“Hello, Roak. This is Jane Darling, new emissary to Mountheim,” Reagan introduced me with a lordly tone in his voice, the same that he used in the Citizens’ Audience. “Jane, meet Roak Faelor, staff leader at Erisea Hall.”
“Pleasure,” I said, with a polite nod, though something in the way Roak surveyed me felt like bitter friction down my neck.
He stood with his hands clasped in front of him, eyes narrowing as he looked me over from beneath lowered brows, his frown deepening.
“Please, come in,” he said, dismissing my greeting.
I glanced at Reagan, his glare fixed on Roak as the man stepped inside.
“I don’t think he liked me,” I whispered uneasily.
Without breaking his stare, Reagan leaned close, plucking the cloak from my arm. “He just figured out you’re human, and he’s not exactly thrilled about it.” His mouth inched closer, and I could hear the grin in his tone. “Wait until he sees how delightful you can be.”
His warm breath on my ear sent an involuntary shiver down my shoulder blades. What he said was far from a compliment, but my lips twitched despite myself.
My attention shifted to the foyer where a grand fountain with a detailed sculpted whale stood, water spilling from its mouth and cascading onto the cream marble floor. But it didn’t spread, nor flood the space. It simply fell within the same circle of water.
The grand foyer was as large as the one in Mountheim Hall, but the walls here were a lighter, sand colour, its ceiling adorned with a colourful chandelier. Through the tall windows was a darker sky with mottled grey clouds, rather than the blue one we had seen just moments ago.
“Reagan!” came a voice from the second floor.
A man descended the staircase, his lavender-blue robe draped elegantly across his broad shoulders and chest. His linen trousers contrasted with deep brown skin and ebony hair.
Beside him stood a woman of similar complexion, her long mahogany hair threaded with streaks of caramel. She shook her head at her companion, yet a soft smile curved her lips.
“Coriander,” Reagan said in a warm tone, as if they were close. “I was starting to think you’d moved.”
“We were travelling,” Coriander said, resting a hand on Reagan’s back, a broad grin spreading across his face. “Took longer than we expected.”
“Successful, at least?” Reagan asked lightly, receiving a dismissive nod from the man.
“As successful as it could have been,” the woman answered with a small tilt of her head. Her gaze swivelled to me.
Reagan angled his body in my direction. “This is Jane Darling, my new emissary. Jane, meet Coriander and Alameda Barrows, Lord and Lady of Erisea Estate.”
Both seemed close to Reagan in age, startlingly young to be the highest authorities in their land. But the powerful pulse of air emanating from them left no room for doubt.
Before I could answer, Alameda spoke. “Emissary. Not lady?”
I felt my brows lift. Reagan’s eyes flicked to mine, seemingly unbothered. “Alameda likes to think she’s funny.”
“Funnierthan you,” she answered wryly, then turned her attention to me. “I’m honoured to meet you, Jane. Welcome to Erisea Hall.”
I forced a smile, all too aware of their assessing looks. “Thank you for having me,” I said.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a human visiting,” Coriander said, his eyes sharp with curiosity. “It’s truly a pleasure. And so unusual.”
Reagan leaned in smoothly. “She is a mystery indeed. But we didn’t come to speak about my emissary. We came here on business. You remember my request.”
There was a warning in his words, which neither of them failed to notice.
“We’ll get to that,” Alameda said, waving him off as she stepped forward and took my arm, linking hers with mine as if she had known me for years. “For now, we’ll eat. Reagan, you can settle your bags in your rooms. Jane and I will be waiting in the dining room.”
I glanced back just in time to catch his annoyed expression and Coriander’s chuckle before they strode off together. I thought I was not supposed to leave his side, but maybe he trusted her.
“I hope you won’t object to my abducting you,” she said. “I’ve never been very good at heeding warnings, especially under my own roof.”
“You must not like Reagan very much,” I observed, earning a smile from her.
