“Do you know what this is?” I ask.
It might be a long shot, but not only are they wood sprites and well acquainted with all manner of natural things, they also contain the knowledge of the many mortal lifetimes they’ve lived. Tig takes a step toward my hand, eyeing the small fragments speculatively. Leaning in she gives them a sniff even as Eon pushes her sister aside and follows suit much more enthusiastically.
The sprite nods, then sneezes. The sharp puff of breath sending the remnants of my pouch into a flurry before landing scattered about the floor.
“Ma’shai,” she says bashfully.
My brows nearly hit my forehead as I ask, “Was that an apology?”
It is the first time her sprite words have landed so easily upon my ears, and she nods with a happy smile.
“Do you recognize the herb?” I ask.
The sisters nod in unison, Tig looking more intrigued by my question than her exuberant sister.
“Can you show me where to get more?” I wonder hopefully.
The smile falls from Eon’s face as both sisters shake their heads, confirming my fear that the herb is not so easily obtained. A few breathy whispers pass between the sprites and Tig points to the flowering branches in her hair.
“Will grow.” The soft echo of her voice lands on my ears.
“You can grow them?” I say in utter shock, and she seems pleased by the surprised look on my face, nodding before ushering me into the bath.
As I soak in the tub, my mind wanders to my conversation with Felias. He said there was power in the friendship of a fea, and I can’t help but wonder what other hidden talents the sisters possess. Though I think it might be rude to ask them. It’s clear there is a depth to their world that I remain completely ignorant of, and that is something I will need to rectify as soon as possible.
Awri was willing to answer every question I had the night I learned of the fea’s continued existence in our veil. Having never pondered more about the creatures than I was told, those questions were all fairly superficial.Had I known then all that I know now, my questions would have been very different.
I remain in my room throughout the morning, content to let Awri seek me out when she is ready. I begin to question why she needs me at the palace when there is plenty of time each day for me to come and go from my uncle’s manor, but I don’t read too much into it. If she wants me close at hand, I’ll take the opportunity it presents without question.
The sprites’ voices come to me, easier than they ever have before. While Tig speaks to me in a heavily accented and somewhat broken human tongue, Eon seems to prefer the odd breathy language of the sprites. I don’t ask if she knows the human language, I imagine she’s had plenty of time to learn it if she’d ever cared to do so. Instead, I find myself asking the sprite to teach me her tongue, and to that, she agrees gladly.
My head is a jumbled mess of sprite speak when I finally become bored enough to venture from my room, intent on exploring the palace and perhaps finding a little food. Eon selected a silver-white dress for the day and glared at my leathers rather than offering them to me. I briefly debate wearing them, and though I would like nothing more, I decide that while the gift is a kind gesture despite who gave them to me, they may not be appropriate attire for court.
My feet take me down the same corridors the general led me through only hours before. At least I know where to find the kitchen, though whether or not I’m brave enough to face Media this morning, I’ve yet to decide. No doubt the woman has returned to her place by the fire.
My feet slow when I round a corner beyond the general’s quarters, and I hear Riesh’s voice bouncing along the walls of the passageway, “It’s getting worse along the northern border. I’m not sure how much longer we can remain neutral, Xey.”
“We’ve never been neutral. Not a single day since the sundering,” the general’s deep voice booms.
“Let me rephrase that. We can no longer afford to appear neutral to the La’tari,” Riesh replies.
“You would do nothing?” Awri asks.
I plant my feet, willing myself not to step forward to peer behind thedoor.
“You know I would give anything to see this war at an end, but we need to be smart. If we anger the Vatruke, neither you nor I will suffer the consequences. It will be the people, just as it was before.”
“The resistance—” Riesh says.
“I willnotentertain an alliance with them,” the general growls. “They are reckless, willing to risk the lives of the very fea they claim to protect. I will not waste the lives of the fea needlessly. The ancients would never have allowed it.”
“The ancients aren’t here, but they left us with a strong leader and the power to take back Terr,” Awri argues, “Valtoura—”
“That power is in the southern kingdom, beyond our reach.” The general’s voice barely makes it to my ears when a throat clears behind me.
I whip around to find Kishek looking down at me, a wry smile plastered on his face. I’m not the only one he’s interrupted, and I suppress a cringe when the general makes his way into the hall, followed by Awri and Riesh.
“I’m beginning to think she may be a La’tari spy,” Kishek teases.
