Page 31 of Wind and Water
I smile at him and nod.
Corell stands at the front and turns to face the assembly.
Jadar indicates a large box where Liam and I can sit.
Once we’re seated, the centaurs sit back on their haunches, and the clomping stops.
Jadra and Belloc sit behind us. Wellon and Pallon sit facing us with a wide gap between them, where the entire gathering can see Corell.
A female with a glittering chest plate made of silver and pearls sits behind Corell. She gazes intently at Liam and me. When Corell calls for silence, she focuses on him.
“We have found the daughter of Birdie Martin,” Corell says.
The crowd erupts with cheers and applause while staring at me.
My cheeks heat.
Corell holds up his hands, patting the air to call for silence. Once the cheering dies down, his expression turns grave. “As Birdie told us, her daughter travels with an elf.” He gestures to us. “This is Liam, son of the Riordan.”
The crowd erupts in mumbled mutterings.
“Quiet. These two are foreign to us, but Birdie gave herself to save our own, and thus she is one of us. I extend that same bond to her daughter.”
Many centaurs nod in agreement with the statement.
I stare, trying to fathom the idea that I’m now part of a centaur tribe.
“Objections?” Corell calls above the din.
The crowd silences as the female behind Corell stands and strides to his side. She is stunning, with bright ruby eyes and long blond hair. Her coat is snow white, though her hooves are black, as is her tail. She’s striking. “Of course, the daughter ofshe who saved our son and the other young should be honored in such a way, but you have brought an elf into our midst, mate.” She points at Liam. “What does he want of us?”
Taking her hand, Corell eases the rudeness of her pointed finger. “Farress, while we have lived separate and safe for so many long centuries, it is clear the threat to Domhan is also a threat to our kind. As Birdie is our kin, we will help to fight for her freedom.”
A cheer rises, and Farress gives a short nod. “It will be as you say. The armor and weapons will be finished tomorrow. The blacksmiths have been tireless while you searched for the daughter.”
“Wren,” he says softly.
My name is repeated through the hushed voices of the gathering.
Farress bows her head toward me.
I stand and do the same for her. Right or wrong, it feels as if some gesture is needed.
“What would you like from us for your comfort, Wren Martin?” Farress steps toward me, but not so close that I need to crane my neck. She could have done so for intimidation purposes, but instead, she accepts her mate’s decision and is now the hostess.
My throat is dry, and my knees shake slightly. It feels as if I’ve been presented to the queen and must think of something clever to say. I know at some point I’ll need food and a place to sleep, but that’s not what I want at the moment. “I’d like to meet the children who were taken by the witch queen if that’s possible.”
She stares at me for a long moment and myriad emotions pass over her lovely face. From surprise to indignation and awe, she runs the gamut.
I stutter. “If…um… that's not permitted, I understand.”
Cocking her head in a similar manner to her mate, she smiles. “I expected something for your comfort, but your request is not forbidden.” She looks at one of the centaurs over my shoulder.
The crowd begins loudly exiting the pavilion.
When the noise dissipates, she says, “Why do you wish to meet our young?”
“It would comfort me to see the faces of the children and the reason for my mother’s sacrifice.” Clearly, Momma thought these people were worth her life. I like them, but I need more. I want to know what I’m risking everything for. My feelings for Liam aside, this world should be worthy of Birdie Martin’s life if we’ve already risked that and more.
