Page 44 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)

Chapter Twenty-One

Wren

L iam kisses me goodbye, and as he’s leaving, Momma pushes through the half-open door. “I heard there was some trouble last night?”

Once he’s hugged her, Liam says, “You can find out everything from Wren. Food to break your fast should arrive shortly.”

Momma sits at the small table near a window that overlooks the garden we were in last night. “It’s beautiful here.”

“Dangerous and beautiful.” I finish dressing and sit opposite her.

Before I can tell her what happened, there’s a knock, and when I call come in, Harper peeks her head in. “I wanted to check to see if you’re alright.”

“Have a seat.” I get up and pull a chair over from the corner.

Joining us, Harper says, “I heard you broke every piece of furniture in Liam’s room.”

“Did you?” Momma asks.

I shrug. “Most of it, but that woman came at me with a knife and said some terrible things about humans.”

The door opens again, and three maids come in carrying trays of food. A whiff of fresh yeasty bread, eggs, and tea instantly makes my stomach growl. Lila smiles. “I had enough brought up for all of you ladies.”

“Lila, we could have gone down for the meal.” Harper’s warm smile shows familiarity and respect.

“It’s nothing,” Lila says. “Miss Wren had a difficult evening, and I heard you ladies joined her this morning.”

Two footmen carry in a larger table, which is placed beside the first.

Before I can think to protest, all the fuss, dishes, and food are placed before us.

Niamh flies in. “Oh, isn’t this lovely?”

“Won’t you join us?” I get up to find another chair, but Lila is faster and brings one from the wall near the fireplace.

“Only if I’m not intruding. I’m not human, and if you have human things to discuss…”

Momma chuckles. “No special human discussions. Fairies, elves, and centaurs would all be welcome at our table.”

“And dwarves,” Harper adds.

As she sits and her wings tuck in behind her, Niamh asks, “Are all humans so accepting of those different from you?”

“No.” I take a warm roll from the basket. “Unfortunately, humans have plenty of bigotry and hatred.”

The pretty fairy frowns and eats a berry that looks similar to a strawberry, but it’s purple like a grape. “Do you really have dragon wind, Wren?”

“It would seem so.” I spread butter and purple jam on my roll, then close my eyes as the flavors wake up my palate.

“And the woman was an old flame of Liam’s?” Momma scoops an egg that looks poached onto a slice of bread and pours gravy over the top.

Rather than vilify Dierdre, I say, “They did have a relationship of some kind, but it ended months before Liam came to find me.” The hours since the incident have left me feeling sorry for her. She’s clearly suffering from mental health issues.

Harper drinks tea and makes a face. “All I know is, I thought Jersey Girls were badasses, but now I know not to mess with a Texas woman.”

“True enough,” Momma says around a mouth full of bread and eggs.

With a laugh and another sour face, Harper adds, “I’d give all of the gold in this castle for a cup of coffee.”

“I’m getting used to the tea.” Momma sips happily.

I can’t help laughing at the horrified expression on Harper’s pretty face. “This is nice.”

“It is.” Niamh’s wings flutter.

There’s another knock.

“Come in,” I call, as all heads turn to see who it is.

Bert swings the door open. “I heard there was a gathering of humans and wondered if you’d mind one more.” He smiles at Niamh. “But if it’s ladies only, I’ll understand.”

“Nonsense,” I say. “Come and join us. We were lamenting the lack of coffee in Domhan.”

He grumbles. “I lived on the stuff back home. I make them use double the tea, and it’s still just dirty water.” After grabbing a chair from near the fireplace, he sits across from Niamh.

“Other than the lack of coffee and the mad witch trying to kill me, it’s a wonderful place.” Harper takes a bite of a berry.

“I have two mad women trying to kill me. Count yourself lucky.” It’s meant as a joke, but it falls flat.

Niamh looks from me to Harper. “Will you stay here after the witch queen is defeated?”

“I don’t know.” Harper shrugs. “I can’t imagine never returning to my mother in New Jersey, but leaving Aaran seems impossible.

He’s said he would return to our world with me, but I don’t think he’d be happy in a world where he has to hide his nature.

For now, I’m here, and we have a job ahead of us that might kill us.

If that happens, then I’d have worried over nothing.

So, for now, I’m not thinking about it.”

The truth of that should be sobering, but I can’t help laughing at the easy way she says it. “I think surviving this long has been a kind of miracle.”

“When Nainsi came to Montague, that’s on the Labrador Coast, she used to tell me stories of this place and all its wonders.

I believe most of what she told me remains true.

The elves are wonderful, even after thirty years of being beaten down and losing loved ones in this war.

Many have family who were turned into shadow demons, yet they honor them as beloved dead.

The land is still beautiful, but when you see how things look near the tower in the east, you can get a glimpse of what Venora will do to all of Domhan.

I’m not part of the prophecy, but I do think this place is worth saving.

Besides, we have to protect our own world.

After what Wren and Liam said about human magic and that obelisk, we don’t have much time. ”

Momma nods. “Humans don’t fare well in this world, but we do seem to pull through. I hope the youngest brother and his lady find their way back soon.”

Leave it to my mother to remind us that there’s still another one of us in the wind. I wonder where they are. “Considering how long ago the three of them left to find us, things are probably not going well. I wish we could help them the way Niamh helped Liam and me.”

“If I sense them, I’ll go to them, but so far, I only felt the portal at the one glen you came to.” She brushes her short hair behind her pointed ear.

I suppose I should be worrying about my own problems, but after the journey here, my heart goes out to any human beyond the safety of the city walls. However, the walls didn’t protect me last night. No, I did that myself.

The sun is high when Momma and I walk to the woods where the centaurs have made their encampment.

A company of dwarves came down from the mountains earlier, and we met a very interesting one named Fancor. Harper treated him like a favorite uncle. I liked him immediately.

“Momma, maybe the reason the elves needed us was to bring all the creatures of this world together.” The irony of that is not lost on me, considering that humans can’t find peace in our world, and it’s just us.

She wraps an arm around my waist. “It could be. Strange as that sounds. It seems that embracing a few humans has opened them up to the people right here in Domhan. Maybe it’s not the reason, but the nice side effect.”

“Maybe.” I step in front of her as we enter the wooded area. Before my second foot crunches the underbrush, a hand grabs my shoulder. Gasping, I turn to the left. “Jadar!”

He hugs me. “We heard you survived. Come. Corell and Farress will scold me if I don’t bring you to them immediately.”

The woods are not as dense as those in the south, nor are the trees as tall. This must be a younger forest. Still, the path is not an easy one to follow, and I’m glad to have a guide other than Momma. “It’s pretty here.”

“It will suffice for the time being. I hope one day we will return to the south, and pray that our true home will be rebuilt after the witch queen’s reign is over.” He huffs out a long sigh.

Patting his back, I say, “I will keep your hopes in my prayers, my friend.”

A wide grin washes away all worry. “If you pray for it, I know it will come to pass.”

It takes all my restraint not to tell him that I don’t have that kind of power. Why dash his hopes? They are just as valid as my prayers.

We break through the shadows of the trees into a wide-open space with a small creek running through. Centaur homes have been built to shelter them, and a large cook fire smolders at the center of the camp.

Corell gallops over. “Wren.” He lifts me in a hug. “We were very worried.”

Through my squashed lungs, I manage, “It’s good to see you. Thank you for getting my mother here safely.”

“Put her down before you harm her,” Farress scolds but chuckles at the same time.

I pat Corell’s back as he puts me on the ground and greets my mother in a similar manner. “Come. Sit. We heard you had come, but the celebration to dedicate our temporary home was already underway. We planned to join you in the city this evening. The Riordan invited us to dine.”

I sit on a stump arranged near the fire. It’s a good sign that the centaurs have added seating for species with two legs as well as four. “I hope you’ll still come. I wanted to see everyone and assumed the entire village wouldn’t be invited to dinner in the castle.”

“Wouldn’t that be a sight?” Farress simmers a pot in the still-smoldering coals of an earlier fire.

Corell and Jadar tell us about the rest of the journey to Tús Nua as well as the unexpectedly warm welcome they received.

“Elspeth offered to build us homes, but the elven homes would not suit centaurs. Then she said we could look around the land in the area and perhaps find someplace that would work until we’re able to return to our home, if that’s our intention. ”

“That was kind of her.” I’m not surprised. Liam’s mother is a wise woman. She’ll need these centaurs before this war is over. “I’m glad you’ve had a good experience with the elves.”

“Not all.” Jadar’s voice is grave.

We’re interrupted by Wellon and Pallon joining the circle.

I’m happy to see them all looking well and happy despite their losses.

Once everyone is settled, Farress hands me a cup of tea. “We don’t have our leaves from home, but this is a nice substitute.”