Page 3 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
“I am nineteen, Sire.”
“And what do fae girls of nineteen do, if not seeking husbands?”
“The same things fae boys do, only likely better.”
Beau made a slight snort of indignation, but it was quickly muffled.
“Aislinn is an excellent swordswoman,” Hawthorn interrupted, his voice laced with pride. “Although no match for her mother.”
“Yet,” Juliana added, flashing her daughter a wink.
“Swordswomen?” Owen said, eyes round. “My, my! How, er, unusual!”
“In Faerie, there are no such divisions amongst the sexes,” Hawthorn continued. “It has always been so. I’ve yet to think of a reason why it should be otherwise.”
Owen went very quiet for a moment after that, and the rest of the meal continued in relative peace. They were led away to their own chambers to rest, a cold and draughty set of rooms furnished in red and gold. The walls and ceilings were painted with leaves of ochre and crimson, though the plaster was cracked and peeling. Beau fixed a few of the cracks with his magic, the tears knitting back together beneath the soft glow of his fingers. Aislinn could do little things like that too, but it took her too long and never looked the same so she’d largely given up trying.
Bowls of water had been set out for them—lukewarm by now, of course. Heating water, at least, was easy enough. She took off her travelling clothes and changed into one of the gowns she’d brought with her: billowing blue, printed with a forest scene of apples and deer and stitched with silver stars.
Beau sighed when he saw it. “Father tells me I’m not to wear dresses whilst we’re here,” he said. “A travesty.”
“I’m sure you’ll cope. You don’tusuallywear dresses.”
“I like having my options open, though.”
Me too,Aislinn thought to herself,and I’d trade this dress for a doublet in seconds if it avoided all the awkward stares and conversations I am bound to encounter tonight.
Their parents busy for a few hours with matters of state, the siblings busied themselves with inspecting their lodgings and trying out a mortal card game that had been set aside for them, but they couldn’t work out the rules and the cards didn’t seem to fulfil any function that they could see.
Eventually, a servant was sent to escort them down to dinner. He would not look either of them in the eyes, and whenever they met someone else on their journey, they swiftly turned and walked in the other direction.
Beau leaned in next to her ear. “Do you think they heard about the time we were in Pendle and you accidentally set fire to—”
“Ssh, Beau!”
He held up his hands.
The main hall was awash with courtiers when they arrived. A troupe of musicians had set up in the corner, singing a jaunty tune. Even they seemed to quieten when Aislinn and Beau entered the room, although they sparked up again when King Owen welcomed them and gestured to the table. Aislinn looked longingly across the room for another friendly face, but—
She froze.
She was still looking forher.Even after all this time.
Beau brushed the back of her hand, although he could sense it. “Pheasant?” he prompted. “The blackberry sauce is… not bad.”
“Your knights appear quite splendid,” Owen said loudly, drawing her attention. “I thank you for the demonstration, earlier. Do you keep much of a military, King Hawthorn? Or do you mostly rely on magic?”
Hawthorn paused, almost imperceptibly, selecting his next words carefully. The alliance with Owen was a new one—it did not do to show his hand too early. “We keep a balanced force,” he responded. “Magic and brawn both.”
In truth, Aislinn knew, their military forces were small. No one had dared invade Faerie in hundreds of years, although there were some among their subjects who believed the mortal world needed a reminder that they were something to fear.
They don’t need a reminder,Aislinn knew,every time we visit, I can see how terrified they are.
Owen’s gaze misted over, and for a moment, he stared at nothing.
“Your Majesty?” Hawthorn prompted. “Are you well?”
“I was just wondering if things might have been different if you’d been visiting six months ago, with all this extra power.”
