Page 35 of Beyond the Faerie Gate

I glance in the mirror behind me and gasp at the reflection there.

I look like some wealthy traveller from a foreign world. The tips of my ears poke through the soft waves of my hair, and for the first time, I feel like a fae. My wings flicker out, peeking from beneath the clever folds of the coat and adding to the effect until I smile.

For just this second, I can pretend I belong in this strange new world. I look the part, if nothing else.

And, according to Drystan, I can’t even thank her.

Plus, he made it clear there isn’t anything I can do to repay him, so what could I possibly do for the brownie?

Titania peeks around the edge of the screen, as if checking for something, before ducking back and disappearing once more.

I sigh and gather up my dress under one arm, wondering what’s gotten into her. The brownie seamstress claps in excitement as I leave the safety of the screen, and I grin as I realise both of my Guards are staring at me. Jaro’s eyes widen as he catches sight of me in my new clothes, and Drystan clenches his jaw so tightly I think for a second that he might break his teeth. He turns on his heel, rubbing his temples as he strides angrily from the shop.

“You do beautiful work, mistress,” Jaro acknowledges, sliding a bag of coins onto her table.

The brownie scratches her flat nose and examines the contents, plucking out a few coins before sliding the bag back to him.

“Keep your bribe, sir,” she mumbles before turning back to me and surprising all of us by continuing in English, “Goddess bless you, my lady.”

“You as well,” I whisper, blushing.

How does she speak the language? Has she been to the mortal realm?

Jaro holds out his arm, and I take it, allowing him to lead me out of the shop and back into the city.

“You shouldn’t have said that,” he mutters. “Handing out blessings is a risky thing to do.”

“Handing out…” I trail off. “I just said what she did—and how could she speak English?”

“Yes, but when her shop has an unexpected windfall in three hours, she’ll know it was you.” Drystan grunts. “When you’re the fifth incarnation of the Goddess, blessings can be very literal things.”

I grin. “Then I expressed gratitude the way you said to. By returning the gesture.”

I swear I can hear his teeth grinding together.

“Come. The horse is packed.” He strides ahead of us, heading back to the stable.

“He’s right,” Jaro murmurs. “Word will spread. We need to leave fast.”

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“Pavellen, the capital of the Spring Court. Hopefully, in the city, we’ll be able to fly under the radar and gather news of what is happening in Elfhame.”

“Is it far?”

“Three days' ride, longer maybe, since we’ll be crossing the riverlands.” He pauses. “In answer to your earlier question, she’s an old fae. It’s likely she picked up your language while realm hopping. Some fae do it for fun, or they become lonely and travel through the portals to see if their mate is outside of Faerie.”

The conversation dries up, and I busy myself trying to imagine what other realms must be like. When Drystan returns, he’s already astride his horse and leading a fawn-coloured mare for Jaro behind him. Blizzard nuzzles me as soon as he’s close, and I smile, stroking his velvety nose.

Only to freeze at the inscrutable look Drystan is giving me.

Maybe he doesn’t like people touching his horse…

Jaro sighs and untangles his arm from mine before putting both hands on my waist and lifting me. He slots me into place behind Drystan, and I grimace at the way the other fae tenses as I fumble to cling onto his belt. The shifter ignores Drystan’s discomfort in favour of taking my old dress from me and tucking it into a saddlebag on his own horse.

Drystan spurs Blizzard forward without waiting for Jaro to swing up into the mare’s saddle, heading straight for the gate. It’s rude, but at least the shifter catches up easily enough and doesn’t seem upset at being left behind.

When we’re out of the town, the two horses walking side by side, Jaro is the first to break the silence. “So, while we’ve got nothing better to do on the road, I thought you might like to start learning about the different types of under fae.”

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