The Blood Forest (Tree of Ages #3)(48)
They reached the first of the barricades, but did not slow. Instead, Eywen gave an elaborate hand gesture to one of his men, then continued onward down the main path. After passing several more barricades, the Aos Sí’s lodgings came into view. Dotting the landscape in large clusters were small, circular wooden huts, the snow covered rooftops emitting woodsmoke through vents. Upon closer view, the entrances were draped with animal hides to keep out the cold, though some had been pulled back, revealing modest sleeping spaces and not much else.
Continuing on, some buildings were larger, but similar in structure, until at last they reached the settlement’s hub. Looming there was a massive oval stone edifice with a heavy wooden door mounted in the center, and multiple guards posted on either side.
Standing before the entrance, Eywen made another hand gesture, and one of the guards turned to open the door, revealing a wide arched entrance. Eywen led Finn inside, closely followed by Iseult, then everyone else. Two more of the armored Aos Sí followed them inside, then shut the door.
Remaining alert to any signs of danger, Kai peered around their surroundings in awe. The interior of the building was deceivingly spacious, with several closed doors leading to other unknown areas. Narrow slits in the stone wall served as windows, their sparse light accompanied by countless white candles, burning in sconces on the walls and on the surface of large shelves and a massive central table.
At the table sat a woman with pure white skin and hair. Her lustrous tresses blended in with her white gown which shimmered as if encrusted with tiny clear jewels. Her features resembled those of the male and female Aos Sí at her sides, though they both had more color to them, with long, black hair like Eywen’s. In fact, most of the Aos Sí they’d seen so far had dark hair, though not always pure black.
The woman blinked lilac colored eyes at them, then gestured with one white-clad arm for them to sit. “I did not expect to find any of the Dair so easily, though I see there are humans among you as well.”
Kai watched as Eywen led Finn forward, then pulled out a seat for her, opposite the woman he could only assume was the Faie Queen. Then Eywen surprised him by pulling out another seat, gesturing for him to take it.
After Kai was seated, those without Dair blood were allowed to sit. Bedelia, pale and sickly looking from her wound, was assisted by one of the Aos Sí.
Moving to stand behind his seated queen, Eywen cleared his throat. “Allow me to present Oighear the White, Queen of the Faie.”
Oighear smiled graciously with lips almost as white as her skin, save the barest hint of pink to distinguish them from the white teeth she subtly revealed. “I will jump straight to the heart of the matter,” she explained. “Since our return, I have besought my people to search out the Dair so that we might negotiate. You are the first I have found.” She gestured to both Kai and Finn.
Kai wanted to argue that he wasn’t one of the Dair, but decided against it. The Aos Sí seemed to respect the Dair, while showing mild distaste for the humans, and he preferred to remain arrow-free.
“Negotiate?” Finn asked, eyeing Oighear intently.
Oighear inclined her head. Her pure white hair slithered forward like water over her shoulders. “I would like my shroud returned to me. I am the rightful ruler of the Faie, not the Dair.”
Kai watched as Finn’s mouth formed an oh of understanding. “I fear I know little of the Dair’s politics,” she replied smoothly, surprising him with her tact. “As you can see, I do not travel with my clan.” She gestured at her companions seated on either side of her.
Oighear frowned. “Then I must ask you to point me in the direction of your clan.”
“I do not know them,” Finn answered simply.
Oighear’s pleasant mask fell away as if it had never existed. Underneath her calm exterior, waited a wrathful queen. “You will facilitate negotiations, or you will die,” she growled. “To what clan do you belong?”
Finn seemed to think about it, then answered honestly. “The Cavari.”
Oighear’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed. “The Cavari?” she intoned. “The very clan who stole the shroud from my sleeping form?”
“Sleeping?” Finn asked. “The legend says the Faie Queen died, and the shroud was stolen from her corpse.”
A chill wind swept through the room. At first Kai thought perhaps the door behind them had opened, then he realized the cold was coming from the other direction. It was coming from Oighear.
“You know very well that we fell into a long slumber when magic fled from the land,” Oighear growled. “The Dair survived it longer than most and took my shroud, but just because we were resting, does not mean we were unaware.”
Finn seemed to be deep in thought, not outwardly showing any of the worry Kai was acutely experiencing in that moment. “I remember something of this . . . ” she muttered, her words gently trailing off.
Oighear eyed her suspiciously. “What is your name?”
Finn didn’t seem to hear her.
“Her name is not important,” Iseult answered.
“Do not speak to the Queen, human,” Eywen warned.
Finn gasped, then refocused on the situation at hand. “I remember you,” she marveled. “Oighear the Snow Queen. Had you not been laid to rest, you would have brought eternal winter to the land.”