“What is it?” Gaea asked, her eyes flicking about the loft covered in more statues.
“You were awfully quiet,” I answered.
“I think I’m in awe. They adore each other so purely.”
“That’s what we need to discuss. I won’t be able to heal his wife. She is not wounded. I have a solution but I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
“No,” she said firmly. “That is not a solution. He is not a pawn in a game.”
“River would be safe, loved and cared for here. Most of all, he would be away from Autus. This male has remained in hiding his entire life. Over three hundred years. And you’ve been here now. You can visit him whenever you want. He would have a warm bed and meals and a family who would love and cherish him.”
“I love him.” Her voice broke.
I clasped her hand and willed her to see reason. Of course, I also cared for the boy. “I know you do. That’s why you know, in your heart, that this is the best thing we can do for him.” She nodded but looked away. “I won’t do it if you tell me not to. I’ll try to think of something else.”
“You know there isn’t a better solution. I won’t be selfish.” She bit her lip as the tears fell down her flushed cheeks.
“You’re the best person I know, Gaea,” I said, wiping them away.
She turned her back to me. I would take the very last thing she loved in the world and give it away, and this would be the action that broke the last bond between us. Even though she knew it was for the best, it wouldn’t matter.
“Tea?” the glassmaker’s wife called, walking up the stairs and setting her tray on the table.
“You can tell your mate to join us. We’ve made a decision.”
The four of us sat at the table. I reached for Gaea’s hand but she pulled it away. “May I examine you?” I asked the beaming female.
She nodded, and I laid my hand, palm up, on the table. She placed hers within mine, and I closed my eyes. I called my magic forward and searched for anything to save Gaea from this sacrifice, but it was as I thought. There was nothing wrong with her apart from the fertility problems that all fae faced. It was a matter of avoiding overpopulation in our world with beings that lived such long lives. Only the Mother could change that fate, and the gods rarely interfered in our world.
“Your mate is quite healthy. There is nothing that can be done, but as the old female explained, I have an unconventional solution.” I squeezed my hands into fists below the transparent table. “There is a boy in the Wind Court who needs a home. He has been under our protection for some time now, but as the unrest within the world grows, I believe it is time to find him a safer home. Somewhere that he will be loved and cared for.”
“He has the kindest soul and will be such a good boy,” Gaea’s voice cracked as she wiped another tear.
“I would not take a child from someone who loves him so deeply,” the female said, reaching for Gaea. “It would not be right.”
“No,” she answered, swallowing her emotions. “I cannot protect him and teach him and care for him the way you can. He needs you as badly as you need him. I only ask that you allow me to visit when I am able and make sure he knows how much we love him too.” She stood and walked out, and the female followed her.
I could feel the gaping void growing in my aching heart as she left. For him. For her. For the world that would never make sense and would continue to cleave the hearts and souls of good fae.
“Thank you,” the glassmaker said. “I will need a few days to complete the two objects you’ve asked for. You may stay here if you wish.”
“I have another task from the rebellion, but would you allow my friend to stay with River, the boy, for that time.”
“She can stay for as long as she needs.” He stood, and we walked out of the barn to find the glassmaker’s wife embracing Gaea.
“How will we get him here?” he asked, placing his hands into his pockets.
“Temir and I will go now to get him. We will be back soon.”
Gaea held her hand out to me and I took it, knowing it would be one of the last times she allowed me to do so. We spirited to a dark corner of the stable just in time to see Marte strike the boy.
Gaea dropped my hand and moved to step forward, but I grabbed her. “Let me,” I growled.
“I don’t fucking care what that asshole says, when I tell you not to leave, you don’t. I am still your master.”
“River, go to Gaea.” I stepped between them and watched him crawl across the floor in the direction I had come from. “I told you what would happen if you ever touched him again.”
“I’m not scared of you. I could have crushed you when you were a child.”
