Page 162 of Throne of Dreams
“I assume you want something from me?”
His booming laughter echoed through the bustling street, and everyone turned to stare. Maeve ducked her head to hide her embarrassment. Her skin heated and a blush colored her cheeks.
“Darling,” he cooed, coming closer. “I have no need of your entertainment. Though you are radiant, I prefer my pleasures a bit…darker.” His smile would’ve brought any soul to their knees. “If you know what I mean.”
“I…of course.” Maeve fumbled over her words, realizing how stupid she must’ve sounded.
But Aed ignored her foolishness and spread his arms wide. “This is the Ether. Roam where you please. I will warn you not to venture too far into the forest. The souls there are not always so kind. And so long as you stay away from Diamarvh, you’ll be fine.”
Diamarvh. She’d never heard of it.
“That’s it?” she asked, daring to look up at him.
He smiled again, except this time it was otherworldly and stole the air straight out of her lungs. “That’s it.”
Maeve glanced around the city, then sheathed her sword of sunlight. “But what am I supposed to do here?”
“There’s plenty to do. Go paint. Go read one of those books you’re so fond of.” He gestured vaguely to a vast row of buildings stacked one next to the other. “Go knit.”
Maeve reared back, affronted. “Knit?”
“Apologies, Your Grace.” He shrugged, nonchalant. “I was merely tossing out ideas.”
“Can I train?” Maeve countered.
“If you so wish.” He dipped his head. “My training grounds are at your disposal.”
“Is there a library here?” Maeve asked, knowing that she would need to collect and understand as much information as possible while she was in the Ether. Especially if she wanted to find a way out.
“There is.” He nodded toward a side street where vines bursting with deep red blossoms crawled up the sides of two stone buildings. “Straight down there, the third building on the right. If you like, there’s an empty apartment above the library for you to make your own, so you can have access to books anytime you please.”
“An apartment?” Maeve couldn’t believe the god of death would be so kind without expecting something in return.
His gaze narrowed. “Would you prefer to find your own living arrangements?”
“Of course not, I just—”
“You’re Archfae.” He bent down even closer, overwhelming her. “I’m not a total monster.”
She crossed her arms, protecting herself. “You ripped Parisa’s magic from her and tried to do the same to me and mine.”
“Ah, right. I did do that, didn’t I?” He sounded entirely too pleased with himself. “Well, she deserved it.”
Maeve wasn’t sure what to say to that, so she remained quiet instead.
With a flourish, Aed handed her a pair of leather leggings, a thick sweater, and fur-lined boots. “Take these until you can commission something else of your choosing.”
She glanced down and winced. Her clothing was nearly shredded, and she was covered in blood. Even if she wasn’t dead, she certainly looked like it. “I don’t have any money.”
“Just put it on my tab.”
She blinked.
“You’re my guest, High Queen. Not a prisoner. If you’re in want of anything, you need only ask.” Again, he nodded toward the side street. “Clean yourself up and make yourself at home. I have a feeling you’ll find what you’re looking for in my library.”
Then he vanished without another word, and Maeve was left standing on the street with a pile of clothing at her feet.
What in the everlasting fuck was going on here?
