Seren’s focus falls elsewhere. “Where is Tansy? Is he hurt?”
“Tansy isn’t hurt. He’s just… Well, it’s fixable.” Jasper adjusts their robe and restores their serene expression. “You’ll find him in the Court of Hours, on the way to the garden. I should run ahead.”
They wait long enough for Seren to remember his new authority. “You may go,” Seren says reflexively, before considering that he wants more information on what ‘well, it’s fixable’ means.
“Tansy can wait,” Nevander says quietly. “As can Lysandra. We should consult the guards.”
Right. The intrusion in Spiritwood. They need to inform the Lord of Spiritwood too, so he can watch for Midnight and his augrays. Too much tugs at Seren’s mind.
But he doesn’t have to do everything. “You consult the guards and contact Spiritwood,” Seren says. “I’ll check on Tansy. We can meet at the Garden of Rites after.”
Nevander pauses, too guarded to reveal whether he hesitates from duty or affection. If those are any different. “I’ll be quick,” Nevander says, and gestures. A familiar figure cartwheels over. “Sir Idalia will escort you in my absence.”
Seren half hopes for a kiss goodbye, but Nevander stalks away without a touch. Strange relief loosens Seren’s shoulders. He takes off in another direction, Idalia beside him.
“Did our absence cause any problems?” Seren asks.
Idalia pulls a baton from a carryhold. “You’re in charge here, Your Highness. Don’t mind Jasper—they’re just nervous because they’re new.”
“How long have they been a ritekeeper?” Seren asks. He’s used to being the only newcomer.
“Just seven years,” Idalia says, dashing Seren’s hopes. “Or maybe eight.”
She twirls her baton as they press on. The palace is easier to navigate now. Seren focuses on the Court of Hours, its intimate gardens and raised stages, and the living pulse of the palace guides him onward.
There’s no guide for Seren’s swirling thoughts. He needs a few moments to sort them without constant touches and consideration andeye contact. Seren told the truth—he wasn’t being coerced by Nevander’s emotions. He’s just the normal sort of overwhelmed.
They haven’t discussed whether to flaunt or hide their… relationship, dalliance, whatever this is. Another fae brought up marriage yesterday. Seren’s relationships are apparently a matter of state, and he has no idea what that means.
Nevander has behaved with utmost propriety since returning to the palace. Discretion is probably wise.
Seren likes that, for now at least. He needs time to figure out what he wants without courtly interference.
The Court of Hours is quiet in the early morning, but not empty. An invisible servant floats over the gardens, filling their visible basket with cups discarded from last night’s revels. Three people cluster near the central dais—familiar faces Seren is starting to recognize as trouble.
Idalia hangs back, when Nevander would have accompanied Seren to the dais. Hopefully Seren’s sense of exposure doesn’t show. He lived all his life without escorts. He can walk up and talk to people on his own.
Tansy appears to notice Seren first. “Hello, your majestic and beautiful highness!”
Surprised or feigning surprise, Gevain and Morana bow.
“What a delight, Your Highness,” Morana says. “From where do you journey?”
“Spiritwood,” Seren answers, unnerved and braced for hostility. Last time they met, Morana used a man as a chair, and Seren told her to stop—the latter being the greater insult, apparently.
Morana smiles as if she has forgotten, which Seren doubts.
Tansy bows too, unusually polite, but also unusually clumsy. Both might be related to his left leg, which gleams marble from the thigh down, skin-tight trousers and all.
Stone-tight, rather.
“What are you all doing?” Seren demands, his alarm eased by Tansy’s apparent good cheer.
Though maybe that should bemorealarming.
Tansy sweeps a dramatic arm, which Gevain gracefully dodges. “We’re just enjoying the glorious sunlight. Sir Idalia!” Tansy snaps his fingers. “Fetch me a tankard of mead. I’m a little tied up, and said glorious sunlight is making me thirsty.”
Idalia simply tosses her baton overhead.