Page 25 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

Brenna

C erne lay on the settee with his arm across his eyes when Brenna pulled on a robe and headed to the washroom.

The rooms were quiet. Ayala and Tayen had not returned, as Xurey predicted.

Brenna pursed her lips. Faeries’ sensibilities were so different from humans.

She found herself curious, if she found a fae male who made her heart beat faster, would she pursue a relationship as freely as Ayala or Tayen seemed to?

Tayen stood in the hall, leaning his forearm against the archway. His clothes from the celebration were wrinkled, his tunic untucked and gaping open.

“Good morning,” she said, unable to keep her smile at bay. Cerne grunted and turned in his sleep.

“Brenna, did you enjoy your evening?” He swayed as he crossed the room and sank into a chair. “I thought you’d like to see your mother before we set off today.”

“Yes, please.” Brenna clapped her hands together. “Let me wake Meara up.”

Tayen nodded, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

When Brenna emerged with a bleary-eyed Meara in tow, Cerne was sitting up talking with Tayen in low tones. He paused as he glanced up at them. Meara blushed furiously and strode past him toward the door. Chuckling, Tayen rose, straightened his clothes, and followed.

Gray morning light coated the fortress, turning the brown crushed rock beneath their feet sepia. A small selection of guards stood by the grand entry, but they turned the other way and headed into the surrounding market.

Their mother’s shop stood in the row of buildings nearest to the gate.

It seemed to nestle into the inner wall, with a small courtyard tucked beside it, giving it space from the closest neighbor.

A freshly painted sign hung above the door: an alder tree cradled in a bowl.

A pestle poked out from the side of the bowl, denoting the shop as an apothecary.

The door was closed and locked. Tayen stood back and allowed Meara to knock a familiar pattern. Their mother threw the door open and stared at them, her eyes filling with tears. “My beautiful girls,” she crooned, wrapping her arms around both of them and dragging them inside.

“Good morning, Miss Aldridge,” Tayen said with a tip of his chin.

“Hello, my lord. Do you want to join us?” Their mother asked over her shoulder.

Tayen shook his head. “I’ll be back later this morning to retrieve them. Have a nice visit.”

Brenna waved, overflowing with gratitude for her friend’s support.

Seeing her mother brought back so many emotions in a rush, she had to wipe at her eyes.

Their mother pulled them through the shop and into her personal rooms. They sat around a wobbly second-hand table while she added additional slices of sausage to the heavy iron frying pan over her wood-burning stove in the corner.

A stable door led to the garden beyond, the top half swung open while the bottom stayed closed.

Around it, herbs hung drying for both cooking and the shop’s salves and tonics.

Jars lined the tall shelves, and the edge of the long, stone counters.

It was similar to the old shop, except the structure was primarily stone instead of wood.

The thick walls held in the heat of the hearth, and the entire space felt cozy.

The scent of herbs filled the air, but had yet to soak into the walls and floor.

Their mother beamed at them as she served her daughters eggs with runny yolks over shredded potato pancakes she explained were popular in Dornadan. The spices in the sausage were unfamiliar, but the meal warmed Brenna through.

“Everyone has been friendly,” their mother said, sipping the bergamot and black tea blend she had prepared for them to share. “Despite the harsher landscape, this land is kinder.”

“And the people will accept us when we return to you,” Meara said.

“Oh yes, the fae are welcome here. Many of my neighbors have faerie heritage. It’s been fascinating. But I am curious about your experience the last few weeks. ”

Brenna described the Autumn Court and all of the wonderful shops, including Dyani’s dressmaking studio.

“And Lord Cerne’s house is the largest structure I’ve ever seen.

Not as large as the king’s fortress here, but that’s not really one building, is it?

This is one giant house and it covers the side of the hill.

You can look out the back windows and it drops off into a valley with a lake. It’s beautiful.”

“Would you like to come see it?” her sister asked quietly.

Their mother stroked her hand. “I don’t think so. I am happy here and the new business is quite busy. I’ll have to hire an assistant soon.”

Meara’s brows furrowed. “Can’t you wait until we join you?”

“No dear, I will not tie you to the shop in that way. You are under no obligation to join me in the business, and I know you do not love treating patients.” Her forehead creased as she raised her eyebrows and gave Meara a meaningful look.

“Besides, it seems to me that you are not done with your time in the Autumn Court.”

“Brenna has gained great control over her magic.”

“Yes, but you have not. And there is no rush. You are growing into your true selves and I am so proud of you. You may even stay among the fae if you wish to. You are faeries after all. And you’re only a day's ride away.” Her knowing smile made Brenna chew her lip.

Their mother was right. Brenna loved the Autumn Court and had no desire to return to a human life.

Meara shook her head stubbornly. “Of course we are coming home to you.”

“My daughter, many children grow up and move away. And I am doing fine without you. You gave me a great blessing by moving me here. It is a wonderful opportunity. Now seize your own opportunity and live among the faerie if you wish to. ”

“Thank you, Mum.” Brenna leaned forward and kissed her mother’s cheek. “We will see what happens. But I do like it there.”

“Now I’d love to see what you can do with your magic.”

She led them into the small garden, and Brenna stood in the stone pathway between rows of new seedlings.

“So far I can do light and heat, together or separately,” she explained.

She took a moment to center herself, drawing on that buzzing power that felt stilted this far from the fae court.

But it came willingly, and soon she held a small flame in her palm.

“Remarkable,” her mother murmured, drawing closer and reaching out as if she would touch her wrist, but halting a handbreadth away.

Brenna grinned and recalled her flame, drawing forward a light that floated higher for a moment before it flickered and faded.

Exhaling, she focused on sustaining her light.

As she let it go, Brenna shook out her hands and grinned. Her mother clapped, lavishing her with praises.

They returned to the shop, and Meara questioned their mother about the new shop. They worked side by side, processing raw ingredients into salves and tonics.

Brenna sat on the stool beside them, telling their mother more about the Autumn Court. She described the friends they had made, her time training with Tayen, and all the delicious food they had shared.

Their mother seemed particularly interested in the sweet honey cakes. “We will bring you some when we return,” Meara promised.

Tayen knocked on the open door. “Lovely ladies, I’m afraid it’s time to depart. The Autumn Court calls.”

Their mother hugged Tayen and then held each of her daughters for a moment until she released them. She spoke softly into Meara’s ear for a moment, giving the encouragement her somber daughter needed.

Brenna sighed, her shoulders hunching and falling as they left the shop and crossed the yard to their waiting party.

The trip back was smooth and quick, unburdened by the gifts Cerne and Tayen had presented King Eldric and Princess Elysia. Their steps were lighter and each measure of the journey felt like coming home.

They returned late in the evening and went straight to bed. Brenna slept hard, her muscles sore from riding and dancing.

In the morning, Kirrily brought pastries filled with egg and cheese, and the sisters ate by the window, watching the morning sun climb higher as the colors reflected across the lake turned from pink to gray.

“I think we should focus on your magic,” Brenna suggested. “I know you have been, but I’d like to help.” Perhaps if Meara unlocked her own abilities, she’d be keener on staying.

“If you’d like,” Meara said. She drained the last of her bright green tea and set the cup down. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt.”

They found the veranda empty and sat upon the rug in the middle. Meara closed her eyes and Brenna watched her brow furrow.

“Focus,” Brenna coached.

Meara scowled. “I am!”

Smiling, Brenna held her hands out and called forth a soft glow. “Can you feel the hum of magic in you? I can feel mine under my skin.”

Her sister opened her lilac eyes and pursed her lips. “No, I can’t. There’s nothing there. Just blood and bone.”

“Tayen can sense your magic, it has to be there. ”

As if summoned, the flame haired faerie appeared in the doorway. He watched the sisters with raised eyebrows.

“I can feel your magic,” Meara growled.

“You can?”

“Yes, it’s buzzing like bees.”

Brenna frowned, turning her hands over and watching the glow under her skin. “So you can sense mine, but not your own. Is it possible it’s still locked down somehow? Tayen, are you sure the suppression enchantment over Meara was fully broken and lifted?”

“I would say so. I was thorough,” he said, drawing closer. “Let me see.”

His hands settled over Meara’s shoulders, and she exhaled slowly as his magic brushed over her.

“I can feel that too. It’s different, more like a breeze.”

“Interesting,” Tayen said. “There’s nothing residual on you. I see no reason why you’d be having such difficulty. Have you explored the emotional connection we discussed?”

“Of course,” Meara said, crossing her arms.

“Including joy? You haven’t been particularly cheerful,” Brenna teased.

“Forgive me if I can’t manufacture emotions.”

Tayen cleared his throat, straightening. “Look, I was coming to see if you’d like to join us for training.”

“That’s what we are doing,” Brenna said, smiling sweetly.

“No, I mean physical defense training.” Tayen cocked his head. “We try to train with Seda when we can, and she has new recruits coming in a few days, so it’s our last chance for a while.”

“I’m not sure,” Meara said. “We aren’t familiar with your methods. Maybe we can observe? ”

“We have to try.” Brenna propped her hands on her hips. Meara reluctantly agreed.

They followed Tayen out of the manor house and to the northwest side of the structure. Brush and saplings were cleared away to create training circles, currently occupied by Seda, Xurey, and Ayala.

Seda looked up, her sharp gaze inspecting them. “Come to train?”

“Yes, thank you!” Brenna smiled, ignoring the flip in her stomach. She was not the athletic sister, and this was likely to be a disaster, but it would be good for Meara.

Seda led them through paces. Despite her strong fae body, Brenna’s arms burned as she held poses mimicking weapon stances. The movements felt clumsy.

Xurey and Ayala stood before them, each moving through the exercises flawlessly. Tayen laughed as he fumbled a movement, and Brenna couldn’t help but smile. As she peeked at her sister, she was grateful to see Meara smiling too.

Finally, Seda released them and they flopped onto the ground. Brenna wiped the sweat away from her neck.

“Well done,” Seda said.

“Lovely, thank you for your patience with us,” Brenna said to the commander.

“Of course,” Seda replied as she stretched her arms over her long legs. “How did you enjoy Dornadan?”

“It was good. We got to see our mother.” Meara said, crossing her legs and resting her forearms on her knees as her dark hair fell around her like pooling ink.

They began to chat about the half-fae living in Dornadan and how it was different from Liosliath, and Brenna lost interest. Her gaze trailed to Tayen who was watching the leaves sway about their heads.

“Now that we are past the betrothal celebration, do you think we could look into the question of our parentage?” Brenna asked Tayen, dropping her voice.

Tayen brushed hair away from his brow, looking perfectly put together. “Yes, I have been thinking on the subject. Cerne has begun to draft a list.”

“Thank you.”

Seda interrupted them. “Listen, I was preparing a challenge for the new recruits, and I was hoping my friends would help me test it.”

Ayala sat up sharply. “What do you mean by a challenge?”

“A game of sorts,” Seda said, smiling.

“That sounds fun. I would like to try,” Brenna found herself saying. She liked the burn of her muscles as she trained and the way her fae body responded. Her balance and stamina were greatly improved and she wanted to test herself further.

“Alright, how about this evening before dinner?”

“Alright,” Tayen said. “I will make sure Cerne comes as well.” He pushed to stand. “I’m due in a meeting with him anyway.”

“Perfect,” Seda said, her smile a bit too wide.

Meara watched her warily, but Brenna trusted their friends. Seda was a protector. She would not put them in the path of harm. Shaking out her muscles, Brenna stood and offered a hand to her sister.

“Let’s freshen up,” she said. Meara nodded and followed.