Chapter 18

Eighteen

Istood beneath the solitary tree on the plain, its branches shielding me from the afternoon sun while we waited outside of Vanglosa, the main encampment of the largest clan of beast fae in Northgall.

"What if it isn't her?" I asked nervously.

Vallon stood directly behind me, comforting hands on my shoulders. "Do you honestly believe there is more than one wood fae named Tessa mated to a beast fae?"

"You're right." I laughed at my own silliness. "It's her."

The beast fae scout who stopped us from moving farther into their encampment readily admitted there was someone matching my sister's description and name living with her mate in Vanglosa. After scowling at Vallon and telling us to stay put, he mounted his Meer-wolf, a terrifying giant gray beast, and galloped back toward their camp.

They didn't live in permanent stone or wood structures. Their village was made up of deer-hide tents. But the village was much larger than I'd anticipated.

Two Meer-wolves with riders emerged from Vanglosa, moving at a steady, but not hurried, clip. Neither was the scout who told us to stay where we were.

As they drew closer, I stiffened at the sight of the two beast fae males on the backs of two Meer-wolves—one a dark gray, the other was black and bigger.

I'd heard of the giant wolves who lived in Northgall. Everyone had. They were often companions of the beast fae, the only fae who could tame the mammoth wild creatures.

But it was the two beast fae riding the wolves who caught my attention. Vallon rumbled a growl and pulled me tighter against him.

"Who is that?"

"The Lord of the Beast Fae and his chief warrior."

"Why are you all agitated?" Besides the obvious fact that they were the largest fae I'd ever laid eyes on.

"I don't like the beast lord. He's…difficult."

"You've had dealings with him before?"

He scoffed. "Not dealings. More like received multiple warnings. He's not friendly."

We waited silently as they drew closer. Both of them dismounted just beyond the tree. They were both wearing only a hide skirt, demon runes tracking across their broad chests and muscular arms. Both had four, thick spiraling horns. One had silver bands at the base of his horns, the other one—the bigger one—wore gold. Their king.

The chief warrior had black hair and a cool expression, though there was a slight pinch between his brows as he studied me. His yellow eyes practically glowed in the afternoon light. His skin was a tawny brown. The beast lord's complexion was a deeper shade of bronze, his brown hair shining with auburn highlights in the sun.

Their faces were…unusual. Their jaws were wide, sharp, and square, the noses and mouths jutting forward more than seemed natural. Their foreheads were prominent, holding the largest sets of spiraling horns I'd ever seen. And though their facial features indeed matched more beastly features than fae, I couldn't help but think them strangely handsome. Formidable, powerful fae.

They had no wings like the shadow fae of course, but they both had long tails covered in a fine pelt, tipped with coarse hair. Actually, their bodies were covered in more hair than most fae. I tried not to stare, but it was rather impossible.

The beast lord crossed his arms, his huge biceps bulging, his tail flicking back and forth behind him.

"Lord Redvyr," said Vallon in greeting. "Chief Bezaliel."

"What do you want?" asked Lord Redvyr, his deep voice rough and harsh.

No niceties at all then.

"My mate wishes to see her sister who is living with your clan," Vallon said since I couldn't seem to get a word out of my mouth.

Lord Redvyr lifted his nose to the air and inhaled, settling his eerie orange eyes on me. He appeared like a very large cat waiting to pounce.

He grunted. "You couldn't find one of your own, priest? Had to poach on the wood fae?"

Vallon stiffened, his hands curling tighter at my shoulders.

"The gods have bound us to each other," I said, finally finding my voice. "He did not steal me."

Well, at first, he did. But I decided not to mention that.

Lord Redvyr's gaze turned back to me. He arched a superior brow. And while he appeared much less civilized than most fae, I sensed the superiority of his strength and power.

"It's unnatural," said the beast lord. "A tiny little wood fae mating with one of those creatures."

I wanted to laugh, that the beast lord saw Vallon as a creature, not a fae, when most of the world saw the beast fae as the most different of our kind.

"Red," snapped the chief, his tail now twitching with agitation.

Redvyr rolled his eyes and uncrossed his arms. He then propped one hand on the fierce-looking black wolf standing beside him and the other low on his hip as he continued to study us.

"Those things need to stay on their mountain," he told his chief.

Anger boiled up inside me at his insult. "Are you prejudiced against fae mating another not of their own kind, my lord, or do you simply hate the shadow fae?"

The beast lord's orange eyes narrowed, his tail flicking more, then he smiled, revealing how long and sharp his canines were. "Feisty little wood fae. Maybe she is her sister."

"She is," said the chief. "She matches her description."

"So my sister is living with you." I tried to take a step forward, but Vallon's grip tightened, keeping me close to him. "Please. You have to let me see her."

"You can come, but he cannot," said Redvyr.

"She goes nowhere without me." Vallon had said very little and protested not at all until now.

Redvyr stared at Vallon, raising the hairs on my arms at the inherent threat there. Then he whistled loudly over his shoulder.

At once, another Meer-wolf, a pale gray smaller one, came trotting out of the encampment. As it drew closer, I could make out its rider, my heart racing with sheer joy.

"Tessa," I whispered, tears pricking my eyes.

I broke free from Vallon's hold and ran toward her. She stopped the wolf and slid off carefully, a bundle wrapped around her shoulders and waist. Then she was running toward me, laughing and crying like I was.

"Tessa!" I screamed, sprinting across the tall grass of the plain.

We collided and wrapped around each other, but just as quickly I drew back at the gurgling grunt of an infant between us.

"Oh, Murgha, let me look at you." She cupped my cheeks, smiling through tears.

But I was staring at the child swaddled in a sling crossing one of her shoulders. "Tessa," I panted breathlessly. "Is this babe yours?"

She was still staring at me with all the love I'd missed, but then she laughed and tugged open the cloth hiding her child.

"Saralyn, meet your Aunt Murgha."

I peered beneath the swaddle at the most beautiful brown-skinned, dark-haired baby girl. Her eyes were wide and hazel, lashes thick and dark, the nubs of horns showing beneath her hair.

"Oh, Tessa." I sniffed at the onslaught of emotion. "May I hold her?"

"Let's sit down." Tessa sat cross-legged, tugging on my arm to follow.

I did. She untied the sling from around her shoulders, lowering the sweet baby into her lap, then she lifted her gently toward me.

In utter shock and disbelief, I held the precious bundle close to my chest. "My niece," I whispered, staring at her beautiful, little face.

She cooed back sweetly, then a tiny tail wrapped around my wrist.

"Oh!" I gasped.

Tessa laughed. "I know. Takes some getting used to. She likes to grab hold of everything with her tail."

I shook my head, laughing softly. "So you were telling the truth in the letter you left on the inn doorstep."

Tessa was combing a hand through my hair, a sign of her affection. "Yes." Her voice sobered. "You thought I was forced, didn't you?"

"I did," I confessed. "What else was I supposed to think, Tessa? You'd gone into the woods for juniper and never returned."

"I know, I know." She took my free hand and squeezed. "I'm sorry." Her gaze drifted over my shoulder. "Are you truly here with a shadow fae?"

"I am. He's my husband."

It was her turn to look shocked. "What!"

Smiling, I arched a brow. "Is it so hard to believe? You mated with a beast fae, after all."

"It's just…how in the name of the gods did that happen? How did you meet a shadow fae?"

"It's a long story." And a sad one, which I wasn't ready to tell. I wanted to bask in the bliss of this moment. "I'll tell you later." I stared down at the sweet face peering up at me. "Right now, I want to simply hold my darling niece and hear all about your new life here."

So Tessa told me of her adventures as mate to a beast fae, moving to new camps, enjoying a carefree kind of life. They didn't worry about working for coin or trading with others to make it through the winter. They all worked together to provide for the clan, living harmoniously. Well, relatively so. She said there was still the same old jealousy as in any clan.

Her mate was the chief warrior I'd just met, Bezaliel. Tessa hadn't been welcomed at first, having taken and claimed one of their finest warriors to be her own. Of course, he'd ensured everyone knew that she was now part of their clan, no matter that she was born a wood fae. It gave me hope that I'd find some harmony in my new life in Gadlizel.

I'd noted that Vallon, Bezaliel, and Redvyr had drawn closer to us, but kept far enough away to give us privacy. I'd even seen them speaking to Vallon. Since they weren't at blows, I assumed it was somewhat civil.

I'd been stroking Saralyn along the soft tuft of hair between the nubs of her horns when a familiar buzzing caught my attention.

Gwendazelle landed on my knee, gasping with wide-eyed wonder. "Oh, look, look, my lady. A sweet, sweet baby."

"What—?" Tessa looked frightened, about to shoo her away.

"It's all right. She's my friend," I assured Tessa.

Saralyn's eyes snapped open. She laughed and cooed, reaching her tail up to brush Gwenda's wing.

"I love sweet babies," Gwenda's high-pitched voice trilled. "I can't wait till you have one, my lady." She blinked shyly at me.

Tessa's expression turned serious again. "So you'll live up in the Solgavias with him?"

"Yes."

"Be careful." Tessa gripped my hand again, giving it a squeeze. "Bezaliel says there's something stirring in the mountains. Something very bad."

If she only knew, but I'd promised Vallon we would keep my prophecy to ourselves for now. We'd see if the gods would give us more guidance.

There was a reason the gods saw fit that Vallon and I should find one another. My place was with him in Gadlizel. My purpose was greater than I could've ever imagined when I was with Papa in the inn.

I could help the shadow fae. All faekind. I would. I knew it down to my soul.

"I know, Tessa," I finally answered, squeezing her hand back. "Do not worry. I am well-protected."

My gaze slid to my left where Vallon stood, his wings flared, silhouetted against the sinking sun. My heart was full. For no matter what was in store, I knew I was exactly where the gods wanted me to be.