyes were the color of spring-green leaves. He was classically beautiful and slight in his build. He reminded Avery of an aspen in spring.
“Now you have met my team. We all have a lot to do to prepare for our journey to the winter camp in Bayberry. Avery, I expect your full cooperation in traveling from here,” Savine said to Avery with a scowl as the group watched them interact. The look made Avery queasy in the pit of her stomach. Why was he so harsh to her? Hadn’t he shown her a few moments of kindness before?
“Avery, do you have questions for everyone?” Kyla asked.
“Um. No. It is nice to meet you all. I’m sure we’ll get to know each other better,” Avery said. She was ready to return to Savine’s tent and hide. Everyone looked at her as she spoke. Jay, Kyla, and Garnel lookedat her with kindness. Gaelyn and Raikin looked at her like she was a disgusting creature.
“Then we are ready to make our next move. Before we prepare to leave the Midden and bring Avery to Bayberry, there is one thing that remains,” Savine said.
“You do not mean for us to swear ourselves to this human, do you?” Gaelyn asked.
“It seems excessive,” Garnel agreed. “I will keep to your plans because you are my commander, and I am and have always been loyal to you.” Garnel’s words seemed extreme for the followers of a rebel leader. Avery saw Savine’s frown deepen at Garnel. His blue eyes gleamed ice cold at Garnel, and he once again pressed the bridge of his nose with his fingers. This was his go-to reaction when he was irritated.
“I have use for her yet, and I will risk none of you glamouring her, or ridding me of her for your own reasons,” Savine said with a menacing smirk. So Savine didn’t even trust his closest allies with her? Interesting. If he didn’t trust them, did he trust anyone? “Her full name is Avery Hollis.” Each member of the council muttered to themselves.
A chill went down Avery’s spine. “Wait… What does this mean? What kind of oath are you taking?”
Raikin sneered as he spoke. “An oath will bind us to you. No fae would take an oath lightly. What Savine demands is unheard of.”
“Then don’t do it,” Avery said. She didn’t need Savine’s council to swear anything to her. It would be another thing that tied her to them, which she didn't want.
Raikin pursed his lips, and his gaze shifted to Savine. The room became uncomfortably quiet as everyone looked at Avery and Savine.
“Oh, you mean he will force you to do this?” Avery asked as she turned to look up at Savine. “You don’t have to do this. Seriously. Don’t.”
“You forget, little flower, you’re my gift. I’ll take no chances with your protection,” Savine scoffed. The hard lines on his face made Avery suspect that evenhedidn’t want to take an oath to her.
Kyla stood up. “I’ve spent several days with Avery Hollis. Our Goddess sent her to us with a purpose. You can ask Savine, and he will tell you I wanted to send her back to her realm, for her own sake. To be a human in Aeritis is a dangerous task. I, for one, will take the oath. You know my brother. You know when he commits to something, it’s for good. But Savine, I think you should tell them the whole truth. You can trust everyone in this room with our secret.”
Avery watched Savine’s expression grow cold, and he was quiet long enough that the silence felt awkward.
