Chapter 101
ATASHA’S POV
55 vouchers
Cassian said he would think about it. For now, he allowed them to rest, recover, and remain in the outpost while he decided what to do with them. What I didn’t understand was why I was still in his study with him.
I could have used the time to go outside and tend to the wounded. That would have made sense. But then the truth settled in. My ability wasn’t mine to use freely. Cassian controlled it. It was his decision who I would heal and who I would not.
I swallowed and glanced at Mendez, who was seated across from me. Neither he nor Cassian had spoken for some time, and the silence made me wonder if they had some way of communicating without words.
“My Lady, is there something you wish to ask?” Mendez said, almost as though he had read my thoughts.
“I-” My eyes shifted to Cassian. He was still staring at the untouched cup of coffee in front of him, giving me no sign. I drew a breath and continued. “The Fae. What do you know about them?”
“Fae’s….” Mendez glanced at Cassian too. “Undeniably, I know more about them than the rest of the soldiers but that is only because I used to work in the Royal hospital.”
I nodded. Yes, Mendez indeed worked with the previous King in the past.
“Contrary to what normal people know, Fae’s have more similarities to us than most think…” Mendez paused, choosing his words. “They have royals, courts, and laws. They live in kingdoms under a crown. And like our packs, they’re divided into tribes.”
“Tribes?” I asked.
He nodded. “Each tribe owes tribute to the King, the one strong enough to keep them in line and protect them from what lives in the North. The tribute can be stones, labor, warriors, or knowledge. In return, the King keeps the roads clear, settles disputes, and answers when something worse than beasts starts, hunting. He protects them from the dangers of the North.”
“Dangers of the North?” I pressed.
“Yes, my lady. The weather is only one part of it. There are older creatures in the wastes, and enemies that don’t rush at walls. Some hide behind bargains. Some use lures. Witches are counted among the Fae’s enemies.” He hesitated, then added, “Witches take children when they can. They drain blood for power. Any supernatural blood can feed their work, but Fae blood carries more force, likely because of their tie to living things and stone.”
My jaw tightened. “Then why do Agape and the rest look… normal?” I left the rest of the thought hanging.
Mendez gave a short chuckle. “Most people picture Fae with polished features, long hair, pointed ears, and eyes that shine. Some do look like that. But they can hide it. Glamour, banding, bindings, call it what you want. Ears can be flattened, color dulled, marks covered. If they’re on the run, they won’t advertise what they are.”
“You’re saying they’re hiding their actual appearance?”
Chapter 101
55 vouchers
“Yes. At least the parts that give them away. If you saw them at a Fae court, you’d notice the differences. Here, they’ll pass until they choose not to.”
I thought of Kae’s posture and Agape’s formal bow. “Do you know anything about this Fae King, the one changing the Frozen North?”
“Unfortunately, no,” Mendez said. He glanced at Cassian and then back to me. “Fae’s avoid other supernaturals. Outside of trade, they share little. They keep their maps, their laws, and their bloodlines to themselves. But…” His eyes shifted to the door. “We can use Agape and the others to learn how their kingdom is structured. Which tribes pay what, who sits on which council, and how their oaths work. It would help us plan.”
I nodded. “Then we should start soon.”
Across from us, Cassian lifted his hand. Mendez stood at once.
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