“And you’ve always given her free rein to do whatever she wanted. Others who have crossed her have disappeared. I don’t think she’d do anything to you, but… I would be wary of what she might do to Callista.”
I clenched a fist. “I will not allow that.”
Chapter 19:Callista
Adissonant twang filled my room as I tried strumming a new chord on the lute Koan had brought me weeks ago. Or had it been months now? I’d been practicing every day, but even the most basic chords still sounded awful. I set the instrument on my bed when an unfamiliar knock hit my door.
I opened it but didn’t recognize the elf who filled the doorframe. He had a tall, powerful build, but the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth only came from years of smiling; and since he was an elf, it must have been a lot of years.
He dipped his head in a polite greeting. “Good morning. My name is Fagan. I was hoping you might be willing to accompany me on a walk through the gardens.”
I slid to the side enough to look over his shoulder and meet Jolter’s eyes. “I’m pleased to meet you, Fagan, but I’ll only go for a walk with you if Jolter thinks it’s wise.”
Fagan’s eyes nearly sparkled with mirth as he turned his bodyto let Jolter into the conversation. “By all means. I’m happy to defer to your guard.”
Jolter straightened and nodded a few times, as if weighing dozens of arguments. “I think it’s a great idea if Fagan promises to keep you safe. Otherwise, I’ll have to come along.”
Fagan sobered and bowed at Jolter. “I’ll absolutely protect her and bring her back safely within an hour.”
Jolter puffed out his chest and looked so proud that I would not have been surprised if his buttons popped off his shirt. “Good.” He winked at me. “I think it’s about time you went outside.”
Fagan glanced at my bell sleeves and exposed forearms. “The sun is out today, but I’d still suggest a cloak.”
Mylo’s dressmaker had left me with both a cloak and a jacket with long tails that flared like a dress. The jacket was thicker, so I put it on. Fagan waited in the hall and, when I returned, he offered me an elbow. “May I?”
I slipped my hand on his arm, and he reached over and patted it carefully, just like my father used to do when he took me for walks. The memory was more poignant than normal, but I pushed it away and focused on my new escort.
“Master Fagan,” I started, but then realized my potential mistake. “I’m afraid you might be one of the higher ranking elves to visit me. Do you have a title you’d like me to use?”
He chuckled, exercising those faint wrinkles. “No, no, my dear. Fagan is fine. You needn’t bother withMaster. I’m far too old for that nonsense.”
I tipped my head, curious. “How old are you?”
He laughed again. “Nobody told me you were impertinent.”
I felt a flush run up my neck. “I didn’t mean to be impertinent. Technically, you brought up your age first.”
“Indeed.” He didn’t sound offended. “I’m not bothered by it, even if other elves might be. I am just over 4,000.”
My eyes widened. “Really? You look amazing!”
His laughter spurred another embarrassed flush. I really needed to speak slower. And think first. The king might not be bothered by my uncensored thoughts, but this elf commanded authority too. I didn’t want to insult the first noble I met who acted like a noble.
“Your compliments, Callista, are rather unpredictable.”
I could not think of anything else to say as he led me through the tulip tunnel, out the grand main entrance, and down a path that led to large, sprawling patches of snow with vines, barren trees, and several fountains. The largest fountain had a spout of water that cascaded down three levels of small pools before disappearing underground. Sunlight sparkled off the water and the patches of snow.
Fagan gestured at a bench in front of the water, and we sat. “The fountains are enchanted to flow all winter, regardless of how cold it gets.”
I smiled. “They are beautiful.” But what was this elf’s purpose? Was it some kind of trick? A trap? Was he delaying now, waiting for someone to join us? “I’m sorry for the blunt question, Fagan, but why did you want me to come out here with you?”
His lips shifted naturally into a sad smile. “Am I so transparent?”
“No,” I said. “I have no idea what you want, and the suspense is going to make me crazy.”
A great shadow passed over our heads, and I looked up to see the king’s black drekkan form flying low over us. Relief sweptover me. Fagan would not have brought me here to kill me with the king watching. And if he had meant to, or if someone else meant to have him trap me for them, the king would not allow it.
Was I so sure of thehonorable beast? He had flown out of sight, but he let out a mighty roar.
