Unable to look at him and his terrible, beautiful eyes any longer, Zelli dropped his head. He opened his hand to stare blankly at the silver tree.
“May I give you something?” he asked at last, as quiet as Tahlen had been, “even if we’re not courting?” He didn’t wait for an answer, using his teeth on the remaining bits of knotted leather to make the cord as long as he could get it. “You’ll have to bend down,” he added, still not looking up.
“That necklace is meant to protect you.” Tahlen’s tone was stern, but he bent his shoulders and lowered his head.
Zelli spoke in a near whisper. “You told others this symbol was home to you.” He got on his toes to steady himself as he tied a knot in the ends of the cord, which barely fit around Tahlen’s neck. “People might recognize this as mine.”
“They might,” Tahlen agreed as Zelli arranged the silver charm to rest at the base of his throat.
“But it will keep you safe, if the fae are merciful.” Mindful of his horns, Zelli tilted his head to press his lips to the little tree and speak to his wilder kin. “Please be merciful.”
Tahlen put a hand to the center of Zelli’s back. He might have meant it to steady Zelli, but despite being on his toes, Zelli was in no danger of stumbling. Tahlen was breathing hard. A shiver wracked him, then he seemed to force it to stop.
Zelli let his breath warm Tahlen. He wanted Tahlen to bask in it. “People will see this and suspect I gave it to you. They will know you are favored by the fae. They will know you are favored byme.” Zelli opened his mouth to press his teeth to the side of Tahlen’s throat but didn’t bite down. He pulled back with reluctance. “You’ll wear it and think of me?”
“Zelli,” Tahlen answered weakly, shivering again. “Yes.”
Zelli wanted to devour him.
A thought which made him startle back. He would’ve fallen if not for Tahlen’s hand.
Purple and the same deep blue echoed through his skin until Tahlen took his hand away. Tahlen was slow to pull his gaze up from Zelli’s body.
Zelli saw the stars in Tahlen’s eyes.
A small, polite knock on the door broke the moment.
All emotion disappeared from Tahlen’s face as he straightened his shoulders. He put a hand to his throat, covering the rowan tree, and inclined his head toward Zelli. Then he went to the door, where he stopped without opening it.
“Stay back,” he asked without turning. “So that I can do what I need to without worry. Please, Zelli.” Then he slipped out the door, not opening it wide enough for anyone else to see Zelli standing there, naked and fae.
Zelli dropped into the chair in front of the low fire, pulling Tahlen’s cloak down over him while he wondered, and worried, and waited for Grandmother to call for him.
Twenty-One
Time passed. Zelli built up the fire, then went to clean himself. When he opened the curtains in the bathing room, he saw the weather had turned and the skies were gray. He hoped there wouldn’t be a summer storm to add to Grandmother’s worries.
Whatever was on Grandmother’s mind at that moment, Zelli couldn’t say, since she did not send for him. Tahlen would likely tell him that was out of concern. It might even have been that Tahlen had described Zelli’s current state to her and Grandmother had decided it was best to leave Zelli out of sight.
Nonetheless, Zelli dressed himself in loose pants that would allow for his tail but which closed at his ankles so that boots would hide all traces of fur on his legs. He chose a shirt of long sleeves, in case The Tialttyrin might need him, and tucked a pair of gloves into his belt. Then he walked the length of his room, back and forth, listening for a rap at the door that did not come.
No one came to offer him food or tea, which meant the kitchen staff was aflutter with the news as well and Zelli had been forgotten even by them. He couldn’t have eaten a thing, but he would have liked some information.
He ought to act like a beat-of-four in the capital and get himself some eyes-and-ears to listen to gossip and report to him. At least that would have beensomething.
He finally stood with his ear pressed to the door and was rewarded with the sound of rustling.
When he opened the door enough to peer outside, he saw Uncle Rou in an embroidered cloak that had last been worn a decade ago at the palace. His uncle, who was a great uncle, did not act happy as he hurried down the corridor in his best. Nel trailed after him, in heavier armor than was generally worn within the fortress’ inner walls.
Zelli shut the door before he could be noticed, then fell against it. Grandmother insisting that Rou and possibly others be seen with her was not much of a show of strength, even if the numbers impressed anyone. The aunts and uncles had not moved in palace circles in a long time, or ever. But they were all part fae, if more subtly than Zelli. Pointed ears and unusual hair colors would be on display.
She might have used Zelli for that. That she wasn’t doing so meant Tahlen had definitely related Zelli’s condition to her.
Zelli glared at the fireplace in Tahlen’s stead. Tahlen, who was probably in the same armor as Nel by now. Thatwasa show of strength, and possibly a threat. Grandmother probably knew that Tahlen would do whatever she asked today, even without an oath. Tahlen and Esrin had found a new home and now another beat-of-four family might take it from them. Their fear and grief would be raw.
Zelli should have thought of that. Tahlen would not be calm today, no matter how blank his face. The necklace was not enough comfort, but Zelli hoped Tahlen touched it and felt something to calm him, as it would calm him to think of Zelli out of danger.
If Zelliwasout of danger. He wasn’t facing it, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t there.
