Brew 19

Seraphina clutched her stomach, wincing as the carriage bounced along the rough country road. The path to Thistlewick was little more than dirt and stone, and every jolt made her nausea worse. She’d drawn the curtains to block out the dizzying view, but it did little to calm her unsettled stomach.

She covered her mouth with one hand, trying not to be sick and she rubbed her stomach with the other hand. Trying to sooth and distract herself from the bumpy road.

Rook sat beside her, tail curled neatly around his paws. “You’ve never left the city’s borders, have you?” he chuckled. “A city witch through and through.”

“Shut up,” Seraphina muttered, clutching her middle and doubling over. “Blaise!” she called toward the front. “Can you please drive more carefully?”

Blaise’s voice floated back through the small window behind the driver’s seat. “Don’t worry. We’re almost there. I can see the village gates now,” Blaise kept a chirpy tone, clearly excited to see home after so many months away.

Seraphina groaned and lay down, hoping the motion would ease her discomfort. She couldn’t help thinking that if the village had any sense, they’d have travel mirrors—magical portals that would’ve spared her this miserable ride.

“Oh, lighten up,” Rook sighed, hopping onto the seat across from her. “You’re the one who insisted on this trip, are you not?”

She stuck her tongue out at him, but he only smirked. Spoiled, he thought affectionately. Sheltered from the moment she was born. Her entire life had been tutors, books, and the polished marble halls of the Alderbranch mansion. She’d only been allowed onto the council after years of petitioning—and no small number of tantrums.

That she’d now followed Blaise into the countryside, chasing after a fae rival, was almost unthinkable.

“I still don’t understand what you hope to accomplish on this trip,” Rook said, his voice stern. “While a little time in the forest might do you good, what do you expect to gain from this visit?”

Seraphina waved him off without sitting up, still grumbling as her head felt like it was spinning.

“The forest isn’t your strength,” Rook continued. “You’re not a nature witch. Never have been. But perhaps this is a chance to learn.”

Seraphina gave up sitting straight and curled herself into ball. Rook’s honesty was one of the reasons she trusted him. Unlike her teachers or her family’s council allies, he never flattered her. He told her the truth—about her magic, her faults, and her strengths.

She sighed, her mind thinking to what was ahead. “Rook… what do you think she’s like?”

Rook scratched behind his ear thoughtfully. “Do you want my honest opinion? Or would you rather I tell you, ‘Oh, mistress, don’t worry, she’s surely not as beautiful or clever as you’?”

“Honest,” Seraphina replied, though she braced herself for the answer.

“Well,” Rook mused, “judging by the sketches in Blaise’s notebook, she’s beautiful. Natural beauty—the kind no magic can create. As a fae, I imagine she’s playful, but complicated. It’s rare for fae to involve themselves with humans at all.”

“I don’t know much about fae,” Seraphina admitted. “What can you tell me?”

Rook frowned, searching his memory. “Not as much as I’d like. Before I became a familiar, I lived among the forest spirits. I never encountered a fae myself, but I heard tales. Many fae can take human form. Long ago, humans even revered them as forest goddesses.”

“Goddesses?” Seraphina whispered.

He nodded. “In ancient times, villagers would pray to fae, asking for blessings on their harvests or for guidance in times of need. That was before the old faith faded. Before the Aetheralight Church.”

Seraphina sat up slowly, despite her aching stomach. “I’ve never read that in any of my textbooks.”

“You wouldn’t have. You’re too young to remember—and even I only know what the spirits whispered.” He glanced out the window, eyes narrowing. “Fae history is older than the council. Older than your family’s records. Most of it has been forgotten.”

For a moment, Seraphina was silent. She’d summoned Rook as a child, but she’d never really asked about his life before her. She realized now how little she understood about the forest… or about the woman Blaise had once loved.

“So, you’ve never seen a fae either?” she asked softly.

Rook shook his head. “No. Until now.”

“Look out the window!” Blaise called from the front, his voice bright with excitement. “We’re approaching the Thistlewick forest.”

Seraphina leaned out the carriage window, Rook perched beside her.

The wind rushed through her hair. Ahead, the forest stretched out—vast, green, and ancient. The trees stood like sentinels, guarding secrets older than any city.

That’s where she lives, Seraphina thought, a hand on the window ledge, gripping it tightly. Her heart began to pound, not knowing what was to come

“Aria…” she whispered. “I’m coming to meet you.”