Page 43 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

The escort halted, and they followed his example, as a resplendent fae female approached with an entourage in her wake. Meara would have been able to pick her out of a crowd as Luce’s mother. Her skin glowed bronze, only a few shades lighter than Brenna’s.

The Summer Lady’s hair fell around her waist in luscious waves, deep honey streaked through with platinum, like rays of sun.

Delicate flaxen vines wound through her hair, curling at the ends.

Even her dress was gilded with metallic beading across the bodice over ivory skirts that flowed down her waiflike figure.

Her thin lips curved downward at the sight of her visitors, and her fingers came up to brush her hair back. Rings glittered across her hands and up her tapered ears.

Ayala and Brenna curtsied, and Meara copied the best she could. She felt Aletris’ eyes on her, and the disdain was like a dampness creeping over her body.

“So lovely to receive the Autumn Court,” she said. As she moved, the golden diadem woven into her hair glittered with sheer jewels cut like leaves.

Ayala smiled, putting on graces she reserved for those she wished to impress. “Lady Aletris, thank you for receiving us. This is Lady Brenna and Lady Meara. They were presented at Court Tara recently.”

“Welcome to Elhora. What brings you earlier than expected?”

“How could we resist the allure of your court?” Her delicate brows arched.

Meara let out a smothered laugh. After the stress of the day, her tolerance for staying silent was waning. Aletris looked up sharply, and Meara lowered her face, praying the Summer Lady would think the noise had been a cough.

“It is always so lovely here,” Ayala rushed to say, “and we appreciate your hospitality.”

“Of course,” Lady Aletris said, her frown deepening. “Though I am not sure your entire party feels that way. Please, return to the Autumn Court or whatever hole you came from if you do not wish to be here.”

Brenna tensed as Ayala worked to soothe the ruler. “My lady, we truly are blessed to be in your lands, but it has been a long and difficult day.”

Aletris studied them, the silence stifling. “There will be no formal meals or events until Samhain, so you’ll have to entertain yourselves.” She waved her hand in a courtly dismissal. “Until then. ”

“Thank you,” Brenna said.

“Ladies, if you would please follow me,” the ethereal steward said, gliding down an interior hallway.

Meara seethed, ashamed of her blunder and furious at the haughty Summer Lady.

Ayala drew closer as they walked through the passageway.

“Relax. She would have found some fault in you regardless.” With a flick of her hair, Ayala sauntered ahead.

Meara blinked, her lips parting in surprise.

That was remarkably kind coming from Ayala.

Brenna slowed, looking over her shoulder at her sister. “Come on, let’s go.” Meara hated the sympathy in her gaze. Swallowing her remaining irritation, she surged forward to loop her arm through Brenna’s.

Ayala swept into the guest apartments ahead of them, surveying them with a curl of her lip. “You might as well take the biggest room. I doubt Cerne will stay the night. Tayen might, if he can come.”

“Will you be staying in the rooms?” Meara asked, raising one eyebrow.

“Not if I can help it.” Ayala sighed, as if the entire situation was terribly tiring to her.

“We are invited to a gathering tonight. Cerne never likes to go, but I find Luce’s friends entertaining.

” She tugged the curtain open to let purple light pour into the space, illuminating a bouquet of campion flowers set on a low table surrounded by comfortable seating.

“Friends?” Brenna asked absently as she trailed her finger across the book spines stacked on a pale wood bookcase with a curved top.

“Yes, of course. I have friends everywhere. Those loyal to Luce are generally trustworthy, so they rarely give me any information intentionally, but you can learn a lot when you watch closely. ”

Meara smiled, shaking her head as she walked into the room Ayala suggested they take.

A massive four poster bed covered one wall, and a door led to a private bathing chamber.

Everything was shades of wheat and grass with glimmers of gold.

The oak furniture gleamed, freshly polished.

Despite the fact they arrived earlier than expected, their rooms were immaculate.

Servants entered and placed their bags upon the bench at the foot of their bed, and Meara joined her sister in hanging their dresses to air out.

Task complete, Meara wandered back into the sitting room. Linen seating circled around a central table, but all the places were empty. Ayala had disappeared already. Rolling her eyes, Meara returned to their bedroom and sat by while Brenna brushed out her hair.

“So what do you think of the Summer Court?” she asked.

Brenna shifted where she sat, and her voice sounded as if she was grinning. “I think Samhain is going to be wonderful. But I’m not sure what we will do until then. Perhaps they have a library.”

“What do the fae do for Samhain?”

“Well,” Brenna said, chewing on her lip. “It’s to celebrate the end of the harvest season, and the Summer Court and Autumn Court both celebrate that. So we will see.”

Sighing, Meara relaxed into her seat as Brenna recalled everything she knew about the Summer Court and fae traditions around Samhain. She had been listening and learning, while Meara was stewing over her blocked magic. Thank goodness one of them was having success in these fae lands.