XXIV

The Seelie laughed condescendingly at her, surprised to hear her talk. He almost failed to keep his sickly amiable mask on.

"But of course. She has such nice manners for one of the Big Folk," he addressed to Talvi and Yara, as if Elanor was not here.

Definitely better than yours, you boor. 

"It is decided then, let us leave Yara to her berries and pots," he continued, pointing to the open door in a showily gallant gesture. It did not escape Elanor how dismissive he was when talking about Yara's craft. Talvi and Elanor bowed to the witch on their way out, and she watched them go with concern.

The three of them left, and once they walked some distance away from the hut, without warning, the peachy fae grabbed them by the arms, and the next moment the rocky woods changed into a large open meadow with flowers and bushes planted in a careful artificial sequence. The experience felt similar to the river portal, but with more pressure and speed, and Elanor felt her stomach push up into her chest. She almost fell, but Talvi was at her side. He caught her under the armpits, and she felt a wave of nausea so strong that she hurried to the closest bush on wobbly legs as soon as she was standing. 

A little warning would be nice!.. I hate this guy. Oh no-

Talvi stroked her back, fishing for the tea mug inside her fae pouches with the other hand, holding the belt with his teeth. This scene cheered her up a little, just before she noticed the disgust on the Seelie's face; he stood at a distance, waiting for them. She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and rinsed it with some lemon tea, both provided by her gloomy, tall friend. She used this moment in private to whisper an apology:

"Talvi, I'm so sorry..."

"Sorry for what? Yara was right, I almost killed you with my carelessness, I am the one who should beg your forgiveness!" he assured her passionately, as quietly as he could. Elanor shook her head and touched his shoulder.

"Please, there is no need. I know you never meant for it to happen. Even if it was an accident, I still promised you my help, and you did not receive it because of me."

"Little lark, let's be honest, I used wordsmithing and trickery to frame it as your promise. Which is not a crime, at least in the Faery, but in no way are you responsible for solving my struggles," he insisted.

"About those: who is this guy? Are you in trouble, why did you try to avoid coming here?" asked Elanor quickly, anxious that any second now they will be interrupted and not knowing when would be the next opportunity to talk. 

"Why did you not try to avoid coming here?!" returned the elf so loudly that it was now a stage whisper. He elegantly pinched his nose between his fingers in a truly flamboyant gesture, but, thankfully, snapped out of it, feeling the urgency. "This is Sir Aeden, Queen Violet's secretary. I cannot refuse a summon on the territory of their Court, and she has tried to invite me for a few decades now. She is offering me a deal I want nothing to do with-"

"My lord, let's set forth," called Aeden.

Elanor clipped the mug to her hiking pants and followed Talvi, who wrapped her arm around his and whispered right in her ear: "Let's survive the ball and leave this place right away. Do not make any bargains!" His hot breath on her neck distracted her from starting anxiety, and they hurried to join the secretary. 

Elanor could see the castle in the distance, because practically no trees surrounded the vast palace gardens. The sun was setting, and Talvi's face looked serene in the light of the golden hour. He winked at her when she failed to turn away quickly enough, and a smug half-smile appeared on his lips. 

Rose bushes, tulips, chrisantemums and other flowers decorated the path on the each side of it, green bushes were trimmed to form a thick fence between the trails; this garden could have easily been transported here from a french parc. The castle also looked like it came from medieval times in Europe; this contrasted with other faery courts, and soon Elanor understood why. All the servants they passed by were humans. Human gardeners were trimming the greens, human maids were plucking the weeds, and human kids were running behind fae aristocrats, carrying their luggage, umbrellas, or delivering messages between them. 

No wonder the architecture and landscaping resemble those in my world; it's because the people who created them are from my world. 

The weight of this discovery stunned Elanor, and for some time, she would just walk without listening to the high-society blabber that the Seelie was talking at Talvi. She subconsciously let go of his arm and wrapped both her arms around herself, trying to feel safer. Walking one step behind her companion, she was hoping to be invisible, or at least not draw too much attention, and in a way, this was easy: faeries would not spend any time looking at her, but almost at the entrance to the castle, a human man who was walking by stopped and touched her arm. 

"Elanor! Is that you?" A short, middle-aged man with grey hair and a bold spot on the back of his head was waiting for her to reply. To her horror, she recognized in him one of her elementary teachers from Selfoss, who disappeared one day and was never found. 

"Jon?.." she asked in a weak voice.

I have seen this delighted expression on humans from the Spring Court meadow, the ones drunk of faery wine. Something is being done to them-

"Yes, yes, you remember! Is that your master with Sir Aeden?" He looked skinny and sickly, with an expression that was blissful, like that of a child. He pointed at Talvi.

"What?! No! No-" she glanced back at the fae and saw that they were too far ahead now; she needed to catch up quickly if she did not want to get lost in this horrid place. She grabbed Jon's hand and squeezed it before rushing ahead. "I'm sorry, I must go! Take care..."

She watched him walking away, carrying a shovel and with a pair of gardening gloves under his arm, while she ran to Talvi, taking his hand and holding it tight. He squeezed it back without talking, and Elanor felt a little comforted. 

Inside the castle halls, there was a buzz of chatter and people; humans, invisible to the fae, were walking past Elanor from every direction, and she could not hide from their simple, soulless smiles. She was negotiating with herself in her mind. 

You will freak out later, in private. Talvi needs to get out of here because you will not get out of here if he doesn't. 

Finally, they stood before the audience hall, and the Secretary entered first to report to the Queen about their arrival. She was about to stand behind Talvi to follow him inside, but he took a step back to be next to her and extended his hand, palm up, like a gentleman inviting a lady for a dance. 

May this be a dance of wit and victory.

She placed her palm in his, and they stepped through the doorway.