Page 92 of Fated or Knot

Eletha gave you a reading faelight. “Everyone should have a light and hope in the dark of night.” She is something of a reader and hopes you are the same.

Siora gave you one of her pillows. She wishes you comfort and support as you settle in.

Tanith gave you the dark blanket. It may not look like much, but it will keep you warm in the Serian winter.

And I have given you the silk blanket knowing dreamlanders appreciate having their stars a little closer to home.

Love,

Nemensia

My lips wobbled in appreciation. Here in my nest, I could be as vulnerable as I wanted, so I finally wept with joy as I decorated my bed with the gifts. I shook the faelight first, eager to see it in motion. It leapt up several feet and lit like an essence lamp, but that light compacted into the form of a butterfly that circled overhead. It would be perfect for reading in bed.

I inspected the details on the kelpie toy with a curious eye. It was clearly already loved by a small omega, with extra stitches inthe fabric on its tail and legs. I was more curious about the shape of a stationary water horse. It resembled the more humble horse I knew from its barrel up to its head, with a more predatory set to its eyes and a hint of fangs in its mouth. At the hips, it transitioned to a thick fish tail with fins.

I laid the blankets on top of the sheets the bed was already set with and rested my head on the soft pillow from Siora when I was ready to rest. My fingers explored the texture of the blankets in quiet approval. The one from Tanith was a dark neutral color, but it was dense and trapped my body heat effectively.

My fingertips froze mid-stroke when investigating Nemensia’s gift. I recognized exactly what it was, the same material as the finest traditional pixie garments, Lavir spidersilk. This blanket shimmered with patterns of stars painted over a black background, sure to be stunning in the light of day. It was ludicrously expensive, and here I was, nesting with it.

I thought of Kauz and drifted to sleep with a purr, the stuffed kelpie hugged to my chest.

Alas, just thinking of him didn’t plonk me straight into his dream. I woke to a cheerful pair of moth fae calling from the privacy curtain that it was time to get up. Jani and Lon were just as excited to see me as yesterday when I was done cursing the tenderness under my arms and emerged from the nest. “Good morning. Can you two keep a secret?” I asked.

“Anything that will help us serve you better, Princess,” Jani squeaked.

I switched languages, telling them in their native Serian that they didn’t have to struggle with Theli while I was the only one in the suite. Their antennae shot straight up before quivering. I took that as surprise and excitement, respectively.

“You can also help me practice,” I continued. With my bilingual childhood still a fresh memory, I didn’t butcher thewords with a heavy Theli accent, either. “But no one else needs to know about this right now.”

“Of course, Princess,” Lon said, both of them nodding along.

They guided me to my new closet. My new…walk-in closet. I’d thought Kauz had bought me a lot of clothes, but seeing them all hanging up neatly and arranged by color put it into perspective. There were racks and racks of room to expand.

I locked on to the sight of a particular cloak hanging separately from the rest. I balanced on my right crutch and turned it on its hanger, gasping with delight when I saw an embroidery of snowflakes and curlicues for eddies of wind added to the bottom in white thread. The designs completely hid where it’d once been ripped at the bottom.

The embroidery reminded me of Fal, and once we picked out an outfit for the day and I put the cloak on overtop it, I caught a strong whiff of his sunshine and grass scent. He’d gotten it repaired for me. I needed to go kiss him in thanks.

I had a nice conversation with Jani and Lon over a breakfast of pastries and fruit—not too much to eat, so it wasn’t something Tormund delivered—before setting out for the day. I was going to explore the palace. I just had to get around the door. After fumbling the knob a few times, I nudged it open and adjusted my hold on the crutches when they clicked on the marble outside.

Standing just past the alcove that sheltered my door was Marius, who swung around with raised brows when he saw me. He moved his big body in my way. “Do you need something?” he rumbled.

I came to a stop and wobbled before finding my balance. “Not particularly,” I said.

He tilted his head in clear confusion.

“Could you move?” I lifted my left crutch and motioned toward the side.

His nostrils flared, and he didn’t budge an inch.

I felt like I was talking to his beast again, the part of him with extremely selective hearing. “Get out of my way, Marius,” I grumped.

“You need to rest,” he finally said.

“I’m tired of resting. I’m bathed and dressed and want to see my new home.” I tapped my left crutch on the ground to punctuate my statement before placing it down properly.

He considered me for a few more moments before eventually nodding in acknowledgment. “Fine. Where are we going?”

“This is not a ‘we’kind of outing.”

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