Page 178 of The Chains You Defy

“For me, my home is a slice of perfection, and I’m certain you’ll appreciate the serenity too. But be warned, we rarely have guests, so if we do, everyone gets very excited. Prepare to be doted on.” Cantarlann smiled and winked. “And if you feel like it, you’re invited to join some of our communal events and broaden your horizon.”

“What kind of events?”

“We regularly come together and help each other, especially when it comes to embodying our principles.”

“Now I’m curious what these are.”

“Let’s have a deeper conversation once we arrive. What you ask is part of an initiation, which, of course, you’re welcome to attend. Maybe you’re interested in experiencing some rites. For that, a basic introduction is necessary.”

“Is participating in your rites mandatory to stay for a while?”

“No, of course not. In general, there’s nothing obligatory if you’re a guest at the Cuirt. If you’re keen to partake in a ceremony, then yes, a simple commencement is essential, but just becauseyou dipped your toes into our lore doesn’t mean you’re bound to us in any way. We don’t believe in visible or invisible chains restraining us.”

Cantarlann’s words eased my nerves, which had begun to flutter at the mention of initiations, ceremonies, and rites.

As I dwelled on everything, I realized there was no falsehood in what he’d told me. After all, Thain had spent many winters with them before he’d left, and he was still friends with Cantarlann. Just as Antas’ mother had originated from the Cuirt an Ghra, and I’d never heard him state anything negative about his childhood. Besides, if something had been shady about this court, my friends would never have sent me there. “That’s a refreshing point of view.”

“Fits right into your own philosophy, hm? Thain mentioned how much you detest when someone controls you.”

Thain, the old gossip. What else had he disclosed about me?

But in the end, I had no real secrets, so I ignored his big mouth.

As a distraction, I observed nature passing by through the window. The landscape had changed massively since the last time I’d peeked outside. Lush meadows in all kinds of greens, pinks, and purples lined the road instead of the endless strange trees that had accompanied us when we’d left Alaiann.

A sweet smell hung in the air, reminding me of summer wine and carefree days, and for a moment, a pang of homesickness surprised me. So, I searched for a distraction.

“How can we travel so fast?”

“It’s daytime. I can tap into the light around us and increase the speed of the coach.”

“Your magic can do that?”

“Yes, it’s a minor facet I can use. Doing so doesn’t cost me a lot of power.”

“I’m still in awe of what Wielder can achieve. And everyone has such different talents, even if they command the same element.”

“True. Two Wielder having the exact same facet composition is unheard of.”

My face turned contemplative. “Do magicless fae exist?”

“Yes, but they’re very rare. And sadly, shunned by society. We’d welcome them with open arms, but so far, none of them have found their way to us.”

Only months ago, I’d been excited when I’d learned about Galanta’s existence for the first time, and I’d been so jealous of how female fae weren’t forced into marriages or treated as possessions. I’d imagined this society progressive, something to strive for, but the longer I stayed—the more I discovered—the more the flaws of Ivreia’s twin world became blatantly obvious, and I wasn’t sure anymore which of the two was worse.

Galanta was a lot more cutthroat than Ivreia, and the only true equality among fae was that both males and females were viewed as inferior by those more powerful—without discrimination because of their gender.

Only time would tell whether the Cuirt an Ghra was the utopia Cantarlann described his home as. So far, I wasn’t yet convinced.

This damn heat. Maybe I shouldn’t have worn my armor and stuck to the loincloth instead, but—

No.

I could deal with a little sweat.

From my point of view, the meeting with the Doitean had been a full success. Directing my efforts against Galrach, who deserved every ounce of my defiance, fueled my resolution.

Once I’d escaped the fires of the Breocharn and was back in Alaiann, I’d toss the fake firestone in front of Galrach’s feet before throwing Nayana over my shoulder while setting my drapes on fire, maybe alerting my comrades, and then defecting for good.