Page 29 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

Brenna

T he small space held dozens of faeries, males and females alike, laughing and drinking from earthenware tankards.

The scent of malt and yeast filled the room.

The crowd’s noise dulled to a hum as Cerne crossed the space and claimed a large table.

Brenna wove between chairs, ignoring the way her soles stuck to the stone floor.

She reached the high table and climbed onto a stool beside Seda.

Once seated, the fiddler resumed playing, joined by larger stringed instruments until the winding, jovial tune filled the room.

The crowd resumed their conversations and Brenna relaxed into the friendly atmosphere.

Tayen waved to the barkeep, and half a dozen drinks were set on the table shortly.

“Thank you,” Brenna murmured.

“To old friends!” Tayen said, raising his tankard .

“And new ones,” Xurey added, smiling at the sisters.

“And handsome human princes,” Brenna teased Tayen. Cerne threw his head back and laughed. Brenna joined him until she had to wipe tears of mirth from her eyes and her ribcage ached.

Their laughter fell away to the warm glow of contented smiles. She sipped her ale, letting the sour taste override the myriad of scents in the tavern.

Meara had a pink tinge to her cheeks and a hand rubbing at the collar of her tunic. Cerne tilted his head, watching her. “Tayen, I’m afraid you may have scandalized Meara.”

Xurey stifled a laugh, and Meara’s brows jumped up before they lowered into a scowl. “Nothing of the sort,” she stated, folding her arms across her chest.

Tayen leaned his chin into his hand. “Sorry about that. But don’t fret, Eladin likes the attention.”

Her mouth opened and closed.

“You aren’t really a part of the group until you’ve caught Tayen in a compromising situation,” Cerne joked.

Tayen huffed, his mock outrage softened by the laughter in his eyes. “Or Cerne. The fact you haven’t stumbled across him and some court lady is a miracle.”

The redness in Meara’s cheeks darkened, the blood glowing under her pale skin. Her gaze lingered on Cerne. “I don’t,” she started, but the sentence never came together.

“The fae differ from humans in this way,” Tayen said, rescuing her sister from her mortification. “Anyone without a partner can be with whoever, and it is not looked down upon. ”

“Even partners don’t keep things as private as humans might expect,” Seda said with a pointed look at Tayen. He shrugged and shifted in his seat, his grin widening.

Brenna chewed on the inside of her cheek, considering Tayen’s words. “Are those expectations the same for females and males?”

“Of course,” Cerne said, frowning as if her question was confusing.

Leaning forward, Meara’s mouth curved downward. “You are aware expectations among humans are largely inequitable between men and women.”

The males’ smiles fell away. “I would never allow that sort of culture in my court,” Cerne growled.

“I’m sorry, but things are not entirely equal here either,” Ayala interjected.

“How so?” Cerne said, his voice rising with argument.

Ayala, Xurey, and Seda sighed collectively, and Brenna couldn’t help her small smile at the sense of feminine solidarity.

It was Seda who addressed the Autumn Lord.

“Cerne, we may be better, but that doesn’t stop male faerie from pushing into the role of protector.

It makes it harder for women to claim positions of power. ”

Nodding, Ayala set her folded hands on the table primly.

“It might seem equal, but the moment a female falls pregnant, you feral beasts become quite oppressive. And it’s difficult to claim any sort of power without opportunity.

” Their words turned over in Brenna’s mind as she worked to reconcile this perspective.

Cerne drummed his fingers. “I’m going to take that into consideration. ”

“I’m happy to bring this up at a later date,” Seda said, her smile wolfish. Brenna had a feeling this fae female never lost an opportunity to train anyone within the Autumn Court, including Lord Cerne.

“Do the fae marry? I haven’t heard anyone mention being wedded,” Brenna asked, the thought striking her.

“Occasionally,” Xurey answered.

Ayala pursed her lips, annoyance flashing across her face. “It’s hard to make that commitment when it’s for such a long time.”

“Marriages tend to be political,” Tayen said.

“Most faeries simply have partners, but in bonded partnerships, they can share magic. That is the sign of commitment most faeries desire. It can’t be falsified, and your connection must remain strong.

No one can deny your relationship when you use each other’s magic craft. ”

Brenna’s mouth formed an “O.” Tayen laughed, though it felt like laughing with her and not at her expense.

“Do they know nothing about us in Liosliath?” Seda asked.

Brenna shook her head.

“Well do you have any other silly questions we can settle before you embarrass yourself at the next formal event?” Ayala asked. Despite her irritated tone, it was the closest the faerie had come to being kind to them.

Meara’s crossed arms leaned on the table as she said, “Actually, I have a question. I apologize if this is rude, but I’ve been wondering how old everyone is.”

Ayala’s eyes narrowed. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-six.”

“It’s not rude,” Tayen said. “Not among friends. I am fifty-two and Ayala is forty-nine.” He ignored the daggers Ayala stared into the side of his head.

“Thirty,” Xurey said, shrugging.

“Oh, really?” Brenna said brightly, happy to find someone closer to her age.

Seda sighed, folding her arms across her knee. “I am eighty-seven, and this male is eighty-four.”

Cerne dragged his fingers through his hair, looking sheepish. The dynamic between Seda and Cerne made sense when she realized Seda treated him like a younger brother.

“That’s quite an age gap,” Meara muttered, and Brenna laughed, fiddling with the sleeve of her dress.

“Anything else or can we get to drinking?” Ayala drawled.

“Not that I can think of,” Meara said, a sarcastic bite to her voice. She was becoming bolder, and from the curious way Cerne watched her, she wasn’t the only one noticing.

“I propose a game!” Tayen said, raising his tankard. “Truth or tale, two stories, one true and one not. Those that guess wrong will drink, and the teller drinks if they fail to fool us.”

“I’m going to need more ale for that,” Seda muttered.

“I can go first, I am prepared,” Ayala said, waving her hand to gather their attention with a flourish.

“First of all, when my magic craft manifested as a child, I leapt from our family’s cottage roof, convinced I could fly.

” Brenna drew in a sharp breath, and Tayen gave her a knowing smile.

“Secondly, over the years, I have stolen silver cutlery from every single court. Now which do you think is my truth?”

Brenna’s eyes went to Tayen, trying to gauge his thoughts as her sibling. He leaned back, crossing his arms. “Don’t look at me. I happen to know the answer, so I am recused.”

“Was it jumping off the roof?” Brenna guessed.

“I think it’s the silverware,” Meara said. Ayala raised a single eyebrow.

“I’m trying to remember,” Cerne said, rubbing his jaw. “I recall something about your family and the roof, so I believe that is the truth.”

Ayala’s feline smile widened. Seda’s eyes narrowed as she watched her. “I’ve seen your cutlery collection in your rooms, so I have to say that is the truth.”

“Yes, that sounds true,” Xurey said.

“Truth,” Ayala said, nodding. “It was not I who fell from the roof.” Tayen huffed.

“You?” Brenna asked.

“I’m afraid so. I had merely moved a few objects at that point and I had no understanding of my true craft.” Tayen’s freckled skin brightened with pink. “I broke my ankle. It is not even my turn. Cerne, would you please?”

The Autumn Lord chuckled at his friend’s chagrin.

“Fine. Let’s see. When I was twelve or so and my antlers first grew in, I got my head stuck in a stair railing when visiting the high court.

” Xurey let out a giggle, and Cerne’s serious demeanor cracked.

His words held a smile. “And when I was younger, I had a problem with squirrels following me around for weeks.”

Everyone looked to Seda. “I never joined him in Court Tara. My duties have always been here. I cannot help.”

“Damn. Alright, I have to guess the incident in Court Tara is your truth,” Tayen said.

Canting her head thoughtfully, Meara said, “I think it’s the squirrels. That is quite an embarrassing incident that I cannot believe you would have imagined for yourself. ”

“I hate to agree, but I’ve seen animals following you,” Ayala said. It was a simple statement, but it eased something inside of Brenna to hear the fae female agree with her sister. It was a sign they were moving forward.

“Brenna?” Cerne asked.

“Oh, squirrels, for sure,” she said with a grin.

“You do have a rather large head, so getting it stuck is my guess,” Seda said, crossing her arms and giving Cerne an inscrutable look.

“I have fooled three of you! Drink, my friends. It was a family of mice that trailed me for weeks. Though I also had an otter admirer who snuck into my quarters once and more than a few foxes that followed me whenever I went into the woods.” Laughter echoed around the table.

“To Lord Cerne’s animal magnetism,” Tayen said, raising his cup and taking a long drink despite the fact he guessed correctly.

Brenna swallowed more of the ale. The warmth spreading through her may have been the alcohol, or it may have been her magic loosened by her drink, but she was too relaxed to care.