Page 392 of Kingdoms of Night

What could she do if this new group of elves attacked?

CHAPTERTWELVE

ISA

“Julian and Calva,” Viridi said, “please attend to Lady Isa and young Nico.”

Julian bowed again, his fair braid dropping over his broad shoulder.

The woman next to him, presumably Calva, bowed and her dark pink lips moved into a quick smile. She had longer, more pointed ears than most of the dryad elves.

Werian cleared his throat quietly and raised a hand. “Please allow me to heal Lady Isa as you suggested, Prince Viridi. I’ve done so once already, but she needs more attention.”

“Of course. Thank you.”

Werian set his hand on Isa’s shoulder again while Rhianne spoke quietly to Nico about another castle she’d visited in the mountains. The healing magic from the fae prince’s hand soothed Isa and she took a deep breath.

“Thank you, Prince Werian, Princess Rhianne,” she said.

They gave her a nod each.

“Lady Isa,” Werian whispered. “Are you fully human? Forgive the intrusion, but your energy feels … different somehow.”

What did he mean? “I … yes, fully human.” She was breathing too quickly. What had he sensed in her?

“Branch, Adeline,” Viridi said, breaking through her worry, “would you please attend to Prince Werian and Princess Rhianne of the Agate Court?” He inclined his hand toward them as the wind shuffled the leaves high above the stairs and entranceway.

“What happens when it rains?” Nico looked up.

Viridi smiled and his beauty stole Isa’s breath and drove her fears away. “We drink it in and enjoy the feel of the sweet water on our skin. What do humans do when it rains?”

Nico shrugged. “We tend to hide from it.”

Viridi put a hand on Nico’s shoulder. Nico flinched for a brief moment, then appeared to relax. Isa hated Ursane and the Brunes more than anything at that moment. They were the reason he was afraid to be touched. All those beatings…

She pressed her eyes together to fight her tears.

When she opened her eyes again, Viridi met her gaze, and she was surprised to see that he looked as though he understood at least the protective nature of what she was feeling. His lips pursed and he glanced down at Nico again. “Well, humans and dryad elves are different. Very different. But we are similar in that some of us are kind and others are not, but most are a combination of the two.”

Nico frowned, not understanding.

She chewed her lip. “Sometimes I tell you stories and other times I’m really grouchy with you.”

Face clearing, Nico nodded. “I see.”

Julian offered his hand to Nico. Nico’s eyes widened and he glanced to Isa. “It’s fine,” she said, hoping it really was.

“Let’s give you a private room to wash and then you can eat.”

“There’s food?” Nico’s voice was hushed with awe.

“Plenty.” Julian gave Isa a nod before leading Nico to a room at the far end of the landing.

She worried about leaving him alone with the elf, but what choice did she really have? And honestly, if Nico didn’t get some food and rest soon, he’d be in very bad shape. It was worth the risk.

With Werian and Rhianne heading off with the very tall Branch and the willowy Adeline, Isa allowed Viridi and Calva to take her into the nearest room.

The ceiling went up and up until a blur of sun-touched green blended with glimpses of the blue sky. Several alcoves sat along the chamber’s far wall—one set with couches made of what felt like flower petals, another filled with woven pillows and baskets of carefully tied scrolls, and another with one hammock large enough for two.

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