He couldn’t imagine it. Either option seemed unpalatable—either some mortal got Taryn pregnant or he got some mortal pregnant. Either way, the baby had to be born in Annwyn—and yet at some point, Taryn or he would want a child and the decision would be made. He wanted to know how his parents had made that work. Had they loved each other enough to give them what they wanted regardless of the price?
“Love, eh? That’s a bit dangerous for a man in your position,” his father said.
You have no idea how dangerous. And it was probably best not to say.
“It’s true what they say, that no one gambles with their heart at Court?” Beynon asked.
Verden looked at his brother. When had he been born? There was so much he wanted to know, and yet so much he shouldn’t ask. He had no right after abandoning his family.
His brother leaned back. “I have no intention of going to Court. I’m going to run the farm after Da crosses the veil.”
Verden almost choked on his bread. “Cross the veil?”
“I’m no fool. I’d rather death be quick than have it take years like your poor mother.” Hollis glared at Beynon. There was a reason Beynon wasn’t going to Court. He wasn’t stupid, but he gave away too much without thinking. The Court would chew him up and spit him out once bored with him. Verden knew because he’d come very close himself.
“You plan on dying in the power shift.”
“The wasting has started. I will use the opportunity to travel the mortal world for a bit. Beynon and I have discussed it.”
Again without breathing a word to him. He wanted to argue with his father and tell him to not be in such a rush to die. And yet, his father was right; there would be a few old fairies who would seek the instant death over the prolonged wasting.
With his gazed fixed on the food in front of him, Verden spoke, his voice dark and heavy. “Then you’d best be packing and crossing the veil soon if you want a chance to see some of the world.”
“Closer than we think?”
“Much.”
Hollis nodded. “I trust your judgment. You were always sharper than your mother or I. We once joked you’d leave us for greener fields; we just never expected it to be quiet so fast. I’m glad you did well and that my name has been honored at Court.”
Verden smiled even though he felt tears forming in his eyes. He blinked to clear them away. Showing emotions like that at Court was a quick way to reveal yourself as easy prey, yet here he didn’t have to hide.
“So, is she mortal or fairy?”
“Fairy, raised in the mortal world.”
“There have been a few old faces coming back around here. Guess it would be the same at Court,” Beynon added.
“A few, more in the hamlets. People don’t want to be caught on the wrong side of the veil.” He glanced at his father.
Hollis looked him in the eye but said nothing about his already made decision. “What will you do after?”
“I don’t know.”
There was no invitation to return to the farm. Hollis and Beynon had that sorted. He wasn’t needed here and he had no place at Court under Felan’s rule. Maybe he was bound for the mortal world. What place would he have there?
“You know, Son, after the change, the humans will need help to rebuild. They always do after so much death. Your grandfather, Lorcyn, helped after Gwyn took the throne, traveled through most of Europe and always had a story to tell.”
“It’s not the same now.” Taryn had been telling him about social security and passports. Travel wasn’t simple, and magic and glamours couldn’t fool science all the time.
“Well if your ladylove intends on living in the mortal world, you’re either going to have to live without her or follow. I know which one I’d choose.”
Verden already knew he couldn’t live without Taryn. But he knew nothing of life across the veil. Court hadn’t prepared him for anything other than gambling and dancing.
Chapter 16
Taryn had never seen so much activity at Court. The shadow servants flitted instead of drifted. The remains of the flowers that had hung from the vines were cleared away and tidied up so no one need watch the failing of the magic. In their place, decorations were hung, tiny nests of blue. What they had to do with midsummer she had no idea, but that is what everyone was preparing for. That was why the extra trees were being brought in, trees from the mortal world in pots to give the impression of forest inside the castle, or maybe to mask the growing lack of leaves on the castle.
She leaned a little further over the living balustrade to get a better look. The changes were fascinating and yet she still couldn’t see the point to the small white mushrooms being carefully dotted around the base of the pots.
“The change will be more dramatic tonight, in the dark.” Sulia appeared next to her.
“I’m enjoying watching the set up.” She’d also been hoping for a glimpse of Verden. It didn’t feel like a breakup; it just felt like they were being extra careful to not run into each other. “Is it this busy every festival?”
“The festivals are very important. They are how we mark time. People say they are one hundred winter festivals old—or whatever festival they were born closest too.”
“That’s the same as one hundred mortal years.”
Sulia gave her a slow blink that conveyed just how stupid she thought counting in mortal years was. “The festivals are a reminder of our past and our connection to the mortal world. Some fairies only come to Court for the festivals.”
“What about those in the hamlets and farms?”
“They have their own celebrations.”
“But my mother could come back to Court for tonight.”
Sulia gave a little laugh. “Your mother wouldn’t be welcome at Court, but she could join one of the other festivals.” She shook her head. “Your mother made a dangerous mistake; she fell in love and gave it all up. She’ll never get her status back while tied to your father.”
Was that how it would be for Verden and her? A sacrificing of power and status to be together? Would he give that up to be with her across the veil? Or would he expect her to live in Annwyn? Had she done enough to show him how life in the mortal world could be?
Taryn turned away from the decorating of the hall and crossed her arms. “She loves him and he loves her. She wouldn’t give up on him just to come back and spend centuries scratching and scheming her way to the top. Some things are more important than status.”
“You’re afflicted with your mother’s delicate heart. Best you keep it protected here and not tell too many people your ideas about love. Look around you. How many love matches do you see?”
Had she seen any, or were people here only getting together for status? “There is that woman, with the lower-ranked man.”
“That will fail eventually. She will tire of his social climbing. If she loved him, she wouldn’t care about lowering her status.” Sulia gave a dismissive flick of her hand. “Even the King didn’t marry for love; that’s why he has an interest in you. You marry for status and then take lovers. It’s all about business here. If you want love, you don’t find it at Court.”
But she had and now they were desperately trying to keep it secret. Best to shift the conversation from her to Sulia…besides Sulia liked talking about Sulia above all others.
“Is that what you’re looking for across the veil?”
“I don’t want love. I want power. I want Felan.” Sulia clenched her fist, her long white nails glistening.
Taryn felt the frown before she could stop it. “He has to marry a mortal.”
Everyone knew that. The fairy King, or Queen, had to bind a mortal’s soul to Annwyn to balance the magic. Their soul for the safety of every other mortal; in exchange they lost their mortal lifespan. Who would willingly make such a trade? Eyra hadn’t done it for love; she’d done it for power. She looked at Sulia, so pretty and pale, like cotton candy made of poison. When Sulia looked at Felan, she saw a chance to rule by proxy. Or perhaps rule…she was taking human lovers and possibly had royal blood.