Page 92 of Wind and Water
Before I can think to protest, all the fuss, dishes, and food are placed before us.
Niamh flies in. “Oh, isn’t this lovely?”
“Won’t you join us?” I get up to find another chair, but Lila is faster and brings one from the wall near the fireplace.
“Only if I’m not intruding. I’m not human, and if you have human things to discuss…”
Momma chuckles. “No special human discussions. Fairies, elves, and centaurs would all be welcome at our table.”
“And dwarves,” Harper adds.
As she sits and her wings tuck in behind her, Niamh asks, “Are all humans so accepting of those different from you?”
“No.” I take a warm roll from the basket. “Unfortunately, humans have plenty of bigotry and hatred.”
The pretty fairy frowns and eats a berry that looks similar to a strawberry, but it’s purple like a grape. “Do you really have dragon wind, Wren?”
“It would seem so.” I spread butter and purple jam on my roll, then close my eyes as the flavors wake up my palate.
“And the woman was an old flame of Liam’s?” Momma scoops an egg that looks poached onto a slice of bread and pours gravy over the top.
Rather than vilify Dierdre, I say, “They did have a relationship of some kind, but it ended months before Liam came to find me.” The hours since the incident have left me feeling sorry for her. She’s clearly suffering from mental health issues.
Harper drinks tea and makes a face. “All I know is, I thought Jersey Girls were badasses, but now I know not to mess with a Texas woman.”
“True enough,” Momma says around a mouth full of bread and eggs.
With a laugh and another sour face, Harper adds, “I’d give all of the gold in this castle for a cup of coffee.”
“I’m getting used to the tea.” Momma sips happily.
I can’t help laughing at the horrified expression on Harper’s pretty face. “This is nice.”
“It is.” Niamh’s wings flutter.
There’s another knock.
“Come in,” I call, as all heads turn to see who it is.
Bert swings the door open. “I heard there was a gathering of humans and wondered if you’d mind one more.” He smiles at Niamh. “But if it’s ladies only, I’ll understand.”
“Nonsense,” I say. “Come and join us. We were lamenting the lack of coffee in Domhan.”
He grumbles. “I lived on the stuff back home. I make them use double the tea, and it’s still just dirty water.” After grabbing a chair from near the fireplace, he sits across from Niamh.
“Other than the lack of coffee and the mad witch trying to kill me, it’s a wonderful place.” Harper takes a bite of a berry.
“I have two mad women trying to kill me. Count yourself lucky.” It’s meant as a joke, but it falls flat.
Niamh looks from me to Harper. “Will you stay here after the witch queen is defeated?”
“I don’t know.” Harper shrugs. “I can’t imagine never returning to my mother in New Jersey, but leaving Aaran seems impossible. He’s said he would return to our world with me, but I don’t think he’d be happy in a world where he has to hide his nature. For now, I’m here, and we have a job ahead of us that might kill us. If that happens, then I’d have worried over nothing. So, for now, I’m not thinking about it.”
The truth of that should be sobering, but I can’t help laughing at the easy way she says it. “I think surviving this long has been a kind of miracle.”
“When Nainsi came to Montague, that’s on the Labrador Coast, she used to tell me stories of this place and all its wonders. I believe most of what she told me remains true. The elves are wonderful, even after thirty years of being beaten down and losing loved ones in this war. Many have family who were turned into shadow demons, yet they honor them as beloved dead. The land is still beautiful, but when you see how things look near the tower in the east, you can get a glimpse of what Venora will do to all of Domhan. I’m not part of the prophecy, but I do think this place is worth saving. Besides, we have to protect our own world. After what Wren and Liam said about human magic and that obelisk, we don’t have much time.”
Momma nods. “Humans don’t fare well in this world, but we do seem to pull through. I hope the youngest brother and his lady find their way back soon.”
