Page 107 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
“Sister,” said Venus softly, “you have been gone for ten years. I really don’t know what you think any more.”
“Caer isgood,Ven! He has a pure heart, and I will not have you harm him—”
“What makes you think I want to hurt him?”
“Petty revenge? I don’t know.”
“Revenge? For what?”
“Youknow what.”
“But, as you said, Sister Dearest, you did nothing wrong. Why would I want to hurt you?”
There came the sound of scraping furniture, of something smashing.
“You can hate me every day for the rest of your life if it makes you feel any better,” Minerva seethed, “but if any harm comes to the boy from your doing—”
“You’ll do what? Kill me?”
“I will make you wish I had.”
“How can you say that to your own sister? Your flesh and blood?”
“I lost flesh and blood for the family I chose, Ven. I am not afraid to do so again.”
Footsteps sounded towards the door. Aislinn leapt away, scuttling out of sight as Minerva barged out of the room. Venus came to the door. “I am returning to my chambers. Send Aeron. See that we are not disturbed.”
“Very well, Your Majesty.”
Aislinn waited until everyone had moved away before creeping out again. She was glad Minerva had seen to her sister, yet it didn’t fully expunge her own rage. What was she to do now? The dwarves were still milling around the gardens, but Caer wasn’t among them. He must have headed back to his chambers.
She headed after him, rapping lightly on the door.
“Come in.”
She entered. Caer was sitting near the window, trying to look relaxed, but his gaze was screwed tightly on the pavillion where he’d been forced to perform.
“Hey,” she said.
He looked up. “Hey.”
Aislinn swallowed, all words vanishing. “Are you all right?” she asked finally. “What Venus asked you to do—”
He waved it away. “It doesn’t matter.”
“I was all ready to throw you over the back of a wargi and charge home to Faerie with you.”
He snorted softly. “Perhaps not the best place for me to be… the no-touching rule still applying.”
“We’d sort something out,” she said. “I’m just letting you know… in case it doesn’t work out here, but you don’t want to go back to the mortal world. Faerie is still safer. More understanding. I’d… I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. Or because of you.”
Caer swung his legs off the seat, and stepped towards her. “I appreciate that.”
Aislinn’s mouth went dry. “I um, heard Minerva on the way here, talking to Venus. Really giving her an earful. She seems quite fond of you.”
Caer smiled, stepping closer. “I can’t imagine why,” he said, grin broadening. “Can you?”
“I—” Aislinn’s breath stalled in her chest. She couldn’t sayno.She couldn’t say no and he knew it. “I can imagine a few reasons,” she said, her mouth feeling papery.
