Wyzel turned her gaze to me. “Then it is decided, in my opinion. But the council always casts a vote. Heeding Lorelyn’s vision, Jessamine will come with us to our winter camp. When we return to Vanglosa after the winter, surely the threat of these Mevians will be gone from our lands. She can journey and seek shelter with some of her own kind then.”
My tail twitched, my body restless, agitated.
“Does the council concur with my decree?” asked Wyzel.
“Aye,” said Bowden.
“Aye,” added Lorelyn.
The others followed suit then I added, “Aye” last, since the lord of the clan must also agree with the council on any decisions.
“Then this kella’mir has concluded,” declared Wyzel, standing from her stool with her walking stick in one hand, the beads of glass and silver in her braids clacking together as she moved. “I suggest you assist her with some warmer clothing, Lord Redvyr. That won’t be satisfactory for our journey to Ghasta Vale.”
I merely nodded as the council stood and ambled toward the steps, each taking a moment to shake Jessamine’s hand. Even the older and more distrustful of those outside our clan took a moment to greet her properly. The clan dispersed, slowly meandering away to their work for the day.
I stood and met her at the center of the dais where she had remained, wide-eyed but seemingly relieved.
“Thank you,” she said. “For helping me in the woods. Even if it was only to fulfill your clan’s oath.”
“I always honor my oaths.”
“And I owe you more thanks for supporting me here. For voting to shelter me a bit longer.”
She seemed suddenly shy, her voice brittle in a way I didn’t like. She didn’t sound like the willful woman I’d met in the woods and had traveled with these past two days.
“Why do you sound like that?” I demanded.
“Like what?”
“Defeated. Weak.”
She scoffed. “Perhaps because I had to admit a shameful secret to your entire clan.”
“Well, I don’t like it. Get that sound out of your voice.”
“You can’t tell me what to feel and how tosound, whether you’re the king of this clan or not,Lord Redvyr,” she snapped.
“That’s better.”
She rolled her eyes, muttering, “Insufferable, idiotic male.”
I smiled.
“Will you just bring me to someone who will help me with the clothing I need?”
“Right this way.”
I led her down the steps and through the village toward Sorka’s work tent. Everyone stared as we passed, but Jessamine kept her gaze forward, seemingly undisturbed. I liked that. She may be a light fae but there was obvious strength in her.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the Mevian guards?” I asked as we rounded a corner toward where Sorka worked.
“I didn’t want to.”
“You just told the council. The entire village.”
“Because I had no choice. If I didn’t tell the truth, they wouldn’t agree to help me.”
“I helped you.”
