She blushed, and I knew at once that the encounter must have been a special one.
“I have been with his clan ever since.”
Confused, I asked, “And your sister? Is she here too?”
“No. She has found her own way. She lives in Gadlizel with her shadow fae priest.”
“What?” I was completely dumbfounded. “I’m sorry if I appear ignorant. But I’ve never heard of a light fae living with a beast fae mate, nor a shadow fae priest.”
I’d seen a few shadow fae priests come and go at Haldek’s tavern. I wondered if her sister was with one of them.
“There are many new things happening in our world,” she admitted. “Some good. Some not.” She frowned for a moment then smiled again. “With King Gollaya making Princess Una his queen, we are living in a new world indeed.”
I stiffened at the sound of the wraith king’s name. The last time I’d heard it spoken was an unpleasant memory. The buzzing of bees and cloying scent of the Mevian lord’s perfume wafted over my memory.
“Indeed,” I admitted.
She placed a hand on mine. “I am glad you’re here. Though it seems you may be in some trouble yourself, don’t worry. The Vanglosa clan will protect you. I’m sure of it.”
The tent flap slapped open and Redvyr stepped inside. I gasped at his appearance. His dark hair hung in damp waves around his face, his fine black leather vest stitched with a white wolf on each side. I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.
His feral frown in place, he snapped in his usual gruff tone, “The council is ready. I will bring you to the kella'mir.”
Standing, I asked, “What is kella’mir?”
“Come,” he demanded and exited the tent.
I rolled my eyes at his curt attitude.
Tessa smiled and took my arm in hers. “Kella’mir is a place and an event. It is the center of the village beneath the sacred tree, where all important ceremonies and councils are heard and celebrated. Such as when I bound myself to Bezaliel.”
“Or when they banish a skald fae into the wilderness,” I couldn’t help but say.
Tessa laughed and guided me outside. There was no one on the path this time, and I was sure I knew why. They were all waiting for me at this kella’mir.
“They won’t abandon you to the wilderness,” she said. “Unless you deserve it.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. If they knew I was a syrenskyn, they would surely decide it was better to get rid of me quickly. I was a danger. Though I’d only hurt one person intentionally, and under threat of beatings, I would never hurt anyone in this clan. Still, my former betrothed wouldn’t stop sending his men to hunt for me. Of that, I was sure.
“Do not worry,” she said, hugging me closer as we walked on. “You’ll be fine.”
She turned us on a path among a row of tents that were built differently. These had open walls for ventilation with furnaces and anvils for blacksmithing, and burning ovens for cooking and drying hides. Up ahead, there was a massive oak tree, its heavy branches reaching down like arms to crown and embrace the raised dais. Upon the dais, at its center in front of the wide trunk, Redvyr sat on a wooden seat, a throne I suppose. Surrounding him was a line of both male and female beast fae sitting upon stools in a semi-circle.
Tessa stopped in front of the dais and gestured for me to go up the steps, giving me a reassuring smile before she joined her mate off to the side. The hard expressions on the council’s faces and on Redvyr’s gave me no encouragement. The sound of buzzing wings drew my attention to a sprite with a vibrant blue body and round, black eyes that perched on a lower branch of the oak tree. She must be friendly to the clan, for no one seemed bothered by her presence.
Gulping down my fear, I raised my chin and walked up the steps, ready to plead for my safety—for my protection. I was willing to beg if that’s what it took. My own father had already sold me off to a murdering, vengeful psychopath, and now his hunters were closing in. I would do anything to avoid falling into his hands.
If the only outcome for my escape was into the arms of death, then I would go. But in truth, I was too fond of life. I didn’t want to die, even if I was ‘blessed’ with this awful gift from the gods. So I readied myself to say whatever would be necessary to help me stay hidden with the beast fae of Vanglosa.
Chapter 7
REDVYR
Jessamine marched up the steps with a hard set to her chin, courage and defiance glittering in her green eyes. I could not help but admire her, knowing she was in a vulnerable situation. Wolf left my side and sat beside her, his head level with hers. She smiled and brushed a hand along his shoulder before facing forward again.
I’d told the council what little I knew of her when they assembled. The only fact I knew for certain was that she was running from an enemy, one she hadn’t admitted to me. But now, if she wanted our help, she’d have to confess more truth than she had been willing to give me in the woods when I found her.
“State your name,” said Wyzel, the senior elder of our council. Her gray hair was braided in neat, tiny plaits around her four horns.
