Page 44 of Hex
“I think it was a compliment.” Pierce speaks low, just for me to hear, but it’s not low enough.
“You know, for demons who have lived a zillion years, you sure don’t have basic culture.” When she turns, she pops a fist on her hip and narrows her eyes at us. “Of course it’s a compliment. The Knights of the Round Table were pretty freaking awesome.”
“Should I tell her or…”
I shake my head. This is clearly not the time.
“Tell me what?”
“Nothing, Satapti.”
When the exterior part of her pupils starts shining with bright light again, Pierce blurts it all out. “Never happened. All made up. The Grail, the knights, the round table. All myths.” We both brace for…something, but it never happens.
“Well. That’s disappointing.” She shrugs then starts walking back up the narrow footpath that leads further into Faloria.
“If the unpredictable had a face…”
I finish Pierce’s phrase for him. “It would be my amazing chosen one.”
“Yup.”
“Once she hones it all in, she’ll be a formidable force of nature.”
“I can hear you.” Of course she can, and I’m not trying to be quiet.
With my attention divided between Sage and the masked movements all around us, I follow her straight through the Valley of Chants, where the green of the land is highlighted by the long-stemmed flowers dotting its landscape. The name comes from the high pitched melody that is produced when the breeze hits the petals of the Fae’s Lanterns just right. Some of the stems grow to be taller than Pierce and I, stacked one above the other, the hanging, bright-pink flowers swaying with the wind and echoing through the valley. The Spirits have always been in awe of the Elementals so I’m guessing the musical note mixed with the beauty of the flower inspired them. Nobody knows where the name comes from, but it fits somehow.
“Can you hear that?” Sage stops her determined pace and looks around, trying to pinpoint the musical notes of nature.
“Depends what you’re hearing, Satapti.” Because I can also hear movement on the side, as if we’re being followed.
“It’s like Chopin meets Evanescence and it’s…everywhere.” I love seeing her like this, in awe of the world she’s discovering. I spend so much time in my own bubble, in my own restrainedcircle, that I forget all the beautiful and magical things our world has to offer.
“I hate to say it because…” Pierce lowers his voice. He, too, can hear the eavesdropping little fuckers out there. “Ears are listening, but the Valley of Chants does have its plus sides.”
I shrug, but also I agree.
“What is it?” The awe on her perfect face scrambles my brain a little. It’s more than her beauty, it’s her curiosity and her unshakeable determination. The way she steels her spine in the face of danger even though she’s terrified. How she’s ready to die to protect those she considers family. All of this combined in one tiny body feels too good to be true.
“The wind blowing through the Fae’s Lanterns,” Pierce answers since I’m too busy admiring her.
“Oh! Are there fae here? Oh my goddess, I can’t wait to meet one!” She’s clapping her hands like a child about to open Christmas gifts and I swear to fuck, my heart just broke a little.
“Fuck.” Exactly that, brother.
“Ruining the magic twice in an hour kinda sucks.” Pierce laughs at my defeated voice, but I’m not kidding. I don’t like disappointing her.
“What? What’s wrong?” When she narrows her eyes again, I just sigh.
“Fae aren’t exactly one thing.” I shrug because I’m not the creator of all things, so I can’t be blamed for this travesty in Sage’s eyes. “The Elementals as a whole would be what you’d consider fae, but an actual species named the Fae, well, we don’t have those. Closest thing to it are those flowers.”
Her entire body deflates and I hate it.
“How-what? You mean to tell me those horrible snake people exist but the majestic and beautiful fae don’t?”
When Pierce and I catch up to her, I take Sage’s hand in mine and we head for the pub just a few feet ahead. There are housescoming up on either side, sparse but close, each with enough land to grow their own food. Here, in Faloria, the djinn share space with all the other spirits, including the harpies, and two of them have been following us ever since we came through the portal. No doubt wanting to know what we’re after.
“We do have fairies though.” I instantly regret my words.
