Page 96 of Shifting Winds
“Never mind,” I said with a sigh. “It’s a human thing.”
“Of course it is,” Birch said.
We were alone, our voices echoing in the massive chamber. A glowing fountain stood in the middle, sparkling, iridescent water flowing up and over, the sound settling my nerves. Fae art was displayed on lined pedestals—everything from carved musical instruments, strange stones I’d never seen before, vases and pottery, and other strange and fantastical things.
Portraits lined all three walls, a mix of male and female fae, only two I recognized—Mom and Cernunnos. “What’s the purpose of this place?”
Birch grinned. “Vanity.”
Sounded about right. “Fair enough. Anything I need to know about this council?”
Birch stared at me for a long moment. “Your father didn’t tell you anything?”
“Not much,” I admitted. “He seems to have a laissez-faire attitude about a lot of things.”
“Hmm.” He stepped forward and headed toward the large silver doors at the back of the room. “I’m not of your father’s rank and will not be allowed in the room. Do you know what this is about?”
“A half dozen things come to mind.”
Birch laughed with delighted surprise. “I see your father in you and yet, you are your own unique and mischievous person. Cernunnos got up to his fair share of shenanigans in his youth, but I think you’d give him more than a run for his money.”
“It’s hard to imagine him as a child.”
Birch nodded. “He is an ancient and has long since forgotten many things. It’s difficult for any of us to remember so long ago when fun was the most important thing in our lives.” Westopped at the door a few minutes later, after I’d gawked suitably at some of the more interesting treasures set up on the pedestals.
He lowered his voice. “Have you done anything illegal?”
I blinked. “Erm. According to whose laws?”
Birch shook his head. “I should have been more specific, but I wasn’t aware I was in the presence of a criminal mastermind,” he said dryly. “The fae have many laws, but only a few bring consequences if they are broken. The rest are flexible.”
“If I did break one, I wouldn’t know. I haven’t killed any fae or anything like that.”
“A good start. Killing one of our kind can bring a death sentence, though some get extremely creative with murder.”
“Good to know.” I think?
“If you’ve committed no crime, then I can only assume you have nothing to worry about. Perhaps they only wish to meet Cernunnos’s whispered-about daughter.”
I grimaced. “I would have preferred to have a barbecue or something rather than travel into the faelands in uncomfortable shoes.”
“Wouldn’t we all.” Birch dropped my arm and stepped back, bowing low with a dramatic flourish. “Best of luck, Evie. The doors will open in just a moment. When you are finished, they will send you home.”
“Wait. You’re leaving already?”
The doors boomed open.
Birch disappeared.
An ancient voice beckoned me inside.
I smelled flowers first, a mix of rose and jasmine, combined with the heady scent of a floral bloom I’d never smelled before. Making a mental note to ask about it before I left, I straightened my shoulders and walked inside.
Flora surrounded me, fat green glossy leaves hanging from the ceiling and climbing up the walls. A riot of blooms entangledin vines wrapped around large marble supports. The floor was made of grey stone, the sound of my heels loud in the silence.
Before me rested five ornate chairs. One made of antler horns, one made of greenery and thorns, another of pure gold, one of silver, and the last pure gleaming crystal.
I was the only one in the room.
