Page 21 of Queen of Ever

‘They’re hardly being tortured,’ Solas said as if I was being dramatic.And that alone told me he wasn’t going to see my point of view any time soon.‘They’re far less civilised than us.They’re lucky to be able to live in our beautiful city,’ he continued, as if he was trying to explain to a child, his voice gentler than it had been moments ago.

‘Less civilised?You think treating them like animals makes you civilised?’I scoffed.As if to illustrate my point, a Seelie woman we were passing gave a swift kick to the lesser in her charge, a look of irritation on her perfectly painted face.Whatever words she hurled at the poor creature were obviously biting as the lesser flinched at them.

‘Discipline is necessary,’ Solas said, his voice growing harder again.‘But aside from that, they are very well cared for.A good and healthy servant is a sign of good standing and wealth.’

‘Oh yes, as long as the wealth is clearly identifiable, I suppose that makes everything okay,’ I said bitterly.

‘Do you think they’re treated any better in the Unseelie Court?’he asked.‘Believe me, they’re much better off here than they are there.’

I hadn’t seen how they were treated in the Unseelie Court, only how they’d been treated in Dreadhold.I wouldn’t expect Tarian’s mother to care all that much about servants.But even the way Tarian had brushed them off had been a point of contention between us.

‘Just because they’re better off, doesn’t mean the way you treat them is right.I know you put collars on the lessers at the palace.Tell me howthoseare civilised?’

‘That’s for your own protection.I can’t have them wandering freely around the palace when we don’t yet know how many of them were in on the plot against you,’ he said.

‘And once you know the answer to that?Then what?’

He let out an exasperated sigh.‘I know you’re not used to the way things are done here, but this isn’t the Human Realm.We do things the way we do for a reason.’

‘Then explain it to me.If it’s such a good reason, then it shouldn’t be difficult to convince me that those collars are necessary.Thatdisciplineof that kind is necessary.’

His jaw tightened.‘If I say I will consider your objections, will you let this matter go and enjoy the day?’

Something about his energy made me think twice about pushing him any further.When I pushed Tarian, sometimes he would get angry, but for some reason it never scared me.I felt no such security in the Seelie King’s presence.‘Yes,’ I finally answered.

‘Good, then I shall consider what you have said.’He turned to stare out the window, but his body was tense.‘We’re almost there.’

‘Almost where?’I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

‘You’ll see,’ he said, his voice warmer than before, which made me relax a little.I decided not to ask any more questions as the carriage bumped along and I was left to wonder what it was he planned to show me.

My eyes widened as we approached a lush green garden that spanned so far in every direction that it could hardly be called a garden.The colours of the grass, the hedges, the flowers were all so vibrant that it was hard to believe it was real and not something enhanced by technology.In the centre of it all, and elevated by what looked like its own roots, was a huge tree, with a trunk thicker than any I’d ever seen.It had to be ancient.The canopy spread wide, covering so much of the sky above that it seemed almost like cloud cover, turning the sunlight green and cool.

I stepped out of the carriage while it was still rolling, drawn towards the scene before me by a strange sense of affinity that quietened my thoughts and moved my feet.It was so beautiful, and it felt so strangely familiar, though I wasn’t sure why.The scents that hit me as I stepped into the open reminded me of summer, like sun-warmed earth and grass bruised from where you’ve lain on it and flowers begging for passing bees.It sparked a warmth in my soul, welcoming me as if it recognised me, as if it was an old friend that I had somehow forgotten.

‘What is this place?’I asked in awe as I heard Solas stepping out behind me.

‘This is the Evalian.It is one of the most sacred places in the Seelie Kingdom.Legend has it that all life in the Fae Realm began right here,’ Solas explained.Somehow, I didn’t doubt it.The magic in this place caressed my skin, making me feel rejuvenated and full of life.‘Would you like to get closer?’he asked after a moment of silence.

I nodded.The idea of not getting closer seemed ridiculous, impossible, even.As we crossed the grass, my sense of magic seemed to grow stronger, and before I knew what I was doing, I’d slipped out of my shoes to feel the ground under my bare feet, so soft and lush that my souls sunk slightly into it.My fingers brushed over the leaves of the bushes as we passed them, and insects fluttered around as if my presence didn’t bother them in the slightest; butterflies with such vibrant and intricate patterns on their wings, fast-moving dragonflies coloured like jewels, and glowing specks of light like fireflies that came together in whirling flurries.I could have sworn I heard them giggle as I passed.

I thought someone called my name, but I’d come to those huge roots of that enormous tree, the Evalian, and they captured my attention completely.I began to pick my way up through them with ease, never even glancing at where I was putting my feet.It was as if I was being beckoned closer.I wanted to plant my hands on the trunk and feel the pulse of the magic stirring all around me beneath my palms.I could hear a faint whisper on the breeze, words I couldn’t make out, a language I didn’t understand and yet felt I knew.

When I finally reached the trunk, I sank down before it, my hand pressed against the bark, magic humming though my body, clearing my mind of the anxieties that had been plaguing me since I’d arrived in this realm, holding me still, replacing them with something much more powerful.I could feel the roots of the Evalian, could see them when I closed my eyes, reaching deep into the soil, twisting and tangling together in an intricate dance, spreading far beyond the garden, beyond the Seelie Kingdom, connecting to everything in this strange realm I had come to find myself in.I felt as if it was taking me away from the Seelie Kingdom, leading me across the Sunder River, towards Dreadhold.

Towards Tarian.

‘Imogen!’

The sudden burst of sound startled me out of my trance and I pulled my hand from the tree, blinking rapidly as the world once again came into focus.I looked down to see Solas standing at the edge of the roots, his feet still flat on the ground.Oh.One of the most sacred places in the Seelie Kingdom and I had just climbed it like I was an idiot tourist.

But whatwasthat?What was that strange pull I’d felt towards the tree, the vision it had shown me?What did it mean?I shook my head.I didn’t have time for wondering, I had to get down before I caused any more offense.

I quickly made my way back down to Solas, a blush heating my cheeks.‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking,’ I said quickly.

‘The Evalian calls to it who it likes,’ Solas said.‘It’s actually a great honour.’

‘It is?’I asked, feeling a little relieved that I hadn’t just stomped all over the Seelie culture.

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