Page 92 of Faerie Fate
“The battle of EverRose was a sound win for the pixies,” Mike told us over food. He bit down into an apple and crunched through the flesh. “At least, based on what I learned in history.”
Elfhame fluttered closer. “Your history books wrote about our fight?”
Mike bobbed his head and tossed the apple to his opposite hand. It was a nervous gesture he did when he wasn’t ready to make eye contact, something physical to take his mind off of his discomfort. “Yes. Everything I’ve read says the pixies carry out a victory against the fae.”
There was more to the story than he wanted to say but clearly Elfhame took this as fuel to her fervor. She grew lighter in color, her wings fluttering faster.
“I told you we would be safe at EverRose,” she assured me. “You’ll get your flower and we will get our victory. The fae will no longer be able to control us. We are no longer their servants.”
I opened my mouth to correct her and quickly snapped it shut. She didn’t need to know about the loss of the war. Thebattle might be won but when it came down to the actual fight, the pixies did not win.
EverRose didn’t plot the course for the pixies’ future. It was a single bright point. After a decade of more fighting, the pixies failed.
“The morsana flowers are the only reason why you’re a target,” Poppy clarified with a grunt. The sound was another flashback to the Barbara I knew. “I told you already. It’s also the reason why you’re going to win. The power the flower infuses into weapons is unparalleled.”
“It’s a shame it’s extinct in our time.” Mike flopped on his side and got comfortable, resting his head against his arm.
My lips pursed. “We sure could have used it in the human realm.”
Elfhame chuckled and said, “I don’t think the flower would be nearly as potent without the power of this world to fuel it. As I’ve said before, our magic comes from the earth itself. As do your fae powers.”
There was so much I needed to learn and a part of me wondered why none of these things were taught at the Elite Academy. Or had I tapped out of classes too soon and missed all the good stuff?
Elfhame grabbed one of the glass teapots she’d transfigured and poured a healthy bit into the round of cups Poppy set out. Bronwen took the cup in one hand and lifted it to her lips.
Noren, without a cup, whined and stared at me with wide eyes better suited to a Golden Retriever puppy than a big bad wolf. I took a sip, the temperature absolutely perfect and the taste a combination of sweet and bitter.
“This isn’t for you, bud,” I told him. “I’m sorry.”
Poppy reached out and scrubbed Noren between the ears. “Whatever you did to the poor thing, Tavi, I’m sure of one thing. He’s better off with you than where he came from.”
“Noren?” I watched the direwolf’s eyes roll back in his head at the ear scratches. “I like to hope I’ve given him a pretty good life but I don’t know much about where the Unseelie keep their wolves, or how they’re trained.”
“It’s ridiculous,” Poppy replied. Her voice turned to granite. “They treat their wolves like they’re worse than animals, worse than slaves.”
The thought didn’t sit well with me. Then again, I hadn’t fully forgiven myself for using my cognitive manipulation on Noren, even if it had been a matter of life or death.
Still, I tried my best for him. He was more than a pet or a protector.
“You are a good friend. I’ve seen it. You do anything you can for the people you care about, and you spread yourself too thin to extend your protection,” Elfhame agreed.
I forced out a grin and a laugh I barely felt. “You make it sound like a bad thing.”
“Never a bad thing. As long as you understand where to draw the line.”
I snuggled closer to Noren. “I’m probably never going to draw the line, but thanks for your concern.”
The feeling of eyes on me intensified and there was Mike, staring at me, scrutinizing me as though he were still trying to figure me out after all this time.
At least he wasn’t staring at my scar anymore. Hopefully, if given the time and space to process, he’d look past it. My fingers twitched with the urge to rub the raised skin.
Poppy noted the movement, of course she did, and kicked out at me playfully. “Beauty is more than skin deep. You’re a survivor.”
“We could tell you some horror stories.” Bronwen sighed and flopped on her back. “It doesn’t matter which world we’re in, mortal or fae, our kind is at the bottom rung.”
“You didn’t have protection?” Elfhame’s voice vibrated.
“Not really. We were both part of a secret society, the Claw & Fang, but now we’re on their shit list too.” I sipped my tea. “It’s a long story.”
