Page 63 of Oathborn
“Magic is real,” she insisted. “So perhaps dragons are as well.”
“Perhaps. But my father had not seen one in his lifetime, and he was centuries older than my mother.”
“Centuries?”
Yansin chuckled. “Strange, I know, but if you had ever met them, you would have thought he was the younger of the pair. He was fond of jokes, never serious for very long.”
“You must take after him, then.” For Yansin had been so playful back in the capital. Though, she’d noticed a shift in his personality, as if his natural tendency toward good humor was muted. “How did your parents meet?”
Yansin’s fingers ran through his hair. He’d fought with it constantly as they walked, tying it back, then letting it fall free, only to grow frustrated and pull it back once more. “He told me he’d gone wandering, far from the isles, and found my mother with her toes in the sand and a song on her lips. He’d fallen in love that very minute.”
“He traveled far.” The fae isles were in the far north, and as east as one could go. Karsic, though, was in the southwest. She wondered why Yansin’s father had left the isles, and how no human had caught him as he’d traveled. “Was he a soldier?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I do not think he drew a weapon once in his life, and certainly never against a human.” His smile turned a little bittersweet. “The hatred of mortals is not woven into a fae’s blood. The Queen’s will dictates much for the fae.”
“Has she always hated humans?”
Yansin looked up at the leafy canopy above. The forest around them felt like a blurry daydream, all shadows and dark leaves. “She has spent a thousand years blaming humans for all her hurts and griefs. I do not think she can recall a time, now, when they were not her most hated enemy. It is easy for many fae to be envious of humans.”
Zari tilted her head. “Fae are immortal and have magic. What’s there to be jealous of?”
The faintest blush rose to Yansin’s cheeks. “A common thing to call humans istaveshem;rabbits, basically. For how swiftly humans can…”
“Ah,” Zari, understanding the metaphor, reddened as well. “So fae…” She trailed off, finding herself unprepared to say the wordsreproductive rate, despite her medical training. This was far from a clinical setting, after all.
“Fae children are rare. Each one is celebrated with more fanfare than a mortal might receive in eighteen years of birthdays. Their naming days are grand parties attended by their entire isle.”
If children were so rare, and the fae casualties had been so high… Zari’s gut twisted. How long would it take for the fae to return to the population they’d had before the war? “You saidtheirisle? Does each family have their own?”
Yansin’s lips pressed together. “Are you sure you are not too inquisitive? Remember what curiosity caused the poor crab.”
“It’s a cat,” Zari corrected. “Curiosity killed the cat.”
“Nonsense. Every cat I know is far too practical for such a fate. It’s a crab that got into…” he paused and locked eyes with her, “…hot water.”
Zari groaned at the pun. “I promise that was my last question. For now.”
“Then I shall answer it, if you promise to answer mine in return.” He only paused for a moment, closing his eyes to think, before explaining. “Each of the fae isles is ruled over by a Stellaris. The isle’s residents pledge their loyalty to her. In return, they are given lodging, food, and protection, but there is no binding clause keeping them there. If, let’s say, a hunter heard another isle had better game, she could request to move there.” Yansin shrugged. “An over-simplification, perhaps, for the fae do love to complicate such things.”
“So the Stellaris own the land, and the others work there.” Zari said. Strange to imagine Hazelle ruling over an isle full of fae, but perhaps the sweet girl was more serious in her home country.
“Indeed.” Yansin said. “Now it is time for me to ask you a question. You told me you trust the companions you plan to meet at Lochna. Why? For I worry you might be walking your way towards a trap.” Yansin’s expression turned grim. “There is little love on the isles for humans.”
“It is not a trap. I met a fae, in the capital, and he told me that… that my father lives. He gave me his pocket watch and promised to take me there. Then, we were separated and agreed to meet at Lochna.” Only now that Zari had time to reflect on the past events, did she realize how rash she’d been. Lochna was the largest lake in Rhydonia. How was she to find the fae, even if they did make their way safely to its shore?
“I will have to leave you before then,” Yansin took Zari’s hand in his own, running his thumb over her knuckles. “There are too many fae who would see me as an abomination.”
“Surely not! Why, Hazelle is the sweetest person, fae or human, I’ve ever met, and Daeden is not unkind.”Despite being an Oathborn,she thought, but did not say. “Did you ever meet an Oathborn warrior, Yansin?”
He nodded, but offered no other details.
“I’m sorry. I promised no more questions and…”
Yansin smiled at her, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. “I will allow your questions, I suppose, for you do look so adorable when you ask them.”
“You flirt,” she replied, smiling. Against his palm, her skin heated. His thumb brushed over her lips.
“Nonsense,” Yansin replied, his thumb brushing over her bottom lip. The soft warmth spreading through Zari’s body blazed hotter.
