Page 47 of Shifting Winds
A snap of light and the Fae King stood before me, his eyes an unsettling multi-colored swirl of magic. “Your land still holds a taste of the ancient wilds,” Cernunnos said before coming to sit beside me.
He was not my king, and I would rise for no authority other than my own, but Cernunnos took no issue. The king understood the way the modern world worked and knew the fae no longer held our world in a chokehold of fear. Their magic was still impressive, but using a spell on a human brought a death sentence if pressed, and shifters were more resistant to a fae’s power.
Not Cernunnos’s or another god’s, but a lower fae would be hard pressed to unduly influence someone like me or any of my shifters.
But the Fae King had much larger problems than petty grievances.
“Did you bring her?” I asked. His favor had weighed on me for the last few days. On the surface, the request seemed innocent, but a fae rarely told the full story. There was something about this Thalia woman Cernunnos wasn’t disclosing. If she brought harm to my people, she would die, and if that brought war to my doorstep, so be it.
But Cernunnos wasn’t known for breaking deals or dealing unfairly with people, though he was pure fae and had a great deal of mischief in his bones.
“She awaits my word. I wish to speak to you first.”
“Everything is ready. Your Thalia will have shelter and a part-time job until she figures out another way to secure funds. Her protector is my Second, Garrett.”
Cernunnos inclined his head. “Thank you. Thalia is…special.”
My eyes narrowed, but I remained silent. Was this woman his lover? Something else?
“Her powers can be crippling, and my realm has made her visions worse. My hope is Joy Springs will bring her some peace. She is important to our future.”
“Why are you being kind to this woman?”
Cernunnos’ eyes flashed. “Do you know me as unkind to anyone? She is my subject, therefore, she is worthy of my attention.”
I didn’t believe him for one second. “What about Cliona?”
“Tread carefully, Lord,” he warned.
“She has tormented Evie her entire life and has not warranted your kind attention.”
“Cliona is a problem for another time. She is under the watchful eye of a few trusted associates.”
I grunted. “My word stands. I’ll ensure the care of your charge, but if she endangers my people, I will not hesitate to end her.” Cernunnos might be Evie’s father, but he was a connivingsonofabitch. Whoever this Thalia woman was, I planned to figure out her secrets and why she was so important to the king.
Cernunnos’s lips pulled into a wry smile. “I think you will find Thalia’s influence an interesting addition to your current dynamic.”
Whatever that meant. “Either way, she is a guest in Joy Springs and subject to our laws. A Lord’s success relies on their ability to keep their people safe. If a guest breaks the rules of hospitality, a Lord is within his rights to enforce certain…stipulations.” I let my teeth show. “Caution your Thalia to respect the Lord’s authority, and she will have no issue here.”
Cernunnos shook his head. “I care nothing for the other Lords’ authority. The only reason I am sitting here with you now is because of Evie. She cares about you. As such, I will do my best to respect your territory.” The Fae King rose. “But make no mistake, Lord Caelan, you exist by my grace. I will deal fairly with you as long as you do the same.”
He swung a hand across his body. A shimmering portal appeared from thin air, revealing a land of emerald-green grass and brilliant blue skies.
“Thalia,” Cernunnos boomed. “Step forward.”
A small woman appeared on the other side. Her hair was dark and braided into a heavy plait. Eyes of hazel glinted as she watched us, set in a delicate, fine-boned face with high cheekbones and full lips. Thalia looked familiar, but I knew I’d never met her before.
The grass rustled from behind, Garrett’s way of telling me he’d arrived. My Second could sneak up on anyone, but he tried to be courteous unless he was hunting.
When Thalia spotted Garrett, her eyes narrowed. With a slight squaring of her shoulders, the woman stepped through, the edges of her dress dragging through the portal and ontothe damp grass. The portal disappeared plunging the night into silence.
Thalia stared at Cernunnos, anger glinting in her eyes. “Where are you dumping me this time?” She practically bristled with an ill temper.
A soft snort from behind. Garrett stepped forward. “Come with me, Thalia. I’ll escort you to your quarters.”
“Another prison,” Thalia scoffed. She rolled her eyes. “Do I at least get three square meals a day this time?”
“Don’t be difficult,” Cernunnos said through gritted teeth. “You’ve never been abused in my care.”
