Page 169 of Kingdoms of Night

Would he allow her to go to Lambton on her first day in service and training?

While he didn’t appear harsh at the moment, there was a sharpness about him. And he hadn’t seemed at all terrified of anything that had happened so far.

Her manners returned to her as she realized she was just staring at him. “I’m sorry—”

“Or perhaps you’re a sorceress.” He raised an eyebrow as he looked her over, his gaze calmly appraising. “Or something else entirely. You smell very strange even under that perfume. So what are you?”

“I’m an Unato.” She felt like a child again. She folded her arms over her chest rather than clasp them behind her back. Why had no one heard of her people but everyone seemed to know what Feron was?

“That means precisely nothing to me. Though that little trick you managed with the topiary.” He gestured toward the still-flowering tree. Some of the petals floated down to the pale marble, the lightly floral scent lingering. “That was impressive. And from what Puck has said, you seem to have a connection with this world. Perhaps even to her heart. You call upon her to share her life and to draw up new life using...your own life? Your own energy? Perhaps some of the poison that wounds her? Maybe both? I’m not certain. But you have the manner of a student about you. And whatever you are, in the end, it doesn’t matter all that much. Your skills intrigue me. You will hone them and uncover all you are capable of, and I will teach you in the ways of magic that I can. If you have any proficiency in it, it will help you in your own quest, and I certainly look forward to seeing how you interpret it through your own skills.”

“Well...thank you—”

“Don’t thank me yet. You may not enjoy the training.”

“Regardless, thank you for the protection.”

He sounded almost friendly now. Maybe she should just ask and get it over with. He had to know she wanted to see Feron.

He smirked. “A word to the wise, never strike Titania unless you mean to kill her. You were lucky I was present.”

“Can I ask why you decided to intervene? Puck told you about my skills before. And you refused. So something changed your mind.”

He shrugged as he paced to the edge and peered down over the lower tiered courtyard. “Perhaps it was seeing you in action. Does it matter?”

The way he said it made her doubt that that was the actual answer. “What do you hope to accomplish?”

“This world is dying, Idalno.”

“And you expect me to save it?”

He glanced back at her, his brows lifted as his smile went crooked. “You? Save this whole world? Touching as it is that you’d be willing to consider such a thing, no. No one can. Not even me. But I have some hopes that you will be able to help me buy us more time. Better time on top of it.”

“I can grow some vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Especially the ones that are used in poisons and their antidotes. But I can work to improve my range. I don’t know if your people care for sweet potatoes, chili peppers, or courgettes, but they aren’t too hard as long as you’re focused and strong.” And calm enough not to accidentally summon chamomile or peppermint. This world was a strange place.

He chuckled. “And what about you? What do you want?”

“I want Feron back and for us to be able to leave. And I’d like to see him again—”

“You won’t get far in Faerie if you can’t learn to be a little more realistic, little green girl.” He scoffed, staring down into his goblet. “I can scarcely believe I’m saying that. Once there was a time when nothing was impossible. Not even to dance in stardust or drink the moonlight.” Sighing, he turned toward the decorative urn by the nearest wall of the castle. “Puck, I know you’re still here. What you did was beyond reckless.”

One of the shadows on the wall moved as Puck peered out from behind the urn. “Just cut it a little close. That’s all.”

“If you’re waiting to talk to the plant girl, then go ahead.”

His shoulders hunched, Puck stepped out the rest of the way, his focus entirely on Idalno. His indigo eyeliner had been smudged, and the tattoos on his cheeks and neck were muted and still, almost a deep gray. “I am sorry I couldn’t keep your Feron from the Wild Hunt. But I haven’t given up on either of you.”

She blinked. “I guess that’s...three of us.” She tried to scowl but found she was more confused than anything.

“Good! I knew you two were perfect for each other.” He brightened, the color returning to his face and tattoos. “And I will find out where they will be when the Hunt concludes. Now that you are protected, you can meet with him in a neutral place!”

“I know where they’re going to be. One of the warriors said they would be at Lambton when it finished. He said they would be done before dusk.”

“Excellent!” He clapped his hands together.

“Does that mean—does that mean you’ll help me get there?”

“Of course. You’re one of my couples. And I think I know who to speak to about getting what we need.” He rested his hands beneath his chin and batted his eyelashes. His tattoos quirked up as well. “Father?”

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