Page 95 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
Slowly, Minerva rose to her feet, the rest of the party following. Venus smiled at them all. “I did not think I would see you again, but to return after just a few years—with two fae and a mortal in tow—you must have quite the story for me, no?”
“Indeed, we have.”
Venus smiled again, and swept back to her throne. She clicked her fingers, and servants sprang forth, bringing chairs and tables, frothy tankards of ale and biscuits. They were relieved of their weapons and forced into plush seats. Aislinn tried to relax, but the loss of her blades stung, much like the harsh, approving gaze of the queen.
“Allow me to introduce Aislinn, crown princess of Faerie, and her brother, Prince Beau.”
Venus raised a manicured brow. “Bringing the crown princess of Faerie into our hallowed halls, sister. A bold move indeed. I do hope there is a good reason for such rashness.”
“There is,” said Minerva, which made Aislinn squirm in her seat. Truly, therewasno good reason why she was here. She hoped she hadn’t damaged Caer’s suit before he’d even had a chance to explain.
“I will make any vow you need me to make,” she explained, “my brother too. Anything you wish to ensure we do not reveal the secrets of your kingdom to those that might cause it harm. Any vow outside of death.”
No need to mention Beau could lie. They could surely keep that to themselves.
Venus nodded, seemingly convinced. “Very well, Princess.”
“But she is not why I am here,” Minerva continued, gesturing to Caer. “This is Caerwyn. A mortal prince. He has the ability to resurrect the dead. An ability he cannot fully control, and that others would kill him for—or use him. We seek protection for him, and nothing more.”
Venus’ eyes widened. “The ability to resurrect the dead?”
“Asundead,” Bell insisted, words forceful. “They don’t come back whole.” Her mouth remained open for a moment, as if she was thinking about explaining the exception Dillon created, but for whatever reason, thought better of it.
“Fascinating,” said Venus. “I should like to see this prince’s power in action.”
“No,” said Caer, rushing to his feet, “I’m not going to kill anyone—”
“Have no fear, mortal prince,” Venus said, raising a hand. “I meant some common animal, not a dwarf or human or fae. You can hardly expect me to shelter you in my halls without knowing a little more about your power, can you?”
Caer swallowed and sat back down, muttering apologies.
Venus relaxed back in her seat. “This really is a most interesting day. I’ve never met a mortal with such power before. Do we know how he came by it?”
“We do not, save that he seems to have been born with it.”
“Aeron, what do you think?”
A shadow slunk forth from the corner of the room, a tall, gangly figure. He was dressed in long blue robes, hemmed and etched in dwarven style, but the similarities ended there. He was reed-slim, pale and pointed, a shard of moonlight over a midnight lake. His long black hair flowed freely down his back, and silver cuffs glinted on the tips of his ears.
Fae.
“A very interesting plea indeed, My Queen. I have scarce heard of such a thing before. I would encourage you to think it over, however. The boy may have his enemies.”
“That is true.”
Venus turned back to the others, but Aislinn’s gaze was still rooted on thisAeroncharacter. She had not expected to see any fae here, let alone one dressed in dwarven robes, advising Minerva’s sister, and calling another monarch hisqueen.She supposed he owed no loyalty to her father or mother, but his being here was… strange, to say the least.
“This is Aeron Lightbringer,” Venus explained, seeing the gazes rooted upon him. “He has been my advisor down here for some years now. I trust him in all manner of things.”
Aeron gave a slight bow, barely more than a tilt of his head. “My ladies, my lords,” he said.
It ought to be ‘Your Highnesses’ but Aislinn decided that this was not the time to push it. Perhaps the dwarven etiquette he’d adopted was different from theirs.
What was he doing here?
Venus looked over them, gaze like cut glass. “I am inclined to grant your request for sanctuary, but I require some time to think it over. Please, rest tonight, and tomorrow I should like a show of the boy’s abilities.”
A noise sounded along the corridor, followed by the shouting of the guards. “Hail, Prince Tiberius!”
