Page 91 of Wind and Water
Six guards arrive.
“Find Dole and Crain and detain them until morning,” I order.
Wren flinches.
Four guards rush to do my bidding. The other two stand waiting for my parents to leave.
Mother approaches Wren with her hands out for taking.
After a long pause, Wren uncrosses her arms and takes them.
Smiling, my mother says, “What happened tonight is not an example of who we are as a people. I’m very sorry for what you have suffered. You are right not to defend yourself or offer an explanation. No one in this room believes you would attack another woman unprovoked. I’m glad you were able to defendyourself. You must show me this dragon wind when there isn’t danger.”
“I don’t think I can. My magic comes when I’m scared, angry, or desperate.” Wren’s voice rings with apology.
Mother squeezes her hands. “So far. You have had no training. Don’t be hard on yourself. Get some rest. Tomorrow we’ll go to the oracle.”
“Thank you, your majesty. I’ll try.”
Once my parents are gone, I look around the room and laugh. I pull Wren into my arms. “Well, once the rumors get out, no one else will try to harm you. Though most elves are happy you’ve come.”
“Most?” She rests her cheek on my chest.
I wish I could tell her the sentiment was as universal as it ought to be. “There will always be those who believe the old gods separated elves and humans for good reason.”
“Maybe they’re right.”
Taking her hand, I grab the strap of her duffel bag from the rubble and sling it over my shoulder. We step into the hall and walk to the guest suite. “They are not right. You and I were meant to meet and fall in love.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Wren
Liam kisses me goodbye, and as he’s leaving, Momma pushes through the half-open door. “I heard there was some trouble last night?”
Once he’s hugged her, Liam says, “You can find out everything from Wren. Food to break your fast should arrive shortly.”
Momma sits at the small table near a window that overlooks the garden we were in last night. “It’s beautiful here.”
“Dangerous and beautiful.” I finish dressing and sit opposite her.
Before I can tell her what happened, there’s a knock, and when I call come in, Harper peeks her head in. “I wanted to check to see if you’re alright.”
“Have a seat.” I get up and pull a chair over from the corner.
Joining us, Harper says, “I heard you broke every piece of furniture in Liam’s room.”
“Did you?” Momma asks.
I shrug. “Most of it, but that woman came at me with a knife and said some terrible things about humans.”
The door opens again, and three maids come in carrying trays of food. A whiff of fresh yeasty bread, eggs, and tea instantly makes my stomach growl. Lila smiles. “I had enough brought up for all of you ladies.”
“Lila, we could have gone down for the meal.” Harper’s warm smile shows familiarity and respect.
“It’s nothing,” Lila says. “Miss Wren had a difficult evening, and I heard you ladies joined her this morning.”
Two footmen carry in a larger table, which is placed beside the first.
