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“Branches?” My eyes widen.

“It’s built around a huge tree,” he goes on. “The nobility live in the canopy while the more common fae live in the roots.”

“But that doesn’t make sense.” My brow dips. “How can a tree be that big?”

Lux huffs, “Magic.”

“Yes, magic.” Castor shoots him a look before continuing. “Faeries are creatures of the day. Our magic comes from life itself. We need living nature around us to thrive, and in turn, nature thrives with us. You can imagine how much of an effect thousands of faeries living in one place would have on the trees in the area. They’d grow to be colossal.”

With parted lips, I look at the trees surrounding the village. I suppose they are quite big and their leaves are bursting with life, even despite the autumn chill.

“Is that why your sunflower field was so beautiful?” I breathe.

“Partially.” Castor grins. “And also because my doting brother hired a whole army of gardeners to make sure they stayed nice for his princess.”

I turn to Lux, gasping. “You did that?”

The anger on his face softens a little. “I did. Although perhaps I should have just offered you a tour of the local village instead, or waited until my own brother chose a mate.” He looms over me to snarl at Castor, “So that I could⁠—”

“Stop it,” Castor growls.

“Will you?” Lux grips my waist so hard it hurts.

That’s it. “Enough of this!” I jump away from the pair to face them. “You both need to stop this behavior right now!”

“I completely agree.” Lux folds his arms. “Castor has been entirely too close to my mate all day.”

Castor laughs. “Your mate?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose until what he just said hits me. “Castor, what do you mean?”

“He means nothing.” Lux snatches my hand. “I’m tired of this village. Let’s go home.”

I shake my head, turning to Castor. “What do you mean by ‘your mate’? Why did you say it like that?”

For once, I see uncertainty in Castor’s gaze. It makes my stomach flip. “Castor, what did you mean?”

Lux pulls me away. “Eden, let’s go⁠—”

“No.” I wrench myself free of his grasp. “I’ve been stuck in that manor for so long and now I’m finally outside, I’m going to enjoy my day of freedom.”

“Darling…” Lux’s voice softens.

“She’s right,” Castor says. “You’ve kept poor Eden locked away from the rest of the world since you forced that bond upon her.” I cringe at his words. “Let her have this day to explore our world. You know I’ll take care of her.” Stepping closer to his brother, he adds something else under his breath that I can’t hear.

But before I can demand he share it with the rest of us, Lux’s gaze darkens. “You think that makes this any easier for me?” he spits to his brother.

I roll my eyes. Time to try a different strategy.

With a sigh, I take both their hands. Castor’s breath catches as my palm wraps around his, but Lux only glares at his brother. “Please no more fighting,” I speak in the gentle tone I usually take on when Dahlia’s in one of her moods. “I was having such a nice day until this moment, and I’d hate for it all to be ruined now.”

I wasn’t having a nice day. Far from it. My feet hurt and I feel slightly nauseous, but that’s besides the point.

“I’d love to see more of this village.” I pass a desperate smile to Castor. “What else can you show me?” Anything other than another argument. I don’t think my body could handle it.

Castor sighs. “Let’s stop for a drink. We’ll visit my tavern.”

“Of course we will,” Lux mutters.