Page 34 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
One by one, all the dwarves added similar sentiments, even the silent red-head one who communicated with her fingers nodding her approval.
“You don’tallhave to come with me, you know.”
“Nonsense,” said Minerva. “Never go alone where you could go with company. Dwarven rule. All in this together.”
“I’m not a dwarf.”
“I know, lad, but we don’t hold it against you.”
Caer sighed, running his fingers through his hair. A long, quiet moment settled over the room. “All right,” he said finally. “Thank you.”
“Then it’s settled.” Minerva stood up, banging both fists—metal and flesh—against the table. Beau forced himself to resist the urge to ask her how her metal arm worked. “Luna, cook up everything you can. Everyone else—pack. We leave at dawn.”
NoonehadaskedAislinn or Beau what their plans were. It was too late to return to the castle tonight, and in any case, Aislinn couldn’t return until the rest were safely on their way, in case Owen asked where they were. In fact, they probably shouldn’t have shared their destination with her at all. How was she to keep this a secret?
“You should ask me never to reveal your whereabouts to anyone,” she told Caer secretly, as she helped him care for the wargis that evening.
“What?”
“If Owen asks me, I need to be able to tell him ‘I cannot say’.”
“Won’t he find that suspicious?”
“I’d rather he be suspicious than I place you in danger.”
Caerwyn stopped brushing Mace and stared at her.
“I’ve grown rather fond of all of you,” she added, softening the impact of her words. “Luna is especially lovely. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her.”
“Well,” said Caerwyn, half-smiling. “I can understand that.” He bit his lip. “If I make you promise, what happens if he tries to force you to tell the truth?”
“Doesn’t matter how hard he tries, I won’t be able to do it. Most faeries make a ‘I promise nothing but the pain of death shall make me reveal your secret’ when promising to stay quiet. Just to be on the safe side.”
Caerwyn blinked. “I am not making you promise anything that places your life in danger.”
“I don’t mind, we’ll probably be heading back to Faerie soon ourselves—”
“That’s insanity, Aislinn, and I will not do it. What is it with you and the rest of the dwarves, so willing to risk your lives?”
“Maybe it’s your pretty face.”
Caerwyn raised an eyebrow.
“I said ‘maybe’!”It is a very pretty face though…
Caerwyn shook his head, and returned to brushing the wargi. “Your brother…” he said after a pause, “does he fancy men?”
“Why? Are you interested?”
“No, I just—”
“If you think that’s strange—”
“I know a lot of us mere mortals seem to have issues with that sort of thing, but frankly I’ve never seen why it’s anyone’s business. I’ve also been living with Min and Bell for the better part of the year. I assure you, I’ve nothing against your brother.”
“Oh. Good.”
“I was merely curious.”
