“Please remove your gloves,” the man said kindly, and chills raced down my spine.
‘Not on your life, buddy!’Yanric spat.
The fae looked to Yanric, and my bird stiffened.
‘He spoke back to me mentally,’Yanric said, sounding shocked.
Holy Fae.
I looked at the man pleadingly. “I’m sorry, but I wear them because I’m cursed to feel pain when—”
“I know. I need to see your Maven marks to be sure you are the one,” the fae told me, nodding.
Oh wow. He knew I carried Ariyon’s marks. That was good. Maybe this guy was Emmeric. I pulled off my gloves and showed him the marks. He nodded, and then the gates opened behind him.
“Welcome to Ealdoria.” He gave me a kind smile.
“Thanks.” I returned it with a smile of my own.
‘He knows when we speak to each other. Stay off comms. Rub your left ear if you need help,’Yanric said, somewhat paranoid.
I grinned, knowing the fae had probably heard that, and a hint of a smile played at his lips too.
‘It’s okay, Yan. I’m safe here.’
I don’t know how I knew, but I just knew that this man had no ill intent toward me. Looking over my shoulder, I gave a cheerful wave to Ayden and the others waiting, hoping to keep them from worrying, and I followed the fae into one of the most beautiful villages I’d ever seen.
Dozens of little houses with moss-covered rooftops dotted the countryside as cobblestone walkways weaved in and out of the city. The market stalls were colorful tents made from crimson and yellow silk. Fae men and women worked in the fields of a farm, pulling corn off the stalk as goats ran circles around them. Children clacked sticks, pretending to be warriors, and rolled in the wildflowers. People here were happy and worked together, that much was clear.
“Are you Emmeric?” I finally got the nerve to ask the man beside me.
The fae chuckled. “No. I’m just a liaison of sorts. Emmeric is on our lead council.”
I was relieved to hear that Emmeric was here.
I nodded. “And he knows I’m coming?”
The man looked sideways at me. “He does.”
Not wanting to pry, I stayed quiet, taking in the wonderful village and waving to the children as they passed, laughing and trying to catch butterflies.
We approached a giant domed structure, and the man bowed lightly to me. “You will find what you seek inside. I will be waiting out here to escort you when you are finished.”
“Okay,” I said nervously, and I felt Yanric tighten his grip on my shoulder.
I didn’t like walking into the unknown, but I had to do this for Ariyon.
I pushed the door open and stepped into a large space completely void of any furniture or decoration. It was a sizable meeting hall or ballroom of sorts, with wood floors and curved walls that led upward to a giant opening that allowed for sunlight to streak in at the center.
A single fae sat cross-legged in the center of the room on a small pillow. His eyes were closed, hands clasped in his lap, as he took in a deep breath at my approach.
‘Is he praying?’Yanric asked.
‘I have no idea,’I said.
Was he sleeping? I didn’t want to disturb him.
When his eyes popped open, I gasped. They were a startling violet color.
