Chapter 32

32

K yrie

The next morning…

I have yet to leave the basement area of the castle. It’s where the staff live and where all the work happens. Everything from laundry to cooking. I wonder if Damon has left yet. I’m sure he has by now. I miss him already. I ache with missing him.

I have to force myself to focus on what the older fae lady is saying.

“You can come back at dawn tomorrow, young lady. I will have your uniforms ready for you then.”

“I will be here, Lady Siophra.” My new boss is a severe-looking fae with very big, very pointy ears. Her hair is braided down her back, reminding me a little of Thesha. I feel a pang of longing because thoughts of Thesha make me think of Damon all over again. I push those feelings aside. I will deal with them later. “Thank you for giving me a chance.” I lower my gaze.

“Do not thank me yet. You still have a moon-cycle to get through. I will expect you to prove yourself during that time. You have this opportunity because of Elsie here, but you need to show me that you are capable and hard-working.”

“I look forward to it. You will not regret hiring me.” I glance briefly at her, giving a hint of a smile before lowering my gaze.

“Away with you both.” She claps her hands. “I have much to do. I’ve dallied far too long already.”

“Thank you, Lady,” Elsie says as we walk away. She links her arm through mine, and once we round the corner, she says, “See, I told you that all would be well.”

“You did, indeed. I am truly grateful for everything.”

“Don’t be silly. You’re family.” She smiles warmly at me. “I still can’t believe I have a cousin I never knew about. We’re going to be fast friends, Sindy.”

“Yes, we are.” I feel so guilty about lying, but there is nothing I can do about it.

“Do you know why our mothers hated each other so much?”

“No, my mother never spoke of your mother.” I stick to something simple.

“My mother mentioned once or twice that she had three sisters but never spoke of Mable much. I think it’s strange to have a sister and never speak of them. I longed for a sibling. I would have done anything for a sister.”

“I heard that your father passed away when you were very young.”

She sighs. “Yes, I was only one when he died. I can’t remember a thing about him, even though I feel I know him because my mother speaks of him all the time. She was pregnant when he died, but she lost the baby.”

“Oh no, I’m so sorry, Elsie.” I like her. I liked her from the moment we met. She’s open and kind and accepted me without question. She’s short, with wide hips and very large breasts. Her smile is wide and almost a constant fixture on her face.

We start climbing stairs. They go on and on. We go up and up before finally reaching a set of frosted double doors. I’m a little winded by the time we reach the top, whereas Elsie is just fine. She must be used to it.

“Thank you for coming with me to the market.”

“Of course. I want to help in any way possible and, as you said, we’re going to be good friends. Also, it would be nice to see some more of the Ice Court.” I can’t wait to explore. To see how the fae live at the courts.

Elsie pushes the door open and gestures for me to go through. We’re still inside the castle, but no longer in the part where the staff reside and work. This is the actual castle itself.

I step through, awestruck by the sheer size and beauty of this place. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before – a frozen palace made entirely of ice. This includes the chandeliers that sparkle in the bright morning light. The ceilings are high and made from ice and glass, which is free from snow despite the storm we had yesterday.

So, this is the icefae court.

This is it.

My mouth falls open as I marvel at all I am seeing.

Elsie laughs. “You’re acting like you’re seeing this all for the first time. Didn’t you come this way yesterday?”

“I did, but it’s just so incredible.” I shrug, once again feeling terrible for the lies that roll so easily off my tongue. I guess it is something I’m going to have to get used to.

Elsie gently tugs on my arm, guiding me forward through the magnificent icy palace. I try to take in every detail, from the shimmering chandeliers above to the intricate ice sculptures that adorn the halls. The air is crisp and cold, and yet I feel warm. I feel silly carrying a fur coat. It was loaned to me by Merna and is thick but light over my arm.

As we walk through the grand corridors, I catch glimpses of fae nobles and courtiers going about their business. Their elegance and grace make me feel out of place, like a mere mortal intruding upon a world of magic and beauty. Elsie leads me past ornate doors and windows that reveal breathtaking views of snow-covered landscapes and frozen lakes. It is a winter wonderland if I ever saw one.

Finally, we reach a set of doors adorned with swirling patterns in silver. “This way.” Elsie smiles, pushing open the door.

The sudden rush of frigid air hits me as we step outside, and I breathe in deeply, taking in the crisp freshness of the winter morning. We don our coats and walk out into the courtyard. It is bustling with activity, fae and humans of all shapes and sizes going about their daily routines. Elsie guides me through the snow-covered cobblestone paths, her footsteps leaving delicate imprints in the pristine white snow. I note that the snow is far thicker everywhere else. It’s like the paths are being kept clear by magic. I turn and look at the castle, which is made from ice and glass. It, too, is completely snow-free despite the storm yesterday.

We pass by a group of musicians playing ethereal tunes. The music fills me with a sense of wonder, blending harmoniously with our enchanting surroundings. I’m in awe of this place. It’s like nothing I ever imagined it would be.

The sun shines down. It’s big and bright. The sky is a beautiful, pristine blue. This is nothing like the world out there.

Now I understand why Damon sent me here. It’s completely different from anything I expected. It’s like a haven.

We soon reach the market. It is a vibrant scene of colors and sounds, with stalls set up as far as the eye can see. Fae and humans alike bustle around, haggling over goods and exchanging stories. The aroma of exotic spices mingles with the scent of freshly baked bread, creating a heady mix that dances in the air.

Elsie leads me through the maze of stalls. We stop at a stall selling intricate jewelry made from shimmering crystals and various colored stones. Elsie’s eyes light up as she examines a delicate necklace set with opals that seem to glow from within. “This is gorgeous. It would suit you perfectly.” She holds it up to my throat. “You must buy it when you get your first wage.”

“I need suitable clothing first. I can’t borrow all of Aunt Merna’s clothing endlessly.”

“I suppose you are right.” Elsie returns the necklace to the display table. She sighs. “We need to be practical. With that in mind, let’s head over to the food section of the market, or there won’t be any supper on my table tonight.”

We navigate through the market, passing stalls selling an array of goods, from fruits and vegetables to freshly caught fish and loaves of bread. The vendors call out their wares, their voices blending with the hum of conversation and the laughter of children playing nearby. We stop here and there so that Elsie can buy the things she needs.

I’m shocked at how humans and fae seem to live together in such harmony. They laugh and joke together.

We’re at the cheese stall. There are dozens of different types of cheeses on display.

Elsie grabs my arm. “Sindy.” She laughs. “Where were you just then? I’ve been calling your name.”

“Sorry! I’m intrigued, that’s all. I’ve never seen so much cheese in all of my life. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

I realize that I’d heard Elsie calling the name “Sindy,” I just didn’t register that she was calling me. I need to get into character. I can’t mess up. Elsie must never know who I really am. I agree with Merna; it’s too dangerous.

“Oh! Don’t you get cheese in Hollyoaks?” Elsie frowns.

I almost ask, “Where?” but realize at the last moment that I am supposed to be from Hollyoaks. “Not in abundance like this. Even then, a tiny piece of plain cheese is rare and considered a treat. It’s not like this out there.”

Elsie takes a package from the cheese vendor, and we keep walking. “I had heard about the hardships outside of the court,” Elsie says. “Is it as bad as they say?”

“It’s terrible. The sky is hazy. So hazy that you can’t see the sun or the moon. It’s hazy and cloudy and rains all the time. The plants and trees are mostly dead or dying. Nothing really thrives. The animals struggle and die easily.”

“That sounds awful. I’m so glad you came here to live with us.”

“Me too.” I force a smile.

Elsie deftly negotiates with a fishmonger, selecting a few plump fish for our evening meal. As she pays for our purchase, a sudden commotion at the edge of the market catches my attention.

A group of fae guards are ushering a cloaked figure through the crowd, their expressions stern and watchful. The figure is tall.

No!

Is it?

Then his hood falls open, and I can breathe. It isn’t Damon. It’s a fae with dark hair. He looks straight at me.

I’m so busy watching the scene unfold that I don’t watch where I am going and walk straight into someone.

They grab my arms. “Watch it!” they growl. It’s a fae guard. He’s dressed in uniform.

“I’m so…um…so sorry.”

“Kyrie?” someone says. I recognize the voice. “Is that you?”

“Apologies, gentlemen.” Elsie grabs my arm. “I’m so very sorry. My cousin is terribly clumsy.” She laughs.

“Your cousin, you say?” Hali asks. I can feel his eyes raking over me. “Are you sure you’re not Kyrie from the salt mines?”

What is he doing here?

It can’t be.

Stay calm. Keep your cool.

“Quite sure.” I laugh.

“This is my cousin Sindy from Hollyoaks. You have the wrong person. We must be on our way. Good day to you both.”

“You look just like her,” Hali grumbles. “I guess I’m mistaken,” he says, still sounding unsure.

“Good day,” I mumble, allowing myself to be led away. I want to look back, but I don’t.

“What was that? He seemed to recognize you.” Elsie is frowning heavily. “He said your name was Kyrie, which is just plain laughable.” She laughs but it’s wooden, like she’s concerned.

I shrug and smile. “He was mistaken. It happens. I’m sure that we humans must all look the same to the fae. Like I said, it’s different out there. Since he doesn’t look like the guards from around here, I’m assuming he’s from somewhere else.”

Why is Hali here?

I can’t believe my bad luck. What should I do? Maybe I should leave. It’s my first day here; I can’t just leave.

“You’re right; he’s not an icefae. Let’s forget about it. Silly man. Although, he seemed to realize his error. Let’s go and have a cup of hot chocolate. I’m sure my mom won’t mind watching the children for a little longer. I need to warm up before making the trip home. What about you?”

“I’m freezing. Hot chocolate?” I frown. “I’ve never heard of it.”

“You have to be kidding me.”

“No, I’m not.” I smile, trying to act normal, even though my mind is still racing at a mile a minute.

“You’ve never had hot chocolate?” Her eyes are wide, then she smiles. “You’re in for a treat, Sindy. Let’s go.” Packages in hand, we walk together to the other side of the market.

I pray that Hali bought our story. He seemed to, in the end. I hope he did. I have nowhere to go. Not right now.