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A sadness crept into , but then again, it had originally been a part of Earthside, and it seeether
On one level, I secretly hoped the portals would rip, that the division wouldn’t hold, and that Otherworld and Earthside would reunite, but I also knew that ht of unification, I realized it wasn’t necessarily best
We turned down another road, and as the carriage ru out onto a cottage and a grotto beyond, I knehere I was I’d initiated into Aeval’s Court here, during the winter solstice As the driver helped ic was in the wind, ic was in the very land here, iy of the ed since the winter solstice when I’d been here, except for the bright green of neth But the deciduous trees had blosso leaves noded the branches, creating a tapestry of shadow and light as the last of the sunlight shi thick, as were ferns and brambles, and wild rhododendrons that had somehow becoed the grove, and their berries hite, not yet ready to turn the brilliant orange that marked them in the late summer and autumn
The drone of bees and insects huan to give way, and twilight took hold Morgaine’s ti to fade as Aeval’s rule ascended
Soned to train eBut when I approached the subject, no one would answer, and I had come to the conclusion that the more I pressed, the less likely I was to find out, so I had quit asking I knehen to back off
I carried e, which was used as a preparation area I had begun to sort outwhen an acolyte approached She looked a little scared, and I grinned as she stumbled over her words
"Lady Camille? I have word…I’irl looked so starstruck that I took pity on her
"Don’t be nervous What’s your name?"
"Tanya"
That surprised me Tanya was a human name and not one found in most Fae families
"Well, Tanya, if it’s bad news, just tellher nerves were a result of the star-factor thing, but I had learned never to assume That could land you in a whole world of hurt Or eave"I’m sorry I’m just nervous I’ve heard so ain"
As she took a deep breath, I realized Tanya was an FBH, not Fae at all That alone was enough to make ain, and this tiaine asked alia and staff She bids you take a ceres first, and then cross to the other side, where you will be dressed for the ritual You may leave your clothes here"
That was odd, but I just nodded and entered the cottage
The living roolass hurricane jars The little house had four rooms
The kitchen was the color of pale sunshine It held a round table with eight chairs and had a wood cookstove, but the stove wasn’t made out of cast iron I wasn’t sure just what it was made from, but it worked really well There was also an old-fashioned icebox that was kept chilled through ice and snowwater, the stove was used to heat water for washing dishes
The Fae Queens did believe in plu and had hired contractors to install septic systes outside, who needed a war roo room--and a chamber to the side, the size of a small bedrooe Best not to keep Morgaine waiting Even ht as well
Stripping, I hung upon a peg on the wall I tucked my purse into one of the wooden lockers I’d already handedforroom With a quick pit stop in the bathroom, I took care of business and washed my hands As I stared at myself in the e lay ahead But there was only one way to find out Exhaling slowly, I rejoined Tanya
She led me out the back door The smooth slate path was cool under li up now, I thought, then brought ic required absolute concentration, especially orking with the Dark Queens
A hush settled over the grove, the echo of birdsong reverberating fro The te heavy in the air, and I shivered beneath the light fabric of the robe
Tanya said nothingalia and my staff I followed behind her A flutter rustled in the brushes nearby, and I glanced just in tie Whatever it was, I kneas neither human nor animal Fae, perhaps--but most likely an Elemental, as tied to the earth as I was tied to the moon
After a few e--a pond, really--and stea a fine mist that rolled across to the other side The scent of ater and reetit across a bush Tanya curtsied, then picked up the robe and headed off down the path
Cautiously, I put one foot into the water