Page 111 of First Light
Elanor and Eamer both stared at her.
“The last class I taught was Introduction to World Mythology.” Carys smoothed the napkin on her lap. “And I also teach a class on fairy tales and their influence on modern culture.”
Aisling couldn’t hide her smile. “You teach about us, you mean?”
“Uh… no.” She smiled. “You’re real people.”
“But we’re fairy tales to you.” Elanor exchanged an amused look with Aisling. “Tell me, Carys Morgan, could you teach a class on the Shadowlands?”
“I don’t think I’d dare.” She took another bite and carefully swallowed before she spoke again. “It’s one thing to read about something.” She looked around the table. “To study historical trends and the movement of mythologies across cultures. How geography and politics influence the stories people in my world tell. But” —she smiled a little— “to be confronted with the reality is something entirely different. In my world, we tell stories about the kelpie or the rusalka or la llorona to scare children away from bodies of water that could be dangerous. Here, those creatures are real.”
“Maybe they’ve always been real,” Eamer said, “and humans in your world forgot about them.”
“Maybe.” Carys nodded. “Like I said, I couldn’t teach a class on the Shadowlands. There’s too much I don’t know.”
Elanor smiled. “A wise woman knows what she knows and what she does not.”
“Indeed,” Eamer said. “My Queen Mother would agree with you.”
“May the gods bless her peaceful reign,” Elanor said. “Carys, would you like more sausage?”
“Thanks.”
Despite the awkward turn of the conversation, the air in the room was as warm as the light streaming through the windows, and Carys felt welcome.
That was until a cooler wind blew in with Regan’s arrival.
“Regan.” Elanor smiled politely, though there was tension around her mouth. “I’m glad you found your way to breakfast this morning.”
“And miss the Alban queen’s generous hospitality? Never.” Regan sat next to Carys. “How could I miss spending a morning with the mysterious sister?” She cast her eyes toward Carys. “Carys Morgan.”
Her name sounded sinister on Regan’s tongue.
Carys smiled despite the shiver on the back of her neck. “Aisling, how is the progress on your grimoire going?”
“Good.”
“Slow,” Regan said. “She still has much to learn.”
Two spots of red burned on Aisling’s cheeks.
Elanor broke in. “And yet Aisling is such great benefit to our court. You’ll be happy to know that she has gained a reputation for her healing knowledge. Even the unicorns consult with her on herbs and potions.”
“Thank you, Queen Elanor.” Aisling kept her voice low.
“High praise,” Eamer said. “The unicorns are famed for their healing knowledge. I’m sure they’ve shared much with Aisling as well.” She glanced at Regan. “Mother will be pleased.”
Elanor’s eyes cut from Aisling to Regan. “Perhaps you’ll find more time to spend with your niece so that she may take on the full responsibilities of a mage. The king and I would both be in your debt, and it would allow her to take on a novice of her own.”
“I’ll consider it.” Regan lounged in her chair. “My travels in Anglia consume me.”
“What do you do?” Carys asked.
Regan turned to her. “What doIdo?”
“Yes,what do you do in Anglia? Are you a healer like Aisling?”
Regan curled her lip, but Carys pressed on.