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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

IN WHICH THE PARTY IS INTRODUCED TO THE GREAT AND POWERFUL RUGAVELD

Rugaveld’s manor was indeed something that could not be missed.

The house had, at one point, been a stately older building, perhaps a town hall or vacation home passed down through generations.

It had since been transformed into an estate on the cliff, minimalistic modern and classic nineteenth-century elements coming together with fae architecture to create an entirely new beast. Twin towers stood proud, one on either side of the main building, while the back half was an expanse of glass and stone that hung off the edge of the earth to tempt the waves below.

A smaller secondary building was attached by a skybridge lined with stained-glass windows. The effect was stunning.

We followed the road to the entrance. The streetlamps and planters on either side of the path came together to frame stone steps leading up to wide, arched double doors decorated with fine carvings of trees and wildlife and propped open to welcome visitors.

Even from ground level, I had to crane my neck to look the manor over.

The structure loomed above our heads, oppressive in its majesty, equal parts a dream come to life and somehow out of place next to the sea-scented air and ocean views.

“Shut your mouth. You’re drooling,” Hohem muttered to his brother, prompting Vyrain to scrub a hand across his chin while shooting daggers.

Without dragging my eyes away, I asked, “Still think splitting up is the best move?”

Luthri took my query as intended. “Well, with that architecture”—he indicated the glass walls with a wave of his hand—“someone could watch you going about your life from Solfarin. So, if anything, I’d say this clinches the deal. Of course, the final decision is up to you.”

Moments like these were thrilling and terrifying. Holding a leadership role meant that I had people relying on me. What if I made the wrong call? I could be sending us all to our deaths.

“We should split up,” I acknowledged after a beat. It would be foolish for us all to go in at once, and the glass walls did pose an interesting opportunity.

I turned to face the others. Down the street, a small crowd of villagers converged. They kept their distance, but the eager expressions they wore were unnerving. It took me a moment to remember the topic. “Uh… okay. Shall we draw straws?”

“You should go.” Vyrain ran a hand through his hair. “You’re the diplomatic one, after all. Any one of us works for backup. I’m happy to accompany you for safety’s sake.”

“Luthri should,” Hohem interjected even as Luthri opened his mouth. Lu got over his surprise quickly and gave him big puppy-dog eyes of thanks, which he shrugged off. “You’re probably the best fighter of us three. Mar will be in good hands.”

Men would be men, making it about me and my safety. Knowing it came from a place of affection made it hard to be bothered. Besides, I didn’t mind Luthri coming with me.

“That means you two will be our contingency plan,” I warned the twins.

Vyrain’s face had fallen. He kept his gaze on the ground, nudging a loose cobblestone with the toe of his boot. “Whatever works, I guess,” he muttered under his breath.

Hohem clapped his twin on the shoulder and pulled him close, sending him stumbling. “Think of it this way. If things go wrong, we get to come to Mar’s rescue, one-up Luthri, and save the mission. Doesn’t get much more heroic than that.”

Vyrain considered his words.

“You’ll be the most important part of the plan,” Lu generously announced before I could come up with something to that effect. It held more value coming from him anyway.

Nodding my agreement, I gestured for them to give me their packs.

“Let’s split up the supplies. We’ll take one bag in with us.

I’m not sure how long this will take, but if it’s more than a day, we’ll check in every morning and evening.

If we miss a check-in, assume things have gone sideways.

Otherwise, if we need you, we’ll signal you. ”

“What signal?” Vyrain inquired, shrugging off his bag.

“One you’ll know when you see.” I sorted through our gear, keeping an eye on the onlookers as I did so. “Keep to yourselves while we’re gone, if you can. Don’t accept anything from the townspeople, not even cakes from nice old ladies. Keep your wits about you.”

“Mar?” Hohem put a hand on my shoulder. His mouth twitched as he fought a smile. “Calm down. We’ve got this—you focus on what you have to do.”

I blew a strand of hair out of my face and returned my attention to dividing the supplies.

“Yeah. Of course. I’m not worried, really.

” It wasn’t the whole truth—who wouldn’t be worried?

But even though my nerves were stretched taut, I could trust my friends.

At some point, all that was left to do was jump into the abyss and hope you land on your feet.

Luthri watched me sort through both packs. After a moment of indecision, I twisted Daethie’s hair ring from my finger and tucked that into the one I would leave with the twins. Lifting the straps of the other, I began to straighten, only for him to swipe it from my grip.

“Hey!” I scowled.

He slung it over one shoulder and helped me the rest of the way to my feet in one fluid movement. “Better for you to have your hands free,” he said innocently. “Shall we?”

“You can use your words,” I grumbled, swiveling to face Rugaveld’s mansion.

“Goddess be with you,” Vyrain murmured, using a common Ishameti phrase that doubled as both a greeting and a sendoff. He stooped to collect their bag, and he and his brother stood side by side as Luthri and I mounted the steps to the manor entrance.

It was a good thing the door was already open.

The carved handles were as long and thick as my arm, and I would have looked ridiculous trying to pull on them.

While no one stood inside, I didn’t doubt that Rugaveld or his people were nearby.

Indeed, no sooner had we crossed the threshold than one of the little green turtle people emerged from one of the side halls, tripping over himself in his eagerness to reach us.

“Welcome!” he cried in a high, breathless voice. “Welcome to Munarzed.”

After confirming that the twins made themselves scarce, I met the new arrival head-on. “Take me to your leader” was too on the nose, wasn’t it?

“Hello. We’re here for Narille, please,” I said instead, pulling myself to my full height. It was a refreshing change of pace to look down at a fae for once.

“Yes, yes, we can’t wait to meet you.” Quick as a snap, the turtle-man’s webbed hand closed around mine—clammy and cool—and tugged me deeper into the manor.

Luthri’s light footsteps followed close behind.

The first floor was all stone slabs, arching architectural windows, and luxurious drapes, beautiful yet devoid of personal touches but for the occasional piece of art.

Floorboards creaked under our feet as we got further inside, and a faint sea-scented breeze meandered alongside us.

We passed several more turtle men. Some hovered in corners with open smiles and blank eyes, while others gracefully moved out of our way and kept on with whatever mission they were assigned.

Our guide brought us through a doorway leading to a cozy, round courtyard with rows of hedges surrounded a decorative fountain several tiers high.

There, he came to an abrupt halt, and I nearly tripped over his compact, part-firm-part-fleshy form.

“Welcome,” a new voice called. A lithe young woman rounded the fountain.

It was impossible to guess age when it came to the fae—some aged slowly, appearing half or less than their true age by human standards, while others only lived a handful of years—but she might have been an older teen.

Dressed in a practical burnt-orange tunic and supple leather pants, she had deep-gray skin, pointed ears, and black hair styled in a braided crown around her head.

As she drew near, it became clear that she held a plate with an arrangement of confections similar to the ones Cantal served us before we left the shrine. She paused an arm’s length from Luthri and, as the turtle servant wandered away, offered the plate with a shy smile.

“No, thank you.” Lu politely pushed the plate back toward her.

She offered it to me next. “Thank you, but we just ate,” I said. Considering her age and manner, I didn’t think so, but I had to ask… “Are you Narille Kereti?”

The girl smiled and shook her head. “Sav,” she supplied, bringing a sweet to her lips.

“Sav? Nice to meet you.” I exchanged a look with Luthri, but he was as lost as I was. Turning back to her, I kept my tone soft. “Okay. Do you know where we can find Narille?”

Sav took her time, chewing and swallowing before responding. “Come with me, please.” Transitioning the plate to one hand, she gestured for us to follow, twirled about, and made for the opposite side of the courtyard. Luthri and I hurried after her.

She walked with light, quick steps, her slippers barely making a sound.

A short flight of stairs and expansive veranda brought us from the courtyard to another section of the manor.

This side was what was left of the original house, judging by the walls of paneled wood and carpeted floors—well-maintained, but not so extravagant as the building facade and entrance hall.

The girl led us through a portion of the home and to a set of doors, which she opened into a sunny conservatory.

It took my eyes a second to adjust to the light and determine what I was seeing: the most marvelous indoor garden, with a myriad of plants larger than life and colorful birds singing from golden perches that ran between branches.