Lord of the Fading Lands
Page 102

He wove the whispered instructions into her mind on compulsion threads of Spirit and Azrahn. When he was done, he wiped the memory of his visit from her mind, leaving only a subconscious certainty that the people she loved were in terrible danger if Ellysetta's marriage to Rain Tairen Soul could not be stopped.
"Selianne!" Standing on the steps of the Grand Cathedral, Ellysetta held out her hands to her approaching best friend and masked trepidation behind a bright smile. After yesterday's attack, she'd realized that Rain had been right about Fey enemies targeting her, and she worried that Selianne, with her Eld blood, might be in danger because of their friendship.
But what was she to do? Mama had gone on and on to Greatfather Tivrest about how Selianne and Ellie were inseparable friends and what a beacon of light Selianne was, what a dedicated daughter and wife and mother. Ellie's quintet had listened to every word. Rescinding the invitation now would not only hurt Selianne deeply, it would make her the object of Fey suspicion. Considering Rain's deep-seated hatred of the Eld and Bel's lethal oath this morning, Ellysetta feared what the Fey would do if they discovered Selianne's heritage.
"Look at you. You look like a princess" Selianne stood back to admire Ellie's exquisite new gown of lavender silk and Elvian lace. "Kelissande would kill for that gown. And your hair is stunning." Thanks to Kiel and Kieran's artistic efforts this morning, Ellie's thick tangle of curls had been pulled back and tamed into a sleek cascade decorated with delicate amethyst flowers that trembled like fairy wings with every turn of her head. "Are those wisp-roses?”
Ellie started to touch the fragile flowers tucked into her hair, then stopped. "They are.”
"They die at the first harsh touch. How on earth can you wear them in your hair without destroying them?" Selianne's confused look cleared. "Magic," she said flatly.
Ellie nodded, determined not to feel guilty despite Selianne's disapproving expression. "Rain put a protective weave around them." That had been the second part of his gift, and the second layer of its meaning: fragile life protected by unyielding Fey strength. These flowers, so rare and precious the blooms rarely lasted more than a day, would bloom forever so long as Rain's weave stood strong.
Selianne tucked an arm through Ellie's and lowered her voice as they walked into the cooler shadows of the cathedral. Ellysetta's mother was up at the altar, speaking with Greatfather Tivrest. "How are you, really? I read about what happened yesterday." Selianne asked.
Ellie grimaced. Everyone, it seemed, had read about what happened. The flood of pamphlets yesterday was nothing compared to the storm that all but papered the streets this morning, decrying the release of the child murderer Belliard vel Jelani. The crowds outside the Baristani home had doubled since yesterday thanks to all the protestors, rabble- rousers, and Brethren of Radiance fanatics joining their ranks.
Marna couldn't quite decide whether she was more worried about the damage to her family's reputation and Sol's business or enraged at the gall of the fanatical busybodies who had decided they had some right to camp outside the Baristanis' home and destroy the peace of the neighborhood. She'd even appealed to Rain, saying, "What in the Haven's name good is your magic if you can't make that rabble clear off?" When Ellie had stared at her in shock, Mama had shrugged defensively and said, "Well? It's clear the Fey aren't going anywhere. Since they're determined to stay, they might as well make themselves useful.”
The gods weave as the gods will, Ellie thought with a smile. She would have volunteered for getting stabbed earlier if she'd known how it would alter Mama's opinion of the Fey.
Dragging her thoughts back to the present, she smiled at Selianne. "I'm fine, Sel. Lady Marissya healed me and no matter what those pamphleteers are saying, Bel didn't kill that boy—and don't believe for one second that child was an innocent bystander, either." Quickly Ellie recounted what had happened. "Rain thinks the Eld may be behind it. He's been trying to keep the northern borders closed, and the accusations leveled against Bel seem specifically designed to rouse more suspicion and ill will between the nobles and the Fey.”
Selianne glanced at the surrounding Fey. "Can you have them do that privacy thing?”
"Of course" Ellie made the request, and Bel spun his weave in a matter of seconds. "It's done. What is it, Sel?”
Selianne turned her back to the Fey and reached out to clasp Ellie's hands. "The nobles aren't the only ones feeling suspicious. Ellie, I'm serving as your Honoria because you're my dearest friend in the whole world, but I wouldn't be any kind of friend if I didn't tell you how worried I am. I don't think you should wed the Tairen Soul. I'm terrified of what will happen to you if you do.”
Ellysetta stared at her in surprise. "What? Selianne—”
"Hear me out, Ellie. What do you know—what does anyone really know—about the Fey? They're magic. And no matter how beautiful they are or what the legends say about them, not one of us really knows what goes on behind the Faering Mists. Once you go to the Fading Lands, you'll be locked away from all your family and friends, caged by magic just like those flowers in your hair. Who's to say what will happen to you then?”
Ellysetta pulled her hands free. "Selianne, don't be silly. Rain's not plotting to imprison me. He's been nothing but kind and attentive and caring.”